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Car Market

June 30th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Green Flag, More Th>N

car marketThe global economic downturn has had a major effect upon the car market and indeed, buying habits.

Anyone listening to the news for the last few months would know the effect that the recession is having upon the car industry. General Motors nearly went under and some of the world’s major brand names are looking for handouts.

When the recession hit the world, people stopped buying cars. It was that simple.

But for anyone who wants to compare car breakdown cover between the AA, RAC and Green Flag, it’s doubtful whether the already competitive plans on offer will be reduced anymore, for the simple fact that people are now keeping their cars longer.

Whereas two years might be a quite usual time to swap a car for a new, or newer model (pretty straightforward when there was plenty of cheap credit around), people are now thinking of keeping their car an extra year, if not two years.

The has been necessitated by not only a drop in people’s disposable income, but also by fear of job losses, salary reductions and fewer personal loans.

So, people have opted to keep their cars that bit longer and make sure that there car breakdown service is kept up to date.

So, ironically, although the new car market has effectively collapsed, the second hand car market has strengthened.

Those still with jobs and money can achieve some amazing new car deals – such as a reported 40% reduction on new Vauxhalls – which makes the Government scrappage scheme look a little flaky of course, but most people are looking for good second hand cars.

Those around two years old, with a full service history and in good condition, are attracting good prices. It is these that drivers hope that will mean less problems when it comes to car insurance breakdown cover.

Also in demand are cars that are meagre in fuel consumption terms and ones that have low emissions. It would appear that in Europe, and increasingly across the pond in the U.S., that ‘gas guzzlers’ are going to become a thing of the past.

And another beneficiary of this decision to turn away from the new car market is the parts business. Tyre fitters for example are doing a roaring trade as people who keep their cars longer, are forced to keep their tyres in good condition.

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Comparing Rescue and Recovery Services

June 29th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Green Flag, More Th>N

recoveryWhen it comes to comparing rescue and recovery services, there is very little in substance to what the major brands – such as the AA, RAC and Green Flag – offer a consumer in terms of service and price.

Actually one of the main differences between the AA and the RAC, and Green Flag for example, is that the later do not own and operate their own fleet of breakdown vehicles; they rely on vehicles from garage operators, although most are branded with their logo.

Each of the companies are sophisticated operations which are able to keep the majority of the British driving public on the roads with few problems.

Most people tend to opt for one of the two big names, the AA, or the RAC, because they have been around really since the start of motoring and because they have the best known brands. But the likes of Green Flag are a significant prescence in the market.

Also, some of the smaller operators are better known in the market as offering a contract service to their major customers, such as car manufacturers and insurance companies, so they can in turn offer their customers a comprehensive service.

But when it comes to car breakdown cover UK, there’s not a lot of difference. You should still expect a wide range of schemes that offer value for money car breakdown assistance. You should also expect the breakdown van to be with you in an hour and try their best to get you going from the roadside.

The schemes on offer should be varied and cover all the eventualities you might encounter and this is where you need to have a think about your exact needs.

If you just do the school run and back every day, you might just need the basic cover that means that if you break down, a recovery vehicle will come out to you and tow you to a safe place. You can then add the options until you get the desired level of cover that matches your driving routines. You might think Home Start is a good idea, especially if your car can be a little tricky to get going. If you travel greater distances, the full recovery service might seem a necessary option and if you travel abroad, then car breakdown cover in France and other mainland countries would be vital.

Their pricing structure is also very competitive and allows you to commit to only what you need.

The large breakdown service companies are all very open when it comes to comparing rescue and recovery services, so ensure that you check their websites and literature, and get a feel as to what each offers and how it would suit you.

So remember, when you compare car breakdown cover, play the options game and get the service that matches your lifestyle and driving habits.

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Overseas Driving

June 22nd, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Green Flag, More Th>N, eCommerce Associates

drivingOkay, lets not try to get into too many national stereotypes when talking about overseas driving.

Well, we can try, but we may not be able to avoid it and for anyone thinking about driving abroad on holiday, or for business for that matter, it’s worth having a quick think about the differences between a few of our European neighbours.

If nothing else, it might help show that car breakdown cover in France, Germany, or Spain for example, is essential.

Lets take the British first. Thanks to successive government initiatives and campaigns, the drivers on this island do appear to be behaving a little better than they have done in the past. So much so, that when comparing rescue and recovery services, it looks like we’re getting some good deals.

