I nearly got ripped off by the RAC!

[Janine]

I have been with the RAC for 11 years because I like the security of knowing who will be coming out to me if I break down.

Today I got an email with my renewal quote. Every year, I go through the rigmarole of phoning them to get a better price and always win.

I thought that I would google competitors prices to give me some leverage before the phone call and found that the RAC are offering 40% off in their ‘sale’. More ammunition, I thought.

So here are the figures for Roadside & UK Recovery, for any vehicle I am in. My motorhome falls within their 3.5 tonne, 6.4m length, 2.5m width criteria.

£169 if I auto-renew - up from £122 last year (when I forgot and it auto-renewed. Hey-ho)
£96 website price.
£83 with discount from RAC agent over the phone. He couldn’t find the ‘sale’ price on his system.
£60 if I cancel and take out a new policy at the ‘sale’ price

So much for looking after loyal customers!

 

[PP Bear]

Fell into that trap for a couple of years myself. A phone call and threatening to cancel, would see such a discount that they should hang their heads in shame.

Well done on getting it sorted and passing it on

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thats like my Norton Internet security, if left on auto renew £89 otherwise take up their offer at £11 for 5 devices for the year. Have done that and immediately taken off the auto renew. Same rigmarole every year.

 

[pappajohn]

So much for looking after loyal customers!

You're joking. That ended many years ago and not just insurance.

 

[Landy Andy]

For your information the RAC are very very short of call-out staff. The AA, and Green Flag, are now offering much high wage packages, so floods of staff have switched companies from the RAC, according to a good mate who is an RAC man. It wouldn’t be my choice.

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[dunnah01]

Can't think of any instance where 'loyalty' wasn't one of the dearer options. It is just a tool to gouge more money from you by hoping you forget to cancel or they make it so difficult to cancel auto renew that you give up

 

[Janine]

Can't think of any instance where 'loyalty' wasn't one of the dearer options. It is just a tool to gouge more money from you by hoping you forget to cancel or they make it so difficult to cancel auto renew that you give up

To be fair, the online chat and phone call were answered very promptly.

It does annoy me that you can’t turn off auto-renew online though.

 

[Terry]

Janine It doesn’t auto renew for us! They always send letters and emails stating renew date. Always have to phone for a discount- this year ( November last year ) Two of us in any vehicle with Arivals - over 3.5 t set off about £160 ish came down to £108 then said still not happy / moving and paid £83

 

[oldiesontour]

A lot of "offers" are for new customers only..with minimum period of not being a customer in order to qualify as a new customer....sellers closing a loop hole....and ensuring they lose my custom

 

[Janine]

A lot of "offers" are for new customers only..with minimum period of not being a customer in order to qualify as a new customer....sellers closing a loop hole....and ensuring they lose my custom

I did think they would try and get out of it this way but the agent I spoke to gave up, told me to go ahead and take out a new policy at the lower price and he would lapse the current policy.

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[Whippet93]

I got breakdown and UK recovery as part of my insurance with Caravan guard. I hope it is a good as it seems on paper and also, that I never need to find out

 

[Janine]

Just incase anyone wants to take advantage of the ‘sale’, here’s the link

https://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/join/media/start-my-quote

 

[Stoosal]

I always try to review other quotes/comparable terms with companies I know. If I can get it at a better price I won’t renew with the current company if they have sent me a quote like that even if they then requote a lower price. If they could give me a lower price then they should have quoted that in the first place. Only way companies understand is if customers leave. Plenty of companies as good or better than RAC.

 

[oldiesontour]

I always try to review other quotes/comparable terms with companies I know. If I can get it at a better price I won’t renew with the current company if they have sent me a quote like that even if they then requote a lower price. If they could give me a lower price then they should have quoted that in the first place. Only way companies understand is if customers leave. Plenty of companies as good or better than RAC.

