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Posts Tagged ‘Car Insurance’

Driving in France

July 7th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Green Flag, More Th>N, Travel, eCommerce Associates

Driving_in_FranceYou drive off the ferry, full of love for your European cousins, desperate to enjoy that once a year driving in France experience, only to be cut up by your first Clio, and you’ll soon be swearing like a trooper and gesturing in such a fashion that Entente Cordiale had drained right out of your car.

Okay, lets get one thing straight right away. If you’re heading off across the Channel, then get car breakdown cover in France. Don’t risk it. The cost of taking out good cover will not only give you peace of mind, but it could also save you a fortune.

But back to the French roads. The French do generally give a wider berth to cars with foreign number plates. It’s almost as if they know the average foreign driver does not have a steel stomach and a brain which seems to weigh up dangers with a different mathematical formula than most.

Take the average French driver along one of their ‘A’ roads. Not a motorway, or a dual-carriageway, but a straightforward road that links say two towns, with a couple of sleepy villages in between.

Firstly, the speed limit of 90 kilometres per hour (kph) – that’s 56 mph in old money, note some 4 mph slower than the national British speed limit) is only there so that some French people are employed making, erecting and maintaining speed signs. After that, it has no purpose.

Secondly, a long line of cars, with the odd lorry thrown in, all behind a lost Dutchman pulling his 75 metre caravan in first gear, is seen as a challenge by the average French driver. It is something to be overcome. This is best done by revving the old Peugeot up to 100 kph, pulling out once there’s nothing coming for at least 20 metres, then hurtling down the long line of traffic on the wrong side of the road, whilst lighting up the fifth Gauloise in four minutes, chatting animatedly to the passenger about the meaning of life and trying to stop the dog in the back licking the baguette.

It’s also best to ignore flashing lights, blaring horns and gestures, and once pass the caravan, swerve majestically across to the right side of the road and gun the Peugeot a bit more, because if you take the village at warp factor six, you’re going to get through quicker.

As for foreigners, don’t ignore the speed limits (or take a suitcase of bank notes instead), enjoy the motorway speed limit of 130 kph (81 mph), unless its raining, when it is 110 kph, and remember to take the warning triangle with you, just in case you do break down. And nowadays, you need a fluorescent jacket as well. It’s so that bloke doing warp factor six can see you and hopefully miss you.

All very French and oddly, quite charming. And the reason why you need good car breakdown cover in France.

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Green Driving

June 23rd, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in AA - Automobile Association, Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, Elder Abuse, Green Flag, More Th>N, Tesco Insurance

greendrivingIf we forget the recession a minute, there still is that awkward problem about global warming and this is where green driving comes in.

In fact, the greener driver you are, will most probably also mean you will see less of your car breakdown service.

The idea is to drive non-aggressively and therefore increase your cars’ miles per gallon, and its lifespan.

Hard driving has a negative effect upon your car’s performance in so many ways and could mean that when you compare car breakdown cover, you might not be able to get the best deal.

Nowadays drivers are encouraged to have a degree of empathy with their car. Jumping in, switching it on and immediately screaming off in a blaze of exhaust fumes, tyres squealing, burnt rubber and red-lining each gear change, is now no longer the accepted method of starting off from the kerb.

A car engine needs a few seconds of life before it is asked to reach maximum working load. It will do it of course, but think of all the pressure on the inner workings. Cam belts, water pumps, valves and all the rest of the thousands of components that make-up a modern engine, need carefully handling. Undue stress and they will fail on a more regular basis. And it means you will see the likes of the AA, RAC and Green Flag on a more regular basis.

And you don’t want to be paying over the odds when it comes to car insurance breakdown cover.

So, we now all have to remember to treat our cars kindly. When starting off, give it just a little chance to get warmed up; allow all that oil that has dropped to the sump during the night to get back into those nooks and crannies in the engine block. This doesn’t mean of course leaving it outside running for 15 minutes whilst you have that final cup of coffee. That does nothing for your fuel consumption, or the environment.

