Toyota Roadside Assistance

[Cyker]

I just had a renewal letter for the Toyota Roadside assistance, and it's not looking good  

Firstly, it has gone up significantly from £72-ish to £89 (!!).

They've also removed the 2-year policy, which brought it down effectively to about £67-ish (Bargain!), and they have also removed the discount for having more than one vehicle covered at the same address (Major suckage).

In light of that, and the revelation on another thread that they claim to offer unlimited callouts but threaten to charge you if they're called out for the same problem more than once within 28 days, I'm feeling much less inclined to renew as I've watched it get steadily worse value over the years and it's hit a tipping point with me now.

Before it was a total no-brainer, but now it's merely competitive. Am currently leaning towards other companies other members have recommended, like GreenFlag and Start Rescue. Any other recommendations welcomed!

I do wonder what happened to the old Toyota team who ran the Roadside Assistance call centre; They were much easier to get through to and talk with. The whole thing is run by the AA directly now, and they've always been far more tedious to deal with (I think in an old thread I said it was worth going through Toyota Roadside just so I didn't have to deal with the AA call centres!!)

When I first got the Toyota Roadside, it was something like £50 (Which was an absolute bargain) and you got lots of perks like discounted airport parking, wine, hotels and such (Admittedly almost nobody used them but still...), then they switched from the RAC to AA and 'streamlined' it so it was just recovery (Fair enough we thought, since practically nobody used the aforementioned perks), then the price kept creeping up a bit every now and then, which was fine as it was only by small amounts, but to get such a large increase with such significant limitations on the callouts allowed as well just rubs me the wrong way...

I mean, am I wrong or are they very expensive now? The AA's headline price is nearly double for equivalent cover, but if you pay monthly instead of yearly they're currently offering a 33% discount which lessens the difference significantly AND it isn't tied to just one car but follows the driver, plus I bet there are still the traditional AA discounts you can wrangle. GreenFlag and RAC are virtually the same price, although I haven't checked if they have similar sneaky underhanded clauses like the AA's 28 day thing.

 

[Bper]

Of course it's more expensive but again it's an insurance policy of the just in case. All of us have seen the breakdown cover go up year on year. Have you looked at your insurance company breakdown service they have deals with them. For me it was cheaper going through them as it was way more expensive for a stand alone policy,

It's strange really we are driving cars who's reputation is second to none on reliability but we still take out the cover. Try green flag or brittannia breakdown

I'm sure others will commemt on who they use.🤬

[Corollanutter]

The increase is probably caused by all the call outs for flat 12v batteriers on the hybrids!! 🙂

 

[Catlover]

Start Rescue, no brainier for us two, been with them just over 12 years.

[Cyker]

Thanks catlover; Question - They also claim to have unlimited callouts, but do you know if they have any limits/stipulations on 'unlimited' like the AA do?

It seems to infer it, as it says something about if they keep getting called out for a recurring issue the vehicle must be checked and to read the policy terms and conditions, but the T&Cs I found make no mention of this. The only other thing I could find is that if you e.g. have a problem, make a callout, cancel the callout, then make a callout again for that same issue you would be charged, but that's a different scenario (Probably to discourage timewasting).

 

[Mojo1010]

4 hours ago, Bper said:

Of course it's more expensive but again it's an insurance policy of the just in case. All of us have seen the breakdown cover go up year on year. Have you looked at your insurance company breakdown service they have deals with them. For me it was cheaper going through them as it was way more expensive for a stand alone policy,

It's strange really we are driving cars who's reputation is second to none on reliability but we still take out the cover. Try green flag or brittannia breakdown

I'm sure others will commemt on who they use.🤬

One of the thing for me was I will not wish to change a punctured tyre on the motorway hard shoulders during the day/night in the rain, or no rain. Breakdown policy just gives the peace of mind, its just £40 for my car so it's very little. 

6 minutes ago, Cyker said:

Thanks catlover; Question - They also claim to have unlimited callouts, but do you know if they have any limits/stipulations on 'unlimited' like the AA do?

It seems to infer it, as it says something about if they keep getting called out for a recurring issue the vehicle must be checked and to read the policy terms and conditions, but the T&Cs I found make no mention of this. The only other thing I could find is that if you e.g. have a problem, make a callout, cancel the callout, then make a callout again for that same issue you would be charged, but that's a different scenario (Probably to discourage timewasting).

 

With start rescue since I got the MK3, on the 5th policy now. Haven't read or understood everything mind u, so don't know on that. In the first 2-3 years they had a max 6 call outs per year, I gather with a Toyota it wouldn't need more than a couple of call outs a year. Then they roll out unlimited in recent years for the same cover. Haven't needed to call out once yet, so don't worry about unlimited wording.

