A Godsend in a Van. (RAC)

Member Name: nikkisly

Product:	RAC
Date:	22/04/01 (133 review reads)
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If you are reading this in the hope that I am going to reveal details of how I once managed to lock myself out of my house naked and was eventually pushed through a window by a helpful R.A.C. man - tough!! You may as well stop reading now.

I'm lucky enough to be married to a man who takes cars apart and puts them back together again for a hobby. Someone who knows his camshaft from his carburrettor and is consequently very handy to have around in the event of a breakdown. Unfortunately, my knowledge of cars and car maintenance is a lot more basic. I can change tyres,empty the ashtray, check oil and put in petrol and once, in a never to be repeated moment of glory, I changed the flasher unit on my indicators!

My decision to join the R.A.C came about when handy husband was working abroad and not conveniently located on the end of a telephone for moments of crisis. Joining is simplicity itself. You can often find recruiters at shopping centres and motorway service stations. You can join on-line at www.rac.co.uk, or telephone their membership services on 0990 722 722. Or, if you have a friend who is a member - do them a favour - let them reccommend you since there is usually a finacial incentive for doing so.

Having signed on the dotted line, what exactly do you get for your money? The R.A.C runs a number of different schemes which I will briefly summarise. (Further details are printed in the 'Terms of Membership' booklet which the organisation provides to new members and, as we all know, you should always read the small print!)

Personal Based Cover - The named driver is covered as a driver or passenger in any vehicle.For a nominal sum (£1) this cover is also extended to the driver's spouse or another nominated household member.

Vehicle Based Cover - covers any driver or passenger in a nominated vehicle.

Roadside Cover (previously known as Rescue)- The RAC will attempt to repair your vehicle at the r
oadside in the event of breakdown, accident or vandalism. This cover excludes the cost of any parts required, but does include transporting the vehicle to a garage within 10 miles. If you have to leave your car at the garage, it also includes taxi fees for journeys of up to 20 miles. The RAC says that the average time for breakdown repair is less than 23 minutes - although they make no such claims for the time it takes them to actually reach you in the first place!

At Home - The RAC will attend if your vehicle breaks down at home or within a quarter of a mile.

Recovery - Basically the same as Roadside but with additional benefits such as getting the vehicle and up to 8 people home. You can also use this service if you are taken ill and there is no-one capable of driving your car.

Onward Travel - The R.A.C will provide a replacement car, alternative transport or hotel accommodation and also a variety of benefits in the event of a breakdown or if you (or a passenger)are taken ill.

Replacement Car Hire,Alternative Transport, Hotel Accommodation, European Cover - self explanatory.

There are obviously various terms and conditions which apply - for example, only one 'battery' call out is included in the cover - but these are outlined in the membership handbook and in plain English too.And they even supply plastic membership cards which they claim can be easily read in the dark!

How do they perform? Well, from personal experience, their service has been excellent. They have managed to find me, in the lanes of rural Cornwall or Devon (and following my notoriously poor directions) within 30 minutes on the four occasions when I have used them. The Telephone Operators and Patrolmen (or sometimes women) have been polite, couteous and efficient. They have always remembered to ask if I am a "woman on my own" and have given me priority when I have said yes. The Patrol men have always managed to get my vehic
le going again and have followed me until they are confident that I am not going to have a repeat of any problems. Not once have I been patronised for being a helpless woman.

On one occasion, I had what the Patrol Man called a 'dangerous fault' ( something to do with petrol valves - don't ask me what!). He agreed to get my car going again, but then followed me and disabled it again as soon as I was safely home.

Cars are becoming more and more 'computer driven', thus roadside breakdowns are increasingly tending to be beyond the scope of the average man /woman. For me, the R.A.C represents security and the knowledge that there is always help available at the end of the 'phone.

The price quoted below is for Personal and Vehicle Based cover for both my husband and myself and for Recovery, At Home and Onward Travel. There are obviously much cheaper, more basic options available. There is also a £25 discount on premiums if the call out service has not been used during the preceeding years membership. To check out exactly what is available I would reccommend a visit to the website, which also features discounted insurance,road works and route planning - and a myriad of other useful items.

Oh - and they're also very handy in the event of a 'locking yourself out of the house' type emergency!

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