The Brits have generally come to terms with drink driving. It has reduced over the years and the police, and many road organisations, believe that despite the Christmas time madness, its now under control.

Now the emphasis is on speed and although many drivers see the blossoming of cameras on every high street a mere tax raising measure, the problems of drivers going too fast has also improved. In many ways, speed is now seen as the new drink driving and for those travelling too fast along the country’s byways, they get the same looks once reserved for the drunks.

Right, so how does driving in say France differ from that of the U.K? And how should this influence someone who is comparing rescue and recovery services, and is keen to add an overseas clause?

Once you’ve been driving in France a little while you’ll soon appreciate that although they have got a grip on drink driving (once the curse of the countryside), speed still remains an issue. Speed cameras are not so widespread and although the Gendarmes still love roadside speed checks (and charge foreigners cash for their misdemeanours), the French still appear to be in love with speed. Travel down any A road in France and you will bear witness to any number of hair-raising attempts to get past, seemingly ignoring what’s on the other side of the road. Don’t join in: just grin and bear it, and be ready to take avoiding action.

Also, when you compare breakdown cover UK with the rest of Europe, remember that there are different systems in place. Take French motorways for example. In the U.K. the motorways, apart from the link road around Birmingham, are state owned. In France, they are owned and operated by private companies.

Breakdown on one of these and you will be rescued not by an affiliate of the AA, RAC, or Green Flag, but by a private operator and you can end up facing a hefty bill. Depending on the time of day, it can cost well over 100 euros to get you towed to a garage where you can then contact your breakdown company for advice on repairs, or car repatriation. This money will of course be reimbursed by your breakdown company, but bear it in mind when
speeding down the motorway.

So, always remember that driving overseas is a different proposition and that the things you take for granted with car breakdown cover UK, is not necessarily the same aboard.

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Scrappage Scheme

June 22nd, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Green Flag

carOne way to ensure you get the best deal from a provider of car breakdown cover UK, is to have the most up-to-date car possible and that’s why for many, the Scrappage scheme seemed such a good idea.

Th idea is simple. There are too many old cars on the roads today. Old cars can be more dangerous and are mostly less efficient than modern cars. They use more fuel, don’t return the best mileage figures and require more servicing, and maintaining. And often, they attract higher car insurance breakdown cover premiums.

In short, it is best for drivers across Europe to drive the most modern and efficient cars possible. Very laudable and the UK has now followed the likes of Germany in offering a viable scrappage scheme. And the likes of the AA, RAC and Green Flag seem generally in favour.

Despite some hiccups at the start, when certain manufacturers threatened not to participate because of VAT worries, the scheme has got off to a good start, with an estimated 60,000 old cars being taken off the UK roads.

But of course, everyone is not happy. Certain commentators think that the scrappage scheme is a hyped-up initiative which is not as good as it first appears. Some have gone as far as calling it ill-considered and lacking in effectiveness.

First, the scheme itself. The car has to be old (over ten years), be taxed, insured and MOT. In other words, fishing out that old banger from the village pond is not going to work either. Nor can you buy your mates old banger and exchange that. You have to have owned the car for a good 12 months.

So, given that you pass all the criteria (and that must rule out a good load of people) you can run along to the Government and get a £2,000 pay-out. And with that wedge in your hand, you can go along to the dealer and get a further £2,000 discount, because, afterall, times are tough.

So, you’d be looked at getting say a £12,000 motor for around £8,000. Not bad. The trouble is, that when you read the fine print (and fine print it is, get your glasses ready), you will see that the Government only gives you £1,000 of the £2,000 on offer, and the car manufacturer is meant to give you the other £1,000 off the list price. Now anyone knows that in tough times, manufacturers will haggle more than a carpet salesmen, so a £1,000 off the ticket price is not that big a deal. Motoring magazines have been highlighting regular deals which have seen up to £5,000 knocked off some new cars. So £1,000 is a little paltry.

Furthermore, people might swap their ten-year-old car for a £1,000 handout, realising that it might be worth far more. Indeed, it might be worth many thousands more.

Old does not necessarily mean worthless and commentators are worried that people are so brainwashed by the Government’s apparent largesse, that they fail to understand that they can easily get bigger dealer discounts and that they might be selling their own car too cheaply.

