The AA refusal to attend

[Brianmor]

We were on the Brighton CAMC site 2 days ago which is about 45 miles from where we live. We were just getting ready to drive off when all the hazard lights started flashing ( the keys were not in the ignition) they would flash for 20 -30 secs go off and then start again 5 - 10 secs later. I started the engine which had no effect I was a bit worried about driving home with all the flashers going so I called the AA and told them what was happening and they said a van would be with us within the hour, which they confirmed by text.
However 10 minutes later I received a phone call from the AA stating as it wasn't an emergency and they would not be attending and suggested I take the van to a local garage, I told them not to be ridiculous as I couldn't see a local garage taking a 3m high, 3.5 ton van onto their premises and I would be driving on the highway with all my flashers going. I didn't know how the police would react to this.
I decided that I had no choice but to drive back home and take a chance with the police, within 250m they stopped flashing and stayed that way the whole way home. Whilst driving I noticed a randomly flashing red like on my dashboard above a Sigma alarm box which I took as being the cuplprit although I have never set it and the remote was over 40 miles away. This is now a job for the weekend where I will find the location of the Sigma control and remove it.
I have since made an official complaint to the AA as I always presumed if you had a problem they would at least turn up to try to solve any problems with driving that you had, obviously not, but the question is what else would they refuse to come out for, especially if we were in France where we are supposedly covered?
Anyone else had problems with the AA ?

 

[Paul F]

A quick look at the AA 2024 breakdown cover terms and conditions shows this on page 5;

Indicators flashing constantly is an electrical fault that prevents safe driving surely? I would quote this to them in the complaint.

 

[Puddleduck]

They left me stranded for several hours. Each update said they were 10 minutes away.

Not good for a disabled person in the pouring rain on a cold winter's day.

I cancelled membership with a snarky letter telling them why.

 

[rb62]

This thread may be of interest as to cause

Help Headlight’s keep turning on!

Hi Funsters, Found my cab battery warning light flashing this morning, then noticed headlights were on, ignition was off, dash in darkness. Turned then off, only to be told they had come back on again, engine started ok and now at Chatsworth for 2 nights. The lights keep turning back on, went to...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[hja]

Surely there was also a risk that something else might happen whilst driving. At least on a site you are in a safe place. I find it pretty shocking that the AA wouldn’t come out.

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[pappajohn]

If the AA where my only option I would take my chances and not bother at all.
Even their recovery is archaic recovering in stages.
If you are 300/400 miles from home it could take 2 days with delays at every change-over stage.
All the others recover in one journey.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

One year we were driving thorough the Blackpool illuminations when I noticed smoke coming out the steering column pulled over and called the AA what a joke wouldn't come as they wouldn't touch anything to do with steering and brakes on a weekend I had been a member for 15 years without calling them out never again. I would have got more sense from their other department Alcoholics Anonymous

 

[jerryz]

AA , RAC both total crap,, RAC left my disabled pal Pete in his broken down Discovery for 17 hours when they knew he relied on an oxygen tank and could only walk ,30m ,,He phoned me i went out and saw the state he was in after sitting in his cold car I called an ambulance ,, he spent a week in Sussex County Hospital ,, RAC turned up 26 hours after initial call for help ,, I was at the Discovery with Petes keys when they finally arrived , Car was taken to repair centre for a new alternator and some other work ...RAC did not apologise they had told him he was a priority and would be with him within 2 hours and that they had kept him informed all the time which was a lie as i checked his phone and message records ...

 

[Dolmen]

My rear indicator would not turn off, even with engine off. The van was safely on my drive, I disconnected the light cluster to avoid running the battery down so certainly no emergency, however, the AA still came out within 1//2 hour and spent at least an hour trying to fix it. Can't speak highly enough of them.

 

[scotzsue]

If the AA where my only option I would take my chances and not bother at all.
Even their recovery is archaic recovering in stages.
If you are 300/400 miles from home it could take 2 days with delays at every change-over stage.
All the others recover in one journey.

