I get the flatbed recommendation, but honestly, is AAA really the issue here? I mean, I've had my share of roadside breakdowns (unfortunately), and I've noticed it's less about AAA itself and more about the local towing companies they contract with. Some areas have great providers who show up quickly, know exactly what they're doing, and handle your car like it's their own. Other places... well, let's just say I've waited hours only to have someone show up who clearly didn't know how to handle an AWD vehicle.
Maybe instead of blaming AAA directly, we should be looking at how they vet and manage their local contractors? Seems like that's where the inconsistency comes from. I wonder if there's a way for AAA to hold these towing companies more accountable or at least provide clearer guidelines on handling specialty vehicles. Because right now, it feels like a lottery every time you call—sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you're stuck watching cars zoom by for hours.
Also, just curious—has anyone tried other roadside assistance services like through their insurance or even credit cards? I've heard mixed things about those too, but maybe they're worth exploring as alternatives. AAA has been around forever, sure, but maybe that's part of the problem—they've gotten comfortable and aren't pushing their contractors to keep standards high.
Not saying AAA isn't partly responsible, but maybe we're oversimplifying things by putting all the blame on them directly. Just something to think about...
Yeah, I've definitely had similar thoughts about AAA. I've been using them for years, mostly because of habit and convenience, but it's true that the quality really depends on who they send out. Had a flat tire once in the middle of nowhere and the tow guy was amazing—fast, friendly, knew exactly how to handle my Subaru. But another time, closer to home actually, I waited nearly three hours and the guy seemed totally clueless about AWD cars.
I ended up trying roadside assistance through my insurance (Progressive) last summer on a cross-country trip. Honestly... it wasn't bad. Response was quick, pricing was comparable, and the tow company they contracted seemed pretty legit. Not sure if that's typical or if I just got lucky though.
I agree AAA probably needs to tighten up their contractor standards or at least be clearer about what kind of help they're sending out. Until then, might be worth checking out other options—insurance or even credit card perks—to see what's out there.
- Just bought my first insurance policy recently (went with Geico bc price), and their roadside assistance actually surprised me—flat tire fixed within 45 mins, no fuss.
- AAA seemed pricier for what you get, imo... might be worth shopping around.
I've actually noticed this shift too. AAA used to be the gold standard for roadside assistance—my parents swore by them for decades—but lately, it feels like they're coasting on reputation more than actual service quality. I had a similar experience to yours with Geico, surprisingly enough. Got stranded with a dead battery a few months back, and Geico's roadside assistance showed up within half an hour, super chill guy, no upselling or anything weird.
AAA, on the other hand... last time I used them (about two years ago), it took almost two hours for a simple jumpstart. And the membership price keeps creeping up each year, which makes me wonder if they're still worth it. Don't get me wrong, AAA still has perks—like discounts at hotels and rental cars—but if you're just looking at pure roadside assistance value, they've definitely lost some ground.
That said, insurance and roadside services can vary a lot depending on location. Maybe AAA is still killing it in some regions? I'd say keep an eye out and don't feel obligated to stick with one company forever. Shopping around every couple of years usually pays off.
Totally get where you're coming from—AAA definitely isn't the no-brainer it used to be. I've noticed a similar trend:
- Had AAA for years, mostly because my folks always said it was "the best," but lately I've been questioning that.
- Last year, I had a flat tire on my Benz and waited almost 90 minutes for AAA to show up. Not exactly premium service for what they're charging these days...
- On the flip side, my buddy swears by his insurance's roadside assistance (think it's State Farm?), and he's never waited more than 30 mins.
- You're right about location though—my sister in another state still raves about AAA, so maybe it's regional?
- Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if AAA is just banking on nostalgia and brand loyalty at this point.
Either way, good call on shopping around every few years. No harm in seeing what's out there.