Once ready to go, use the throttle as though it has an egg underneath. Apply pressure gradually and thoughtfully. Do not have a ‘heavy’ right boot which means you kick at the pedal like Cristiano Ronaldo shooting from outside the box. And then make each successive gear change way before the red line on the rev counter. What’s a rev counter? For those that need to ask, it’s a dial, hopefully in the middle of your instrument panel, that helps you avoid blowing-up the engine with excessive revving (although your ears should also tell you that). But nowadays, it’s also a great way of keeping your fuel consumption down.

Use your rev counter to make sure you change gear at just the right time – so as not to let the engine struggle and stall, but also to avoid unnecessary revs and therefore wasted fuel.

Also, try not to ever go over 2,500/3,000 rpm (revolutions per minute), depending on your type of car of course. Most engines red-line (danger rev levels) at around 6,500/7,000 rpm, so keeping your car always at half that, will make a significant and beneficial difference to your fuel consumption and therefore your pocket.

It helps in this to also drive by anticipating what’s going to happen next. If you see for example stationery traffic ahead, slow down in plenty of time. Don’t leave it to the last minute, slap on the brakes, then accelerate hard again to pick-up speed.

Watch your revs and you could save yourself a packet. Green driving is not just for those who drive Volvos and live in Sweden.

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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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Tyre Pressures

January 6th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Auto Cover, Car Breakdown, eCommerce Associates

The majority of drivers seem to think that their car is an inanimate object which will go on and on for ever without the slightest bit of attention.

They expect to come running out in the morning, fire up the old jalopy, screech down the road and roar off to their latest destination without giving their steed a second thought. Even putting screen washer into the bottle is regarded as an irksome and irritating task.

So when it comes to checking tyre pressures, many people just can’t be bothered, waiting until the tyre has to be repaired, to be replaced after a puncture, or pumped up for an MOT, or service.

But this should not be the case. A car is a sophisticated piece of engineering and relies on a huge number of parts all working in harmony.

The tyres are an integral part of the car. Without them performing properly, not only will a driver hurt his wallet, he will risk damage to his car and also risk his life.

Consider that most cars can reach 100 mph these days and at that speed, you best hope that everything about the car is ship-shape.

Incorrectly blown up tyres could cause the car to aquaplane on a very wet road, fail to hold the line in a corner, or make it difficult to stop the car when braking. Manufacturers provide strict guidelines when it comes to the amount of air that should be in their tyres. Ignore that on a regular basis, and you are taking unnecessary risks.

Tyre pressures can reduce on a daily basis, caused by varying air temperatures, small leaks (say from damaged tyre walls, or bent wheels which break the tyre seal), or hard use on a long drive, or across a pot-holed road.

And even if you overlook the dangers on running on below pressure tyres, then think about the effect on your wallet. Incorrectly inflated tyres will wear out quicker and will need replacing earlier than well cared for tyres. Also, wrongly inflated tyres will increase the petrol consumption, sometimes by quite a factor, so losing a few miles every gallon will hurt your bank balance, as well as the planet.

So, check your tyres regularly and just make sure you know how to inflate your tyres at the local garage.

Those garages that use the old air lines with a gauge in the steel handset, are a bit trickier than the modern automated inflators, but with a little practice, anyone can get the hang of it.

Firstly, just have go around each tyre and unscrew the valve cap. Whilst taking the cap off, have a quick look at the tyre itself. See if you have an uneven tread (which might tell you that the car is running untrue), or even that the tread is below the legal limit (get them replaced immediately; it’s a lot cheaper than a fine, and a lot safer). Also, if you see a nail, or other sharp object in the tyre, don’t pull it out. It will most probably be sealing the leak it caused and once out, the tyre will need to be repaired.

