Road to Recovery (RTR) Accident Management announces it has reached its 500,000th member of its pay-as-you-go roadside assistance and recovery service.

It is a development that has seen not only an increasing number of motorists, but also fleet operators moving from traditional breakdown services to RTR’s service. The company’s 500,000 members include individuals, many sports clubs, utility companies, contract hire firms, Severn Trent Water and the majority of Manchester’s 3000 black cabs.

“The ongoing rise of both fuel costs and insurance premiums has meant our overheads have shot up in recent times. So we had to look at ways to limit outgoings in relation to our 100 strong vehicle fleet. The reliability of our vehicles meant we were paying out large annual amounts for a recovery service we rarely used, so the comprehensive pay-as-you-go service provided by RTR has saved us significant amounts of money, whilst providing professional cover when required. We have had no requirements in the last 12 months and therefore no costs” said Steve Seamore, managing director of Gym-Fix UK.

The RTR’s scheme works by providing a central link between recovery operators, who benefit from higher volumes of business, and motorists who are spared the cost of a service they may never use but have the reassurance that it is available should they need it.

Statistics show that the average motorist will only breakdown once in every 7 years and that 80% of breakdowns are fixed at the roadside. As a result, many motorists are paying hundreds of pounds for a comprehensive recovery service they never use. RTR’s service allows members to access a fully comprehensive service but only pay anything when, and if they, require, it.

“When we introduced a breakdown recovery scheme that you only pay for when you need it, our competitors thought we were mad. They trade on people’s fears but the reality is that most modern cars are very reliable and the chances of a breakdown are actually quite small. We decided that people shouldn’t have to take a chance and pay for a service they may not use but, if they did need it, that it should be priced fairly. I think it’s the future of breakdown cover” said Paul Hoyle, managing director of RTR (UK).