I didn’t even realize you could upgrade the tow limit on insurance until recently. Do they actually send out their own trucks, or do they just contract local companies like AAA does? I’ve only ever had AAA show up, so I’m curious if there’s a real difference in who shows up when you call for help.
- I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly.
- From what I’ve read, most insurance companies don’t actually own tow trucks—they just call up whoever’s local, kind of like AAA does.
- The only difference might be that AAA contracts with specific providers, while insurance might just go with whoever’s available?
- I had to get towed once through my insurance and it was a random local guy, not branded or anything.
- Anyone know if the response time is better with AAA versus insurance? That’s what I’d care about most if my car broke down at night...
I’ve had both, and honestly, AAA felt a bit more reliable. With my insurance, it was a total toss-up who showed up—sometimes fast, sometimes not. AAA at least seemed to have their act together, but maybe I just got lucky? Nighttime breakdowns are the worst... I’d rather pay extra for peace of mind if it means less waiting around in the dark.
Nighttime breakdowns are the worst... I’d rather pay extra for peace of mind if it means less waiting around in the dark.
- Cost is always my first filter, so I’ve done the math on both. AAA’s basic plan is usually $60-70/year, but my insurance tacks roadside on for like $10-15 per six months. That’s a big gap if you’re pinching pennies.
- Reliability-wise, I get what you’re saying about AAA. Their network is huge, and they seem to have more dedicated contractors. Insurance companies just farm it out to whoever’s closest, which can be a total gamble. I once waited 2 hours for a tow through my insurance—middle of July, sweating buckets, regretting every life choice.
- Coverage details matter too. AAA covers you as a person, not just your car. Borrow a friend’s ride? Still covered. Insurance roadside is usually tied to the specific vehicle on the policy.
- One thing I noticed: AAA sometimes limits how far they’ll tow you (like 5-7 miles on the basic plan), and anything extra gets pricey fast. My insurance plan actually had a longer tow range included, which surprised me.
- If you travel a lot or drive older cars, AAA’s perks (maps, discounts, DMV stuff) might tip the scale. But if you’re just looking for “get me out of this parking lot at midnight,” insurance might be enough—if you’re patient and lucky.
I’m not totally sold on either one being perfect. For me, it’s about balancing cost vs. how much hassle I’m willing to put up with. If you hate waiting in sketchy places at night, paying extra for AAA could be worth every penny... but if you’re mostly driving close to home and don’t mind rolling the dice, insurance roadside isn’t the worst deal out there.
I hear you on the cost vs. peace of mind thing. I cheaped out and just used my insurance roadside for years—figured I’d save the cash. Then my car died at like 11pm in a sketchy parking lot, and I waited nearly three hours for a tow that never showed. Ended up calling a friend to rescue me. After that, I ponied up for AAA. I don’t use the perks much, but just knowing they’ll actually answer at weird hours is kinda worth it for me. If you mostly drive in daylight or close to home, though, I get why you’d stick with insurance.
