I had AAA when I moved here and had to use it within the first month of arrival. My "Alaska / Montana" AAA membership that I had was honored by the Hawaii flavor but they told me I'd have to switch and it was a lot more expensive. When that year expired I let it fall off and got roadside assistance coverage through my auto insurer.
My AAA membership covered hookup and 12 miles of towing. There was a per-mile fee after that, but the hookup charge is what gives most people sticker shock unless they need to tow from one side of the island to the other.
I can't remember exactly what AAA wanted for a renewal but I think it was at least $60/year. My auto insurance has the same coverage for $12/year and they use the same local towing companies. The big difference is the auto insurance policy only covers 7 miles of towing, but the extra 5 miles of "free" towing doesn't justify the extra $48/year for me. Though, last I looked AAA covered all of a person's vehicles, or even a vehicle they are riding in that isn't theirs, whereas my auto policy only covers the vehicle covered by that policy. But even when I had 3 vehicles, it was cheaper than getting AAA.
I have used my auto insurance provided roadside assistance, twice, and the experience was exactly the same as using AAA. Honestly I think all these outfits use the same calling centers and dispatch networks.
AAA used to have a lot of add-on features I used like free maps, guidebooks, trip planners etc but the internet and smart phones made all of those things obsolete, but they didn't reduce their price to match their obsolescence.
At least one of my credit cards offer free roadside assistance, and I think Amex did too when I used them, but if I remember right you call the 1-800 number and they arrange the service- but you still have to pay for it though I think they advertised a reduced rate. Sometimes that is all you need is for somebody to dispatch the tow truck, not you calling all the companies yourself trying to figure out who will help you. Also I believe some automakers warranties cover roadside assistance if your vehicle is still under warranty.
Edited to add- one time my car broke down during a freak snowstorm that had already stranded a lot of people. I had AAA at the time and called them, they said the availability of tow trucks in the region had collapsed to the point they would not be able to help me. I had to leave the car on the side of the road and the next morning an impound lot called me and reported that the state troopers ordered it towed and so they towed it about 50 miles away to their "lot" in the next town over. What they wanted for the towing and impound fee was criminal, but there was nothing I could do. I can't remember how much it was but I had considered abandoning my car with them. Not until after I paid them did I discover the car was never technically impounded- their impound lot was FULL so they parked it on a nearby city street. Why couldn't they do that near where the car broke down and save me 50 miles of towing fees? (greed). Anyways I contacted AAA and all they would agree to do was send me a check, I think it was $60, for what they "would" have paid their negotiated rate with the tow company.
My AAA membership covered hookup and 12 miles of towing. There was a per-mile fee after that, but the hookup charge is what gives most people sticker shock unless they need to tow from one side of the island to the other.
I can't remember exactly what AAA wanted for a renewal but I think it was at least $60/year. My auto insurance has the same coverage for $12/year and they use the same local towing companies. The big difference is the auto insurance policy only covers 7 miles of towing, but the extra 5 miles of "free" towing doesn't justify the extra $48/year for me. Though, last I looked AAA covered all of a person's vehicles, or even a vehicle they are riding in that isn't theirs, whereas my auto policy only covers the vehicle covered by that policy. But even when I had 3 vehicles, it was cheaper than getting AAA.
I have used my auto insurance provided roadside assistance, twice, and the experience was exactly the same as using AAA. Honestly I think all these outfits use the same calling centers and dispatch networks.
AAA used to have a lot of add-on features I used like free maps, guidebooks, trip planners etc but the internet and smart phones made all of those things obsolete, but they didn't reduce their price to match their obsolescence.
At least one of my credit cards offer free roadside assistance, and I think Amex did too when I used them, but if I remember right you call the 1-800 number and they arrange the service- but you still have to pay for it though I think they advertised a reduced rate. Sometimes that is all you need is for somebody to dispatch the tow truck, not you calling all the companies yourself trying to figure out who will help you. Also I believe some automakers warranties cover roadside assistance if your vehicle is still under warranty.
Edited to add- one time my car broke down during a freak snowstorm that had already stranded a lot of people. I had AAA at the time and called them, they said the availability of tow trucks in the region had collapsed to the point they would not be able to help me. I had to leave the car on the side of the road and the next morning an impound lot called me and reported that the state troopers ordered it towed and so they towed it about 50 miles away to their "lot" in the next town over. What they wanted for the towing and impound fee was criminal, but there was nothing I could do. I can't remember how much it was but I had considered abandoning my car with them. Not until after I paid them did I discover the car was never technically impounded- their impound lot was FULL so they parked it on a nearby city street. Why couldn't they do that near where the car broke down and save me 50 miles of towing fees? (greed). Anyways I contacted AAA and all they would agree to do was send me a check, I think it was $60, for what they "would" have paid their negotiated rate with the tow company.
