Can I call RAC for this?

[Nanniemate]

I worked for a breakdown agent to the larger companies....green flag, brittania etc.
I can't remember how many cars and vans I've pulled out of ditches and dry stone walls.....one old woman had flipped her car onto its roof.
I'm sure if the BD companies didn't pay my boss wouldn't have sent us on the job

Many breakdown companies have recovery contracts . As similar vehiles are required , just look ar the telly series about heavy haulage breakdown , roadhell, or something like tat it's called, the same guys are going to a breakdown one minute and insurance recovery the next .

 

[kev54]

I am sure you are correct. How does that compare With the £600 Inhave paid the RAC in the last two years and had nothing?

It does seem like a trivial item it’s like judging whether to claim on the house insurance for something

You’ve had cover for possible need. The fact you didn’t need to call them is not part of the contract

 

[Lenny HB]

A lot of Motorhomes now have LED's integrated into the lamp clusters. For example Carthago rear light unit the tail and stop lights are LED's built into the unit, Hymer's front indicator & DRL are built into the headlamp.

So if the LED unit goes it's a replacemt unit a Hymer headlamp is £900 so dealers don't tend to have them in stock and if could take weeks to get a replacement.

The question is as its illegal to drive without working lights would the breakdown service recover you from Spain for what is effectively a bulb failure?

Obviously most of us would carry on and sort it out once we got home.

 

[gus-lopez]

What is the difference between this and say a flat battery? They would happily come out to that and I guess would also like to sell you a new battery if yours is knackered

They shouldn't ,it is negligence unless it fails whilst actually in motion.

My whole point is why not get someone I am paying to do it?

You aren't paying for that but for breaking down .You haven't . The fact that it isn't legal to run with the light out is your problem to repair by using a garage.

Eg. Headlights won’t work- it is still light but I know I will be driving in the dark later .

That isn't a breakdown either . as you know in day light & can arrange to get it fixed bya a garage. I'd actually consider it fraud?

So being specific they will come and change a tyre if you have a puncture.

They shouldn't be doing that either as far as I am concerned. if you can't change a wheel or do not have the correct tools.including a trolley jack if needed, that is your problem & you shouldn't be on the road.

So you have an accident and the vehicle is immobilised.....and they don't cover that scenareo.

No, nor have they ever done.accident recovery is charged to your vehicle insurance

I believe not Lots of fine print as always

Accidents have never been covered by breakdown insurance. Accidents have always been covered by your vehicle insurance,& if uninsured you personally get the bill.Even if you had breakdown insurance.

That's not the point.
If your immobilised you should be covered by BD cover.

You aren't immobilised ,you have had an accident.

In the words of the RAC….

A ‘breakdown’ is an event that stops your vehicle from being driven because of a mechanical or electrical failure. For example, a battery failure or flat tyres.

Here are a few examples of things that aren’t classed as a breakdown: putting in the wrong fuel, road traffic collisions, fire, flood, theft, acts of vandalism, or any driver-induced fault.

A falt tyre does not prevent your vehicle being driven, regardless of what the BC says. Battery failure might but only if it dies whilst actually in motion.

See above- seems to me,minor as it may be, I have an electrical failure - the vehicle should ideally not be driven without a brake light- if someone ran in to the back of me I would not be insured. Seems pretty clear cut

Quite correct so pay to fix it using normal methods & not expect breakdown cover to cover stuff it isn't meant too.

TPF & T used to be quite common but hardly anyone has it nowadays.

Don't come here then as tpf& t is the norm after the first 3 to 5 years.

I'm sure if the BD companies didn't pay my boss wouldn't have sent us on the job

The BD companies don't pay the vehicle insurance cover does.

A breakdown is a breakdown. Something that happens out of the blue.Not something that is known of in advance ,whether it makes the vehicle legally undrivable or not.

 

[Mikey RV]

I can’t believe all the time this thread has been running since yesterday afternoon and you have not phoned the RAC and you you would know the answer to your problem, Yes or No and could have had it fixed one way or another by now.

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[Speve]

How would you get it changed if you were say out in Spain? Where it is required to carry spare bulbs with you? Would you call breakdown? If so then call them now

 

[L' Hobo]

IF I remember correctly, when I was a Owner/Transport Manager, the law said that, if there was no inclement weather, a vehicle can be driven in daylight, if it has sidelights to front and rear + brake lights.

