Roadside Assistance - worth every penny?

[BBatesokc]

Wondering your thoughts and options about roadside assistance.

In the past I've always carried roadside assistance through my car insurance provider (previously Geico & now Liberty Mutual), and via my cell phone provider, Sprint.

We drive to go snow skiing over the winter and my work often has me driving all over the state - plus my wife often drives to her relatives who live in more rural areas - so, I've always liked the piece of mind of coverage.

With the bad winter weather I called to make sure my coverages were up-to-date. Come to find out Sprint dropped roadside assistance awhile back, but I was still covered through Liberty Mutual for only $9/yr.

I went ahead and added coverage through AAA at considerably more cost (about $170/yr). Mainly because of the added coverage benefits and because it covers the person regardless of whose car you are in.

I actually had a need yesterday when one of my cars would not start. I opted to use my Liberty Mutual coverage and within 20-minutes Roadside Rescue was at my door and jumping my car.

I've used the coverage in the past for tire changes, jumps and a lockout. So I definitely think the low cost service through car insurance or cell providers is worth it.

Any AAA members here, and if so, what are your thoughts - is it worth it?

I know Allstate offers a popular roadside assistance plan too.

Personally, if nothing else, I think most everyone would be wise to purchase a low cost plan through their cell phone or car insurance provider ($20 or considerably less a year).

[kevinpate]

Carry it via the cell plan and auto plan. Cheap insurance. For a long time the auto plan was a reimbursement plan. It now operates same as the cell plan.

on edit: Once I reach a point that I always, always carry my cell, I'll probably drop the auto policy based RA coverage as redundant.

[foodiefan]

Have carried AAA only for at least 20 years. . .price is considerably more but it covers more. . .i.e. what ever car I'm in. Gave it to the two "baby boys" until they were out and on their own. Haven't had to use it too often, but when I needed it, it was worth twice the price!!

[bradh]

we have the coverage through Liberty Mutual as well, for $9 per year, we've had to use it twice in 3 years, but it's still paid for itself.

[okseer]

I got AAA for my college age daughter and it has paid for itaself 10 times over. I got the 80.00 a yaer plan the gives you up to 5 twos of 100 miles a year. Last year she had the car towed 85 miles to okc, loclked her keys in the car twice and they sent someone out to unlock it and ran out of gas which they brought her gas. Great investment for 80.00. One of the times that she locked her keys in the car was at Lake of the Arbuckles at midnight. They found her and unlocked the car with in an hour.

[boscorama]

We've had AAA for decades. We most certainly get our dollars worth every year.

[ctchandler]

If you have a need for the other services that AAA provides, by all means join them. I have had the State Farm road service option on all of my cars since the early 70's, everywhere from $1 to I believe it's $3 now for six months. I have never had any need for their trip-tiks or vacation planning services. My mother belonged to AAA almost her whole life and the only thing she used was the emergence road service (which was already available with her auto insurance) so she wasted a lot of money. I like being able to call any wrecker service, locksmith, or whatever I need without them being a AAA provider. I have had tires changed, gasoline brought to my wife (I pay for the gas), and locksmiths here and on vacations, including while we were staying at the lodge in Yellowstone and I've never had a problem. I think at the price I pay, I have gotten a lot more than my dollars worth.
C. T.

[Celebrator]

I have had AAA since I started driving, close to 20 years, now. I don't always use it every year, but when I need it, I feel like it pays for itself. Once, my car died in rural Alabama on the way to the FL panhandle beaches...they towed me from Opp, AL to Ft. Walton Beach at no cost because I had AAA Plus! Was REALLY glad to have it that time.

[BBatesokc]

If you have a need for the other services that AAA provides, by all means join them. I have had the State Farm road service option on all of my cars since the early 70's, everywhere from $1 to I believe it's $3 now for six months. I have never had any need for their trip-tiks or vacation planning services. My mother belonged to AAA almost her whole life and the only thing she used was the emergence road service (which was already available with her auto insurance) so she wasted a lot of money. I like being able to call any wrecker service, locksmith, or whatever I need without them being a AAA provider. I have had tires changed, gasoline brought to my wife (I pay for the gas), and locksmiths here and on vacations, including while we were staying at the lodge in Yellowstone and I've never had a problem. I think at the price I pay, I have gotten a lot more than my dollars worth.
C. T.

This has been my dilemma in not getting AAA in the past - my auto insurance and cell phone provider seemed to cover what I needed. When I learned Sprint no longer offered the service I looked closer at my insurance provider and realized some limitations I didn't like - most obvious was that they only tow to the nearest garage (not the garage of my choice), while AAA will tow a couple hundred miles to the garage of my choice.

Obviously all providers only offer their services and make money because, in general, we don't need or use the service. But, its like insurance and I can write it off.

