Warning if you are in the RAC and go offroad.

Ill swap mine over to the AA.

Have either or both checked that the AA don't have a similar policy? If one has I wouldn't be surprised if the other has as well... B-(

The other thing is don't be quite so honest when asked "Have you been off road?" What does the RAC define as "off road", the private gravel track to your stately mansion?

Hmm, I never noticed that in the terms and conditions, and I went through them with a fine-toothed comb as I had to cover the Pinzgauer which is over 3.5 tonnes when fully laden (which it never is but rules is rules). Perhaps I'll have to go through them again.

I could now use the AA, who wouldn't cover my truck due to the weight, as the DVLA got fed up arguing with each other over whether my truck is PLG or not (it's too heavy) that they just decided to state that it's 3.5 tonnes GVW (it's 3.9 in reality, 2.5 unladen) so the AA should be OK to cover it now.

I used to be with National Farmer's Union who had a breakdown policy, they were fine about off-roading (even when asked directly) so if all else fails then insuring with them and getting access to their recovery scheme should work.

I have seen AA wagons collect the dead from inside offroad sites.

The RAC state not part of the Queeens Highway, when I point out a green lane was part of the Queens Highway she changed her tune to inclue with tarmac.

I asked if my wife and young son would be recovered if they were on the way back from the field where they tend the horses, she said of course, when I asked how this differed from my using the same vehicle in a field and being refused recovery she could not answered and repeated the if you have been offroad you are not covered mantra.

Which is fine unless you have an accident that immobilises the vehicle in which case the AA wont collect you.

Brittania Rescue, YKIMS

John

Geoff uttered summat worrerz funny about:

There is an alternative to the AA / RAC and far cheaper too.

I've posted this in the past but as I'm minted with standard vehicles I currently sit with the AA.

I shall of course lie my pants off (a little white / muddy one) if I break down off road and get towed anywhere.. LOL!

Lee D

You can not be serious, are you ?

Green Flag won't!

My Volvo 940 was shunted in the rear on the M56 about a year ago. It was pushed into the car in front, crease in the roof, headlamps smashed so I called out Green Flag (National Breakdown variant for caravan club members). Everything was OK until I said it was the result of an accident at which point they said that they don't cover that.

Cheers

Peter

In a dim and distant universe , Dave Liquorice enlightened us thusly:

I've called the AA out a couple of times in the past year and they never even asked if I'd been off-roading.

However, after reading this thread, I'd probably just say "no" if they did ask me now. :-)

Quite right too. It's a breakdown service not an accident service. Your car insurance probably covers recovery of a shunted vehicle.

TonyB

Half right, they will recover you but you have to pay:

General Terms & Conditions Clasue 1 n.

n) in the event that You require vehicle recovery following an accident, the AA can, if You require, provide this for You but will not be responsible for meeting the costs involved. If the AA does agree to provide recovery in these circumstances You will be responsible for, and required to pay, the AA's charges for this service (including, but not limited to, any charges relating to any specialist equipment used). In the event that, following an accident, You require one of the additional services available under Relay Plus (and You have the relevant cover), the AA can arrange this for You but will not be responsible for any costs involved. You will, therefore, be required to pay on request any applicable charges. In regard to all matters referred to in this clause, You must give the AA, on request, any relevant information it reasonably requests. Please note that, following a road traffic accident, or otherwise, it is and remains Your responsibility to ensure that You properly comply with any requirements of Your motor insurer in making a claim under Your motor insurance policy;

Bastards, when did they change that? I've had the AA pick me up with a broken car in the past. Mind you we are talking maybe 20 years ago...

Well I was broken down and it wasn't my fault. Where's the difference between a car not moving because (for example) the engine has seized and a car not moving because of an accident?

Cheers

Peter

I know, bad form to reply to your own posts, but interestingly now I've read the T&C's for Green Flag, they WILL recover following an accident, they'll just charge you for it - which is fine. But that is not what I was told (or offered) when I phoned them up after the shunt.

Cheers

Peter

Geoff,

I would ask the RAC where in there t&c's it states that they will not recover a vehicle that has broken down on the highway that has been off roading. The only clause that I could find is:

Significant Exclusions and Limitations

? Assistance is not available for vehicles that have broken down as a result of participation in motor sport activities taking place off road and/or not subject to normal rules of the road, nor vehicles used for hire or reward. See page 20 of the Terms of Membership for further details of this exclusion.

Then on page 20:

General Exclusions

? Vehicles which have broken down as a result of taking part in any motor sport event (including, without limitations rallies or stock car racing) which takes place off the road and/or is not subject to the normal rules of the road.

But in the same section it does state:

? Vehicles which have broken down anywhere other than on a public highway, or other road or area to which the public have right of access.

The last clause would indicate if you are off roading in an area that has public access then you are covered for breakdown.

Link to t&c's:

regards

nemo2

Key word - sport. If you have been for a gentle bimble up a green lane, that isn't a "sport" in most people's definition of the word. The examples they give (below) suggest some form of competition. It is surely up to them to prove what you were doing was a sport rather than a short cut up a legal right of way, for example. I can see why they have this exclusion, but it seems to be very badly defined.

Also, if the vehicle is muddy, but you've broken down on the road, who is to say you didn't get it muddy three weeks ago? Or is the offroad exclusion without limit of time, i.e. the vehicle is excluded if it has ever been off the road. In which case, most LRs are going to be excluded, strictly speaking.

or just get a couple of horse headcollars in the boot, and when questioned, you can say "yes I was just doing the horses...."

My Insurance policy covers breakdown via Axa Assistance UK and I have absolutely no idea what there terms are.

I would agree with that, though they have also been taken over by an insurance company (London & Victoria IIRC) so we will see if that changes anything...

Having worked for a breakdown company for the last 15yrs or so I wouldn't advise anyone to go to the two 'largest' I have seen how they treat their 'members'!

Also not all Greenflag Memberships are the same, it depends what insurance company are underwriting the policy, some are good, and some quibble for every job! Remember although they are owned by Direct Line they act as an intermediary for other insurance companies. And underwriters such as the Caravan Club who do bend over backwards to help!

Recovery after an accident is an interesting one, some policies will recover you home half way across the UK, some (AA RAC) and others will only recover you to a local garage, and then they send you the bill assuming you will then be claiming back of your insurance!!

Read the small print, you may be surprised what you get (or don't)

Des