RACV Drama

old briney · Senior Member

RACV Drama

Smokeydk · Guru

RAA Premium covers

Caravan Cover
Emergency accommodation 2 nights
Accommodation after breakdown** 5 nights
Towing Metro: Up to 50km
Towing Country: Up to 200km
special towing equipment: Up to $220 per incident http://www.raa.com.au/page.aspx?TerID=613

-- Edited by Smokeydk on Tuesday 31st of January 2012 01:16:27 PM

Vic · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Vic, I remember reading that post but our van is 25ft inc a frame and that was no prlblem for the guys in Victoria, having said that it would still be good to check with your own RAC as conditions do change.

Yes, I agree wombat (what am I saying !!!!)

He is the link to the other thread, apparently the lenght needs to be considered too, see;

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t44610645/racv-total-care/

-- Edited by Vic on Tuesday 31st of January 2012 01:23:03 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

After getting my new (to me) Prado and my upcoming trip I decided to upgrade my RACV Roadside cover to Total Care. Well, unfortunately yesterday I had an occasion to use RACV for the first time in 40 years, The top radiator hose came off as driving along at 90kmh clip and all. When I checked, the clip and hose just came off, water all over the place. I rang the RACV for roadside help and they said it will be within the hour, now I was only on the Bass Highway near the South Gippsland Highway overpass for those that know the area so it is a civilised area not way in the outback. After 1.5 hours I rang back asking why know one has been out yet, to be told there was no record of my request. 1 hour after that I rang again to be told the tow truck will be at least 3 hours away. I said I don't need a tow truck just a serviceman will do, they said they can't get hold of the local agent. mmmmm. Seeing I only got the car a week ago I rang the dealer and he said just put the car on a tow truck and bring to them. 3 hours to the minute a tow truck pulled up in front, put the car on the tray and off to the dealer with me as well. 5 minutes after we left I got a phone call from the RACV agent asking where I was actually located, I said on the back of a tow truck, he said he had only just got the call from RACV.

The dealer had their work shop on standby and within 1.5 hours car back on the road.

THE DEALER was great and couldn't do enough for me. It turned out a faulty radiator hose clip, all was tested and seems ok now.

RACV. If that is a sample of TOTAL CARE, care, all I can say is, GET YOUR BLOODY ACT TOGETHER. (Sorry Cindy for the bloody bit)

Sorry for the length of this post but I couldn't keep it any shorter.

DOUG

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

sorry to hear of your troubles with RACV Doug, I also have been with the RACV & RACWA for years and have always been treated ok by them, I'm sure your problem was an isolated incident, at least you are now back on the road thanks to your dealer.

Pam · Guru

Just out of interest,does total care cover the caravan as well?

Landfall · Guru

From what I gather, the service people have been told that if they cannot fix it within 10 minutes, they are to get a tow truck.

Exception may be a wheel change.

Recently we where on a car rally with our MGA when it came to a complete stop on the way home just out from Devonport.

A quick inspection revealed that the coil had decided to give up the ghost.

A phone call to the RACT and I was informed that the service man could organise a tray truck to atake me to the nearest garage and it would be repaired next day (Monday) or they could take me home.

I explained that home was 300+ km's away in Hobart, the job of replacing the coil would take ten minutes and I was not about to stay somewhere overnight for a ten minute job.

Half an hour later, we were sitting in the rear of a tray truck, loaded up and on the way home.

Had to laugh at the rest though, the tow truck driver (dual cab) had his wife and kids in the front. They were now on the way to visit relatives living in Hobart.

No complaints about the service.

Just could not understand the logic? confuse

Dusty biggrin

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Pam wrote:
Just out of interest,does total care cover the caravan as well?

along with total care there is another option called Aussie Assist through the RACWA, I had a medical problem while in Victoria, RACWA flew us home to WA and transported the 4x4 and van from Vic to WA.

Aussie Assist is well worth having, check with your local organisation what they offer.

Ma · Guru

Pam wrote:
Just out of interest,does total care cover the caravan as well?

When I enquired at NRMA, yes I have the full total care, they said the van was included. Will double check it though just in case.

the rocket · Guru

good grief. lets hope thats the end of it. haven't ever had any trouble here in qld. thank goodness. I am interested in a comment about auzzie assist. do we phone for that or see the racv or racqor ract etc. thanks. rocket n strop

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

the rocket wrote:
good grief. lets hope thats the end of it. haven't ever had any trouble here in qld. thank goodness. I am interested in a comment about auzzie assist. do we phone for that or see the racv or racqor ract etc. thanks. rocket n strop

I would contact your local organisation to see about Aussie Assist

Two Strays · Senior Member

Doug

I had reason to call RACV (Total Care) for assistance and was allocated a case manager who was responsible from start to finish. It was reassuring to know that if I had any problems I had a direct phone number to her and problems where fixed ASAP.

In your case the wires must have been crossed.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

You know, the thing that annoyed me the most was the RACV actually asked for my mobile phone number and not once did THEY ring me to see how things were going, I had to ring them 3 times and no real help with any of the 3 different people. The 2nd call, the lady said she would ring back in 15 mins to check on me as I had no drinking water and it was getting hot on the side of the road. I even tried waving down passing motorists but they just waved back and kept going. Not happy Jan. Sorry Jan.
I reckon after 40 years membership and not using them once I should be entitled to better service. Even Aldi, mentioned on another post on this forum, give better service. At least if I was stranded on the side of their isle I would have access to water and food.
I have learnt something out of all this though and I am in the process of organising a few spare bits and pieces and extra drinking water to keep in the car. Then in some cases I can only blame my self for lack of service.
So the old saying is true, you are never too old to learn. I suppose the other saying of , if you learn something every day then it's a day well spent. DOUG

Vic · Guru

I think there is a thread here somewhere saying Aussie Assist will only cover caravans up to a certain length, apparently due to problems of loading them over that length. It is somewhere in the fine print I think I read.

