AAA and Towing or breakdown question

super99 · Dec 26, 2017

The AAA membership is due and I am wondering if it would be worth it to upgrade to the higher level for towing. I now have a gooseneck trailer to haul tractor, etc to shows, just wondering with the upgraded package if I have a flat or breakdown on the road if it would be of any help. The few times we have needed AAA I wasn't pleased with the results. Wait on the side of the road for 2 or 3 hours for assistance. When wife's car died 7 miles from town, AAA paid $30 of a $100 towing bill. Wife wants it for peace of mind for her, to me it's a waste of money. Just wondering if the service is any better if you pay more? Chris

D beatty · Dec 26, 2017

I have their top plan and they will tow a car up to 250 miles no charge.They won't tow a pickup truck pull a deck over trailer loaded with tractor but the will pull the pickup and you have to find somebody to tow trailer. They will tow a pickup truck and a travel trailer.

kcm.MN · Dec 26, 2017

We have a couple of different such plans included as a customer bonus. I think one is through the bank; can't remember about the other. Then with full coverage, we get towing on the vehicle. Not sure how that works for the insured trailer. In any case, takes too long to wait for people out here, so we just do for ourselves.

grizz02 · Dec 26, 2017

How often would a person use it get a flat just call the local guy and pay it the last time I needed a tow was 25 years ago I've saved a lot of cash just my 2 cents

Andy Martin · Dec 26, 2017

I think you answered your own question. Add up all you've paid for them and how much you've gained. I think it's a ripoff. I just take care of myself. Might be good for single ladies.

kcm.MN · Dec 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:16:52 12/26/17) I think you answered your own question. Add up all you've paid for them and how much you've gained. I think it's a ripoff. I just take care of myself. Might be good for single ladies.

Actually, there's quite a few guys(?) that should fall into that same category.

2002sliverado · Dec 26, 2017

If I had to have the service myself, I don't know if I would keep it or not. In my 35 years of driving, I have only used it for myself a half dozen times. Twice driving in snowy conditions and could not see the road due to the snowfall and existing snow cover and slid into the ditch, locked out of a car once, starting aid twice (company vehicle back then), and a diesel car which had crapped out on the road due to a problem which could not have been prevented by my own actions. I have my wife and my daughter covered, too. Twice when I was 4 hours away, my daughter needed towing service after sliding into the ditch in the winter. Once she had to have aid to start a car in the winter, as the car she was driving had a weakened battery. My wife needed a locksmith to get into a car she was locked out of one time. Just a couple weeks ago, my daughter's car broke down 40 miles away from home. I cringed at the thought of somebody doing repair on her car in a community I was unfamiliar with any auto service facilities. I had upgraded the covered to provide up to 100 miles of one way towing. I am glad I had the coverage, and that I didn't have to find a trailer to load up the car and haul it home. Now that it is winter, I don't think I would want to be messing around with tire/wheel removal and replacement, a dead vehicle on the road, etc. You may never need the service, but I know how things have gone with my wife and daughter in the past, where I am some distance away and cannot be there to assist. And I have waited for some time to get that aid, too.

old · Dec 26, 2017

If I where you I would check with your car insurance company. Many have towing as one of the things they offer and for a couple bucks a month extra it is well worth it. I have USAA insurance and have towing and it has been more then worth it

tomNE · Dec 26, 2017

Every time that i've needed towed; they have always picked up the total bill; how come they didn't for you?

bg/mo · Dec 26, 2017

they wont tow a pick up and horse trailer either

9001ron · Dec 26, 2017

I bought there premium package good for motorhomes --- only it was CAA the Canadian version of your AAA. My motor home quit about 20 miles south of james town ND. -14f with a wild wind. I was on the side of the road for 8 hours before they showed up but to be fair they said they would have sent some body out to bring me in . I wanted to stay with the motorhome as I was dressed for it . The towing company didn't subscribe to AAA so I had to pay it initially -- over $800 to get towed 20 miles . This was of course the big tow truck for semies . Took nearly 3 monthes for them to pay but they did in the end . I was pleased that they did as I wouldn't have ever imagined it would cost that much for a tow. Again to be fair the tow truck back carriage wouldn't fit under my front axel and it had to be jacked up and he had to disconnect the drive shaft.I think the premium was around 120 dollars -- I would have been screwed other wise. They phoned around for me to get the only truck available and due to the weather they were busy .