The way I interpreted this was, if a Headlight was found to be out while vehicle was on the road, (one of the drivers duties was to check that all were working BEFORE the vehicle left the depot in the morning), it would be possible drive to a safe place and have it fixed.
(I think I'm correct in saying that, if stopped by the Ministry, or other authorities, a non working Headlight bulb in daylight is a delayed PG9B, not a fine)

We only ever had one in 40yrs and that was because a child had been sick over a seat and the driver hadn't taped the area off (just moved the children) as he was returning, the 3mls, to the depot to change the swab when he was stopped.
They still issued a notice!

 

[Rapido925M]

I got pulled in my MH at 3pm on 27th Dec because my ns dipped beam was not working (I'd checked it the previous night and it was fine). I was waved into the Police carpark at Long Stratton, Norfolk, and my immediate thoughts were "am I overweight" (MH not me personally ). I was shocked when told why I'd been pulled in: hopefully I got sympathy for it being genuine!

He took my licence details, breathalysed me (0%) and told me that no further action would be taken.

The last few miles home in the dark were slightly difficult without decent illumination of the ns verge. A new bulb was fitted yesterday with the help of son and SiL, as I couldn't get the spring clips (Hella 90cm) to undo: not easy access to anything with an Aclass! I had considered paying Halfords £5 (or whatever they charge to fit a bulb) BUT I didn't think about breakdown cover.

I disagree with gus-lopez regarding the battery: I have homestart through NationWide and got my starter battery replaced a few years ago. IF the vehicle will not start then it has broken down within the terms of homestart cover. They were happy to sell me a new one (£100?) but I got a better spec one at Halfords (£80?): it was fitted without any quibble.

Gordon

 

[VXman]

So, I read the terms and conditions and it seems to me it would count as the vehicle cannot be driven legally on the road as a result of the failed item

All bulbs will blow at sometime and most likely when out in the road. Whilst it maybe a mot failure or 'illegal' it is perfectly acceptable to drive it to a garage. If stopped by the police they would be fine with that. I don't think the RAC would class it as a breakdown.

Also, if it's only one brake light it is even less of an issue.

 

[VXman]

I am sure you are correct. How does that compare With the £600 Inhave paid the RAC in the last two years and had nothing?

It does seem like a trivial item it’s like judging whether to claim on the house insurance for something

Well, firstly there are many much cheaper ,(but just as good) options other than AA/RAC.

I pay £60. Covers me and my wife on any vehicle even if not owned by me.

Look at companies such as GEM, Autoaid, Green flag. Some have the option of paying for the recovery upfront and then reclaiming which can cut the price a lot.

Secondly, it's the nature of insurance. I've paid several lots of insurance for years on my cars and never made a claim. That's life!

The one occasion you may claim might result in a couple of grand bill ( if abroad, difficult recovery, hotel bill etc etc) and that will easily exceed your premium of many years.

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[The Wino]

I wonder if they would come out to replace a bulb. I too don't think it's what breakdown cover is really aimed at I suspect if it started to happen a lot they would change the t and c,s to either exclude it or make it chargeable.

 

[VXman]

They shouldn't ,it is negligence unless it fails whilst actually in motion.


They shouldn't be doing that either as far as I am concerned. if you can't change a wheel or do not have the correct tools.including a trolley jack if needed, that is your problem & you shouldn't be on the road.

A falt tyre does not prevent your vehicle being driven, regardless of what the BC says. Battery failure might but only if it dies whilst actually in motion.

If you have home start they will come out for flat batteries. I know from experience.

A flat tyre does can make a vehicle un drivable, certainly in a safe manner and could cause damage to the wheel, would certainly ruin the tyre.

Many cars/motorhomes don't have spares and temp tyre repair kits are not always suitable depending on the tyre damage.

I can (and have) changed a wheel on my motorhome but it is not easy even for a reasonably fit and mechanically knowledgeable person like me.

On a busy road or motorway I would be calling breakdown anyway.

 

[Spriddler]

Well, firstly there are many much cheaper ,(but just as good) options other than AA/RAC.

Look at companies such as GEM, Autoaid, Green flag.

There's a more limited choice of insurers who will accept a 9m x 7.5 tonne vehicle as indicated by the OP.