[Roy124]

I had Toyota and renewed twice.  The second time was 3 months before my new car.  I only renewed when assured the unused 9 months would be rolled over. 

At roll over they said no however I argued and they have agreed this time.  Come September we shall see. 

[Bper]

11 hours ago, Mojo1010 said:

One of the thing for me was I will not wish to change a punctured tyre on the motorway hard shoulders during the day/night in the rain, or no rain. Breakdown policy just gives the peace of mind, its just £40 for my car so it's very little. 

 

At that price does your breakdown provider cover you for national breakdown if not then there will be a restriction on the distance they will cover you from your home address. 

If they do cover you then please let me know who they are as I have never come across a brakedown service that offers this level of cover so cheap. Well maybe years ago.😂

[Roy124]

Bob, I thought minimal breakdown cover only applied away from home.  The closer to home you paid extra.  I had one flat Battery callout when I was potentially close to home.  Close to home was not defined and on e fine day I could have walked the mile home.  In the event it was one of those dark, wet, greasy nights, temperature around zero and two very young children in the back.

Less commercial in those days and 'call-centres' had not been invented.  The AA helpline knew where I was an a man with a jump starter was there in minutes.  I think they had recently upgraded from motor bikes 🙂

No argument about what 'close to home' meant.  Is it defined nowadays or is it flexible?

[Mojo1010]

Start Rescue is the breakdown company. My policy includes nationwide recovery, onward journey, homestart, and I think lost keys and wrong fuel. Almost 5 years ago it cost my car £30 for a policy. There are other options like European cover for more money or cover the driver in any car. Catlover have used them a couple of times and said they are good. 

Go through a cashback site like topcashback to get 15% back. 

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

Toyota Roadside Assistance  - terms &conditions and renewal terms & conditions attached

TOYOTA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.pdf Renewal-Customer-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf

[Roy124]

Frosty, thank you for these.  In the renewal section I note that cancellation does not attract a refund for the unexpired portion of cover.  When you buy a new car and get a one-year 'free' cover they seem to interpret cessation of cover on the old car as a cancellation.

I don't see any other interpretation regarding transfer to a new car in year two.

[Bper]

2 hours ago, Roy124 said:

Bob, I thought minimal breakdown cover only applied away from home.  The closer to home you paid extra.  I had one flat battery callout when I was potentially close to home.  Close to home was not defined and on e fine day I could have walked the mile home.  In the event it was one of those dark, wet, greasy nights, temperature around zero and two very young children in the back.

Less commercial in those days and 'call-centres' had not been invented.  The AA helpline knew where I was an a man with a jump starter was there in minutes.  I think they had recently upgraded from motor bikes 🙂

No argument about what 'close to home' meant.  Is it defined nowadays or is it flexible?

Roy, many of the breakdown services only operate a national recovery at at higher price, however the lower priced level's they offer give recovery but only up to 10 miles from your home.  Mojo 1010 is right start rescue gave me a quote to confirm this was correct of £37.50 which included everthing he included within his post.

I am currently with Brittannia breakdown and like Cyker and others when I checked out the renewal cost from AA, RAC,etc they were higher in cost to receive national breakdown. However I was covered by Toyota roadside as the car was still under warranty so when it finished I had to shop around.

To be honest I could kick myself as I should have asked on this forum for advice.

Still seems never to late to learn. I will now go and bury my head in the sand😂

 

 

 

[Bper]

2 hours ago, Mojo1010 said:

Start Rescue is the breakdown company. My policy includes nationwide recovery, onward journey, homestart, and I think lost keys and wrong fuel. Almost 5 years ago it cost my car £30 for a policy. There are other options like European cover for more money or cover the driver in any car. Catlover have used them a couple of times and said they are good. 

Go through a cashback site like topcashback to get 15% back. 

 

Mojo1010, as I posted to Roy above you are absolutely correct and I will be looking next year to use Start Rescue. Thank you for this.😂

[Yugguy1970]

One thing about the Toyota assistance, I think they go back to the dealer, or some central Toyota experienced resource, so when my wife had the HSM message, a Toyota tech rang her and he knew about the 12v issue.

That said, 89 quid is a lot, when all you need is the car dropped back at the dealers.

[Roy124]

The AA (Toyota) were aware of the Battery problem back at the time of the first Covid lockdown ending.

