Cheaper Breakdown/Recovery Services - Low Mileage and older cars

[JOEPRO]

I got a garage - I also got a recovery truck - I have always had one...

Local stuff breakdowns - I deal with myself.

But in 40yrs - two drivers - me and wifey - I only paid for two recovery's....

So I conclude the same as @JOEPRO - if you got a well maintained car - whatever the age - you would be better off over time - putting your recovery premiums in a jam jar and just paying when it happens... You would get change in the jam jar over time - would you agree @JOEPRO ...?

Yes for sure - I have a few cars most of them over 20 years old and in 20 years of driving I've only needed recovery twice. Once when my S600 broke a suspension strut sensor and dumped itself on the ground and the other time when my S320 broke its transmission oil pump. Overall few and far between and those recoveries to my house cost me about £100 total for both. (£50 a trip)

 

[qwakers]

i've been recovered in this once:



and had a tyre fitter callout once.

i know what those two, very local less than 5 miles from base callouts cost. in the 5 years i've had that policy with my insurer, as unsurprisingly britannia doesn't cover it, the policy costs about break even with the 2 callouts.

i quite often drive it as far as liverpool. can you imagine how much it would cost to haul it back home from there?

recovery is cheap insurance.

 

[premmington]

The simple maths: Recovery companies take premiums - en mass they hold these premiums - then when people claim - they reocvery the vehicle and pay to do it.

The difference between incoming premiums and outgoing recovery expense = profit.

They always make a profit....

 

[Ross365]

Thanks for your replies .

Interesting that there are a number of good views on Autoaid. I'm presently with AutoNational Breakdown (ANB), but it turns out the two are the same company (based in Romford), but their policies are a bit different. I think that Autoaid covers the policy holder to drive any vehicle whereas ANB cover you for specific vehicles, but the latter is, strangely a bit more expensive.

Talking to their joint office on the phone today was very hard work!!! Also, despite the fact that I'm covered by ANB, I cannot login to their website, and they cannot tell me why, and don't seem to care about it. Not at all impressed.

Meanwhile, I currently have both the cars and the house covered by Admiral and they say they can offer me breakdown too with National Breakdown (based in Bradford) at quite a fair price for the lot. I like Admiral, and may well stay with them.

 

[Beanwood]

Thanks for your replies .

Interesting that there are a number of good views on Autoaid. I'm presently with AutoNational Breakdown (ANB), but it turns out the two are the same company (based in Romford), but their policies are a bit different. I think that Autoaid covers the policy holder to drive any vehicle whereas ANB cover you for specific vehicles, but the latter is, strangely a bit more expensive.

Talking to their joint office on the phone today was very hard work!!! Also, despite the fact that I'm covered by ANB, I cannot login to their website, and they cannot tell me why, and don't seem to care about it. Not at all impressed.

Meanwhile, I currently have both the cars and the house covered by Admiral and they say they can offer me breakdown too with National Breakdown (based in Bradford) at quite a fair price for the lot. I like Admiral, and may well stay with them.

Hmmm- that’s interesting I use AutoAid- really very good communication in my experience- but also with Admiral for car insurance- be interested to hear how competitive they are?

 

[dobbslc]

Yes for sure - I have a few cars most of them over 20 years old and in 20 years of driving I've only needed recovery twice. Once when my S600 broke a suspension strut sensor and dumped itself on the ground and the other time when my S320 broke its transmission oil pump. Overall few and far between and those recoveries to my house cost me about £100 total for both. (£50 a trip)

Not very reliable those Mercedes Benz cars are they?

 

[Bravheart]

Insured with NFU policy includes vehicle recovery for whatever vehicle me or my wife is sat in even if as a passenger, assume it would include veterain vehicles. Great piece of mind but like most insurance cover never needed.

 

[premmington]

Not very reliable those Mercedes Benz cars are they?

I had a early E320 CDi estate car - whole front suspension "perch" just fell off it - left what was a low car - slammed to the floor - standed

W124 I had before this - far better car...

 

[Smallfry]

I had a early E320 CDi estate car - whole front suspension "perch" just fell off it - left what was a low car - slammed to the floor - standed

W124 I had before this - far better car...

The 190 (E ?) was the last decent Mercedes. Quality has dropped off since then. I guess because they have become cars for the masses.

Italian guys up the lane have got a 600 !

 

[JOEPRO]

Not very reliable those Mercedes Benz cars are they?

Very reliable cars for me no issues there. Every car needs occasional repairs that's just reality. It wasn't until we had a Jaguar on the driveway that I truly knew what unreliable cars were like

 

[JOEPRO]

The 190 (E ?) was the last decent Mercedes. Quality has dropped off since then. I guess because they have become cars for the masses.

Italian guys up the lane have got a 600 !

Not really. Still lots of good MB models out there. If you like a 190E chassis quality then you should see a w140 Merc. I have an S600 also - 22 years old 145k miles and everything works in it goes like a scalded cat on drugs

 

[premmington]

I had a early E320 CDi estate car - whole front suspension "perch" just fell off it - left what was a low car - slammed to the floor - standed

The 190 (E ?) was the last decent Mercedes. Quality has dropped off since then. I guess because they have become cars for the masses.

Italian guys up the lane have got a 600 !

Merc 600 Grosser W100 - "ultimate heavy merc"

I have done lots of work on hydraulic systems on these over the years.

Pardon our interruption...

If only I had the money to own one...

But these are reserved for Royalty, Oil Sheiks and Dictators.


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Another nice car is a Merc 770 (W150) - these were the wheels of choice for the Third Reich