AA alternative, please

[Busterboo]

Wife and I have had AA cover for a long time. Used them twice. First, away from home. AA man quickly found what sounded like a dog fox with his balls caught in a vice. A stone trapped between inner brake pad and disc. Second, at home. AA man really helpful again. Even offered to go to BMW agent 10 miles away for spare part.

Now 2024. Out in Nottinghamshire countryside. Car stone (again) dead. No apparent reason. Call AA. Phone connection poor. AA woman what can only be described as snotty. Line goes dead. Try again. Another woman less than helpful. Line goes dead ... you're getting the picture now. One more try. Then discover that the AA expects me to go online and fill in a form.

So, would you please advise me which alternative to use.

[matsmith749]

Used to be with AA, shifted to RAC - neither brilliant IMHO. Main issue being long delays in response to callout (4hrs best / 7 hrs worst).

Secondary issue was that I didn;t even get AA / RAC people - local garages used. Didn't feel like worth paying the premium. Although to their credit - both times used in the last 10 years, the issue was fixed quickly.

Both seem to have shifted to 'use the app' as the default - it's the way of the world.

But I need 'something'.....

Right now I'm on whatever the BMW Warranty service is - not had to use it, so sadly cannot how the quality is.

[Nick W]

I have AutoAid cover. Have used them only once while driving my sons car, possible because they insure you not the vehicle. Quick and easy using their app.

[Pondrew]

My wife called the AA just a few weeks ago from her work. She had an 'engine warning' come up on the dash. I told her to get the AA to read the codes.

The AA man turned up in less than 15 minutes, read the codes, and was very helpful. I think it does help being a female when calling the breakdown services, although it shouldn't in 2024 IMO.

[JakeS76]

Start rescue are good. Much cheaper than AA. They use local breakdown mechanics. When we had a flat battery on the Audi last year they came out quickly. The battery was knackered so they paid for the mechanic to do a 25 mile round trip to get a new battery and paid for them to fit it. All it cost me was the price of the battery - which was the same price eurocarparts were charging. They even registered the battery free.

[PDJ]

RAC for the last couple of years

Had to use them on Tuesday

You have to do it via the app This also helps find you

You have to fill in your details then tell them what you think is wrong now if you do know this can be a good thing

The man turned up around 45mins after the call

Agreed with me and tried to get the parts needed now he had a coil pack on the van and said he had a plug as well but as no one had a starter motor he said it was best if the car was recovered after I said it had a LSD with an extra plate in it he said well that's going on a flat bed that was a deferent drive etc. and was another 30 mins wait but he was very good and very careful with my car

Now I thought does he go to BMW and then add 30% NO he was trying Euro's and GSF and he said there is no RAC mark up applied so the same price as I would have to pay


So on this occasion the RAC where very good

[Mr Tidy]

I've been with RAC for years, but didn't need them until May 2018 when the electric water pump on my 325i died.

They got to me in less than an hour and towed me 10 miles or so to my usual BMW Indy.

Then in December 2018 the same car wouldn't start because the battery had died. It might have been more than an hour but I was at home sitting in the warm so didn't care! Glad I had pair for Home Start though. Again an RAC patrol arrived, with a battery in the van that would fit so I just paid for the new battery.

Based on those experiences I've stayed with them, but it looks like I need to download the bloody App.

[PDJ]

but it looks like I need to download the bloody App.

It was not that bad

There was free text to put in what is wrong with the car

Also if you are in danger or are one of the vulnerable types (if I have spelt that right)

[tiglon]

I've called out the AA probably 5 times over the years, never been anything less than excellent. Always super friendly and helpful, always gone above and beyond when the opportunity arises.

No, they're not always there instantly, but that's life - sometimes you have to wait for things. I doubt any other breakdown company will achieve 100% perfection either.

[Pondrew]

I joined the AA last year, but am planning on leaving as it just isn't working for me. I drink more than ever!

[ronk]

Before my BMW days and insured warranty, I used Britannia Rescue
I can only report positively when I needed some help both in the UK and in Switzerland

For example, We had a bad accident In the Grantham area en route to the outlaws in Bedford - they organised a rental car for us to continue our journey then chauffeured us home to Durham a few days later,

At the time they offered discount for civil service / post office / prison service etc. incl retired personnel.

If I didn’t have breakdown cover with the BMW warranty I would still use them

[Stevo1987]

I joined the AA last year, but am planning on leaving as it just isn't working for me. I drink more than ever!

So, all is revealed. It makes sense now.

[Jasonn]

I'd steer clear of Greenflag.

My wife had the clutch pedal fail on her x3 and she managed to limp it home, they (Greenflag) said that as it happened away from home, they'd tow it to a garage of my choice if it was local. Phoned my indy, he was booked solid and I had a long drive to Devon the next day, so I called a local BMW "specialist" who could fix it.

Called GF straight after as the "specialist" was only about 2 miles from home (the pedal box refused to let the car start so it needed a tow). GF then said that they'd never agreed to tow me to a garage - I told them to check the recording of the previous call - around an hour later they called back and said that this shouldn't have been offered (I had to ask the garage to stay open late now). GF sent a contractor with a flatbed to tow the x3.

Drive to Devon & whilst I was there it failed again - phoned GF explained that it'd happened again they said it was a repeat so wouldn't send anyone unless I had a reciept showing that it'd been repaired even though I was over 300 miles away from home - I had a copy on my phone so offered to email it to them - they said that they'd call me when they had a truck available....leaving me blocking a slip road.

Phoned a relative who knew a local garage who did a lot of BMW work, I called him (late afternoon) and he was happy to wait as he was doing some paperwork, told him I was waiting for a GF truck, he knew a local truck near where I'd broken down who could get to me 15mins later his truck turns up and on its way to the garage.

Never using them again