Roadside assistance

[HiggyBaby 2545]

So I’m evaluating services where you call a 1-800 number and someone comes and changes your tire or your battery. The reason I’m here is because I travel (airline pilot) and I’m responsible for 3 other drivers including 2 teens. I had an insurance add-on for roadside assistance but that tallies around $35 a month. I don’t mind paying that but if I’m going to I wanna make sure I’m getting the best service. Is AAA money better spent? Other options in Texas?

[cactusflinthead 27602]

I have AAA and there are three tiers. I'm paying $100 a year for Plus. 

It gets me.

• Up to 100 Miles Towing
• Free Emergency Fuel Delivery
• Vehicle Locksmith Service Up to $100
• Free Rental Car Upgrade with in-state tow
• Free Hertz membership with enrollment; Get Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points, after the first Gold rental, enough for one free rental day.
• Free Personal Notary Service
• Free International AAA Maps
• Select European Travel Guides at 50% Off

---

Includes All Classic Benefits such as Vehicle Registration Renewals, AAA Battery Service, Identity Theft Monitoring, AAA Discounts and More.

 

 

 

[Jerry Callo 8726]

I agree with AAA plus.  I've had AAA for 25+ years.  I have 5 vehicles and 4 drivers.  We've used AAA at least 4 times this year to tow vehicles.  Piece of mind for me.  

[Gil Bang 26013]

I can't speak to Texas, but AAA of CA is beyond fantastic.   The biggest perk IMO is you can handle any registration transaction without going to the DMV.

My son is deployed, so I signed my DIL up for AAA.  

[cactusflinthead 27602]

8 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

tow vehicles

One tow is enough to pay for AAA for a couple of years. 

[HiggyBaby 2545]

Thx I’ll look into AAA

[ROFL BOX 6649]

We are on AAA Premium.

I even used it once to get JT's ¿Honda? towed when he broke down W of MoPac / TarryTown area... the Dr certs don't usually need ID for member verification; if AAA dispatches them, that's all they need because AAA has obv. verifies you are a member.

I think that Premium gets up to 150 miles tow, + many more tows if needed.

[C-Man 27262]

21 hours ago, HiggyBaby said:

So I’m evaluating services where you call a 1-800 number and someone comes and changes your tire or your battery. The reason I’m here is because I travel (airline pilot) and I’m responsible for 3 other drivers including 2 teens. I had an insurance add-on for roadside assistance but that tallies around $35 a month. I don’t mind paying that but if I’m going to I wanna make sure I’m getting the best service. Is AAA money better spent? Other options in Texas?

Triple A is what you want for Roadside Assistance, or at least something other than your personal auto insurance. Many carriers have it included but I'd caution against using it these days with the market being what it is. Consider it death by paper cuts. You've got a full household. If you start adding in towing and/or glass claims along with an accident or two and suddenly you're not very attractive to a new auto insurer, or your rates will be higher because of that. Best to keep anything other than slam-dunk accidents off your auto insurance -- and pay the small ones out-of-pocket if at all possible. Get your roadside assistance elsewhere. It might be included in your auto but my recommendation is to not use it. (Yes, I understand that's counter-intuitive.)

[conVINCEd 21469]

1 minute ago, C-Man said:

Triple A is what you want for Roadside Assistance, or at least something other than your personal auto insurance. Many carriers have it included but I'd caution against using it these days with the market being what it is. Consider it death by paper cuts. You've got a full household. If you start adding in towing and/or glass claims along with an accident or two and suddenly you're not very attractive to a new auto insurer, or your rates will be higher because of that. Best to keep anything other than slam-dunk accidents off your auto insurance -- and pay the small ones out-of-pocket if at all possible. Get your roadside assistance elsewhere. It might be included in your auto but my recommendation is to not use it. (Yes, I understand that's counter-intuitive.)

AAA is also better at it than insurance companies.  They usually get someone out there pretty quickly.

[C-Man 27262]

1 hour ago, conVINCEd said:

AAA is also better at it than insurance companies.  They usually get someone out there pretty quickly.

That's not been my experience. The one and only time in my life I ran out of gas in my wife's car -- damn Lexus for their "hidden" low fuel indicator and I called Triple A. I waited for over an hour before finally giving up and calling a buddy to come assist me. Still, though, I know not to put $100-$350 "hits" on my auto claims report.

[conVINCEd 21469]

13 minutes ago, C-Man said:

That's not been my experience. The one and only time in my life I ran out of gas in my wife's car -- damn Lexus for their "hidden" low fuel indicator and I called Triple A. I waited for over an hour before finally giving up and calling a buddy to come assist me. Still, though, I know not to put $100-$350 "hits" on my auto claims report.

In my experience, an hour would be quick for an insurance company.  AAA has always been pretty good to me.  I suppose it all depends on time of day and location.  Agree completely on the claims aspect.

[luke duke 6414]

AAA is your answer. I had a tow that probably would have cost me $1K out of pocket. They didn’t bat an eye.

[Mrs Whiggins 13050]

We've been AAA members for a long time and within several states. Has come in handy on more than one occasion. Ditto the remarks on California--way better experience than any Texas DMV I've ever encountered with respect to wait time, services, etc. In unexpected circumstances the AAA discount has also been a nice boon.

[ROFL BOX 6649]

Related, if you have a kid (toddler / strapped in a car seat, etc.) stuck in the car (accidents happen), typically the "Pop a Lock" services or a fire dept. will come out rapidly, Ø charge.

YMMV.