Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

After 47 years driving I finally joined the AA. I never really bothered before until the wife asked what would happen if we broke down on the motorway. Suppose its a good thing really as its the person who is covered so I would still be ok if the marina chucked it Shocked

I just went for the whole package recovery the lot. Cost wasnt as bad as I thought.Most breakdowns you can fix yourself but unfotunately not all of them. Plus its peace of mind when you go on holiday.
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The Clan Chieftain

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

I joined them in 1999 after mother had a stroke,
As you say peace of mind.

You can get a named person on your cover and that person has the same cover if in someone else's car.
Was handy when my sister broke down with mother in the car.

Also if said person is registered disabled and in the car that breaks down they get preferential call out, as did my sisters break down.

I did call them out to the DLM, the first trip for MOT after rebuild, the ??? mechanic was useless, even had to be told what way to turn the spanner to undo a nut, the van full of tools was handy, and a local parts shop, as we did all our own work with his tools.

OK I know their not all like that , had one, from call out to driving away with the modern, 20-30 minutes.
Told him the symptoms, three tools and a spray can and he didn't return to the van for anything else.

Roger-hatchy · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 2135 Location: Tiptree, Essex

PS
Last June, M6, had a headgasket go on the DLM and used recovery from the Stafford services.
Now carry a headgasket, and the tools for the job, and all the rest, in the car.
A roadside, or in that case services, replacement could have seen me home quicker.

clan chieftain · Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2041 Location: Motherwell

Years ago I always carried starter..alternator..fan belt..hoses..water pump..and many other spares and tools in the boot...even 2 spare wheels in case I got a puncture and had to go a ditance with no spare. Never ever had to use them. Mad when you think back..typical mechanic Laughing

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The Clan Chieftain

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Joined the AA in 1990, and have just got a gold membership card for
21 years + Cool

Still worth haggling with them every year tho as they do try it on
at renewal...

Back in 92 (11am Boxing Day) I was glad I joined, as while driving up through central Wales
from Newport to Bangor my Bay window VW Camper threw a rod straight
through the crankcase Exclamation

The recovery truck driver was called in from Cirencester, collected me
and took me home to Godalming in Surrey (midnight) , then got called to
Gatwick....

Happy Days

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

I've been dragged home a few times by the AA, more often than not with a broken "modern(ish)" car rather than a pukka 1960s (or earlier) car. Saying that, my last invitation to the men in yellow to tow me home was with the A40 Devon, when the timing chain made a bid for freedom leaving Tatton Park a few years back.

R
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Jeeves · Joined: 04 Oct 2010 Posts: 69 Location: Blandford, Dorset

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4231 Location: South Cheshire

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Same with insurance isn't it, if you ring up at renewal time and tell them you're going elsewhere they'll put you onto a "retention" person whose sole job is to keep existing customers sweet. Usually results in a reduction to the quoted renewal Smile

The mob who insure the truck tried to bump up my premium by 10% earlier in the year. A few words later and it reduced to just a few extra £.

RJ
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Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
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Bitumen Boy · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 4:13 pm Post subject:

"Mob" is about right I reckon Rolling Eyes

Peter_L · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:01 pm Post subject:

CAA here which is also recognised in the U.S. $144 Cnd apprx £100

Service is not unlimited. 5 roadside calls. 1 x 320 Km apprx 200 Miles and 3 x 160 Km towing. Includes "no gas service" flat tire change, lockout.

We also get a discount on hotel rooms, but the #1 reason is peace of mind and cost if you are stranded on a miles from anywhere interstate in the middle of Nebraska.