Motorbike Breakdown Cover

[MikeyC]

My insurance company are offering me breakdown cover for £54 as an add on to my policy, but the company they source are extremely useless, so using them is not really an option.

When I had my previous bike, I had to call my breakdown service (through my insurance company), a few times, whether it was due to flat battery, flat tyre, anything - so it's something I would require again.

My old insurance company used RAC and I found them pretty much spot on, anyone else with RAC or with the AA?

On their respective websites, it doesn't mention a seperate cover for cars/bikes, I just assume you're covered regardless of what you drive? Or is it better to cover yourself, rather than your vehicle?

[Ted]

I've got personal cover with RAC, roadside and recovery, which covers me on my bike, in both cars, in the (personal, not works) van, and in anyone else's car, even as a passenger!

But I keep having fall-outs with them... and I've not even claimed yet (on 3rd year), next year I'll be seeing the AA...

[MikeyC]

May I ask what the fall outs are about? How much do you pay per year?

[Ted]

First year I got it cheap... Via Tesco clubcard points, then I had a years no claims, so got the second year for £80ish I think, but during this year they sent me 4 vouchers for new members... entitling each new member to 25% off their new cover, and for each of the 4 vouchers used I was also entitled to 25% off my next premium, a good idea I thought. All 4 tickets were used, so I should have got 100% off, in other words, a years free cover. However, one day I got home to find a 'please come back and we will give you 45% off'... I wasn't aware that my cover had expired, so I gave them a ring. There excuse was that they offer two types of cover... an annual cover, where you ring up every year to renew, and a rolling cover, which is exactly the same, but they send you a reminder letter! So when I renewed my 'rolling' cover, I was therefore put onto the 'anual' cover, meaning no reminder... Helpful isn't it... they aslo waited a fortnight before informing me my cover had expired...

When my brother crashed his first car (which I was also in), we were waiting for 3 hours in the rain in the middle of no-where waiting for them to come, and as my brother is a mechanic, he explained to them why a flat-bed was needed, but they agreed on the phone, then completly ignored it and sent the wrong vehicle! My mum also has RAC, and whenever she has trouble she is left stuck in the middle of no-where for hours... on one occasion they rang back up and asked if they could come another day as they were very busy

Not to mention all the trouble I have had with RAC Direct Insurance... but thats a whole different story!

I just don't trust the RAC any more...

[Pte1643]

Have RAC cover (primarily for the car), I find them to have better response times than the AA, used to be with the AA some years ago.

Never had anything to complain about the RAC myself. I've had to call out the RAC a couple of times, both times they were with me within 20 mins. I expect this is "geographical" though, probably got to wait longer in "Busier" areas.

Called the AA out some time ago, for my 125 when I had it, was waiting 4 hours until the van turned up, but the guy was a keen biker (he had an FJ12... Well I did say it was a while ago ), so the conversation was OK when he arrived.

The Hornet is automatically covered by the AA, under the Honda-Care Warranty anyways. So actually covered by both, although not had to call out the AA for the Hornet.

Horses for Courses really.

[iooi]

I use Green Flag. £107 and that covers both car and bike for breakdown & recovery.
Used then several times for car with no problems and once for the bike. Always been a good quick service.
I moved to them as ins wanted £139 for the same level of cover on the car only.... The ins said this was a discounted rate, funny that they also use green flag.... You can guess where that quote ended up....
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Ted]

[phill_sumner]

I know people seem to hate bennetts here, but im with them and my bike broke down. I paid £25 extra per year on my policy to have the bike rescue cover. The RAC were there within half an hour, then the pick up truck was there within the next half an hour and took me to my chosen destonation. Couldnt ask for more really (apart from the bike not breaking down)
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parting the A1 like moses parted the red sea

[Ted]

I'm with bennetts!

Didn't go with the breakdown cover, even tho the price was good, as already had it. I need personal cover not vehicle cover really, which is the only reason I got RAC Personal in the first place...

[Giffer2]

I have cover with the RAC which covers me in my car, on my bike and in anyone elses car or bike.

Took me ages reading the small print to find out if they did cover bikes before I went with them - There is no obvious answer on the websites for the major breakdown companies.
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Mar 2007 - Varadero XL125v7, May 2007 - SV650S
17/05/07 - A2 Test Passed

[jimbothe]

AA roadside relay,

11.41 per month,

covers my cars and my bikes (or anything i am on/in) up to four rescues a year uncharged to wherever i want/need to go.

And my ex missus is still on cover as well because of the kids.

Not too bad,brilliant service
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[jimbothe]

[fredsredhat]

I was with RAC but a few yrs ago my clutch cable snapped on the old yamaha but i was within spitting distance of me old ma's so i rolled it there and phoned the rac and told them not to rush. a hour or so later a really grumpy old man turned up and his exact first words (with my 10 yr old bro stood beside me) " I fuckin hate bikes, never had any proper training on em" I went ballistic - my step dad over heard him and went ballistic for swearing in front of the boy. Cue me telling him to leave the cable repair kit and sling his hook. Wrote to head office but never recieved a reply. I'm now with AA and i've only used them once and they were spot on

[yambabe]

Me and Himself have a joint membership with the AA that covers each of us in any vehicle. Used it a couple of times in the car and once on the bike, so has he. Always had reasonable service, how long it takes to get someone out depends on where you are and the time of day I think but it's never been a huge problem for us.

The one thing my AA doesn't cover for is recovery in the event of an accident so I also have Carole Nash cover with my insurance (no extra charge) as a "just in case" for that. Thankfully not had to use it yet.
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