| Product: |
AA Car Insurance |
| Date: |
07.11.07 (538 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Qualified & Professionals at what they do - Competitive Prices - Great Customer Service - A sound hi
Disadvantages: None thus far and thats after 6 years using this company.
Why don’t we all just squeeze into my imaginary Dr Who tardis and go back in time - at least 100 years back. Don’t worry as my imaginary tardis is very reliable and will bring you all back to 2007 in one piece - safe & sound. I promise! - Any volunteers? Wow! - What a response - all aboard then. I figured if a company that has been around for more than a 100 years then a history lesson is deserved , not only will it show how it first came about but it will also demonstrate how it has managed to compete & move with the times - The AA (automobile association) in one such company - able to survive the two world wars , economic recession , new technology - you name it, the AA is a company that has already been tried & tested and that is why it still stands today.
•[Let the history lesson begin]•
•1905 - A group of motoring fans met at a restaurant in London West End to form the Automobile Association - abbreviated as the AA. The organization initially intended to help motorists avoid speed traps - as cars became more popular so did the AA. The 100 members in 1905 grew to 83,000 by 1914.
•1906 - The AA launched the country’s first successful danger & warning signs - committed to promoting road safety ever since. After 1930 the signs became a local authority responsibility.
•1908 - The AA appointed agents & repairers throughout the UK - soon after the AA routes were introduced & by 1929 the AA had issued 239,000 routes a year.
•1939 - Two million cars in the UK & nearly half of those two million motorists had joined the AA.
•1949 - The introduction of two-way radio after the Second World War saw a new technology emerge & with that the AA launched a night-time breakdown service in London that gradually extended to cover most of Britain.
•1950 - After the Second World War the AA led the protest against petrol rationing - it was finally lifted in 1950.
•1967 - A huge turning point in the history of the AA - The year they established the AA Insurance broking service. A lot of companies crashed in the 1960`s and motorists wanted insurance cover from an organisation they could trust - people in their thousands turned to the AA - today it’s the UK`s largest home & car insurance broker.
•1970 - AA Road watch, Europe’s biggest traffic broadcaster when into circulation - offering fast & accurate road & traffic information.
•1973 - AA Relay was launched, guaranteeing to transport seriously broken down vehicles as well as driver, passengers, luggage, trailer or caravan to any destination in Britain.
•1983 - The AA lead a number of major campaigns for the compulsory of wearing seat belts - It became law in 1983.
•[1985]•- Lets just stop time right there & get a bit nostalgic - Ok , everyone out of the tardis and go and explore London and be back in a couple of hours. I say London because this is where I was living in 1985 & that was the year I bought my first car - a second hand automatic Mini-Cooper that cost me £300.
Living in London meant that I was always eager to get out of the city to visit different places & the only way I was going to do that was in my little Mini Cooper. That was until I had experienced my first breakdown - Brighton 52miles away from home, my car just wouldn’t start. I tried everything, even my friends who thought they were car mechanics at the time also tried but to no avail. Part of me just didn’t want to leave my car behind and get on a train home & so I rang my parents and told them what had happened , they in return suggested the AA but neither I or any of my other relatives were AA members. I gave my exact location, they then phoned the AA and joined membership there & then - which automatically covered me for breakdown and recovery service for a year.- That was 20 odd years ago - my very first contact & experience with the AA company.
AA arrived two hours after the call was made and boy was I relieved when I saw the van approach with all its flashing yellow lights - “he’s a very nice man - a very very nice man” ( some of you may understand the quote some may not - comes from the AA advert). He opened the bonnet, played around with the engine and then turned the ignition on - the next thing I hear was the purr of my engine. I was very impressed and so was my friends, the mechanic then briefed me on what needed doing but the news was not good. I then signed some paperwork and the AA man drove away.
My poor mini was on its last legs - From 1985 to 1992 I owned another 3 cars and continued my AA membership Breakdown Service. During my seven year membership I found the entire AA team very friendly & approachable - qualities that are not easy to display at all times when working in conditions like theirs - shift work , driving long hours , extreme weather climate , called out to odd destinations. How many of us have come across rude car mechanics? I have plenty of times but I have yet to come across a rude AA member of staff. Always courteous , professional and in fact joining the AA saved me time & money
Their highly qualified mechanics passing on invaluable information when my car needed fixing. How many dodgy mechanics are out there? - How many dodgy motor insurance companies out there? - LOADS!- The AA has a proven history , a reputable motor insurance company that has been in the forefront of all motoring issues - harnessing new ideas and technology thus ensuring high quality standards at all times. So even before I came along in 1985 the AA had more than eight decades of motoring experience behind them - My AA Breakdown & Recovery Service membership terminated in 1992 as I decided to stop driving for a while and resort to London transport - .. . Yuk!!
Tardis is all set & ready to go but waiting for on one person - Where’s that Sue(Skidd Dooyoo username)? - Sue, I said two hours not three. I bet you were having a quick smoke - Have you got a spare? , I will join you. The two chain smokers board the tardis and off they all go forward in time.
•1986 - The AA computer system - command & control started to replace paper based operations. Advanced technology using global positioning satellites hence achieving speed to response at the roadside.
•1990 - The AA expanded its publishing activities - producing a wide range of maps, atlases & travel guides to worldwide destinations. The AA is now the UK`s biggest travel publisher and in the top ten worldwide. Many AA books available in 28 languages.
