AAA Roadside Assistance. Is It Worth It?

[Spookwriter]

I had AAA open one of our rental houses in town.

Renter "forgot" to leave us the keys. AAA sent a locksmith.

 

[NYREDS]

It's a waste of money almost every day. Then there's the day you break down in the middle of nowhere, then it's absolutely worth it.

 

[Godsgrl]

I have wondered about AAA myself. Then I realized I have road side assistance through my auto insurance, (nationwide) so I'd be paying for something I already have. Free towing has been priceless, as we do a lot of highway driving out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Spookwriter]

I'm almost ashamed to say this one...and
don't ask how I know...I don't even know if
it still applys.

Years ago, it used to be that when you were
caught out of state for speeding the locals would
haul you off to the pokey. Right there, right then.

(Spook went everywhere quite fast in the old days.)

And then...Spook learned that the cops would just take
my AAA card and trust me to send them some fine money.
Spook liked that plan MUCH better.

Spook doesn't speed anymore.

Old, slow, Spook

 

[BusyBlonde]

I've had it a couple of times. When I really needed it, it failed me - badly. The first time, I had a flat on my big Dodge Ram pick-up. I was pretty small at the time, and couldn't change the tire myself (couldn't get the lug nuts off, LOL). I called, gave them all my info (this was before cell phones were common, had to walk to use a phone), offered to give directions but they said they knew where I was. 1-1/2 hrs later, still no help. When I called back, they said the driver couldn't find me and gave me his number. No wonder - they sent someone who was over an hour away, in another town, who refused to help me when he found out where I really was. A nice man finally saw my predicament and helped me - in the rain - and refused any compensation.

The second time, I had purchased the RV package, as it included coverage on motorcycles. I didn't have a problem with the extra expense, and figured that I'd give them another shot (this was only 3 years ago). My bike broke down when I was on my way home from work, about 9 pm. I called AAA and told them what happened, where I was, and - most importantly - that my bike had a voyager kit, so I didn't need a special truck, a roll-back could handle it (makes the bike like a trike, stable without special tie-downs.) I was in a rural area, my phone going dead, and was told when I called back - for the third time - that they probably couldn't get my bike until morning because they didn't have a special truck to carry a motorcycle. REALLY??? I finally got a representative after midnight who actually listened to me, and my bike (and I) got picked up at around 2 am, I didn't get home until after 3 am.

So - I don't have AAA. For the money I paid them, and they failed me miserably, I can pay someone if I break down again. They don't tell you when you sign up that you need to be in an area where they offer certain services when you break down if you want to use those services - they represented it didn't matter where I was when I called them and asked dozens of questions before getting the RV package, they'd take care of me even if I was in the wilds of WV (where we liked to ride on occasion). They didn't tell me I could be stranded with my bike all night just outside a major metropolitan area (Charlotte, NC) because there was only one or two services that could transport a normal motorcycle (which mine did not need). They did not listen to me either time, causing long delays and safety issues to me. Many people have had good experiences with them, but mine were not.

 

[cassie]

I have had AAA road service for over 20 years. I all that time, I had only one bad experience, and that was rectified quickly. We were at the fairgrounds and our car refused to start when we were ready to leave. They sent a tow truck out driven by some idiot kid. He made somewhat of an effort to find us in the parking lot. We saw him and waved and hollered, but he went right on by us and left. Couldn't be bothered I guess. We watched him the whole time. We called AAA back, and they sent out another truck. This guy got our car started in short order.

 

[MichaelHens]

We have had AAA premium (100 miles) for 6 years. AAA is worth it's weight in gold if you drive older vehicles like myself. Pays for itself every year!

 

[duckluck]

I have wondered about AAA myself. Then I realized I have road side assistance through my auto insurance, (nationwide) so I'd be paying for something I already have. Free towing has been priceless, as we do a lot of highway driving out in the middle of nowhere.

I have that too, BUT...you have to call them yourself and they reimburse you. It also has a limit of towing to the nearest service center, whereas with AAA I can pick anything in a 200 mile radius. Trust me, if you've ever had to pay for a long distance tow, it is worth it! They also help with unexpected expenses caused by something like this, something a lot of auto insurance programs don't do. Also, a lot of auto insurance programs won't tow RVs...even if you don't have an RV, the perks of the Premier RV membership are worth looking at for regular vehicles.

 

[JOSEPHC]

We have it, and for many years. The benefits are certainly worth it. However, if you purchase a new car, and I do not know if that is your situation, the manufacturer usually gives you Roadside Assistance at no cost. Just be aware of the longevity of the program. Also, some automobile insurers provide Roadside assistance as well as part of their premium( few extra dollars).

 

[oldrooster]

I have had it for about 10 years and been really happy with it. I got a flat tire while on vacation in Las Vegas and they can out helped me with out any problem or hassle or extra cost. Rental car while on the east coast. Same thing.

I would look into the extended plan or whatever they call it where you get more towing miles. Depending on how much you drive and how far you are driving regularly you may or may not need it. But I recently had to get towed 30 miles and the regular AAA only covers 7. Ouch.

It varies millage wise to what state your membership is from but you are correct I have the higher towing package (I think they have a third higher tier but the additional fetchers didn't justify the additional cost to my lifestyle) they give you as someone posted before free maps (like you can but from the gas station) but also if you are for the sake of discussion going to do the great American vacation to the grand canyon, mt Rushmore, old faithful etc. etc. etc. and you are driving all over the place they can pre=print a personalized map for all of your trip (called a trip tick (tic?)) and it will show all the highways and exits in great detail, the mileage, where construction is expected in what areas when (face it they can't predict an earth quake taking out a bridge, tanker truck fire burning part of a highway causing a detour) also they print if the state has laws for all passengers need seat belts or just front seat passengers and kids under 18 in the back when headlights are to be used (other than darkness some states want them on even if it is barely sprinkling and very sunny) in essence the funky laws you may not think of when you cross a state line and you break a law you may not be aware of also radar detector laws also you could make a circular route and they would map it the same as identical route to and from. discount tickets for events like state fairs and theme parks may not mean much if your employer offers a similar discount but my employer used to have just 3-4 days of the year you could use their discount tickets, so if you couldn't get off that weekend you where out of luck unless you had AAA. also you can get a discount at some restaurants and hotels and motels along with other businesses with your membership (including some discount malls and an eye doctor chain can't remember which one). I have it and use it often enough that I usually get my money's worth. P.S. if you don't want to use the internet to book a cruise or airline tickets etc. but wish to use a travel agent their rates are comperable to other chains.