Wish that were true pappajohn RAC took around 17 hours 3 vehicles and a journey down a dead end road, when they recovered us from Chester to Hull. They lied constantly about what was happening and we had to phone them for updates. Had they been honest we could have had a meal and a sleep while we were waiting.

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[GMLS]

As effectively an insurance policy, I believe they are regulated by the Insurance Onbudsman?. No messing, get a letter sent in

 

[Grummyb]

My friends land rover broke on a motorway slip road at night in the dark and raining no electrics just hazard warning lights and radio he phoned the aa as they have the land rover breakdown contract was told it was a priority do would be there in 4 hours it's beyond belief how rubbish the service is

 

[Brianmor]

As effectively an insurance policy, I believe they are regulated by the Insurance Onbudsman?. No messing, get a letter sent in

I've made official complaints to both the AA and my bank who supply us with the AA cover, I will wait for the reports from both these parties.

 

[Chris]

The AA are rubbish.

I had a ruck with them once when they refused to come out because my van was over 3500kg.

I had to escalate it and eventually they did come out when I pointed out it was 3500 unladen and it was unladen( a white lie).

I haven’t got a van now but I am with Green Flag- they really are good

 

[wildcampers69]

We ran a campsite and a customer ran the RAC for recovery as his motorhome clutch had failed they said it would be the next day before they could attend so he and his wife got the train home, the following afternoon a recovery van arrived took one look and left then three days later another larger lorry arrived and proceeded to load, after i tried to stop him as the rear of the van was going to hit the ground he waved me away saying he had been doing this for X number of years extra then proceeded to tear the back of the motorhome off (while i filmed him on my phone). then tried to tell me it was already damaged, i was flabbergasted to say the least and felt so sorry for the owner, who was very happy indeed that i filmed the fool.

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[Widge]

We were on the Brighton CAMC site 2 days ago which is about 45 miles from where we live. We were just getting ready to drive off when all the hazard lights started flashing ( the keys were not in the ignition) they would flash for 20 -30 secs go off and then start again 5 - 10 secs later. I started the engine which had no effect I was a bit worried about driving home with all the flashers going so I called the AA and told them what was happening and they said a van would be with us within the hour, which they confirmed by text.
However 10 minutes later I received a phone call from the AA stating as it wasn't an emergency and they would not be attending and suggested I take the van to a local garage, I told them not to be ridiculous as I couldn't see a local garage taking a 3m high, 3.5 ton van onto their premises and I would be driving on the highway with all my flashers going. I didn't know how the police would react to this.
I decided that I had no choice but to drive back home and take a chance with the police, within 250m they stopped flashing and stayed that way the whole way home. Whilst driving I noticed a randomly flashing red like on my dashboard above a Sigma alarm box which I took as being the cuplprit although I have never set it and the remote was over 40 miles away. This is now a job for the weekend where I will find the location of the Sigma control and remove it.
I have since made an official complaint to the AA as I always presumed if you had a problem they would at least turn up to try to solve any problems with driving that you had, obviously not, but the question is what else would they refuse to come out for, especially if we were in France where we are supposedly covered?
Anyone else had problems with the AA ?

We gad great service from them one day, leaving the house at 06:30 one morning, on the way to Blackpool airport to catch a flight, i opened the drivers window to move the mirror and the window dropped of its runner, jane called the AA and they met us at the airport, he gave me two options one, he would try and wedge the window up and leave the keys st the airport for out return, or go with me to the dealership near the airport drop the car off then he would drop me back at the airport, then wait with the car until the dealership opened and book it in for me .

I wish I had chosen the former, the dealership stung me for £350 for a new motor, and I am sure it had only come off the runner.

 

[Themselves]

If you expect the AA or RAC to care for you then you are in for a disappointment. They exist only to make money for their shareholders. They gave up on you and other members years ago as you are an unwanted burden on their main interest, that is their interest in making vast amounts of money for doing bugger all. This what happens when venture capitalists take over decent companies or clubs.