•1992 - The AA driving school was launched.
•1994 - AA membership reached 8 million.
•2002 - The AA Motoring Trust charity was created to carry on the interest and safety of Britain’s road users.
•[2003]• - Lets just freeze time yet again , the turn of the millennium & the AA is fast approaching its 100 years in circulation - Ok , everyone out of the tardis and go and explore the Garden of Kent - Go do some strawberry picking or visit a few hop farms but be back in a couple of hours. I now live in Kent and this is one place you need a car, or two for that matter - lots of open space , transport not so good , night transport service virtually non-existent and so when looking for motor insurance & breakdown cover there was only going to be one company that was getting my money and that was the AA. Having dealt with them in the past
I had no hesitation in contacting them again, peace of mind is what I was after and the AA is one business that could deliver that on a platter. I own two cars, an old banger and a newish modern one.
•Renault Clio 1.0 Litre Engine
•Renault Megane Sports Hatchback
When looking for motor insurance there are many parameters that determine the overall price - Each individual has different circumstances & needs and it’s due to this that there are so many different motor insurance quotes. Factors that can influence the overall price when looking to take out motor insurance can be as follows:
•Age
•Type of cover
•Location
•Performance Cars
•No claims Bonus
•Whether garaged @ night
•Motoring Convictions
Details that I am not prepared to keep disclosing from one company to another and more so to companies that I barely know. Instead I contacted the AA who efficiently took all my personal details and searched a wide spectrum of leading insurers to get the best deal for me. The Automobile Associations database is vast and there are not many motoring companies out there who have access or the know how like the AA do. Their prices are very competitive & easily one of the best for good value for money.
•Renault Clio - Third Party Fire & Theft £242 per year
•Renault Megane Sports Hatchback - Fully comp £490 per year.
•AA Breakdown cover - £137.00 per year
The above prices are what I paid for the year of June 2007 to June 2008 - each year paying less due to my NO CLAIMS BONUS. For a total of £869 per year I have two cars insured as well as AA breakdown cover and all the other perks that come with it. That is excellent value for money of you ask me. All AA policy members also receive;
•Up to 65% no claims discount.
•24 Hour claim line - 365 days a year
•Courtesy car while yours is being repaired
•90 days car insurance cover in other EU countries.
Amending a policy is so hassle free - the staff are quick to please and resolve your queries in an instant. I had to add business insurance to my Renault Clio due to the fact that a lot of clients enter my car when out and about in the community & it was also company policy that I get that type of cover on my motor insurance when out working - yet again the AA team with no fuss amended accordingly. They are truly a good bunch of professionals, acting in the interest of the client and always looking to offer better or alternative deals. Renewing your motor insurance policy couldn’t be simpler - You are promptly notified at least one month prior to renewal and AA does everything for you.
All paperwork that is sent is clearly displayed, showing all the relevant details of your current policy as well as the new policy quote for the coming year. Allowing you one month to look elsewhere if you decide you want to change insurance company or feel you can get a better quote - If you do decide to continue with the AA then its just a matter of arranging payment over the phone and they in return will forward you new motor insurance certificate within five days. Policy members as well as new members have a choice of paying the full amount or by monthly instalments.
This is now my fifth year I have renewed my policy with the AA motor Insurance and all the while I am behind the wheel driving, I will so continue to use this first-rate company. I have yet to encounter a problem & I doubt I ever will. AA`s reliability is second to none. - Ok, I can see the group boarding the tardis and so I must go join them & finish off the history tour. Tardis warps further into the future.
•2004 -The AA`s online route planner went live - showing street level detail on all routes of Britain as well as the online AA Car Buyers Guide , designed to give people advice on how avoid risks when buying a new or second hand car.
•2005 - AA roadside & breakdown service was voted as the fastest when arriving at the scene of a breakdown - compared to all the other competitors.
•2007 - Today the AA has more than 15 million members.
[My Final Verdict]
The AA has sure come along way , a journey that first started in 1905 has now morphed into a leading force in the car insurance industry but they haven`t just stopped there - AA are evidently moving with the times offering a range of products and services that suit all kinds of people and meet all sorts of insurance needs such as;
•Home Insurance
•Travel & Caravan Insurance
•Life & Pet Insurance.
•Van & Business Insurance
•AA Loans
•AA Legal Services
•Wills
•Personal Injury
•Conveyancing
•[CONTACT DETAILS:]•
AA Motor Insurance - 0800 032 1490
AA Breakdown Cover - 0800 587 1260
AA Loans - 0800 234 6000
AA Motorcycle Insurance - 0800 197 5740
AA Van Insurance - 0800 107 1746
AA Business Insurance - 0800 107 0572
AA Pet Insurance - 0800 197 2975
AA Travel Insurance - 0800 197 2501
AA Home Insurance - 0800 107 0580
www.theAA.com
I hope you all enjoyed the AA history tour and have come away much the wiser on a company that is well worth considering & one that I highly recommend. Next time you need car insurance or breakdown cover think AA because they always make the grade.
Highly Recommend!
Thanks ……… © Strood 2007 @ 23.20 07/11/07
Summary: The two AA`S always make the grade in my estimation. - A sound history, been tried and tested.
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