Free breakdown cover if you fuel up at a Total garage

[target]

http://www.total.co.uk/UK/ukcorporate.nsf/VS_OPM/00CDD9FD08BCE153C12575BB0029DC1B?OpenDocument

Includes home start as well as the traditional breaking down on route cover.
If you fill up with 30 litres or more then you get a code to text them with your registration and it gets you 14 days free breakdown cover. You can extend it the next time you fill up so you can basically get free breakdown cover the duration of the promotion just by switching your garage. Got to be worth it if you don't have breakdown cover and there's nothing to choose between your local Total garage and any other petrol station.

[scoobyood]

That's a good idea. Bookmarked that so I remember next time.

On a related note. Tesco have free breakdown cover on all of their property. That includes car parks and petrol stations etc. If your car doesn't start just (push the car to tesco :p) go back in the shop and they'll ring the RAC for you. I think it's the RAC.. could be the AA now. Obviously if it needs towing somewhere that will cost you.

[Mont]

Great post - thanks Target

Found a Total garage near me - so will pop along and fill up.
Just a shame it doesn't cover Europe as I'm off to France soon.

Thanks again

Mont

[ArthurDent]

Great for one breakdown and recovery - after that you're on your own if I've read the T&C's right:

http://www.total.co.uk/uk/content/NT00010B6A.pdf

Ah ok, one breakdown / recovery during each 14 day cover period. :doh:

[PeteMc]

Great post - thanks Target

Found a Total garage near me - so will pop along and fill up.
Just a shame it doesn't cover Europe as I'm off to France soon.

Thanks again

Mont

When I lived in France, Total did exactly the same scheme. Not sure though if you had to be a member of Club Total and have a French registered car.

[ShakeyJake]

Can you keep the code until your car breaks down and then redeem it?

[jester]

Good question!

[PAZ]

Can you keep the code until your car breaks down and then redeem it?
No, they thought of that one. You need to text the number (all done by text) within 24 hours of buying the fuel - and keep the receipt to prove the date. It only covers the one car - you have to specify the reg number - but cover is instant.

Still a good deal if you don't already have cover and have to buy fuel anyway.

[Badtemperedmotorist]

This sounds a good idea, but I'm getting a bit confused by all the cheaper/free breakdown services. I know the big operators like the AA are more expensive, but over the last 20 years of membership I haven't been able to fault them. I'd much rather a patrol worked on my car than a garage. Happy with AA insurance too, does anyone else think the same?

Thanks

[target]

I don't think you're actually relying on your local petrol station to repair your car for you. :) On the offer page it states the breakdown cover is provided by Inter Partner Assistance who are part of the AXA group.

As for the AA and RAC, the most basic cover level is cheap but if you're not mechanically minded and need to add homestart or you want relay or something then the price is criminal next to something like www.autonational.co.uk or www.greenflag.com I'm personally with Autonational which makes this offer of no use to me at the moment anyway. :(

With the exception of the RAC and The AA I would imagine all the other companies use the same network of independent breakdown operators anyway so it's probably a case of go with the cheapest (in this case - free!) And having said that the only time I used The AA or RAC (can't remember which one) they sent an independent guy out anyway. I think your extra money to the big 2 pays for them to drive around in brightly coloured trucks and stand outside supermarkets advertising themselves. :)

[SteveC]

Hold on - you need to use a participating TOTAL service station, and so when you search using the Service Station Finder, and choose 'TOTAL Assistance' as the promotion, there's not that many - NONE in Essex!