GEM, Breakdown Cover

Dockgreen · 29th September 2009, 18:17

Hi! Has anybody had any experience of breakdown cover with this company? in particular with the pay now and claim back, they are offering it for £62 and I just wondered if anybody has used them.

Demon · 29th September 2009, 19:19

I've used them before and consider it a calculated risk. That was a few years ago but if they're operating the same system now, what you actually get on a call-out would be a locally contracted recovery company, which obviously means the level of service you can expect to receive is dependent on how good the contractor you happen to get is. I had to call them out once whilst at a service station on the M6. Waited something like 2 hours for a local firm to turn up although in fairness it was around Christmas and quite a busy time and road I guess. As far as the claim back system goes, I didn't use that myself but I've read about other people's experience and have heard no problems re. getting your money back.

The reason I left was because their prices went up (paid £25 for basic cover first time) so I've been juggling between the big two ever since. What level of cover do you get for £62? This year I've only paid £59 for roadside and recovery (national, not just the 10 miles rule...) with RAC but think it's normally in excess of £100. As I say, calculated risk. Personally I feel more confident with the other two as they've always been very quick, very professional and in most cases their guys (and gals...?) seem to know their stuff - have had several spot-on diagnoses in situations where I wouldn't have had a clue what had gone wrong. Just my experience, naturally

slatlec · 29th September 2009, 20:41

I have used GEM for the last five years 1st year was very reasonable,over the years it has increased and is now £100. That is for the top cover,for myself and wife for 4 cars. 1 classic and 1 commercial.
Used only once, quick and efficient.

smcaul · 29th September 2009, 22:14

I currently use http://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/breakdown/ cost is £59 per year, which is for the car not the driver, but it also covers full European cover as well!!!!

Haven't had to use them yet, so can't comment on what they are like but they are backed by https://www.europ-assistance.co.uk/ so the cover seems very good for the money!!

steffo · 29th September 2009, 22:36

Not used GEM.I'm with the AA and the last few times i've called them out they have always sent a local firm I never seem to get the real AA personel,maybe it's because I always call them when my Bike breaks down never the car :lol:

timborob · 29th September 2009, 22:42

I'm also with the AA and luckily haven't broken down for awhile

big_mac · 30th September 2009, 14:02

The last few years, I have alternated between AA & RAC - you can get about £20 cashback each year through Quidco or topcashback.co.uk etc.

That makes it very cheap if you just want the basic breakdown cover.

wutang · 30th September 2009, 14:22

I have just taken out cover with green flag for six of my work vans, £79 per vehicle for large Comercial Vans, that gives home start, national breakdown (no silly local rule.) and full european coverage.

This is half the price of AA or RAC Fleet scheme.

Richard

gwp · 30th September 2009, 14:39

Just been looking at Autoaid, recommended on MoneySavingExpert.com, similar cover - claim back and seems to have good feedback.

£37 and covers you and partner - any car as far as I can see - looks like a reasonable deal.

Dockgreen · 1st October 2009, 19:03

Thanks very much for all the reply's, I will have to do some research. The £62 cover is for both my wife and myself, thats for us regardless of what car we are in.

29th September 2009, 18:17	#1
Dockgreen Newbie Rover 75 Club SE in Copperleaf Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GEM, Breakdown Cover Hi! Has anybody had any experience of breakdown cover with this company? in particular with the pay now and claim back, they are offering it for £62 and I just wondered if anybody has used them.

29th September 2009, 22:14	#4
smcaul Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon CDT Club Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I currently use http://www.quotelinedirect.co.uk/breakdown/ cost is £59 per year, which is for the car not the driver, but it also covers full European cover as well!!!! Haven't had to use them yet, so can't comment on what they are like but they are backed by https://www.europ-assistance.co.uk/ so the cover seems very good for the money!! __________________ Just a few of my favorite pictures Click Here Freedom isn't free. Somebody paid!

29th September 2009, 22:36	#5
steffo Loves to post '05 MG ZT-T 1.8T 160+,'89 MG Metro Turbo Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 368 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not used GEM.I'm with the AA and the last few times i've called them out they have always sent a local firm I never seem to get the real AA personel,maybe it's because I always call them when my Bike breaks down never the car :lol: __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Member no:7797

1st October 2009, 19:03	#10
Dockgreen Newbie Rover 75 Club SE in Copperleaf Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	GEM Breakdown Cover Thanks very much for all the reply's, I will have to do some research. The £62 cover is for both my wife and myself, thats for us regardless of what car we are in.

29th September 2009, 19:19	#2
Demon Loves to post BMW E92 325i Coupe & BMW E61 525i Auto Touring (Formerly ZT 190SE, ZT+ CDTi & 75 2.0 V6 Club SE) Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cardiff Posts: 449 Thanks: 2 Thanked 17 Times in 5 Posts	I've used them before and consider it a calculated risk. That was a few years ago but if they're operating the same system now, what you actually get on a call-out would be a locally contracted recovery company, which obviously means the level of service you can expect to receive is dependent on how good the contractor you happen to get is. I had to call them out once whilst at a service station on the M6. Waited something like 2 hours for a local firm to turn up although in fairness it was around Christmas and quite a busy time and road I guess. As far as the claim back system goes, I didn't use that myself but I've read about other people's experience and have heard no problems re. getting your money back. The reason I left was because their prices went up (paid £25 for basic cover first time) so I've been juggling between the big two ever since. What level of cover do you get for £62? This year I've only paid £59 for roadside and recovery (national, not just the 10 miles rule...) with RAC but think it's normally in excess of £100. As I say, calculated risk. Personally I feel more confident with the other two as they've always been very quick, very professional and in most cases their guys (and gals...?) seem to know their stuff - have had several spot-on diagnoses in situations where I wouldn't have had a clue what had gone wrong. Just my experience, naturally

29th September 2009, 20:41	#3
slatlec Regular poster 75 1.8T Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sheffield Posts: 61 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have used GEM for the last five years 1st year was very reasonable,over the years it has increased and is now £100. That is for the top cover,for myself and wife for 4 cars. 1 classic and 1 commercial. Used only once, quick and efficient.

29th September 2009, 22:42	#6
timborob Loves to post Rover 75 1.8 Club Auto Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South London Posts: 310 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm also with the AA and luckily haven't broken down for awhile

30th September 2009, 14:02	#7
big_mac Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon 1.8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Merseyside Posts: 74 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The last few years, I have alternated between AA & RAC - you can get about £20 cashback each year through Quidco or topcashback.co.uk etc. That makes it very cheap if you just want the basic breakdown cover.

30th September 2009, 14:22	#8
wutang Posted a thing or two Rover 75 2.5 auto (LPG) & mg tf 160 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dartford Posts: 1,124 Thanks: 5 Thanked 39 Times in 36 Posts	I have just taken out cover with green flag for six of my work vans, £79 per vehicle for large Comercial Vans, that gives home start, national breakdown (no silly local rule.) and full european coverage. This is half the price of AA or RAC Fleet scheme. Richard

30th September 2009, 14:39	#9
gwp Regular poster MGF 1.8VVC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Just been looking at Autoaid, recommended on MoneySavingExpert.com, similar cover - claim back and seems to have good feedback. £37 and covers you and partner - any car as far as I can see - looks like a reasonable deal.