It's 9 metres 7.2 tonnes

 

[VXman]

There's a more limited choice of insurers who will accept a 9m x 7.5 tonne vehicle as indicated by the OP.

Fair enough - missed that. Surely there are options other than AA/RAC though? There most be independent commercial companies that would like to take a slice of the market. Also, who does the cover of company vans, smaller corporate transport outfits?

 

[Spriddler]

Fair enough - missed that. Surely there are options other than AA/RAC though? There most be independent commercial companies that would like to take a slice of the market. Also, who does the cover of company vans, smaller corporate transport outfits?

Yes, I would've thought so too, but I've never had one that big. My N'wide policy is fine as mine is less than their 3.5 tonne limit.

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[Rapido925M]

T&Cs are v important. I took the school minibus for a day trip to Boulogne: it developed engine problems but I was able to get it back to Dover at midnight. We had corporate cover which AA told us would only recover 5 people whereas the minibus was 16 seats.

Should I leave 11 kids to fend for themselves or stay with 10 and send 5 off with an unknown driver?

Fortunately that wasn't the problem, as it was all adults! Eventually we were loaned a contractors minibus (which struggled to get all the way to Norfolk) and was returned to Dover by the company which transported the minibus. However, the County Council got quite a flea in their ears for agreeing to those T&Cs!

Gordon

 

[Nanniemate]

Father used to moan about his breakdown cover until he ended up on the hard shoulder of the Barcelona ring. With major engine failure, Van brought back on a lowloader 10days, 2 flights home, hire car waiting at airport and collected from the house, they had the option to keep it until van was back but as they had other vehicles no need. Offer of hotel accommodation until flights were confirmed. As it was they were offered flights that afternoon which mother could not do as they had no bags with them to pack. So breakdown service allowed them to stay in their yard took them shopping for suitcases and they flew out the following day with a taxi to the airport.
Until you need it you don't realise the worth.
The costs outweighed all the payments he'd made not only that it was very smooth.

 

[L' Hobo]

It's now past noon, so did the OP ring the RAC or did he fix the problem himself??
Tune in for more exciting episodes of this nail-biting drama later!

 

[Nanniemate]

It's now past noon, so did the OP ring the RAC or did he fix the problem himself??
Tune in for more exciting episodes of this nail-biting drama later!

From the OP earlier posts I don't think they are going to call. If your really curious give your breakdown service a call and ask them would they come out for a bulb

 

[ceejayt]

Generated some heated debate.

been too busy today. I will call them tomorrow and we will all know the answer.

Stay tuned

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[ceejayt]

And the answer is....

Call the number in the App, hold for 5 minutes or so, talk to someone who says they need to put me through to commercial, hold the line for another 5 minutes, speak to very nice lady, explain I almost feel awkward asking but it is a very fiddly job. The question was 'do I feel comfortable driving it' = answer - not ideal, might get stopped for having a light out.

No problem - they will come and fix it - very busy so estimated wait time is 270 minutes (cold weather I guess). The guy will ring me, I will probably be too embarrassed to actually let him come and I will bob it down the garage myself because I am sure there are more urgent calls than mine.

 

[L' Hobo]

And the answer is....

Call the number in the App, hold for 5 minutes or so, talk to someone who says they need to put me through to commercial, hold the line for another 5 minutes, speak to very nice lady, explain I almost feel awkward asking but it is a very fiddly job. The question was 'do I feel comfortable driving it' = answer - not ideal, might get stopped for having a light out.

No problem - they will come and fix it - very busy so estimated wait time is 270 minutes (cold weather I guess). The guy will ring me, I will probably be too embarrassed to actually let him come and I will bob it down the garage myself because I am sure there are more urgent calls than mine.

Keep us posted.

The tension rises, will he come or, will he not?

Is he waiting until it's dark so that he can't see and has an excuse not to fix it?

Will he say, "if you can bob it down to the garage, you can get them to fix it?


Watch this space for the next thrilling episode of 'What the RAC man did in the dark!'

 

[ceejayt]

He is definitely coming - at least until I cancel him which I am in the process of doing - too many people with a 'real' problem for me to hold him up. I will pop down the local garage and get it fixed.

 

[ceejayt]

BTW - shouldn't be assuming it is a HE