D beatty · Dec 26, 2017

Hit a wrong number in mileage towed it should be 150 miles not 250.

moresmoke · Dec 26, 2017

We carry it. Mostly for the wife's peace of mind. Probably about broken even over the years.

If you have insurance towing, make sure it covers mechanical break downs as well as collision damage. Have run into that before. My truck died as I got to work, insurance wouldn't tow it. AAA did come get it eventually, took a while, but wasn't a big deal as the shop couldn't look at it right away anyway.

coshoo · Dec 26, 2017

You'd probably be happier with towing coverage in your insurance, rather than AAA, if only because tow trucks will probably respond much faster than AAA. That said, you're probably better off just paying for a tow and not turning it in unless its a lot of money, because too many claims will cause your insurance to be cancelled.

fixerupper · Dec 26, 2017

We have it only because Marilyn drives her sister 125 miles for cancer treatments every three weeks rain or shine. I personally wouldn't think of having it.

Mike(NEOhio) · Dec 26, 2017

I've used it several times, you just need a little patience. First three miles is free, big deal. AAA contracts local towing companies so the response depends on how busy they are. Bad weather is when everybody needs them so you wait. I do my own repairs so a twenty or thirty dollar tow is worth it to me. Just don't be in a big hurry,

ed will · Dec 26, 2017

Hi , we have CAA. One time my wife hit an icy stretch and wound up about 50ft from the pavement. They said the vehicle had to be on the road. We had to pay extra to tow it onto the road. Then I had a flat and I guess one of the kids took the wheel wrench out and didn't put it back. I waited 2 hrs for help to come from 1 mile away. Another time I hit a small piece of angle iron and it buggered 2 tires. I phoned caa, I was in Wa. State. They said they would send someone from 100 miles away. I walked about 1/2 mi to a ranch. The guy took me and 1 wheel about 20 miles to tire place. Got new tire and guy took me back. He didn't want money but I bought his kid a box of 30/30 shells cause he mentioned he was practicing. EdWill oliver BC

glennster · Dec 26, 2017

we used to do motor club towing. most were dispatched thru companies like road america.worst was allstate motor club. they want the tow operator to due everything for free. our piivate flatbed tow fee was 65 dollars to load and 3 dollars a loaded mile. they paid 35 to load, 1st 10 miles free but you had to tow to nearest mechanic or their preferred shop. pia to get paid. if you got a goa....gone on arrival, it was tough to get paid even a minimum for your time. most tow operators dropped out of the allstate motor club. stop by your local honest towing company and ask them who they prefer to tow for. then sign up with that company.

Tony in SD · Dec 26, 2017

The few times I have had do be towed 4 in the last 40 years. Im sure I am money ahead just hiring local tow truck operators that to have paid 40 years membership. Besides most I've looked at over the years don't cover anything but private vehicles used only for transportation of people. I looked into an RV motor club..... 4 figures. I said no way. Ill just ask around and hire local when I travel. But if it makes your wife happy,you will have to decide what $$$$ amount to put on that............

JOCCO · Dec 26, 2017

Ok in a hurry but 1. they will not tow a trailer, dump truck and those types of vehicles. 2. The premium service will do 1 200 mile tow per year, and is the best one. The basic isn't much like your #30 of a $100 bill. They offer a lot of services that are good (like locked out of car). With new cars and 10 years 100000 mile warrantee and roadside assistance from the manufacture many people dropped AAA. They have been cracking down on service for defunct cars (like boosting 10 year old battery or patching replacing bald tires) YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO good sam or see if AAA has a plan for campers horse trailers and such. Some one does but I am not up on it. It does come in handy more so for MRS Jocco. As I see it they lose money on her and saves me a bundle each year!!!