So, get the airline handset and place the end of the line attachment onto your tyre valve. You should feel the resistance and if you quickly press the air plunger on the handset, then release it, the handset gauge will tell you the tyre’s pressure in BAR (metric), or PSI (imperial measurements). You’ll find your car’s tyres optimum air pressure range in the car handbook, near the car driver’s door, on a board at the garage, or find out before by looking it up on the web. The range covers the car with only a driver in, to one with a load of passengers and luggage. Then keep pressing the plunger until the tyre is inflated to the right amount.

With the more modern automated machines, it’s simplicity itself. You set the digital reading on the machine and place the airline attachment over your valve and wait until the buzzer sounds. Hey presto, a correctly inflated tyre.

Also, it’s a good idea to buy your own inflation gauge which is about the size of a fat pen, fits in the glove compartment and will give you an accurate reading each time you inflate your tyres. The trouble with some garage equipment is that it is wholly inaccurate and could lead to a false impression.

So, there you have it; set yourself a little rule. Maybe once a week, or on the tenth visit to buy petrol, drive over to the airline and spend a few minutes checking those tyres. It could provide dividends, in more ways than one.

Car Breakdown Cover

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Car insurance that’s right for you

October 7th, 2008 by admin | 3 Comments | Filed in Car Insurance, The Post Office, eCommerce Associates

You want a good deal on car insurance – but don’t just go for the cheapest option. Here’s what to think about when choosing car insurance…

Everyone shops around for a cheap car insurance quote, but cheapest isn’t always best. Focus on finding the right car insurance for your circumstances. Ask yourself:

  • what level of car insurance cover do you need?
  • do you want any extras included in your car insurance?
  • how much excess can you afford to pay?
  • could you lower your car insurance premiums?
  • Car insurance: the different levels of cover

    Third party car insurance is the most basic level of cover. You’re covered by your car insurance if you damage another car or injure someone in an accident. But you’re not covered for any damage to your own vehicle.

    Third party, fire and theft car insurance also pays out if your car is lost, stolen or damaged by fire.

    Comprehensive car insurance is the highest level of cover. If your car is damaged or written off in an accident, comprehensive car insurance will pay out.

    Car insurance extras

    Some extras may be free, but some are worth paying a little more for. Your car insurance could include cover for:

    • driving abroad while on holiday
    • vandalism
    • storm damage
    • windscreen repair or replacement
    • car accessories and personal belongings
    • personal accident and medical expenses
    • breakdown and emergency call-out
    • legal costs
    • a courtesy car

    The excess on your car insurance

    When you claim on your car insurance, you usually have to pay a set amount of the claim yourself – known as the excess. This can range from nothing to a few hundred pounds.

    Always check the excess before you buy car insurance.

    Keep your car insurance premiums low: top tips

    You can’t change your age or where you live, but you may lower your premium if you:

    • fit an alarm or immobiliser to your vehicle
    • keep your car in a garage overnight
    • keep your annual mileage low
    • pay your premium in one go rather than in instalments.

    For More information on specific Banks use these links


    For all the best deals on Home, Car, Travel and Life Insurance, Credit Cards, Travel Money cards and Savings Accounts from The Post Office visit www.quoteservices.co.uk/

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    What is a cut and shut and are they legal

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

    A cut and shut. The very phrase should end a shiver down a car owner’s spine. Yet there are many of these “ticking bombs” driving along the roads and highways of the UK. The majority of the people driving and travelling in these cars are blissfully aware that they are in an “accident waiting to happen.”
    Some are, simply because they are stupid and selfish enough to be willing to drive a car which externally looks the part, but has no legal right to be driven on public roads.

    So what is a “cut and shut”? As the term implies a cut and shut is actually two cars, both the same model and year, who have been involved in a car accident, serious enough to have been written off by the insurance company and are supposed to be broken up and sold for spare parts. Due to lack of proper jurisdiction, these cars sometimes wind up in the hands of unscrupulous welding shops or “chop shops” as they are sometimes known. These chop shops take the two cars, with an ideal example of one that has suffered serious rear end damage and another that has been damaged at the front end. By using no certain amount of skill, they succeed in matching both sections and welding them together so that they appear to be one car in perfect condition. A nice paint work, a new and stolen identity and the car is back on the road, looking as good as new.

