Renewing AA cover.

This topic has 11 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 20 June 2026 at 14:06 by Ches Green UK.

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19 June 2026 at 17:38 #852696
Grizzly bear
Participant
@grizzlybear
Why is it so difficult to renew Breakdown cover?
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19 June 2026 at 17:44 #852700
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
No problem!

There were 5 “gifts” on Ebay when you purchased something. One of them was 1/2 price breakdown cover from the AA. I had given up on the cheap chisellers at the RAC who were charging me over twice the price that they charged for new members. I complained and they matched the price with a free upgrade that I didn’t really want. At the next renewal the free upgrade was costing me £15!

Buyer beware.

Andrew.
19 June 2026 at 17:53 #852702
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
I just add it to the normal insurance with LV. Cheaper than the rest and more convenient. Every year when I renew I have to ring them and ask them to sharpen their pencil, usually knock £50 or so off. However I’ve just ordered a new car, so I expect to be hit with a big bill.
19 June 2026 at 18:58 #852705
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
On 19 June 2026 at 17:53 duncan webster 1 Said:

I’ve just ordered a new car, so I expect to be hit with a big bill.

Check the details – AA covers the driver not the car at least when I was enrolling direct and not as a ‘perk’ on another product.
19 June 2026 at 20:03 #852710
duncan webster 1
Participant
@duncanwebster1
Well I only drive one car, so no problem
19 June 2026 at 21:29 #852727
not done it yet
Participant
@notdoneityet
LV will soon be no longer. They are expecting to be absorbed by Allianz next year.

Further, I don’t think they will quote for over 75s – at least not for my BEV.

Regarding AA cover. Allow it to lapse and ask them for a quote as a new member. Works wonders.🙂
19 June 2026 at 22:25 #852733
Baz
Participant
@baz89810
AA wanted £230 renewal this year, I threatened to go elsewhere and they reduced it to £150.
20 June 2026 at 09:19 #852749
Alan Donovan
Participant
@alandonovan54394
You could consider changing your bank account.

My monthly bank fees provide various insurances, which includes breakdown cover (valid in Europe as well) and health insurance. There are supplementary fees for the health insurance for ‘pre-existing conditions’ and those of us in their ‘golden’ years. But that is normal anyway.

We had reason to use the UK breakdown cover some years back, and it all went very well – especially as the car had to be transported home.

A.
20 June 2026 at 09:51 #852755
John Hinkley
Participant
@johnhinkley26699
Duck, everybody! Here comes another spanner in the works.

I had the misfortune to breakdown on the M1 southbound a year or so ago at 11 o’clock in the morning. Luckily it was in an area being worked on by the Highways Agency. They spied us on their cameras as we had struggled, on 3 of the available 4 cylinders to an emergency refuge area only a couple of miles from Watford Gap services. We were about half way between home and destination that day but had to wait for nearly an hour to be retrieved by the designated recovery vehicle to Watford Gap. No problem, I thought, I’m covered by breakdown insurance bundled with my Comprehensive car insurance. I was, but it took sixteen more hours of waiting and being transferred from one recovery vehicle to another before we got home at 5 o’clock in the morning. During that period I was able to talk to a number of breakdown operatives from four different companies and each one recommended that we go with Green Flag next time. Their main reasoning was the “Relay” system of recovery which the AA, particularly, were heralding at the time was just that. Each patrol has a certain area of operations at the limit of which they drop you and the vehicle off at a suitable point and another recovery outfit comes (after a long wait) to pick you up and transport you and your vehicle to their maximum range and so on. Hence the extended period of recovery. Not so with Green Flag. They attend, diagnose the fault and if unable to fix it will transport you and your passengers directly to either your destination, home or a repair facility designated by you. Annual cost for my car is currently £54.53 for a ’72 reg. Citroen C3 Aircross, UK coverage only.

I have no connection with Green Flag, other than as a yet-to-be satisfied customer. (The car that broke down was 12 years old and beginning to need sums of money spent on it – time to move it on.)

I can’t comment on foreign travel, but I would read the small print even more carefully than usual in that case.

John
20 June 2026 at 11:57 #852765
renardiere7
Participant
@renardiere7
Another convert to Green Flag here too. Donkey’s years with the AA and high fees and I don’t recall ever having to use them. On a general review and cost cutting exercise last year we got rid of the AA and joined Green Flag. Fingers crossed we never have to use them but John’s report above is encouraging.
20 June 2026 at 12:14 #852766
Andrew Crow
Participant
@andrewcrow91475
Be very careful with add on brake down cover with your insurance, read the small print details, as the cover can be quite limited eg brake down on the motorway and you may only have cover to nearest services or garage.

Andy.
20 June 2026 at 14:06 #852767
Ches Green UK
Participant
@chesgreenuk
The hassle of renewing dearer membership each year is surely a barrier to retaining some customers. But the accountants have done their sums and calculate the company still remains well ahead even if some members cancel their account.

I used the AA on Xmas day – my car battery was flat in my driveway (as in totally dead) so didn’t make the family meal. The battery was 11 yrs old and showing signs of needing replacing so I knew I was pushing my luck at that cold time of year.

I thought about trying my Charger but by then the meal was well underway and it was getting dark, so went back inside and booked an AA appointment online and selected a new battery for installation on the 26th.

Exactly on time, the well kitted AA van arrived the next day, charging circuit and old battery was checked and new battery fitted….took about 15 mins.

I asked the AA person if I could watch and ask questions whilst he did his stuff…”no problem”. We had a great chat 🙂

All in all, 10/10 to the AA for their website booking system and service on the day.

However, I will investigate Green Flag when the grossly increased AA renewal email arrives – thanks for that heads-up on that.

Ches
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