TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:28 pm

It's been awhile since I have used AAA and am wondering how they go about their tows? I just got AAA plus with the free 100 mile tow and I just got an 80 vanagon that isn't running and need to get her home. She has out of state tags and the tags expired 4 years ago. I am waiting on the title transfer which now looks like it's going to be a few weeks. When I called AAA with my hypothetical question of needing a van towed they said that it has to be a roadside emergency, as in it just happened. But if I just buy it and drive it and THEN it breaks down they will cover it. BUT I don't think they will believe that if the tags are expired.

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:32 pm

I have roadside assistence through my insurance company. When the tow truck shows up, they want the registration car AND the policy number.

AAA isn't going to tow your new purchase unless it is titled, registered and tagged in your name. If they do, you may be in for a hefty surprise down the road when they discover their mistake and want to get paid!

Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:49 pm

Well I do know that AAA tows cars that you are in. It doesn't have to be registered in your name. It could be your friend's car. It covers the member, not the vehicle. The member just have to be there when the tow truck comes. But the expired plates?

Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:01 pm

In my experience with AAA, they have never even asked for the card or anything else for that mattter. The towing company or locksmith gets paid to come out and complete the task. I think thats all that matters to them.
Call them and tell them it broke down there. Don't worry about the plates.
My $.02.

Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:13 pm

Had AAA bail me out twice...first question; Is the car registered? Call'em...see what they say.

Tue Aug 31, 2010 3:57 pm

I've never had them care. The last tow I did was to move a car from one house to another when I moved. It didn't have an engine. It was in my name though but they didn't check.

They never asked for my card or any proof that I even owned the vehicle, I think they just take the phone call as good enough.

No plates or lights either

Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:02 pm

Remember that each truck is a franchise and gets pay for towing... not leaving the car there.

So call them when the truck comes he either tows the car and gets paid or doesn't tow it and doesn't get paid.

You know which he'll pick ;)

Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:07 pm

put your tags on it, tell it just happened and you need it brought home.
done

Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:09 pm

I had a company "tow" me "95 miles"" after I drove into their shop and they did $200 of welding on the front end of my Jeep. I drove home.

Depends on the company.

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:25 am

Cool. With all the advice I got, I think I will try this weekend to get her done!

Wed Sep 01, 2010 3:54 am

MAYHEM wrote: In my experience with AAA, they have never even asked for the card or anything else for that mattter. The towing company or locksmith gets paid to come out and complete the task. I think thats all that matters to them.
Call them and tell them it broke down there. Don't worry about the plates.
My $.02.

I have never had an issue with AAA and towing my projects. It's the local driver's discretion in Michigan. AAA have company trucks in Detroit and Grand Rapids, perhaps they are more concerned about this.

Wed Sep 01, 2010 7:53 am

I just had a customer come in today who was boiling mad at AAA for not towing his bus after his registration lapsed in July. He had it at another shop getting an inspection for the renewal when he had a problem and needed a tow. He said he has had AAA for over 10 years, and never needed a tow. The first time he needed them, they refused due to the tag.

Also, the AAA driver needed to check my tag when I needed a tow. I run the YOM plate, and he asked specifically to see the current registered plate which I carry inside the vehicle.

Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:20 am

Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:06 pm

okay this is from a driver in the past (and present) for AAA provider garages and AAA themselves. If a driver shows up they get paid the base pay even if they do nothing. The car must be registered though and the card holder with the car.

That said there is driver and AAA Supervisor discretion. If the car is going to be a PIA it may not get serviced. AT least put a "fake" plate on it, first thing I look for.

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:07 pm

PIA? not familiar with those initials

Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:10 pm

Ohhh...i get it!

Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:20 pm

Mrs. Cusser needed to have her 1994 Suburban towed several times. We also have the 100 mile-free package, and AAA has been good. Mrs. Cuss, one daughter, and I all have it; each one of us is allowed four calls per calendar year (e.g. a tow, jump start, unlock, out-of-gas). I've never had to call for myself (my '71 Convertible has NEVER been towed, or broke down while driving), but Mrs. Cuss was driving my truck, about 50 miles from home in 2005 when the clutch went out, wasn't too happy to ride back with tow driver.

I don't think the towing guy ever looked at my card; like Glenn said: he's there to tow, and thus get paid.

Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:55 pm

I had my bug towed from apple valley to chino.... no engine.. no plates... i was there when they picked it up, but not there when they dropped it off. no questions no hassles i just tipped the guy before he left.

Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:32 am

I've had AAA for years, we have 5 tows each for the wife & I, plus the kids are on it, w/ 4 tows each, it cost $211 /year, I RARELY have a issue w/ the car/bus not being legal, about 75% of the towing is on dead Buses.
If I was in a more populated area, it might be more by the book.
Try finding a garage that does AAA, call them & see if they will do it, sometimes the shop says you need to call AAA's 800 # for them to tow it.

Here is my favorite AAA tow pic :

The Truck had plates,but 1978 tags......
And this was a 97 mile AAA tow

I did pay the guy $75 cash for the extraction.