I think I read that Start Rescue European cover was an extra.  I had a magic deal with Green Flag where European cover is also an extra.  I upgraded to European cover immediately before a trip.  On return I thought I might get a rebate if I then cancelled the cover.  In the event I was with 14 days and got  100% refund.

I could not believe I had had cover for free. 🙂

[Cyker]

Anyone got any experience of what the customer service is like for Start Rescue...?

(See I'm glad you stayed around to provide your sage advice catlover, even if you did go to skoda land!!  )

[Catlover]

On 2/28/2023 at 9:29 PM, Cyker said:

Thanks catlover; Question - They also claim to have unlimited callouts, but do you know if they have any limits/stipulations on 'unlimited' like the AA do?

I found this on the SRecue site, may be of help

[Catlover]

On 3/1/2023 at 6:59 PM, Cyker said:

Anyone got any experience of what the customer service is like for Start Rescue...?

(See I'm glad you stayed around to provide your sage advice catlover, even if you did go to skoda land!!  )

Always been good except one occasion (see later). The call outs we used, especially when the wifes starter motor went on her C1, has been acted on quickly. For the C1 incident, a truck was out to her within 45 minutes.                                             

The one odd occasion was when I wanted to change the Prius to a CitiGo i was collecting from Bridgend on a Sunday. I contacted SRescue on the Friday, there was a small extra premium because i was moving to slightly older car, around £15 for the 5 remaining months. I paid by card, and my bank showed as sent. It didn't show as received at SRescue. The lady said sometime it takes a few hours. Next day I rang again asking if Citigo be covered from 2pm on Sunday, I was told No as payment had not been received. I still. had approx. 5 months of the current policy to run, roughly £35 worth (for the Prius and Auris we had) so I said, Look, if the payment doesn't come through you still have £35 or so of my money, you can take the £15 out of that by shortening the duration of the premium. No, that couldn't be done. I left with the threat I would be looking to move my business, after a dozen years with SRescue, to another service.    Moving onto the Sunday, wife and I was on a train to Bridgend (lovely train journey), then, about 30 minutes from Bridgend my phone went. It was a SRescue duty manager, very apologetic, saying I would have the cover from 2pm and also 20% discount at the next renewal date -.  that happened. It was a very frustrating time........ and the extra payment did eventually turn up in Start Resue account.    I hope this helps 

[Cyker]

Thanks catlover, good info

If I do go with them, do you have a referrer link I should use...?

[Catlover]

Here is the full page of what is insured, what is not insured, and restrictions.

PLEASE NOTE - this is for Start Rescue 3* Vehicle Breakdown Cover, their most popular cover and is for UK travel only.  Foreign travel you have to have 4* or 5*.

3* starts from as little as £30.80 and includes for cover of vehicle up to 5 year old, roadside assistance, nationwide recovery, home assistance, alternative transport, overnight accommodation, and key assist. (last updated 16/02/23)

There is 1* and 2* as well.

Quote SPRING15 when joining and newbies will get 15% discount.  Cant be bad.

[Catlover]

13 hours ago, Cyker said:

Thanks catlover, good info

If I do go with them, do you have a referrer link I should use...?

I filled on a online question and SR rang me back.                                      
To do a referral YOU have to complete the joint form ONLINE.  Part of the form will ask you to give details if someone gave you a referral (that would be me). It would include my name and email address.  So you fill joining ONLINE, pays your money, and after 14 days they will send both of us an email.                        
That is what I was told. So if after checking SR out, like the quote, either send me a pm, or ask on here, and I will pm you my details you require.

Remember SPRING15 being quoted by you gets 15% off.

[Cyker]

Thanks so much for all the info - I find this sort of feedback from an actual known person much more helpful than e.g. random trustpilot reviews. Will deffo PM you if I go with them!

Hmmm, I wonder if the spring15 thing would work in conjunction with that...  

 

[Catlover]

7 hours ago, Cyker said:

Thanks so much for all the info - I find this sort of feedback from an actual known person much more helpful than e.g. random trustpilot reviews. Will deffo PM you if I go with them!

Hmmm, I wonder if the spring15 thing would work in conjunction with that...  

 

I dont see why not.

[Cyker]

Well we tried this little experiment and alas you can only use one offer; If you use a referral link it doesn't let you put in voucher codes, and just going in the normal way lets you put in a voucher code but there's no where to add a referrer, but this is expected (Being able to get a double-discount would be very unusual and a bit cheeky  )

As I said to catlover I can't really complain since the un-discounted cost is half what the Toyota AA Rescue charge was even at its lowest.

Be interesting to see how they compare in action, but hopefully I'll never find out!!