P64 Breakdown providers rated
People take out breakdown cover for added peace of mind. But which providers are on the ball, and which ones will leave you waiting? Customers have their say
WHILE it’s possible to take out breakdown cover if and when you have a fault with your car, this adds stress to an already difficult situation. What’s more, you’re less likely to get a good price if you’re making a ‘distress’ purchase.
Here, we detail the best breakdown firms in the business, looking at how quickly technicians turned up, how effective they were at getting you back on the road, and a number of other factors.
We’ve changed how we calculate our scores for 2020, putting an emphasis on the callout experience itself, and less on how easy it was to take out cover in the first place.
6. Admiral
SOMEONE has to bring up the rear of our table, but given the number of breakdown firms available in the UK, sixth place is a fairly respectable result for the recovery arm of insurance company Admiral.
The firm’s best category score concerns the speed at which technicians turned up to help stranded motorists, but respondents say Admiral’s communications leave them in the dark, while staff could be friendlier, too.
5. AA
THE UK’s largest breakdown firm can’t rise above fifth, mainly because drivers think its technicians could be more presentable, and cover could be cheaper to buy.
At least AA members are pretty likely to get on their way again after a breakdown, while almost 70 per cent of respondents told us they were rescued within an hour of calling for help. You wouldn’t mind if staff were a little more courteous, though.
4. RAC
THE AA’s biggest rival pips it by one place and less than one percentage point. You’re not hugely impressed with the speed with which the reassuring sight an RAC van appears on the horizon in your hour of need, and also rank the firm down for how likely you are to get your car fixed by the roadside.
But at least RAC staff are reasonably friendly and well turned-out, and the company’s cover is easy to buy.
3. GEM Motoring Assist
LAST year’s winner falls three places as we focus more on the callout experience and less on the buying process, and GEM’s disappointing fifth-place rank for the length of time a technician took to turn up drags down its scores somewhat.
But the firm unquestionably offers great value for money, buying cover is quick and easy, while you say staff are smartly dressed and generally helpful.
2. Green Flag
NO other firm is ranked as getting to you faster than Green Flag, while you also say rescue agents are pretty good at getting you going without having to resort to towing.
No other company is better at keeping you in the loop about when help is likely to arrive, either, but purchasing cover isn’t as straightforward as you feel it should be.
On a more positive note, Green Flag staff are friendly and polite.
1. LV= Britannia Rescue
CONGRATULATIONS to the insurance company LV=, and its breakdown arm Britannia Rescue: coming top in our Driver Power breakdown rankings is no mean feat.
No other firm has friendlier staff, you say, while technicians are impeccably turned out, couldn’t be more helpful, and call-centre staff keep you well informed during your hour of need. A top-notch set of scores from a worthy winner.