In other words, before you start comparing rescue and recovery services for your new car funded partly by the government, make you sure you’re not being undersold.

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Selling a Car? Cons to watch out for!

January 7th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, eCommerce Associates

Selling a car was always a bit risky; the dodgy cheque, the bundle of forged cash, the chance that someone would drive off when test driving, or come back at night and steal it.

But now, what with a lot of cars sold through web-sites and more haggling done via the emails and telephone, those days almost seem quaint and innocent. You now have to accept that there are a large number of people out there ready to take you for a ride, and you have to be on your guard. It’s best to play it really safe and in a way, be cynical of all approaches. A case of guilty until proved innocent.

There are quite a few cons out there, but basically all work to the same theme, and unfortunately they rely on people being gullible and trustworthy. Some will involve chancers who operate on the margins in this country, earning a good living by creaming off a few hundred pounds here and there from people selling anything, not just cars, and then there are the more organised crime gangs, often based in other countries, who are sophisticated and very clever at parting you and your money.

One of the more popular cons at the moment is the forged cheque technique.

You have a car to sell and someone emails you offering to buy it, but then sends you a seemingly sound looking cheque (certified, cashiers, building society, or bankers draft) for too much money. You get the cheque, you email them and they, all sweetness and light, say not to worry, when their cheque has cleared, could you please send the surplus via money transfer to their shipping agent.

Quite reasonable you think. So their cheque clears in three days, you send the surplus money as requested, and then, some two weeks later, your bank informs you that the cheque was actually stolen and claims all the monies back, including your surplus payment which you have no chance of claiming back because it was by money transfer and when you look at your emails with the buyer, you have no idea where this person actually is.

Basically, your are blinded by the sense of fairness of it all. You end up having not sold your car and having forked out a few hundred pounds for the priviledge.

Now, let’s not go into the banks role in all this, which seems to regard you as the sole judge of the legitimate status of a cheque and leaves you to carry the can. Rather, lets look at a few basics. There is one great rule in life; there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If someone offers you more than you are asking for the car, then why would they do that: are they stupid, on the make, or have made a genuine mistake. Rarely do people happily pay over the odds for it and if that is what happens to you, then stop right there.
Report the email and send the cheque to the authorities; or, if you think it a genuine mistake, ask for the correct amount of money to be sent and for a longer period for the cheque to be cleared, informing your bank that it might be suspect.

Also, have a close look at the email that comes from the alleged buyer. Poor English is often a sign that it is coming from far afield, from someone sat thousands of miles away with no intention of buying your car. Also, look at the email address. If it’s from one of the free services, then remember that anyone, anywhere can create such an address, with few details, in seconds.

Basically, if it doesn’t feel right, then it most probably isn’t.

A less sophisticated con, but one quite effective nonetheless, is targeted at people selling their cars through web-sites and listings magazines.

A company emails, or rings someone selling a car and says I represent ABC Ltd (it will be a very respectable name, with references to cars in it) and have a firm buyer for your car, but you need to pay a deposit, lets say £99 (they judge the price just right, so as to avoid the tricked person spending too much on chasing them) to secure the sale, otherwise the buyer, tired of being gazumped, will walk away.

Great you say, what’s £99, if I have a firm buyer for my car and the £99 will be refunded after the sale anyway. Wrong. That’s the rule of any transaction. He who comes first with the loot, gets the deal. Why should you pay anyone to have anyone secure the deal? And when you think about it, the prospective purchaser hasn’t even seen your car, so why would they enter into such an agreement?

But of course, people pay over the £99, no buyer transpires and no-one ever answers the telephone at the company who’s just fleeced you of £99. And most people say nevermind, put it down to one of life’s lessons and walk away embarrassed.

Above all, remember that if it doesn’t sound right, don’t touch it with a barge pole!

Car Breakdown Cover

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The History of Car Breakdown Insurance

September 30th, 2008 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, More Th>N

The first cars that began to appear in the streets of the United Kingdom were in the early part of the twentieth century, and they were few and far between. Yet it is interesting to note that the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) today one of the Britain’s leading recovery companies was formed way back in 1897.

It was more than likely that in these times, the RAC was a club in all meanings of the word, and they sent our volunteers who knew something of how the internal combustion engine operated to help one of the few people who owned one of these new fangled “horseless carriages” who had gotten into some form of distress.