[kevinpate]

Way more than once in my life if I hadn't had coverage via my auto policy or cell package, life would of gotten a tad expensive and way more inconvenient. I imagine I'll always have some form of RA coverage, either by leaving it on the auto (very cheap) or by someday relying only on the cell plan. To me it is no different than other forms of insurance, except with RA, the premiums are very, very low.

[GaryOKC6]

I looked at just going with my auto insurance but mine does not cover as completely as AAA. I also like just calling AAA's toll free number and letting them track someone down and get them out there. When I have used AAA the response time was really fast.

[bandnerd]

We both have AAA. My mom actually buys it for us. Mid drives all over the place for work, and I'm often transporting students for honor bands/contests/etc. I don't argue with her anymore.

I used AAA quite a bit in college when I was in a less reliable car. My sister and I used it when we ran over barbed wire on I-44 (who knows) and got a flat tire in a less-than-desirable location. It's never taken long for them to get a tow or help out to me, though it's been years since I've used it.

AAA also has special rates at some hotels, dining establishments, and retail outlets, if you ask.

[MustangGT]

I have AAA. Each plan has its benefits and limitations. No one plan fits all. Find one that serves your unique needs and stick with it. I have found plans generally are different based upon whether you are in your "home" state or not.

[ctchandler]

BBatesokc,
My company gives me a little more leeway, they will tow a reasonable distance to a garage/dealer of my choice, but they won't tow from Tulsa to OKC! Also, if you purchase AAA, drop the road service option from your car, it is a separate line item and what the heck, a few bucks every six months adds up.
C. T.

[BBatesokc]

I also noticed we received a $500 medical expense coverage with our AAA plan. If we are in an auto related emergency the first $500 is covered by AAA.

[kevinpate]

I also noticed we received a $500 medical expense coverage with our AAA plan. If we are in an auto related emergency the first $500 is covered by AAA.

Not a bad little bennie. It won't go far for an ER visit, but it beats nothing should the day arrive.

[BBatesokc]

Not a bad little bennie. It won't go far for an ER visit, but it beats nothing should the day arrive.

Goes nicely with a $1,000 deductible, typical ambulance ride or trip to a doc in a box.

[Mel]

I've had AAA for about 25 years. They have saved my butt more than once. I have owned some crappy cars in the past. 200 mile tow no extra charge and I like their maps. As far as rentals and rooms sometimes AARP, sometimes AAA.

[Prunepicker]

I have roadside via my vehicle insurance. It's worth it.

TIP: Kopy and Keep all the info in your vehicle. I ran out of gas Friday
night and didn't have mine. Brrr... A guy in a Santa hat helped me out.

[ctchandler]

Prunepicker,
You shouldn't need anything in your car. I never show them anything, they do the job, write me a bill, I pay them, and submit it to my State Farm agent and they send me a check.
C. T.

I have roadside via my vehicle insurance. It's worth it.

TIP: Kopy and Keep all the info in your vehicle. I ran out of gas Friday
night and didn't have mine. Brrr... A guy in a Santa hat helped me out.

[Prunepicker]

Prunepicker,
You shouldn't need anything in your car. I never show them anything,
they do the job, write me a bill, I pay them, and submit it to my State
Farm agent and they send me a check.
C. T.

1. I didn't have the phone number.
2. I didn't have my account number for when I reached the service.
3. If I had a copy in my car I could have used the service.

[ctchandler]

I'm still confused, I call any service I want, pay them and send the receipt to State Farm. I don't need a phone number or account number. I think you must mean if you want the service to bill your insurance agent/company direct, is that it? I never do that. It's too easy to just pay and go, mail the information to State Farm.
C. T.

1. I didn't have the phone number.
2. I didn't have my account number for when I reached the service.
3. If I had a copy in my car I could have used the service.

[Prunepicker]

I'm still confused, I call any service I want, pay them and send the receipt
to State Farm.
C. T.

My roadside service doesn't work that way. I have to call the hotline and
wait for assistance to arrive.

[BBatesokc]

double post.

[BBatesokc]

I have roadside via my vehicle insurance. It's worth it.

TIP: Kopy and Keep all the info in your vehicle. I ran out of gas Friday
night and didn't have mine. Brrr... A guy in a Santa hat helped me out.

I photograph important papers like that and keep them in a password protected app in my smart phone. I do the same with receipts. Saves lots of hassle.

However, in your case above, I'd have just called information (or Googled it on my smart phone) and gotten the number to my insurance company and called them and had them transfer or give me the number to the road side assistance.

I call any service I want, pay them and send the receipt to State Farm.

Not a fan of that type of coverage. I'd rather not mess with having cash, giving out my credit card number and I haven't owned a check book in a decade. I also don't want to have to wait to be reimbursed or told I paid more than they will cover.