DENNIS MIN · Dec 26, 2017

2002silverado,

Your thoughts are similar to mine. I had 3 women that tested my nerves each and every winter with flat batteries, lockouts, retrieval, etc.

I hated the role of "road rescue", day or night.

Money well spent to know they can get assistance year 'round, even when far from my territory. AAA had helped me to sleep better knowing they can call and be helped.

D>

JOCCO · Dec 26, 2017

Andy I can tell you (MRS Jocco) we have come out ahead over the years. It is also peace of mind if I cant be there when the next hit deer, blown tire, locked out etc happens NOT IF BUT WHEN!!! AGREED SOME PEOPLE WOULD SEE NO BENIFIT FROM IT.

grizz02 · Dec 26, 2017

Good god how did our parents and grand parents make it through the day without insurance for this and that I think they called self reliance!!!👍

RayP(MI) · Dec 26, 2017

Talk to your car insurance agent. Most companies offer a riders to your car policy that can cover road service. Usually fairly inexpensive.

Ozlander · Dec 26, 2017

Over on "RV.net", a lot of people like Coach-net.

Crazy Horse · Dec 26, 2017

I find it strange how people relate to spending money on what is essentially an insurance policy. For example, if you pay $1000 per year to insure your car or truck, at the end of the year I don't hear anyone thinking they got fleeced because they didn't get to use it to repair your vehicle after being in an accident. Yet, when it comes to roadside assistance like AAA or CAA up here in Canada, people often equate the investment (say $100) per year as being worth it or not depending on whether you got to put it to use. Personally, I prefer to pay the $100 and never get to use it. Same thing for life insurance, I'd prefer to keep on going without putting it to the test.

504 · Dec 26, 2017

Some insurance company's are giving you free towing and roadside rescues. What they seem to be hiding, is some are saying that it is an insurance claim when you call them!

Hobo,NC · Dec 26, 2017

AAA member since 1982 and I own a tow truck don't figure does it... You hope you never need it but if you do you hope you are getting a reputable tow co, If all fails you can beach to AAA...

If you have a good local provider its a win win if not a P.I.T.A. I contracted out to AAA for 12 years I ended up with no money and a worn out tow truck. I did it to generate a customer base of older Yankees that lived in a local retirement community. Once we got to know each other they were the best customers one could ask for.

I would not dream of letting my daughter travel with out AAA its came in handy quite a few times. When my kids were in collage I had there car towed to me I could keep on working. My daughter moved 250 miles away I up-graded to AAA platinum it gives you one 200 mile free tow a year and three 100 mile tow's. Its my understanding if you use the 200 mile tow you are done for the year on tow's. She broke down 200 miles away I had it towed 109 miles paid for the 9 miles and took her car from there. I still have the 200 in the bank and two more 100 mile tows if needed.

She had a flat on I85 AAA came out and put the spare on. While taking the flat off a lug nut hung up and had to be broken off I told her to find a Walmart super center and have the tire fixed are replace it. They fixed the tire but would not put it back on (broken lug stud) She called AAA out to put the tire back on but another lug broke off. It was no fraught of the AAA guy its a Honda thing I have seen it happen before.

If you buy it because you need it AAA is not the answer you buy it hoping you never need it...

SweetFeet · Dec 26, 2017

Some cell phone companies offer roadside assistance plans too.

I used to add it for $5 a month whenever I'd travel up north to my sister's place. (Then I'd drop it the following month... then add it again for a month when I planned to travel.)

Not sure what it costs these days... and I never had to use it, so cannot vouch for what the service is like. Generally, adding roadside assistance to your plan will get you: towing, battery service, flat tire service, fuel delivery, lockout service, and extrication.

Old weldor · Dec 26, 2017

We have AMOCO motor club and thinking about switching to AAA. When you need a tow amoco has their call center in India. Those people can't understand you or you them. You have to spell everything and they don't have a clue. Very disappointing service!

AAA and Towing or breakdown question

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