AAA or not?

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

Since I have an ancient van and live on SSDI I'm thinking AAA is probably going to be a pretty good investment. Do any of you have AAA and, if so, does the benefit outweigh the cost? I'm thinking that, for me, just the comfort of knowing I have Roadside Assistance in the event of a breakdown would be worth the expense. What about adding some sort of Roadside Assistance to regular insurance instead?

Thoughts?

 

[ilovemyvan]

I don't know if you qualify for AARP (50 years old +) but if you do you might want to look into their insurance and road side assistance. That's what we've been using for years and years and never had a problem.

We made one insurance claim, our car was totaled. The lady was driving a borrowed car. The owner said she didn't have permission so it was considered stolen. The owner's insurance didn't want to pay. At first we kept receiving stuff from that insurance, kind of nasty stuff. Told our insurance about it and that was the end of that.

We used the roadside assistance quite a few times and never had a problem. Their rates are reasonable. I wouldn't want to drive around town without it, let alone around the country.

 

[BigT]

I've had AAA for over 20 years. I can't remember the last time I used it, but it's good for piece of mind at least.

 

[Almost There]

AAA is not the only roadside assistance provider. There are lots of others around, some better, some worse.

If it were me and I was new to needing a roadside assistance plan I would shop carefully and make notes on what each company offers at what prices. While they all offer coverage, that coverage and the ease of obtaining assistance varies greatly.

I travel in both the US and Canada each year and consequently keep my plan with a company that serves the entire continent. Most plans do not but if you're not travelling internationally, then you may not need this feature.

Also, each company usually offers different plans with different towing limits, claim limits and additional features such as repatriation or accomodation coverage when your vehicle is disabled a certain distance from your registered home base.

If you have a Class B or better, make sure that your coverage covers the specific type of vehicle that you own - not all do.

As to adding roadside assistance to your vehicle insurance, yes, it can be done BUT keep in mind that most of those require you to find your own towing service, pay for it and then submit the invoice for reimbursement...a total pain if you have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere close to home, on a dark and stormy night where you don't know a soul let alone who to call.

Personally, I would never drive without having roadside assistance. The under $100 a year I pay is very small cost for the potential benefits, especially considering the cost of towing these days.

 

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

I don't know if you qualify for AARP (50 years old +) but if you do you might want to look into their insurance and road side assistance. That's what we've been using for years and years and never had a problem.

We made one insurance claim, our car was totaled. The lady was driving a borrowed car. The owner said she didn't have permission so it was considered stolen. The owner's insurance didn't want to pay. At first we kept receiving stuff from that insurance, kind of nasty stuff. Told our insurance about it and that was the end of that.

We used the roadside assistance quite a few times and never had a problem. Their rates are reasonable. I wouldn't want to drive around town without it, let alone around the country.

Actually, I have Hartford through AARP on my car right now. I'll look into it. Thanks  :heart:

 

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

As to adding roadside assistance to your vehicle insurance, yes, it can be done BUT keep in mind that most of those require you to find your own towing service, pay for it and then submit the invoice for reimbursement...a total pain if you have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere close to home, on a dark and stormy night where you don't know a soul let alone who to call.

Personally, I would never drive without having roadside assistance. The under $100 a year I pay is very small cost for the potential benefits, especially considering the cost of towing these days.

I'm not really worried about a flat since I'll be carrying a spare and jack but breakdowns are a real possibility even after I get the mechanics in order. I hate sitting on the side of the road with no way to get anywhere. 

Is your roadside coverage through your insurance? I would like to drive up to Alaska at some point and having something that would cover me in Canada (or Mexico) would be good.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

There have been a number of other threads here on this subject.  See:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-AAA-and-Roadside-Assistance?highlight=AAA

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-AAA-I-will-never-be-without-it?highlight=Triple+A

Regards
John

 

[Almost There]

I'm not really worried about a flat since I'll be carrying a spare and jack but breakdowns are a real possibility even after I get the mechanics in order. I hate sitting on the side of the road with no way to get anywhere. 

Is your roadside coverage through your insurance? I would like to drive up to Alaska at some point and having something that would cover me in Canada (or Mexico) would be good.

I  use a company called Paragon Motorclub. I've been with them since 2010 and have had no complaints or problems.

As I mentioned before, CAA and AAA, to the best of my knowledge and previous experience (I had both years ago), will only respond to service calls within their own country. Outside of their 'jurisdiction', you're on your own to find a service company, pay the bill and submit for reimbursement.

The paying of the bill etc is not the part that I had/have a problem with. Like many of us, I tend to wander far and wide across the continent. Seldom are my service calls in my home area where I know who to call and how to reach them. I like being able to make a single phone call and know that whomever they send has already been verified and is under contract with them.

From what I've seen, roadside assistance coverage is available through many insurance companies but they're all on a basis of 'deal with it yourself and send us the bill'. No friendly CSR at the other end arranging for someone local and being helpful. Yes, the insurance company coverage is usually quite cheap but IMO, it's a case of getting what you pay for.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

From what I've seen, roadside assistance coverage is available through many insurance companies but they're all on a basis of 'deal with it yourself and send us the bill'. No friendly CSR at the other end arranging for someone local and being helpful.

Not the case with State Farm, at least.

https://www.statefarm.com/claims/resources/auto/emergency-road-service

Anyone curious about their insurance company option should try Googling " X Roadside Assistance"  With Geico or State Farm or Allstate or whoever replacing the "X" and see what comes up.

 

[NickTheoBennett]

Not true of Progressive, either. I only used them once, but they handled everything, including dispatching a tow truck. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them, though. They will only tow you 15 miles or to the nearest "authorized" repair shop. After that, you pay per mile.

 

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

Thanks everyone.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Actually, I have Hartford through AARP on my car right now. I'll look into it. Thanks  :heart:

I probably didn't explain myself properly - again!

The roadside assistance is not part of Hartford insurance. It's just an other company endorsed by AARP.

Sorry

 

[Raven+Squid]

AAA is cheap insurance and peace of mind. I'd go for it.

Keep the gas topped off, check the oil and coolant and have a good spare and jack.



Good luck!

 

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

AAA is cheap insurance and peace of mind. I'd go for it.

Keep the gas topped off, check the oil and coolant and have a good spare and jack.



Good luck!

That's the plan. 

 

[cyndi]

AAA just towed my dead van to the mechanics and dropped me off on the way. Wouldn't be without some type of road service plan. I can't change my own tires anymore.

 

[Michelle (GMC Gypsy)]

Sorry to hear of your breakdown.

I will definitely have some sort of road service plan before I leave Albuquerque, just have to find the right one.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

A little know secret about AAA. If you don't have it and need it. You can sign up in your broken down car and use your benefits immediately. I've done it twice in my life with no problems what so ever. However, not sure if that's their policy or I just got lucky.

 

[Oberneldon]

If you go with AAA remember that they have different coverage with some policies that two the first 3 miles for free and you pay the rest of the miles. I know you can get 100 mile towing.

 

[karl]

A little know secret about AAA. If you don't have it and need it. You can sign up in your broken down car and use your benefits immediately. I've done it twice in my life with no problems what so ever. However, not sure if that's their policy or I just got lucky.

I have had the same experience with AAA. I had forgotten to renew, and they did it on the spot and sent help.
I have an RV policy and so far it has saved me more than the premiums.