I’ve noticed the same thing—total mixed bag.
I think location plays a huge role. I had my ‘72 Chevelle towed once by AAA, and the guy actually asked me if it was rear-wheel drive... which, y’know, classic muscle car, so that was a little concerning. But then, my insurance sent a guy who was super careful with the frame and ramps. Maybe older or unusual cars just throw some drivers off?“Is it just luck of the draw with these services? Or maybe it depends on the area?”
- Honestly, I’ve had better luck with my insurance’s roadside help than AAA.
- The insurance folks seemed way more careful with the car—like, they actually asked about ground clearance and tow points.
- AAA was fine, but one guy looked at my (pretty standard) sedan like it was a UFO.
- Maybe it’s just who’s on call that day? Or maybe some drivers are just more into cars than others...
- I’d probably trust insurance for anything a bit unusual or older, just based on my own luck so far.
I’ve noticed the same thing—sometimes the insurance roadside folks actually double-check what kind of tow I need, which is reassuring. But I’ve also had a AAA driver who really knew his stuff and took extra care. Is it just luck of the draw, or maybe some companies train their contractors better? I always wonder if it depends on how new your car is, too...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure it’s just about luck or training. Sometimes, the process your insurance uses to vet their roadside contractors is stricter than AAA’s, or vice versa. I’ve seen cases where the insurance company’s tow partner actually called me to clarify the exact make and model, which made a difference for a hybrid. But then again, I’ve also seen AAA send out a flatbed when it wasn’t needed, just to be safe. Does the age or type of car really matter, or is it more about how much info you give upfront? I sometimes wonder if it comes down to how detailed you are when you call for help.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides mess it up and nail it, depending on the day. One time, a client called in about their Prius and the insurance dispatcher grilled them for VIN details like they were applying for a passport. Next week, AAA sent a tow truck for a flat tire on a 20-year-old Civic—overkill much? I swear, half the battle is just getting someone on the phone who actually listens when you say “it’s a hybrid” or “it’s all-wheel drive.” The more you tell them upfront, the less likely you’ll end up with a guy in a pickup scratching his head at your car.
