Tco
Guest
Having read something that concerned me about the RAC/AA recovery services I contacted the AA to seek clarification. My specific question was what happened if I had a puncture. the reply is as follows:
In the specific case of a puncture, you will be assisted without charge, provided that there is no additional damage to any other part of the vehicle. If the only damage is to the tyre, and you carry a serviceable spare (or alternative means of puncture repair - some cars carry a sealant instead) then the AA will attend and change your wheel, or recover the vehicle if necessary, and there is no charge for this. If you were unfortunate enough to have two punctures at the same time (for instance running over nails), then the vehicle would be recovered. Again there would be no charge if the vehicle is otherwise undamaged.
However if the incident that causes the puncture also causes additional damage (for instance if you collided with something and also damaged the bodywork) then it is classed as an accident. We WILL attend accidents and recover the vehicle if necessary; however you would be billed for this. You would then be able to reclaim the costs from your insurance, or from the insurance of whoever was responsible for causing the accident.
In the case of regular breakdowns, mechanical or electrical failures, flat tyres or lost keys, these are not counted as "damage" and again you would not be charged for these sorts of incidents.
I read that as if, the tyre bursts and damages (say) the wheelarch, The Patrol may decide that the damage is in his opinion, accident damage, they will regard your difficulty as an accident. So any relay that they provide will be charged for at commercial rates. I specifically wanted to know because in the past I have collected two punctures by two wheels running over the same sharp object. In my case I was able to rectify my own situation. However as I am now nearing my 70th birthday, I wanted to know what would happen if the same circumstance occured again whilst I was driving my MH. At this point I should say that the reason I took out cover was so that a younger man might change my wheels for me.
I was shocked to see that the AA in particular (and I am told the same goes for the RAC) will not relay a vehicle which has "accident" damage. They will call in a commercial recoverer and leave to make your own arrangements with him, or reimburse him from their funds and charge you later.
It all depends on what in the opinion of the patrol sent out to you is "significant" damage. It may be worth checking your own policy.
In the specific case of a puncture, you will be assisted without charge, provided that there is no additional damage to any other part of the vehicle. If the only damage is to the tyre, and you carry a serviceable spare (or alternative means of puncture repair - some cars carry a sealant instead) then the AA will attend and change your wheel, or recover the vehicle if necessary, and there is no charge for this. If you were unfortunate enough to have two punctures at the same time (for instance running over nails), then the vehicle would be recovered. Again there would be no charge if the vehicle is otherwise undamaged.
However if the incident that causes the puncture also causes additional damage (for instance if you collided with something and also damaged the bodywork) then it is classed as an accident. We WILL attend accidents and recover the vehicle if necessary; however you would be billed for this. You would then be able to reclaim the costs from your insurance, or from the insurance of whoever was responsible for causing the accident.
In the case of regular breakdowns, mechanical or electrical failures, flat tyres or lost keys, these are not counted as "damage" and again you would not be charged for these sorts of incidents.
I read that as if, the tyre bursts and damages (say) the wheelarch, The Patrol may decide that the damage is in his opinion, accident damage, they will regard your difficulty as an accident. So any relay that they provide will be charged for at commercial rates. I specifically wanted to know because in the past I have collected two punctures by two wheels running over the same sharp object. In my case I was able to rectify my own situation. However as I am now nearing my 70th birthday, I wanted to know what would happen if the same circumstance occured again whilst I was driving my MH. At this point I should say that the reason I took out cover was so that a younger man might change my wheels for me.
I was shocked to see that the AA in particular (and I am told the same goes for the RAC) will not relay a vehicle which has "accident" damage. They will call in a commercial recoverer and leave to make your own arrangements with him, or reimburse him from their funds and charge you later.
It all depends on what in the opinion of the patrol sent out to you is "significant" damage. It may be worth checking your own policy.
