Trailer Breakdown and RAC dispute

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I am sitting on the fence, OP can't expect cover for her horse if she has not arranged it.
If the RAC were able to arrange it at cost then they probably would have done.
Its difficult, but we have probably all taken horses where we were not covered with breakdown insurance , but not on a motorway.
She can't demand cover.

 

[popsdosh]

I think the whole thing was a complete drama and very easily sorted. All that was needed was another vehicle to tow the trailer. Its not that difficult to arrange.

 

[orionstar]

I know fully that my RAC cover doesn't include the horse, so I know, and have experienced the feeling when you're hours away from home with black smoke emitting from your vehicle, and your thinking ****. The RAC recovery drivers and the mechanics are not experienced in dealing with livestock, they don't have to be, it's not in their job description, nor is any of their insurance going to cover them if they do decide to be nice and something happens mid transit, so they just don't do it, ever. The only thing to do is get specific breakdown insurance, or have a friend who will happily drive the hours to come and pick you up.

 

[jrp204]

Fair enough the initial operator made a mistake in telling you the horse would be dealt with, perhaps she thought you had trailer cover. The rest, the fact there were 7 phone calls is irrelevant. The mechanic, towing lorry may have been on another call. You were not a woman on your own so not a priority and had they come quicker you still wouldn't have had transport for the horse. It is not their job 'to help sort out your problem', it is that, your problem. You insured for recovery, they did that. If you want your horse included you have to pay for it. The RAC don't actually do the recovery anyway it is contracted out. http://www.rac.co.uk/breakdown-cover/horse-trailer. That £45 would have saved a lot of hassle. Personally I would withdraw the complaint.

 

[superpony]

Have to agree with some of the others I am afraid, there is no way I would have traveled that far away from home or on a motorway without cover. I pay £200ish a year for my lorries breakdown cover, in my eyes it is an essential and I wouldn't travel without it.

 

[asmp]

I think the whole thing was a complete drama and very easily sorted. All that was needed was another vehicle to tow the trailer. Its not that difficult to arrange.

This would probably only work if not on a motorway. The police have a dim view of anyone stopping on a motorway to help as my husband found out to his cost when he once stopped to help someone elderly who had a flat tyre. I went out with my 4x4 to help a friend who had broken down on an A road with a horse trailer and the police were there stopping the traffic while I hitched up.

 

[Dave's Mam]

I am surprised they didn't offer to upgrade your cover at the roadside to the level including horse cover. They charge extra to renew or upgrade at the roadside but it would have solved your problem.

I thought this too. They normally can upgrade there & then.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The PRP cover is separate from the usual RAC car cover. You have to join PRP direct quoting your RAC membership number, and then deal with PRP direct. They issue their own membership cards etc.

It seems like a fairly loose association between the RAC and PRP, although with the cover being called RAC horse trailer assist, you would assume that you were dealing directly with the RAC.

This could explain why some RAC staff seem a bit confused too.

 

[pepsimaxrock]

I think the OP has accepted that she wasn't covered. If she hadn't then she has certainly has the benefit of hindsight from nearly the posts on this thread.
She was covered for her car and the RAC didn't give her the car breakdown service she paid for. A little more understanding could have been forthcoming too.
Good luck with the complaint.

 

[MagicMelon]

You are meant to have appropriate cover. The RAC are not going to give you a service that you don't have.

This. I have AA cover but thats purely for the car, I have seperate equestrian breakdown cover where they will deal with the horse and take the trailer etc. Never had to use it yet but wouldnt be without it.

 

[orangepony]

After 15 years of premiums for NFU's horsebox recovery;' we also discovered at the side of the M1 at 1.30am, 4 hours from either home, that recovery of the horse was not included. This is despite asking the question "what happens to the horses in the event of a breakdown?" at the point of original contract. There appears to be a lot of misinformation on behalf of industry specialists. we have since cancelled the NFU and gone with PRP (I think!).

I always knew RAC & AA wouldnt touch with a bargepole but thought a specific policy worded to describe that exatc breakdown and recovery situation would have done. we were wrong. Ask, ask and ask again.