Is AMI breakdown service as good as AA?

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dafman

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Topic # 205811 28-Nov-2016 11:26

After yesterday's flat battery, I' m looking at getting breakdown insurance.

I am insured with AMI and I see that I can add breakdown service with my car policy - but is their service as comprehensive and quick as the more expensive AA?

Anyone used AMI breakdown service recently?

Geektastic

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Reply # 1678793 28-Nov-2016 12:11

AA is hardly comprehensive.

If I ring them here I just get old Tom from the village in a 25 year old ute...!

PaulBags

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Reply # 1678798 28-Nov-2016 12:22

Geektastic:
AA is hardly comprehensive.

If I ring them here I just get old Tom from the village in a 25 year old ute...!

Very rarely use them. Last time we had them out to a busy carpark on a Sunday in about ten minutes, branded ute & all the testing gear.

sonyxperiageek

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Reply # 1678800 28-Nov-2016 12:36

So AA don't take two hours to get to a location anymore? I haven't had to use them in years!

As a side note to the OP, maybe you wanted to consider buying something like this for your future flat battery experiences?

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Reply # 1678834 28-Nov-2016 12:51

sonyxperiageek:

So AA don't take two hours to get to a location anymore? I haven't had to use them in years!

Depends on location and how busy they are...... longest I ever had to wait was an hour.

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dafman

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Reply # 1678836 28-Nov-2016 13:05

sonyxperiageek:

So AA don't take two hours to get to a location anymore? I haven't had to use them in years!

As a side note to the OP, maybe you wanted to consider buying something like this for your future flat battery experiences?

Thankfully, the neighbours had one, which was a god-send as car was in garage with electronic handbrake engaged, so traditional jump start not an option.

I will be purchasing one this week, but want breakdown service as well.

dafman

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Reply # 1678837 28-Nov-2016 13:06

But has anyone used the AMI equivalent service?

scuwp

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Reply # 1678843 28-Nov-2016 13:13

I don't use them but believe they just contract local garages and tow companies and the like so it really will depend when and where you need them as to what sort of service you get from the contractor. AA also use contractors after hours and in smaller towns. Likewise the service can vary. I do like the AA app. One button push for help, auto logging location, and response tracking.

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jonathan18

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Reply # 1678846 28-Nov-2016 13:15

dafman:

But has anyone used the AMI equivalent service?

Does AMI (and other insurance companies) actually deliver the breakdown service themselves, or is it just a range of sub-contracted mechanics, tow-truck operators and similar? If the latter, then there may be an advantage to AA, in that within urban areas the service is provided by AA-employed workers.

OP - don't you have a Mazda 3? I'm sure Mazdas come with five years of breakdown coverage. Personally, I've carried on my AA membership despite still having MazdaCare cover, as that's vehicle-specific whereas AA membership covers the individual.

DravidDavid

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Reply # 1678943 28-Nov-2016 15:34

jonathan18:
Does AMI (and other insurance companies) actually deliver the breakdown service themselves, or is it just a range of sub-contracted mechanics, tow-truck operators and similar?

We called State roadside rescue when our wheel came clean off the ball joint and the operator said it wasn't a 'break-down' and we weren't covered, but the tow truck was on it's way anyway. It was just the local tow guy that was subbed to do the job. We told the two truck about what the rep over the phone said, he called it the stupidest thing he had heard all night and fixed the paperwork so that we were covered.

He saved me a lot of arguing over the phone with that one, so local tow guys for the win!

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antoniosk

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Reply # 1678944 28-Nov-2016 15:48

dafman:

But has anyone used the AMI equivalent service?

The service has about 78 direct trucks that go out and about NZ, and subcontract the rest to local garages as appropriate. They are pretty good from what i've seen, but as you would expect the urban service is more comprehensive than the rural stuff.

Note that AA's service requires you to be at the vehicle suffering the problem - so if the wife has the car and has broken down, you can't lodge the call if only you pay for cover. You can lie, but that's a seperate convo.

AMI covers the vehicle being insured, regardless of who is driving (but obviously they need to be allowed to!).

You can also lodge non-urgent requests for help via the mobile app on AMI (which i had a small hand developing), and AA offers similar.

So... as others have said.... it depends on where you are in the country.

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