I did the “stash cash” thing for a while, but after my old BMW left me stranded at the grocery store (with melting ice cream, of course), I changed my tune. Here’s how I look at it now: First, luxury cars can be weirdly expensive to tow or even just unlock if you lose your key fob. I checked—one tow was $180, and that was just five miles. My insurance roadside is $12 a year. Even if I only use it once every five years, it’s still cheaper than paying out of pocket.
AAA is nice for the perks, but their “too close to home” rule bit me once too—I broke down three blocks from my house and had to push the car home. Not my finest moment. If you drive newer cars and don’t mind a little risk, maybe cash works. But for me, I’d rather pay the small fee and have peace of mind...especially with how finicky these fancy cars can be.
I get the peace of mind angle, but have you checked if using your insurance’s roadside actually dings your claims history? Some companies treat it like a claim, which could mess with your rates down the line. Also, do they send decent tow trucks or just whoever’s available? Sometimes the service is... less than stellar. Just curious if you’ve run into any of that.
I’ve actually had my insurance’s roadside show up with a flatbed that looked like it belonged in a junkyard—definitely not what I’d want for my car. Plus, my agent hinted that too many calls could raise eyebrows. I stick with AAA now, just feels safer for the car and my rates.
Yeah, I hear you on the sketchy tow trucks. Had a similar experience a couple years back—dude showed up in a truck that rattled more than my car did after the breakdown. I switched to AAA too, mostly because they seem to take better care with the vehicles. Plus, I like knowing I won’t get dinged on my insurance just for needing a jump or tow. For me, peace of mind on long trips is worth it, even if it costs a bit more.
- Had insurance roadside for a while—mixed feelings, honestly.
- Once got stuck in the middle of nowhere, called the number on my policy, and waited almost 2 hours for a tow. The guy who showed up looked like he’d borrowed the truck from a junkyard.
- AAA’s been better for me too, but I still keep the insurance add-on just in case. Sometimes it’s just easier to have backup, even if it’s not perfect.
- Not wild about paying extra, but after one bad night stranded on a highway shoulder... I’ll take the peace of mind.
