breakdown cover (yes, again)

I know this has been done several times in the past, but 1) I don't have
access to google groups here and 2) opinions may vary.

So who's the preffered choice of breakdown/recovery agent for bikes
these days? Particularly European cover, what with the impending French
invasion.

AA, RAC, GreenFlag? Anyone used NCI?

 

AA did rescue me once, but I decided to let it lapse after they wanted
a big hike in premium for the next year. The rescue was somewhat
botched anyway as they turned up with a car trailer and had to nip off
to get a bike one. I'd told them over the phone it was a bike, and it
was an alarm/immobiliser malfunction (Datatool - what else?) so would
need removing to home. However, I wasn't that bothered about it all as
I got to stay at hers for Sunday lunch.

 

Doesnotcompute wrote in

I've only called breakdown cover once whilst outside UK. They all use
local garages so the quality of the actual breakdown service is almost
random.

However, actually getting someone out relies on the efficiency of the
call centre. IMO it's better if you have a list of local numbers rather
than phoning back to the UK.

I had a good experience with Green Flag. Near Paris, I had a flat
battery. [1]Call a toll free number to a French call centre. 35 mins
later a Peugeot scooter arrives. Gets briefcase from pannier. Zaps
battery, job done.

I've found Green Flag to be very good in the UK too.

I'm currently covered by CNash's Mondial Assistance policy but,
fortunately I've not had to make call them out so cannot comment on how
good they are.

[1] arrived at EuroDisney in fog & left lights on, auto car so no bump
start.

 

I get free AA cover with my current account. Did have RAC cover, but
they were charging a fortune and I figured there was no point having
both, especially if one of them was free.

No european cover, but I can pay a supplement or summat, apparently.

 

AOL, I've used the AA for about 10 years now and on the few occasions I've
called them out they've always been prompt and either fixed it or got me
home reasonably painlessly.

 

Doesnotcompute wrote

I had cause to use Auntie Carol's free RAC cover last year. The bloke,
a sub contractor, turned up, put the VT on the back in a very
professional manner and delivered me home.

Not a lot else to say really.

Except: "The RAC are cunts"

Although, I think that leaving Bear stranded in the middle of the
badlands without a single drop of Absinthe has a certain up side to it
which should not be ignored.

 

They all appear to be equally inept in this country, ime. That said, when I
needed recovering with a flat on the GSXR in France, the local lot they sent
to pick me up were prompt, polite, knew what they were doing and got me to a
shop where I could get it repaired in virtually no time.....

I'd always have some sort of membership tho' due to my past choice of old or
crap or 2-stroke vehicles and the likelihood of ending up miles from home
and having to pay a local garage more for one call out than a year's
membership. Just get one that is attached to you rather than the vehicle.

Dave

 

So who's the preffered choice of breakdown/recovery agent for bikes

The RAC left SWMBO stuck on M1 & a very remote part of the A41 one evening
for over 5 hours with the same fault. Complete fuckwits. They were very
surprised when I cancelled my expensive full bells and whistles membership
and were pretty aggressive about getting me to rejoin. I enjoyed that
conversation.

 

I think that was an attempt to trick you into revealing your account
details. Well batted.

 

http://www.lloydstsb.com/current_accounts/platinum_current_account/aa_breakdown.asp

 

It was?

How quaint.

 

I'm with Green Flag (or rather direct line as they are now) and
they've always been fine with me, unlike the AA who left me stranded
in the pissing down rain.

I also like the fact I can pay by monthly DD and I get a discount on
it / car insurance for having both.

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The varlet known as WavyDavy did proclaim to all assembled:

I get Britannia thru the CSMA, and paid extra for personal rather than
vehicle specific, bloody good - and cheap.

 

<AOL> IIRC £72 for one vehicle any driver[1] and Kate & I personal for
any vehicle. Foreign cover is around £10 a day, I am using their
annual holiday insurance as well. Since the limitations they apply
appear to be less of a restriction than others.

 

I've got AA because it covers me when I'm in any car or on the bike
for one fee, rather than the vehicle specific cover that the rest of
them seem to provide.

Only had to use it once in the car for something silly but they were
quick given it was rush hour.

 

steve auvache wrote in

AC uses Mondial now

AOL

 

Fr Jack says...

I'll go along with that. Good experiences of CSMA, bad experiences of
RAC.

 

I know it was a quote and I wasn't in that particular camp at the time,
however, my opinion has changed and this statement now pretty much sums up
my feelings towards the organisation.

To be a little more specific, (unsurprisingly) all of the RAC's actual
operatives I've had the pleasure of dealing with have been knowledgable,
courteous and efficient, some exceptionally so.

Their call-centre staff are another kettle of fish, mind. /They/ are a
bunch of know-nothing bozos.

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|That the scenery | It always gives the test first
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***** human response from wik at blueyonder dot co dot uk *****

 

Doesnotcompute secured a place in history by writing:

I've used the RAC three times on bikes and a couple on cars. Never had
anything but a very good experience - always turned up within an hour (10
mins in one case), always courteous and knowledgeable. ISTR that I moved
to them because a Which report rated them best for motorcyclists.

Inevitably, YMMV. But they'd have to really piss me off to lose my custom
at the moment.

 

The few times I've called them out (punctures, accident and throttle
cable). They've been fairly quick, knew it was a bike and got me home.

So pretty good really.