It pays to be covered
AS THE cost of living crisis bites, the need to keep your car properly maintained is more important than ever. Skimping on services may seem like a saving, but it can cost you dearly in the medium term if a simple problem develops into a more costly or even terminal issue later.
And if you break down without proper cover, especially on a motorway, you could face a huge bill. Even brand new cars can have their teething problems. So going without cover, even as costs rise through inflation, could ultimately prove a false economy.
Consumer group Which? has just published research into the breakdown service sector, awarding marks for value for money, speed and ability to fix a problem on the spot.
Relative newcomer Start Rescue and the long-standing AA scored highest overall — 74 per cent and 73 per cent respectively.
The survey revealed that: seven in ten AA callouts arrived within an hour; AA patrols resolved the highest percentage of breakdown callouts at home or at the roadside (more than eight out of ten); 89 per cent of customers were satisfied with service and 88 per cent said they would recommend it.
Surprisingly, the rival RAC scored a low 51 per cent — let down mainly by poor response times with four in ten customers waiting more than an hour for help. On the plus side Which? noted that RAC mechanics resolved 69 per cent of breakdowns at the roadside, earned an ‘impressive’ five-star rating for their knowledge and, despite poor callout times, 79 per cent of customers said they would recommend the service.
Among those in between were Admiral (62 per cent); Axa (57 per cent) and Aviva (54 per cent). The Which? report urges motorists to check whether they can get, or even already have, cover from their car’s manufacturer noting: ‘Most new cars come with breakdown cover for a fixed term between one to three years.’
Read the small print to avoid paying for levels of cover you don’t need — or missing out on those you do.