SAME HERE ...FCUK UM

 

[oldiesontour]

Just tried the RAC form got to just shy £140 UK + European breakdown and recovery nothing else £138 not that cheap then read small print covers cars vans UPTO 3500 BUT NOT CAMPERS " You need our blah blah policy" guess it will be more so gave up

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[Janine]

Just tried the RAC form got to just shy £140 UK + European breakdown and recovery nothing else £138 not that cheap then read small print covers cars vans UPTO 3500 BUT NOT CAMPERS " You need our blah blah policy" guess it will be more so gave up

I specifically asked the question online (and screenshotted the reply) and motorhomes are included if they are within the parameters.

I have asked the question before and had an email reply confirming this.

 

[PaulW2]

So much for looking after loyal customers!

I think many of the modern algorithms are designed to take advantage of 'inertia', ie to punish the loyal.

Some people will stick around regardless, or will just let things auto-renew, or won't pay much attention to renewal prices.
They are ripe for the picking; they are 'profitable' customers. So their prices are increased.

And once one does it they almost all start doing it.

So in order to get a good deal one has to go through the annual exercise of ensuring one gets the best possible price.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[oldiesontour]

I specifically asked the question online (and screenshotted the reply) and motorhomes are included if they are within the parameters.

I have asked the question before and had an email reply confirming this.

Very interesting clearly says not on the website words to the effect you need our xyz policy with a link to it ????. Didn't get to looking how many days per trip etc because it already looked expensive compared to Nationwide. .not that I've decided on them yet either!

 

[Janine]

Very interesting clearly says not on the website words to the effect you need our xyz policy with a link to it ????. Didn't get to looking how many days per trip etc because it already looked expensive compared to Nationwide. .not that I've decided on them yet either!

It’s probably RAC Arrival which is aimed at caravans and larger motorhomes, I think.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I always try to avoid any breakdown company with their own service vehicles. With an insurance based company, they know they will have to pay a contractor, the ones with their own crews will make you wait as long as possible for their own vehicle so they don't have to pay out for a contractor. Unfortunately I have free breakdown from Nissan, and Mayday for the caravan so no choice with the provider.

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[Janine]

Very interesting clearly says not on the website words to the effect you need our xyz policy with a link to it ????. Didn't get to looking how many days per trip etc because it already looked expensive compared to Nationwide. .not that I've decided on them yet either!

Being cynical, I wonder if they just want us rich motorhomers to pay more even though many of the vans are within their criteria.

 

[oldiesontour]

Being cynical, I wonder if they just want us rich motorhomers to pay more even though many of the vans are within their criteria.

Maybe but hang on to that screenshot..just incase !

 

[Janine]

Maybe but hang on to that screenshot..just incase !

 

[dpsuk999]

For your information the RAC are very very short of call-out staff. The AA, and Green Flag, are now offering much high wage packages, so floods of staff have switched companies from the RAC, according to a good mate who is an RAC man. It wouldn’t be my choice.

Iam currently stranded in Portugal and had 2 instances to call them out in the space of 2 days and both times I’ve had assistance within 2 hours so I can’t fault them at all, I’m with RAC Arrival because of the size of my motorhome and albeit being in Europe their service has been faultless (apart from the 3rd party recovery guy on the 1st call out!!) which caused the 2nd call out!

So I would definitely recommend the RAC for recovery (in Europe anyway)

 

[Landy Andy]

Iam currently stranded in Portugal and had 2 instances to call them out in the space of 2 days and both times I’ve had assistance within 2 hours so I can’t fault them at all, I’m with RAC Arrival because of the size of my motorhome and albeit being in Europe their service has been faultless (apart from the 3rd party recovery guy on the 1st call out!!) which caused the 2nd call out!

So I would definitely recommend the RAC for recovery (in Europe anyway)

Obviously the issues I’ve mentioned won’t have an effect on European dealings just the UK side. The AA pay about 20% more. So people are jumping ship asap.

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