When car breakdown insurance became popular to the mainstream of the UK public is pretty vague. Certainly the Automobile Association followed suit a few years later and for more than seventy years, they held the monopoly on breakdown services around the country. As the family car became more commonplace the AA and the RAC enjoyed a friendly but low paced rivalry, with innovations being added every few years to keep the customer’s interest. However what these associations did they do well, with friendly service being a key word?

They began to build a fleet of pick -up trucks to tow away cars that could not be repaired by the roadside, as well as a network of approved garages who had met the standards or service and honesty that either or sometimes both of these organisations demanded.

In smaller towns and villages, it was not uncommon to find a garage that had both the AA and the RAC seal of approval. Every year, these organisations would issue a year book with details of all their local service centres, approved garages and various other contact numbers. Eventually the year book expanded to provide details of hotels and restaurants all over the British Isles, with the next stage being that these organisations began to eventually grade the hotels and restaurants according to stars. This guide became a major source of revenue for both the AA and the RAC, yet never did it deter them from focusing from their core business: coming to the aid of the driver in distress.

In the early seventies, the RAC and The AA were joined on the roads of the UK by the National Breakdown Service who later changed their name to Green Flag. What set Green Flag apart from their more seasoned rivals was that they rarely employed their own service operatives, and instead they farmed out their work to local independent representatives, trained by the company and operating only by their predetermined service standards.

Other smaller and privately owned companies followed suit, and as the number of cars on UK roads continued to increase, and to keep pace with the standards demanded, both the AA and RAC were acquired by private concerns.

Recovery vehicles of today are equivalent to mobile workshops, with every facility that can make the repairman’s job easier in place, in order to expedite rapid diagnosis and repair and get the car and the driver back on the road as rapidly as possible.


For More information on specific Recovery Agents use these links

For more detailed information and all the best deals from the AA visit www.aa-cover.com/

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Reasons why your car should break down.

September 30th, 2008 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, More Th>N

What is a car breakdown? There are many reasons why a car stops moving forward which is generally interpreted as a breakdown and they can range from the most banal to the incredibly technical. Whatever the reasons for the breakdown, they can in ninety nine percent of the cases they can be solved, usually by a simple case of deduction or initiative on the part of the driver or in the more extreme cases after many hours of discussion and dedication by a team of diagnostic engineers in a spotless workshop/garage/laboratory in Milan.

To get our feet back on the ground regarding car breakdowns, you may be amazed to discover that the majority of car breakdowns are caused by the car running out of petrol. While it may not necessarily be the driver’s fault directly, as the fuel gauge may have suddenly ceased to carry out its role as designated, if you are setting out on a long journey or at night or in the rain or snow, or all of them together, make sure that the tank is full. Don’t trust the gauge too much. Fuel and carburetor problems are linked and they mean that engine won’t get the fuel it requires to keep the pistons rotating, and the car will stop. That is the only reason why a car will actually stop on a journey, short for the engine seizing, which is altogether a much more unpleasant and more expensive experience. Engines seize due to chronic overheating which can be caused by oil escaping from the engine, water escaping from the radiator or the timing belts in the engine snapping. Try to avoid this happening at all costs, by making sure that your oil and water levels are as they should be, and your timing belts are changed according to the manufacturers specifications.

Other reasons why a car will have to be stopped is if the driver experiences problems with the car during a journey that their diagnosis tells them that something is not functioning well in the car. The driver’s diagnosis can be either that the engine is in danger of malfunctioning and to continue the journey may result in extensive damage to be caused to it. Other problems may be electrical, steering, braking systems, tyres and wheels. Any of these systems are vital to the car and how it handles. Many drivers make the critical mistake of ignoring these problems in the hope that they will disappear. Instead they will get worse, and instead of parking their car on a well lit road, in a motorway service center or in the driveway of a relative or friend so that they can call out their breakdown recovery service, they insist on pressing on with their journey and instead breakdown in the middle of nowhere, or even worse cause an accident.

