I bet this has been discussed, but I couldn't find it with the search function. What's the best roadside assistance program for the $$? I need to cover two people, two cars, and a motorcycle. Not every program includes motorcycles. AAA has gotten very pricey as you need one of the upper programs to cover mcs (maybe $180). I've had AARP (I think around $87) which does cover mcs, and is less money. Seems OK. The GM Motor Club (I think around $84) seems to be about the cheapest, don't know if it covers mcs, and it includes unlimited towing miles and unlimited calls, which is very nice. I don't want to use my car insurance plan because I have read they consider calls a claim and then jack up your insurance rates. Other thoughts?
Best roadside assistance for the buck?
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I don't know how AAA works in new york, as you have toll roads and stuff where you have to use THEIR services...but in California the AAA seems to be the best. If you poke around the website and really do homework on who honors what you can offset the premium costs towards savings in other areas. Just about everything around here at least offers 10% off to AAA members. Join a gym and a few weekend trips in hotel and food, it's back to the $90 fee it is for 2 people. Last time they were pretty laidback with me, I have called and had a car that wasn't mine towed...and I wasn't even at the site. I was stuck at work. I also had let membership lapse for a few months and paid for renewal on the phone, it was $155. A regular tow with no friends in the business is $140+ so that's more than worth it.
Pricing update. I looked up coverage for a couple that would include mcs: AARP Premier $81. AAA $183. GM $84, but I think it doesn't include mcs--I've sent them an email.
Anybody had any experience using the AARP program?
Anybody had any experience using the AARP program?
I had AAA, but they raised thier rates and alot of thier limits on towing, plus the amounts of calls. I went to Chevron Motor club. I think its in the $60 range. they do all the same things as AAA. Iam not sure they cover MCs, but for some reason, I think they do. I know they dont cover trailers, which bummed me out. Ive used them for locked car and they were Great. Havent broke down yet to actually get towed by them. I have State Farm insurance and I have used them to tow and it has never effected my rates. One time when the truck broke down about 30 miles from my garage, I still had AAA and I had AAA pick up the car and when they charged me for the additional 20 miles, I turned it into State farm and they paid for the additional milelage. No rate increase.
I have AAA Gold, but I also try to keep my cars in good shape. I always have a good spare and tools. I can usuallly fix them before a wrecker comes.
I used to use AAA until my dad ran out of fuel on an older mercedes diesel. They said they could not bring diesel because it was more dangerous to transport! I know that is a bunch of bull so I dropped them and got service through my cell phone via Spring. Thank God I have not have to use it so I can't say if its good or bad. But I know I never recommend AAA based on my experience.
Check and see what your auto insurer may offer
Mine provides road service for a couple of bucks per month per vehicle.
I have my Honda motorcycle covered through a HondaCare plan, which covers towing to the nearest Honda dealer, and roadside assistance. I paid $120 for 60 months of coverage.
Mine provides road service for a couple of bucks per month per vehicle.
I have my Honda motorcycle covered through a HondaCare plan, which covers towing to the nearest Honda dealer, and roadside assistance. I paid $120 for 60 months of coverage.
Confirmed via email, the GM motor club doesn't cover motorcycles or RVs. Too bad, I like the idea of unlimited towing range and the price is good.
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
I've had AAA for years and the price has creeped up, but it has always been there for me, no complaints.
I've had AAA for years and the price has creeped up, but it has always been there for me, no complaints.
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
I know what you mean, but it's a shame, because AARP really does have a good roadside program.
My parents, who have the AARP Roadside Plan, were travelling with another couple, in the other couples car, when the battery simply failed. They were somewhere near Dayton, Ohio, stopped for dinner, and when they got back into the car, it wouldn't start.
The other couple didn't have any sort of roadside assistance, but Dad called AARP to see if they could just recommend a local towing company and a phone number.
The AARP plan still covered it.... apparently if a covered AARP member is a passenger in someone else's car and it breaks down, they will still provide assistance for free. They sent a tow truck who jump started the car, and then the tow truck driver led them to the nearest Wal-Mart (it was 7 at night and most other places were already closed), so they could buy a new battery.
It was nice, since I was two states away, and couldn't be of any help at all.
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
I know what you mean, but it's a shame, because AARP really does have a good roadside program.
My parents, who have the AARP Roadside Plan, were travelling with another couple, in the other couples car, when the battery simply failed. They were somewhere near Dayton, Ohio, stopped for dinner, and when they got back into the car, it wouldn't start.
The other couple didn't have any sort of roadside assistance, but Dad called AARP to see if they could just recommend a local towing company and a phone number.
The AARP plan still covered it.... apparently if a covered AARP member is a passenger in someone else's car and it breaks down, they will still provide assistance for free. They sent a tow truck who jump started the car, and then the tow truck driver led them to the nearest Wal-Mart (it was 7 at night and most other places were already closed), so they could buy a new battery.
It was nice, since I was two states away, and couldn't be of any help at all.
It wouldn't be the first time my principles(stubbornness) has cost me.
That does sound like service above and beyond, the price listed aboce is pretty sweet as well. Oh well......
That does sound like service above and beyond, the price listed aboce is pretty sweet as well. Oh well......
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Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
+1 Maybe I will look at GM. At least it gives you a number to call. What good is a cell phone without a number?
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
+1 Maybe I will look at GM. At least it gives you a number to call. What good is a cell phone without a number?
I have RVRoadHelp which is part of Allstate Motor club, you don't need Allstate insurance to get it. Never needed it but many folks on sport-touring.net have excellent experiences with them.
Best part is that it covers your car, motorcycle and trailer. So if I break down towing my bike to a track day they will send however many flatbeds I need to handle everything.
Previously I had AAA for the car and AMA Mototow for the bike but I wanted a single service and like the addition of trailer coverage on RVRoadhelp.
Best part is that it covers your car, motorcycle and trailer. So if I break down towing my bike to a track day they will send however many flatbeds I need to handle everything.
Previously I had AAA for the car and AMA Mototow for the bike but I wanted a single service and like the addition of trailer coverage on RVRoadhelp.
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
I've had AAA for years and the price has creeped up, but it has always been there for me, no complaints.
+1 on anything to do with AARP! I stay away from them and others PERIOD.
I've got the $8 per car every 6 months (so $16 x 2) on my car insurance (Don't cover the truck) and they have been used a few times. No increase on rates due to that.
Bill
I wouldn't give AARP a penny of my money for reasons I cant discuss in this or any thread.
I've had AAA for years and the price has creeped up, but it has always been there for me, no complaints.
+1 on anything to do with AARP! I stay away from them and others PERIOD.
I've got the $8 per car every 6 months (so $16 x 2) on my car insurance (Don't cover the truck) and they have been used a few times. No increase on rates due to that.
Bill
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