Fri 2 Dec 2005 14:44 Do the RAC still own BSM? - AlastairW

I thought they did, but I'm not so sure after watching an AA lowloader picking up a BSM Corsa oustide the BSM office in Stockport. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 14:55 Do the RAC still own BSM? - BazzaBear {P}

I would imagien they are, they've only just started an ad campaign making a point of it. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 14:56 Do the RAC still own BSM? - AlastairW

Thats what I thought. Whatever stopped the Corsa mus have been pretty catastrophic for them to resort to calling the AA. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 15:45 Do the RAC still own BSM? - martint123

Does the AA supply the one year breakdown cover of Vauxhall?? (website doesn't say). Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 15:55 Do the RAC still own BSM? - Dynamic Dave

Does the AA supply the one year breakdown cover of Vauxhall?? (website doesn't say). 3 yrs actually. 1st year is a full blown AA package (homestart, etc), yr's 2 & 3 are roadside assist only. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 16:12 Do the RAC still own BSM? - runboy

And Norwich Union own the RAC, so maybe it should have been a Norwich Union recovery truck. But then that was run by the RAC anyway, which NU now own......makes sense.....mmmmm And Auto Windscreens was owned by RAC, so now Norwich Union. So you can finance a car, buy a car, insure a car, have the windscreen fixed, repaired via LEX.....all under the Norwich Union banner. Interesting times ahead! Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 18:40 Do the RAC still own BSM? - jdc

There are no Norwich Union low-loaders actually. Also, I wonder if most people know that the Norwich Union Rescue recovery package that can be purchased as a sand-alone product or as piggy-back to NU insurance is more or less a mirror image of the standard RAC service ? In fact, when we allocate resources to a NUR customer, there is a far chance an RAC man will turn up. It's all about best use of resources. The RAC have only recently taken delivery of a new fleet of flat bed recovery trucks with a special low-angle ramp (to avoid damage to low slung exotica !) but there are no plans for Norwich Union-specific flat-beds. On the subject of ownership, the big daddy is Aviva, who own both Norwich Union and now the RAC. BSM is still a part of the RAC, hence owned by Aviva. Were you also aware that the RAC undertake Claims Services for several well-know insurance companies ? For example all Ford Insure packages are serviced by RAC claims ... there are loads more too ! So the claims advisor you speak to may well be an RAC employee ! Interestingly, the new RAC Direct Insurance package is underwritten by another insurance company not owned by Aviva - I assume this is to internally 'compete' with it's own Norwich Union Direct brand, where customers want a simple, fuss-free product (well as simple as any insurance product can be....) jdc Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 18:42 Do the RAC still own BSM? - cheddar

I assume BSM is a franchise in which case the owner driver was probably calling on their Corsa's warranty without a thought for the ownership of BSM. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 19:41 Do the RAC still own BSM? - AlastairW

BSM is indeed a franchise. The driver/instructor never owns the car though. It is supplied to him in exchange for an enormous franchise fee. From gross earnings of £30k it is not uncommon to see a net taxable profit of <£10K, though the intructor can use the car privately. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 20:19 Do the RAC still own BSM? - Pugugly {P}

"BSM has a long and distinguished history and heritage, starting from a small garage in Peckham to being the largest driver training organisation of its kind in the world and part of RAC." From their website - answers the original question Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 2 Dec 2005 23:07 Do the RAC still own BSM? - jdc

" It is supplied to him in exchange for an enormous franchise fee" Just like ANY franchise. Having been there and done that (not with BSM or any similar set up I hasten to add), I can only say that franchising works for some but not for many, many others. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the idea, but my god it it like feeding off a great big mothership that sucks the life out of you and leaves you with the droppings ...... a bit dramatic maybe, but you get the gist... The AA driving school works on exactly the same basis as BSM (aka RAC) and also many other larger Schools of Motoring. Needless to say, these parts of the motoring organisations are very profitable as there is an ever increasing demand for motoring tuition .... jdc Reply | Report as offensive | Link