    There are many people willing to buy a cut and shut, from the car dealer who is aware that the car is illegal, or the private buyer who is also aware but is prepared to take the risk with their lives as well as anyone else in the vicinity, when their car goes out of control or breaks up. Sadly many of the owners of these cars do not know that they have bought a car that is unroadworthy, and sadly a few find out when it is too late.

    When all is said and done, anyone actually buying a “cut and shut” only has themselves to blame. Any car, no matter how good it looks, what a good buy that it is and how much the seller presses them to make a swift decision, should stand their ground and insist on taking the car for pre-purchase examination. And not only that but at an examination center of their choice, preferably operated under the auspices of one the major car owners associations such RAC or the AA.

    If the car is a “cut and shut” then this will show up in a matter of minutes, and not only should any deals be cancelled, but information on the seller be passed on to the UK Offices of Fair Trading. Make no mistake about it ,the practice of “cut and shut” is illegal and anyone dealing in this horrendous practice is punishable by law.


    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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    Safety and a motorway breakdown

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

    It is never pleasant suffering a break down when you are on a car journey, and if the breakdown occurs when you are driving along on a motorway. If you feel that your car is experiencing some problems when you are driving on a motorway, yet nothing that will cause long term and significant damage, then do you best to “nurse” your car to the next service area? If you feel that your car won’t make it too far, there are always spots that you can find every few miles where you can stop your car in safety, and call for roadside assistance.

    If the problem with your car is so serious that you cannot continue to drive, you should pull onto the hard shoulder as cautiously as you can, and as far to the left as you can go. Sidelights and hazard warning lights should be left on. If you are alone in the car or with adult passengers, you should step out of the car, and only from the left side. If you are travelling alone with young children, then your number one priority should be their safety, and the focus of your attention should be in keeping them safe. If you are travelling with another adult, then you should pass on the responsibility to that person.

    Breaking down on a motorway is a very fraught experience and with children in the car it can be life threatening, so keep as cool a head as you can. Many responsible drivers keep a luminous jacket or jackets in their car for such an eventuality. If you have one, wear it and make sure that your passengers do too, even in the middle of a hot summer’s day.

    Once you know that your passengers are being taken care of, walk along the left side of the safety lane till you find an emergency phone. These are usually placed about one mile apart, so it is not too far too walk. In the age of mobile phones, people are inclined to waste valuable time and endanger their lives by attempting to call emergency services on their mobile whilst under pressure. It is so much easier to walk the maximum of one mile and make direct contact with the Motorway Police. If you see an emergency phone on the other side of the motorway, never under any circumstances should you cross the motorway to reach it.
    When you reach the phone station, report your situation, your position but don’t waste your time and theirs trying to explain why you think that your car broke down. Instead start to walk back in the direction of your car, and you will probably find that they will be there waiting for you when you arrive. Once the police are on the scene, the pressure will be off you. The motorway police will have called out someone to look at your vehicle and give a rapid assessment of the problems. If they can carry out a running repair to get the car running till the nearest service station or better still to a garage, then that is the best of a bad situation. If the problem is really serious, they may arrange for the car to be transported to the nearest service station, for onward transportation by your roadside breakdown service.
    All in all breaking down on a motorway, whilst traumatic, does not have to be a catastrophe. It’s all a case of keeping a cool head and following the proper procedures.

    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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    Finding a Garage to do repairs- what questions to ask.

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

    Ask the average person to provide a list of issues that must concern them as we move towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century, and in there along with global warming, World peace and financial stability you might well find finding a reliable, honest garage to do their car repairs.
    People live in fear of their car breaking down. Things are tight enough these days for most people and the last thing they need is a major repair involving expensive spare parts and hours of labour eating away at next month’s salary well before it hits the bank. Many people, even those who have been car owners for years, have very little idea of what actually happens inside the engine of their car. When something goes wrong, you can see them standing around helplessly in a garage, hoping that the problem will go away by itself, but it never does.