There are a number of reasons why your car could break down, most of them preventable. You can also ease the inconvenience that having breakdown causes, by joining one of the many breakdown recovery services in the UK. And yes, in case you wondered, most of them carry a few gallons of fuel with them


For More information on specific Recovery Agents use these links

For more detailed information and all the best deals from the AA visit www.aa-cover.com/

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Can you fix it? (Common car faults)

September 30th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, More Th>N, Tesco Insurance

In an ideal World, we buy a new or used car, keep it for as long as we want to keep it, get it serviced regularly, and sell it when we get bored with it, and move on to the next one. And the good news is that, at least as far car ownership is concerned, the World is still not quite ideal, but it is getting closer. Cars are much more reliable than they used to, and that’s a proven fact.

Yet, that doesn’t mean that as car owners, we don’t have our responsibilities. Cars do need to be serviced regularly, and unless you don’t want to spend some of your time waiting for a patrolman to come out and doing running repairs on your car, then you should listen to the advice of your garage, when they tell you that such and such a repair is going to come up soon or a major parts will need changing before the next service is due. The question is will you do a preventative repair or wait till the next service comes around. If you opt for the latter option, you should be prepared for the inconvenience and the possible danger to yourself and your loved ones, of delaying the inevitable.

The most common parts that will wear out on a car over time are as follows:

Fuel System problems: Always problematic, and even more so in the cars of today. The secret of avoiding problems is never to allow your petrol tank to get less than one third full, and prevent blocking the carburetor jets. These are highly sensitive parts and very expensive to repair, yet if left alone and kept filled with pure fuel and not the gunk from the bottom of your tank will ever give you any problems.

The battery: Batteries can last up to five years, irrespective of the mileage that the car does doing that time. If the car is a “city car”, in other words does only short journeys, eventually the terminals and clamp connections will come loose. During its routine service, your garage will check for this. However they will not be sure how your car is handled, so it is not a bad idea to ask them to check out the condition of the battery, and even to charge it if necessary. If your garage informs you that the battery is on its last legs and you choose not to change it, be prepared to be the idiot at the party walking around saying “has anyone here got jump leads”.

Alternators

An alternator will wear out on a car over time; it’s all a case of how soon. When it does the car won’t start, when your garage tell you that the time has come to change the alternator, do yourself a favour and listen. It’s not a part that can be repaired, only changed.

Fan Belts:

The part that operates around the alternator, radiator and water pump. Low cost and highly important. If the fan belt breaks, and the driver is not diligent enough in recognising the signs, you can blow the engine and cost yourself a lot of money. There are temporary solutions available for building a temporary fan belt, the most romantic being a lady’s nylon stocking in the pre war years. Nowadays most ladies don’t wear any kind of stockings, so you maybe carry a spare fan belt in your car.

On the subject of belts in general, when your garage tells you that the time is approaching to change one of them, ignore their words with caution.

Starter Motors: They will also wear out over time, but if maintained properly can last up to 250,000 miles these days.

Alarms and immobilisation systems: A modern day Trojan horse, planted on us thanks to a joint effort by the car thieves and the insurance, car alarms and immobilisation systems can cause more harm than good. Many a good evening has been ruined while a car owner tries to figure out why the system has failed him. Try and understand how to override the system in cases of emergency, as well as keeping it maintained.

These are the main mechanical parts that can cause you problems, although there are a few more. Many of these potential breakdown causers can stand a running repair, or at worse a call to your breakdown service. There are many companies who provide this service, with the following companies AA , Green Flag, Tesco, RAC, Insurance Choice (IC) being the leaders in the UK field.

However the best cure is prevention. It is always better to anticipate these problems before you get to experience them

Sourced from http://www.carbreakdowns.co.uk/


For More information on specific Recovery Agents use these links

For more detailed information and all the best deals from the AA visit www.aa-cover.com/

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Avoiding a winter car breakdown nightmare

September 30th, 2008 by admin | 1 Comment | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Tesco Insurance

Most people have had recurring nightmares, which in most cases they keep to themselves. Yet those who have been prepared to share their experience with others have helped to build a picture of the common nightmare, and it is: being exposed and helpless in the most difficult of conditions.

For UK residents the last year or so has been difficult. The credit crunch has affected most people in one way or another and the change in weather conditions in the UK caused by global warming has not helped to improve the national moral.

Indications are that the winter of 2008/2009 is going to be difficult and all of us have to be prepared for its challenges. A lot of our efforts will need to be placed in preparing and keeping our car in as good a working condition as possible, and thus avoid a winter car breakdown that can be traumatic for everyone caught up in it.

