After 30 odd years with the AA I got around to reading the small print when I received the latest renewal. I did this after reading the latest MCC Triple regarding the withdrawal of recovery from Trials (clause 18), by the AA.
I have checked other providers on the web, eg RAC, Greenflag, Saga, Britannia, and in the exclusions section of all of them, they specifically say they will not attend vehicles during and in some cases, immediately after a Trial or off road event.
My question is, does anyone know of a company that will attend and recover during a trial?
Incidentally, whilst reading the AA's small print I noticed that it will not attend/fix/transport a van anymore, and it has withdrawn some of its european short term insurance for those of you visiting Calais before Christmas, which does not really matter because they will not fix a vehicle that looks like it is over loaded!!!
I think you will find that the RAC will recover vehicles that are taking part in "classic rallies" provided the vehicle is on the public highway, not on private property such as a racetrack. In truth, by the time that the breakdown van arrives with you, the guy who is standing next to your car is so low down the Recovery food chain that all he is interested in is sorting out your problem, recording it on his timesheet as done, and moving on to the next one. He will not want to waste time agruing the toss. The RAC uses subcontract recovery vehicles, so it is NOT in their interest to challenge your right to recovery, 'cos then they won't get paid. The moral to this story is to get the car to something aproximating to civilization, take of your numbers, say nothing and hope for the best, but don't blame me is you get the only barrack room lawyer in the entire recovery industry. There, now someone has stuck his neck out and gone into print with what we all think and "know".
ReplyDeleteI went to look for the little RAC book with the small print bit I must have chucked it but I think Somon is right. I also seem to remember that the RAC covers breakdowns on competitions on "the public highway" so its OK when you bust your diff on Simms! However, I will follow Simons advise, get the b*****d towed off the section and dump the numbers! btw - I think the AA have always had a "no competitions" policy but I have never heard of anyone being refused. Michael
ReplyDeleteThe Standard RAC membershi,p like most road side vehicle recovery services does not cover you for motorsport. However there is something called "RAC Motorsport Association Membership" which offers exactly the same cover, BUT will include vehicles/members who are actively participating in motorsport. This form of cover is available upon request and I changed to this more appropriate cover half way through my subscription year. I cannot recall there being too much of a price increase if any. Saves washing a muddy car off with a broken diff. Regards Jonathan
ReplyDeleteJust looked at my card and thats what I have got. Its the membership you got via your Motorclub. Michael
ReplyDeleteHelp! Trying to join this RAC Motorsport Association Membership thing as my gearbox now makes more noise than my engine and I'm planning to do the Exeter, Clee and Clouds before I change it! Made numerous calls to clueless RAC members of staff who just give me the telephone numbers of other clueless RAC staff and so it goes on and on - does anybody have a form with a relvant telephone number on it or some other means of contacting the right people???
ReplyDeleteI was talking to members of the TR Register in Cornwall the other night at the start of the Exeter, and they reckoned that the associate membership was no longer available. They thought it was withdrawn the same time as the MSA left the RAC.
ReplyDeleteI think what John says is correct. Since the splitting up of the RAC organisation I believe there are no preferential terms for motor club members, but recovery will be made providing the vehicle is on a public (tarmac!) road [previously for associated members recovery would be made from off-road situations], That's my understanding anyway!
ReplyDeleteAnd what Simon says is also correct - confirmed by my own recent incident on a rally [managed to get the car to the High Street of the nearest village, persauded the RAC man on the phone it was pointless sending a patrol van and the resulting recovery driver was only too pleased for the business].
ReplyDelete