Breakdown Cover - who's best?

[Flightmapping]

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I guess there is some inter-linking between general travel and breakdown cover, but I'm also looking for this myself.

I did get this "free" with Lloyds TSB, but am moving bank accounts, and now looking for the best deal for standalone cover.

Can be quite a minefield to compare "free" services offered by banks with how much they are really worth. Travel discounts are often pretty pointless, whereas "free" holiday money often comes with hidden charges, not to mention all those foreign transaction charges. That's why I'm moving to Nationwide, but they never seemed to get the affiliate picture.

AA home start (DGM / Buy.at?) is something which I've used previously, but would be interested to hear any thoughts on the RAC (TD?), Green Flag etc.

Am I also right in thinking that protection for hire cars comes within the realms of travel insurance or extra insurance offered by the rental company (usually a rip off), rather than under breakdown cover, or do the likes of the AA and the RAC cover this, at least within the UK?

[drivetowin]

Both the AA and the RAC now cover you not the car - so you can call them out for a breakdown in any car in which you are the driver or a passenger - not many people realise the second bit.

Both the AA and RAC are on Buy.at

I'm not sure about Green Flag and others as I've only used the RAC myself

[Shane]

Depeds on your needs really, I took cover this year with "More than" as it was the best cover for the price for me , it was far cheaper than the AA or RAC

[bazza1603]

Hi Mate,

Car Hire in the Uk normally come with breakdown cover as standard with the bigger firms. Cars are normally under 6 months old and normally are cover by makers warranty and 1 year cover.

I got my Peugeot 206 Estate full covered via norwich Union for £42. RAC wanted £180 for the same cover.... Daft thing is RAC provide the breakdown service on behalf of Norwich Union. If you car is still in warranty it may be worth ringing the deraler, as sometimes they can offer low cost cover.

I normally get roped into staying with the company cars when they break down.

My order of service would be

AA - Are by far the best. Totally good and quick service. SMS messages are excellant. Technical information from these guys is outstanding. Very expensive but worth it.

RAC - A little slow.

Green flag - Normally use 3rd party local companies. Normally okay, but I am not keen.

Best regards

Baz

[hairsupermarket]

Didnt expect this to be my first post but make sure you get cover which you will be able to be towed HOME. A few weeks ago my smart car broke down 2 hours from home, my rac cover would only get me towed 12 miles to nearest garage, this was useless since there was unlikely to be a smart dealership nearby and certainly not at 10pm, for an extra 25quid on my rac cover i could have been towed home - cost me £300 for a private firm to take me home, and i still havent got my car fixed