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Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:16 pm
by GBOBM
So I got my renewal notice in from the AA and I'm now a "Silver Member". Wow!
Only issue is that they want to charge me a load of extra cash because I've had a few call outs over the last couple of years. £220 for 2 of us with Relay to be exact.
I know about the RAC and greenflag, but there also seems to be some other breakdown companies popping up. Anyone got any other suggestions?
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:30 pm
by cstrachan
GBOBM wrote:So I got my renewal notice in from the AA and I'm now a "Silver Member". Wow!
Only issue is that they want to charge me a load of extra cash because I've had a few call outs over the last couple of years. £220 for 2 of us with Relay to be exact.
I know about the RAC and greenflag, but there also seems to be some other breakdown companies popping up. Anyone got any other suggestions?
I just renewed my AA via quidco, with P&L on the VX it works out at less than £100 for joint relay cover when you factor in the £70 cash back. Just change the lead name to the other person

Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:56 pm
by Dominic
I left the AA last year after they tried to double the cost of my membership, despite haggling with them, and not having a single call out.
Joined the RAC last year, who were far cheaper, and cover me for whatever car I'm in as a driver or pax. Renewal came through last week, at the same price as last year. Far better approach than the thieving AA. I have however not yet had reason to call them out, so can't comment on their roadside service.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 9:24 pm
by Jeremy
Have a read of the Martin Lewis web page, there's a very detailed write up about this on there.
Regards,
Jeremy
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:03 pm
by sendmyusername
I was with the rac, my renewal came through, was 50 quid dearer than new members get, plus new members get an extra £50 of petrol.
I phoned and complained and was told that was only for new customers, I replied if I didn't renew, and phoned back, then i'd bea new customer. She told me then i'd lose my loyalty bonus. I asked if my loyalty bonus was to subsidise new customers.
They were still cheaper than AA. So didn't renew, and called after lunch to become a new member.
Saved £50, and got £50 of petrol too.
You have to jump through hoops to get the petrol though.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:32 pm
by Dark
RAC is really cheap if you use Tesco clubcard points.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:06 pm
by j2 lot
AA is cheap if you use an AA credit card too.

Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:47 am
by thesurfbus
I use GEM, only had to use them once but had no problems, usually cash back through Quidco.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:54 am
by tut
Unfortunately only the AA provides P&L, so unlike you rich buggers with your new cars, we poor shed owners have the need for.
tut
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:10 am
by Dominic
tut wrote:Unfortunately only the AA provides P&L, so unlike you rich buggers with your new cars, we poor shed owners have the need for.
tut
What I have saved over the past two years membership costs gives me a decent budget now to cover the parts and labour myself.
I know you have had good use of p & l Tut, but ask some others about their experiences. Ddtb?
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:13 am
by Lazydonkey
I'm not sure that maths necessarily stacks up as it's only going to be a saving of around £54 a year.....but i take the point. I'm don't think p&l is the no brainer that it once was.
EDIT : Checked the price online and P&L is £54 a year more than the standard package.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:38 am
by woody
tut wrote:Unfortunately only the AA provides P&L, so unlike you rich buggers with your new cars, we poor shed owners have the need for.
tut
Not always. The once my car has actually broken down,TT 2010 with HGF type symptoms, P & L would have ended up costing me a fortune. It appeared to be HGF but was the liners (bottom end now swapped for a TF 160 unit). Have saved more than the equivelant of the P & L payout by not having it over the years.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:24 am
by Dominic
Lazydonkey wrote:I'm not sure that maths necessarily stacks up as it's only going to be a saving of around £54 a year.....but i take the point. I'm don't think p&l is the no brainer that it once was.
EDIT : Checked the price online and P&L is £54 a year more than the standard package.
I'm nearly £200 per annum better off with the RAC. Now on my second year with them.
Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:43 am
by Doc883
I get full AA cover incl Home Start and Relay through my Current Account with LloydsTSB, other Banks also available
We pay £17 a month (£204 pa) but in addition to the AA get Family Worldwide Travel Insurance and Mobile Phone Insurance plus one or 2 other smaller benefits. Obviously wont suit everyone but for us it's cost effective and painless with no renewal worries so far

Re: Alternative to the AA? NLC
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:45 am
by sendmyusername
What's p&l ?
Ohh, got it, parts labour.