Breakdowns can be prevented, yet they are not always totally avoidable. Car owners should always make sure that they have breakdown insurance not just in the winter but all year round. There are many companies who provide this service, with the following companies AA , Green Flag, Tesco, RAC, Insurance Choice (IC) being the leaders in the UK field.

With your breakdown cover sticker proudly on display, you can then begin to prepare for the coming winter’s test

The first port of call should be the car’s battery. Make sure that all the cables and connections are in tip top condition, bearing in mind that when the temperature drops your battery’s power is being tested, especially if you have a diesel car. Depending where you live, you could install a battery blanket which is a form of heating pad. Sounds obscure but might just give that extra ounce of power to get the juices flowing, especially when you are in the car park of your supermarket, with two trolleys full of shopping and the only thing that is running is the children’s noses.

Another area where you might have problems during a cold and wet winter is the exhaust system, If there has been a lot of snow and frost, the local council will spread salt on the roads, which will considerably speed up the rate of corrosion on the system. Before winter conditions stat to extract their toll, you should have your exhaust system thoroughly checked over, and replace whatever parts that look vulnerable.

The underside of the car is a problem in winter, and another area which is potentially dangerous is the axle joints. Loose or worn joints may not cause a breakdown but they will certainly cause an accident, so have they checked out while the car is up on the ramp.

Car engines are stretched to the hilt during the winter. Adding antifreeze is a must and can prevent major breakdowns and major expense, so make sure that it is applied in time. Other overall factors that need to be taken into account are tyres, brakes, steering, demisters, heaters, windscreen wipers among others. In many case, your car service centre will offer you a pre winter check up, which might be a good investment to prepare you and your car for the rigours of the coming winter.

Sourced from http://www.carbreakdowns.co.uk/


For More information on specific Recovery Agents use these links

For more detailed information and all the best deals from the AA visit www.aa-cover.com/

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The Cost of Not Having Breakdown Cover

September 27th, 2008 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, More Th>N, Tesco Insurance

There are many people who shy clear of any form of insurance that is neither compulsory nor totally suicidal not to have. Breakdown cover may well be one of these forms of insurance that people are inclined to do without, stating that it is a an unnecessary expense and the chances of ever having to take advantage of the services on offer are so low that it is not justified.

Having car breakdown cover is not compulsory, yet most car insurers offer it at a highly subsidized cost as part of a comprehensive insurance policy. There are very few people who refuse the offer, simply because they want the peace of mind of knowing that if something does go wrong with their car that a reputable company will come to their assistance. The major and national roadside assistance companies have link ups with the leading UK car insurance giants, and the prices obtainable from them are part of an insurance package are very fair. Much fairer than if your car breaks down, you are not covered, and you fall into the hands of some of the more unscrupulous locally based breakdown services that like awake at night dreaming of the opportunity of earning a fat profit from someone who is in distress and consequentially vulnerable.

Not that the national breakdown services will not come to your aid if you are in distress, or that someone with care insurance cover will get priority over, either in terms of response time, quality of service or how the service operator will relate to you. However, you will swiftly realize the cost of not being insured, especially if the mechanic sent is not capable of carrying out a roadside repair, and you car has to transport to a garage. You will discover that you will have been so much better of paying the cover, probably five or even ten times more so, depending on the distances involved in transporting your car.

There are a lot of people that are under the mistaken impression that breakdown cover also includes the cost of repairing the car. The role of the roadside repair man is to diagnose the problem, do a running repair if at all possible, and if not either tow the car or arrange for it to be transported to the nearest garage for repair. The car owner can also insist that their car be transported to a garage of their choice, especially if they are far away from home. The breakdown company is obliged to do so, and will. However if they are locally based they will arrange to transport it on their own truck, If you have no insurance breakdown cover, this will be very expensive and difficult to justify. However if you deal with a national company such as the AA or the RAC, they will transport your car large distances at low cost, usually transferring it three of four times from transporter to transporter along the way.
All in all, there is an argument whether breakdown cover is a justifiable expense. Just ask anyone who has ever broken down in the middle of a rain storm, in the small hours of the morning, 200 miles away from home, and they will tell you exactly how worthwhile it is!

Sourced from http://www.carbreakdowns.co.uk/


For More information on specific Recovery Agents use these links

For more detailed information and all the best deals from the AA visit www.aa-cover.com/

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