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Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 1:13pm
by ratherbeintobago
Saw a flyer for this in the LBS. Something like £15/year and will collect if you are >1 mile from home.

Does anyone here use and have any experience of how it works? Is it worth the money?

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 2:17pm
by philvantwo
You call them up and they arrange a taxi for you.......but you have to pay the taxi bill!!!

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 2:19pm
by pwa
Having a breakdown recovery service is the reason for being married isn't it?

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 2:27pm
by Icsunonove
I've had ETA cover for a few years now. Not needed to use it so far but gives me peace of mind on my cycling adventures knowing there's a 24 hour helpline to call if I breakdown deep in the countryside, 100s of miles from home, in the middle of the night..... Much better than calling your Husband/Wife/partner/friend for help at 3 o'clock in the morning!!!!

From their website:

"The ETA was the first company to offer a cycle rescue service tailored for cyclists and we have 29 years’ experience providing breakdown services. If you suffer a breakdown of your bicycle (including punctures) whilst out cycling or are unable to continue due to an injury, our 24-hour recovery team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle back to a safe location. If you would prefer to arrange a taxi for yourself, simply send us your receipts and we will reimburse you for the costs, subject to the terms and conditions being met.

We will not attempt to fix any faults with your bike; however, we will ensure you are taken to a safe location
."

Having a breakdown recovery service is the reason for being married isn't it?

She doesn't drive :-(

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 3:47pm
by ratherbeintobago
philvantwo wrote:You call them up and they arrange a taxi for you.......but you have to pay the taxi bill!!!


That doesn't sound all that helpful.

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 4:02pm
by thirdcrank
ratherbeintobago wrote:
philvantwo wrote:You call them up and they arrange a taxi for you.......but you have to pay the taxi bill!!!


That doesn't sound all that helpful.


I've no experience but my reading of their offer is that they will either rescue you OR you can use a taxi and subject to their T&Cs they will refund the bill.

Reading between the lines because I can't see the detail of the T&Cs, the "rescue" is only to somewhere safe which may include home if that's the nearest option. I don't think you could have a puncture in say Cornwall and get a taxi home to Inverness.

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 15 Oct 2020, 8:02pm
by mumbojumbo
I imagine there will be many incidents to south of John Groats.

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 17 Oct 2020, 8:47am
by st599_uk
The cover rescues you to home, your car, a hotel or a mainline train station, depending on time of day.

Re: Breakdown/recovery service?

Posted: 17 Oct 2020, 9:10am
by thirdcrank
st599_uk wrote:The cover rescues you to home, your car, a hotel or a mainline train station, depending on time of day.


I think the question is, who makes the choice? I suspect it depends on distance as well as time of day. No doubt the T&Cs spell this out.