I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had a different experience, especially with older cars. The basic roadside coverage through insurance is fine if you just need a tow or a jump every now and then, but when you’re driving something vintage (or even just a bit quirky), those plans can fall short. For example, I once broke down in my ‘72 Chevelle about 60 miles from home. My insurance’s roadside plan only covered a 10-mile tow, so I ended up paying out of pocket for the rest—wasn’t cheap.
AAA (or similar) tends to have better networks for specialty vehicles and longer towing distances. Plus, they actually understood how to handle a classic without damaging it, which isn’t always the case with the random tow trucks insurance sends. Not saying everyone needs the extra coverage, but if you’re into older cars or drive long distances, it can make a difference.
I get not wanting to pay for overlapping stuff, though. If your car’s newer and you’re mostly local, maybe it’s not worth it. But for me, that extra peace of mind is worth the yearly fee—especially after that one expensive lesson. Guess it really does come down to what you drive and how far from home you tend to wander...
That’s a solid point about the difference in tow distance coverage. A lot of folks don’t realize their “roadside” add-on is really bare-bones till they actually need it. I’ve seen people get stuck with crazy bills just because they assumed their insurance would handle everything. The specialty tow thing is real too—some of those general contractors just aren’t equipped to deal with older or modified cars, which can make a bad situation worse. It’s one of those things where you don’t think it matters, until it really does...
Had to learn this the hard way last winter. My “roadside” coverage only got me a tow for like 5 miles, and my car died out in the middle of nowhere—ended up paying out of pocket for the rest. Also, the tow truck guy looked at my lowered Civic and just shook his head... said he couldn’t risk it. Now I double-check what’s actually covered before I add anything. Not all policies are created equal, that’s for sure.
Also, the tow truck guy looked at my lowered Civic and just shook his head... said he couldn’t risk it.
That’s the classic lowered car dilemma—tow truck drivers see those and suddenly everyone’s a liability expert. I’ve run into the same nonsense with my old Miata. Honestly, these “roadside” add-ons are only worth it if you read every line in the policy. Some of them sound great until you’re stuck on the shoulder at 2am, realizing the fine print means you’re on your own past city limits. I’d rather pay a bit more for AAA or a legit towing service than gamble with those barebones insurance options.
I get what you mean about the fine print—some of those roadside policies really do have weird exclusions. I’ve been wondering, though, is there any way to know ahead of time if a tow company will actually handle a lowered car? Or is it just luck of the draw? I’m still learning the ropes and don’t want to get stranded because my car sits a little lower than stock.