So that may be worth checking out too. Applies to all those linked to the same road Service, ie; All the RAC's, NRMA & NT.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Two Strays, we had the same expeirence one person to deal with all the time as in our case help was there for over a month and always the same person.

Doug, when you want to wave down other people have the jack in your hand and maybe the bonnet liffted.

Vic, I remember reading that post but our van is 25ft inc a frame and that was no prlblem for the guys in Victoria, having said that it would still be good to check with your own RAC as conditions do change.

Ma · Guru

That's my understanding too Brian

the rocket · Guru

gues what yearly bill I got in the mail today? yep. you guessed right. The racq roadside assist. bill. now before I pay I want to know all the fine print. Hope all is ok today for you. cheers. rocket n strop

Happywanderer · The Master

Which reminds me, must ring and update to total care before I head up north in April.
A lot of budgeting needed in my planning as Car rego has just come in too.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I am going to be like a wild dog with a bone with this one and not let go, just yet anyway. I have already spoken to someone at the RACV at length and after that talk I have put pen to paper and sent a two page letter to the GM of RACV explaining in detail with times etc as to what or in my case what did not happen during my 3 hour drama. He will recieve the letter Thursday or Friday this week. No names have or will be mentioned. I will post the outcome here.

Happywanderer · The Master

Good on ya Doug. You have to get on to them, we all expect good service for our membership.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Dougwe wrote:
I am going to be like a wild dog with a bone with this one and not let go, just yet anyway. I have already spoken to someone at the RACV at length and after that talk I have put pen to paper and sent a two page letter to the GM of RACV explaining in detail with times etc as to what or in my case what did not happen during my 3 hour drama. He will recieve the letter Thursday or Friday this week. No names have or will be mentioned. I will post the outcome here.

go for it doggie, just don't let them get your bone, they should give you a free years membership, but don't wait too long for that.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

They might offer free "Aussie Assist" for life. biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

I will not hold my breath waiting though

rockylizard · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
when you want to wave down other people have the jack in your hand and maybe the bonnet liffted.

Gday....

Or just slide up the leg of ya jeans, give a big smile and a big wink .... works everytime for me biggrin biggrin

cheers

John

Cruising Granny · Guru

I'd say sack the operator. This person who takes the calls is the one who makes the next move. It seems as though they have let you down.
I'd report this incident to the head office of the RACV.
I'm glad your problem was resolved in a satisfactory manner in the end.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

rockylizard wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
when you want to wave down other people have the jack in your hand and maybe the bonnet liffted.
Gday....
Or just slide up the leg of ya jeans, give a big smile and a big wink .... works everytime for me
cheers
John

I stopped for this lady along the Nullarbor, sorry about the dust on the lens, must find time to get that cleaned biggrin

golivers travels · Guru

On our recent 12 month trip around Aus we took out RACV total care. Luckily we did. We had to use it twice on our trip and could not fault the service. Both times we had prompt response as far as we were concerned. Yes we had to wait about an hour or so for a tow vehicle but that is part of the deal. At home it is often over an hour for normal cover. We were supplied with a hire car in Alice Springs for 11 days while we waited for a part to come from Melbourne. They also covered our site fees at the caravan park. The next time was in Broome, we had to wait 7 days for tyres to be shipped from Perth. Again a car was supplied and van park fees paid. Sorry Doug you must of had a bad experience. We had the opposite. They rang a number of times to make sure all was okay. Infact the both times we rang the first thing they wanted to know was if we were okay.

the rocket · Guru

golivers travels wrote:
On our recent 12 month trip around Aus we took out RACV total care. Luckily we did. We had to use it twice on our trip and could not fault the service. Both times we had prompt response as far as we were concerned. Yes we had to wait about an hour or so for a tow vehicle but that is part of the deal. At home it is often over an hour for normal cover. We were supplied with a hire car in Alice Springs for 11 days while we waited for a part to come from Melbourne. They also covered our site fees at the caravan park. The next time was in Broome, we had to wait 7 days for tyres to be shipped from Perth. Again a car was supplied and van park fees paid. Sorry Doug you must of had a bad experience. We had the opposite. They rang a number of times to make sure all was okay. Infact the both times we rang the first thing they wanted to know was if we were okay.
that terrific. rocket n strop

Dougwe · Chief one feather

_wombat_ wrote:
rockylizard wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
when you want to wave down other people have the jack in your hand and maybe the bonnet liffted.
Gday....
Or just slide up the leg of ya jeans, give a big smile and a big wink .... works everytime for me
cheers
John
I stopped for this lady along the Nullarbor, sorry about the dust on the lens, must find time to get that cleaned

I'll try running across the road naked waving my arms around and holding a jack next time wombat.

Oh no, I just had this horrible vision of my self, maybe I better not.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Doug, you do not need to do it naked, althouh you may get some of the single ladies stop to help you biggrin biggrin

Happywanderer · The Master

Ken Thomas is a member on here. He has a thread all about this problem of what RACV won't cover.

Type RACV Total Care in the search line above and you will find it. He has included a letter from RACV explaining what they are looking into.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Wednesday 1st of February 2012 09:31:44 PM