    The fact is that you can’t prevent a car from needing repairs, especially one that has been on the road for a few years. Engines work hard and eventually start to wear out, and parts need to be replaced. The amount of money you will have to pay on repairs and how breakdowns occur will depend on how the owner relates to their car. If you have your car serviced on a regular basis, at a garage that you trust, they will be able to alert you when such and such a part is about to wear out and will need replacing. If the part and cost of the repair is not too high, you might decide to do the repair on the spot. Or you might put it off for a few weeks, till you have the time or the money to do the repair, on condition that your garage tells you that the repair can wait.

    This is an example of trust between a garage and their customers, which should be cherished. This kind of relationship usually, but not always, is found with main dealers. They have too much to lose by “short changing” their customers as well as having the specific experience of dealing with certain car manufacturers, and not just a jack of all trades handling all kinds of makes. They tend to be more expensive, but they earn the difference in by knowing exactly how to take care of your car, its idiosyncrasies as well as being able to diagnose problems and anticipate problems that will happen in the future.

    There is no danger that a main dealer will never try to fob used or reconditioned parts, unless you agree, a situation that you will come up against if you service your car in a “jack of all makes” garage. If a car owner is loyal to their garage, then the garage will be loyal to them in return. Once a car gets past a certain age or over a certain mileage, it may not be economical to carry out repairs at a main dealer, and they will understand that.

    What is important is to be consistent and work with a garage that you can trust. Do your homework and be prepared. In the long term it will save you a lot of money and inconvenience.

    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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    Do you get the same cover (comparing breakdown cover supplied by insurance)

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

    When it comes to breakdown cover, like any other form of service that you purchase, you only get what you pay for. There are major price savings to be earned when you add breakdown and recovery services when you go to renew your annual comprehensive insurance policy. Most of the UK.s major insurance companies have tied up with one or two of the leading national break down companies. However whilst there are advantages in this option, especially in the discounts to be taken advantage of, insurance brokers are in business to sell insurance, so you should make sure that you are getting the breakdown cover that you want. Most of the leading roadside recovery companies openly publish their prices online, allowing a quick comparison of both their prices and services. Before rushing off to sign up for breakdown insurance through your broker, it might well be worth your while to compare prices, and discover if the generous discounts offer apply to the entire range of services that these companies offer, or just a selected few.

    To provide a loose indication, here is a chart of the UKs leading breakdown recovery organisations with prices for their range of services.

    Company

    Standard

    Standard  and Recovery

    Standard  and Recovery plus Homestart

    Standard  and Recovery plus Homestart and replacement vehicle

    AA

    £38

    £72

    £108

    £135

    Green Flag

    £36

    £66

    £69

    £133

    Tesco

    £33

    £59

    £79

    N/A

    RAC

    £33

    £71

    £81

    £106

    When comparing these prices you will be able to observe that there are no major differences in price at least for the more standard services. When deciding which company you want to work with, and whether you will be arranging your own breakdown insurance or through your broker, you should regard this chart as the roughest of indicators, which should help to present an overall picture of the many services available.

    Spend the necessary time online to assess each of these companies, as well as the many others that offer roadside recovery services. The issue can be a very important one, and not to be taken lightly, you may never need a recovery service, if you get lucky or once every two or three years if you go by the law of averages. However when you do need assistance, you need to know that you are placing yourself in the hands of professionals, who care about the company that they work for as well as its customers.   

    The standard of service that you should be looking for must include maximum call out time, with the standard being no more than forty minutes. Another important issue that should be addressed is whether the roadside service provides a priority service for families travelling with young children, elderly or infirm. These are issues that need to be taken care of when you decide which breakdown cover will suit you best.


    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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