Was hoping to get some ideas on what you guys have set up for towing emergencies for yourselves and family members. Examples would be triple A etc Im in Queens New york and need to figure out what the best option for me and my wife is. Having my wife change her tire on the side of the road is not something Im comfortable withand if she breaks down I would like her to have a game plan. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Towing Services what do you guys use?
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Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
AAA is not an expensive service, and having it gives you good piece of mind. I've had it for 10 years and only once did I have a car towed, and that was because the starter went bad on is suddenly. I've changed a spare tire on the road before because I didn't want to wait for the AAA truck to show up, and I have no issues going up to a stranger to ask if they will let me jump my car off of theirs, but I wouldn't want my fiancee to do either of those (like she would do them anyway, she would just call my crying an I would have to go do it myself 
) Besides the roadside emergency stuff, you can book trips through them, get passport photos, guide books, ect. so I don't really have anything negative to say about the AAA service.
) Besides the roadside emergency stuff, you can book trips through them, get passport photos, guide books, ect. so I don't really have anything negative to say about the AAA service.
I've been with AAA since I started driving in 1988. I haven't used them too much, but they've come through when I needed them.
I have an AMA membership (AMA Alberta Motor Assn. is the Alberta version of CAA Candaian Auto Assn. is the CDN version of AAA). Not too expensive plus they also give breaks on home and auto insurance and other services. AAA should be the same.
AAA +
I don't know if they're licensed in NY, but their insurance rates are competitive.
I don't know if they're licensed in NY, but their insurance rates are competitive.
Here's another vote for AAA. Our auto insurer is State Farm. They offer a similar program for about the same price. We haven't tried it, as we're pleased with AAA.
AAA is generally good and they will do small repairs such as tire changing and jump starting on the spot. Your auto insurance policy may offer the option of providing roadside assistance as well. If your concern is for local coverage only then it might be more cost effective to keep handy the phone numbers for a couple of towing operations that you trust. No annual fees, just pay as you stop that way.
AAA, I will add in that the mobile battery service is fantastic
I have a Road Service option with my Geico auto insurance. About $34 a year. I call a 1-800 number, and they contract with local services to come out and help me whenever I need it.
I have used them a couple of times for flat tires, running out of gas, and being locked out of my car.
I have used them a couple of times for flat tires, running out of gas, and being locked out of my car.
Two consecutive calls to AAA for travel services went unreturned, prompting me to recently dump AAA in favor of a far less expensive service through my insurance provider (Nationwide). I'd been a member since I started driving -- AAA wasn't what it'd used to be, at least not in the mid-Atlantic.
I use AAA and would advise anyone to avoid purchasing the roadside assistance coverage offered by insurance companies.
If for some reason you hit a rough patch and have to use the roadside assistance coverage provided by your auto insurer several times in a short period of time, you might find yourself non-renewed (can vary by state). If that happens (I've seen it) you are in for a very expensive ride. Non-renewal or cancellation is the mark of Cain to insurance underwriters.
By-the-way, I've been in the P&C business for over 35 years, the last 10 as a state regulator.
If for some reason you hit a rough patch and have to use the roadside assistance coverage provided by your auto insurer several times in a short period of time, you might find yourself non-renewed (can vary by state). If that happens (I've seen it) you are in for a very expensive ride. Non-renewal or cancellation is the mark of Cain to insurance underwriters.
By-the-way, I've been in the P&C business for over 35 years, the last 10 as a state regulator.
Another vote for AAA. My auto included an 800 number to call for roadside assistance. I called the number and was told an emergency truck would be there in an hour. I called AAA and a truck was there in 15 minutes!
I drive a Subaru, so there is no need for a towing Service.
Seriously, though, call your insurance company. You might already have it included in your policy and they should have a list of companies they work with or can recommend a few.
Seriously, though, call your insurance company. You might already have it included in your policy and they should have a list of companies they work with or can recommend a few.
I've used AAA for several years, and have been happy with the service. Most recently, had a flat tire on a drive up to NH White Mountains area. AAA send me a tow truck, and took me to a place where I could get the tire changed. The only times I've had issues were a) several years ago along the CT/NY border where they could not figure out from which town to send the truck, and b) a very rainy day in NYC where the towing agencies were too busy. I've also called them in the past to jumpstart a stalled battery.
For years I had older cars and maintained a AAA-Plus membership specifically for the towing, but also for the maps.
Now our cars are newer so I've added towing to my insurance (USAA) and dropped AAA.
Now our cars are newer so I've added towing to my insurance (USAA) and dropped AAA.
AAA is okay if you are in an area where they have there own branded tow trucks as they do in mostly all mid size cities and larger Metropolitan areas, however if you are in a rural area and they don't have any of there own trucks available they call around until they find a local tow company that will accept a Purchase Order that they have to submit to AAA to get paid which not all accept anymore as they don't want to wait 30 days or more for there money and AAA only pays them a set rate.
AAA is still better then gas or insurance company tow clubs/motor clubs or whatever they may call them as none of them have there own trucks and 100% of time they must call around local tow companies looking for on that will take a Purchase Order for a tow.
Tips, most tow companies will take Purchase Orders during the day but not at night as the drivers only take cash tows and Police tows (emergency's accidents, traffic stops, etc). If a Police Officer comes by or you can call ask them who they recommend that you can call usually they know several and when broken down on side of road often you want the quickest, often they will know the rates and even some that will take credit card tows too.
If you are blocking traffic or an other hazard and the Police have to call for a tow truck you then have no choice as it is being towed and unfortunately now the price could be several times higher and include storage fees.
If you can get Insurance coverage that reimburses you that can be a good way to go, of course as pointed out depending on your state, policy and years with them.
AAA is still better then gas or insurance company tow clubs/motor clubs or whatever they may call them as none of them have there own trucks and 100% of time they must call around local tow companies looking for on that will take a Purchase Order for a tow.
Tips, most tow companies will take Purchase Orders during the day but not at night as the drivers only take cash tows and Police tows (emergency's accidents, traffic stops, etc). If a Police Officer comes by or you can call ask them who they recommend that you can call usually they know several and when broken down on side of road often you want the quickest, often they will know the rates and even some that will take credit card tows too.
If you are blocking traffic or an other hazard and the Police have to call for a tow truck you then have no choice as it is being towed and unfortunately now the price could be several times higher and include storage fees.
If you can get Insurance coverage that reimburses you that can be a good way to go, of course as pointed out depending on your state, policy and years with them.
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