NRMA and RACV

Moving to VIC soon, which one is better?

Looking for basic roadside assistance coverage but more for those purchase of 5% supermarket gift cards … Also, any experience using their roadside assistance service?

Thanks!

Comments

  • There's no NRMA in Vic so what does it matter? A better question is whether you have better alternatives for road service in Vic. There are probably cheaper ways to get 5% discount on cards if that's all you want. Now that you mention it, I'll have to check whether my expired NRMA membership can buy cards.

  • If you don't want roadside with RACV - get a personal membership with them instead - about $30 a year and has all the 5% gift card benefits. (http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/Primary…)

    Although you're probably better off getting an Entertainment book as you can get 5% discount PLUS use a few of the coupons in the book that will help cover the initial cost, plus the purchase contributes to charity and also helps you discover new places to visit in VIC :) (http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/)

  • Culturally, RACV decided in the late 90s to focus on value by providing extra services to their members. At the time, NRMA were all about selling off heir insurance arm. But I note they have also started doing more to focus on members lately.
    I think both are a bit anachronistic these days. A big, bloated organisation trying to look after members without screwing employees.
    If all things were equal (say, you lived in Albury-Wodonga and it cost the same), I would pick RACV just because it still owns the insurance business, and it might one day privatise it, which would mean a fillip for each member which was worth approx $1500 from memory when the NRMA sold the farm.
    That said, I hope they don't just because it is worthwhile to have things beside the lowest cost operator out there.

    • +1

      Culturally, RACV decided in the late 90s to focus on value by providing extra services to their members. At the time, NRMA were all about selling off heir insurance arm. But I note they have also started doing more to focus on members lately.
      Can you point out a specific example of the difference? As a former NRMA member, the RACV looked remarkably similar the few times I perused their web sites or maps.

      I wasn't in favour of the demerger or demutualisation of insurance and happily am no longer a customer of both organisations. I can only wonder what sort of organisation the NRMA could have become by retaining shares in IAG as the insurance arm was subsequently named. It was a luck lustre performer for a long time but I see now my dividends have covered the current road service membership fees in recent years.

      I think both are a bit anachronistic these days. A big, bloated organisation trying to look after members without screwing employees.

      I don't know what you propose instead. I'd prefer an organisation that primarily focuses on road service without having to sell other products and could impartially recommend the best products on price and value of interest to people running cars. I suspect they have to sell those other products since road service runs at a loss though commercial competitors somehow seem to manage. I've no idea what other "freebies" members still get. Do the free maps still exist? I think free printed accomodation directories are probably long gone. I used to enjoy the magazine when it had more car reviews instead of mainly trying to sell me on NRMA services. I also wished they were a more general transport lobby - their members use public transport too and better public transport means less road congestion.

      My pet example of how they screw their customers is by recommending International Driving Permits though on checking now I see the RACV at least have a list which contains a handful of countries where its not required. Actually, its a nice auto club scam, a document issued by an auto club whose validity depends on the licence itself issued by the a government which is necessary to "validate" the licence. Ok, it might make sense for a non-English speaking country but "recommended" for the US, seriously?

      I think they try to look after their own survival first even if it means screwing members who are not savvy enough to shop around.

      You probably would have to lie about your address if you live on the wrong side of the border. I think my mate in Canberra has been lying about his address for about 30 years,

      • A big +1 on the transport lobbying. It is a tremendous benefit to motorists when public transport use increases, and it is a benefit to everyone else too.

  • If you have NRMA roadside in NSW it has reciprical arrrangements with RACV in VIC and the equivalent RAC in every state.

  • I was reading somewhere on the NRMA website it's Australia wide? Hmm… Dat leaves only racv then.

    • NRMA offer a range of services Australia-wide, but their roadside assist product is NSW coverage only using their own network, with reciprocal agreements with other RAC/AAA clubs so that their roadside coverage to extend to other states too.

  • If you are mainly after the 5% discount, use cash rewards as its free to join, plus you might find some of their other stuff useful

    http://www.cashrewards.com.au/woolworths-gift-cards

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