Emerency Assistance

From
I own a 2001 Accent GL and my Roadside Assistance ran out. I called to
see if I can still be part of the assistance policy. They said yes but
it is no longer free. Iwill have to pay for it. I hate to join AAA.
Anybody ever still use the Roadside Assistance and pay? I dont plan to
breakdown anytime soon. I just want to be sure and have peace of mind.
Thanks,bob









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what's your problem with AAA?

 

They aren't a very good deal.

Matt

 

Depends how many times you use them. Then there are the maps and
books.

;-)

 

Yes, that is about the only value we really get, although we haven't
traveled enough lately to even come close to justifying the cost. It is
much cheaper to buy a Road Atlas at Wally World and have the entire
country for $5.

I originally got the membership for my wife to have the road service.
However, when our last vehicle broke down and we called for towing, we
found out about the AAA fine print. It turns out that their towing only
covers towing to the nearest "approved" facility. Well, we live in a
rural area and the dealership that does work on my Chryslers is about 20
miles away. However, there is a local podunk garage three miles from my
house. My minivan had a problem that this garage couldn't begin to
address, but it didn't matter, AAA would only pay for 3 miles of the 20
mile trip. I then found out that my insurance included towing and their
nearest "approved" garage (which couldn't handle the problem either) was
12 miles away so we got a lot more paid for the second time the vehicle
had to be towed than we did the first time with AAA. Fortunately, the
intermittent fuel pump was finally diagnosed and replaced and all was well.

So, we plan to drop AAA when the current year expires as our insurance
has better towing and now with the Hyundai, they have their own road
service coverage.


Matt

 

What????? I've used my AAA plenty of times and always have the vehicle
towed to my house. No problems, no questions. AAA does not have an
"approved facility". Methinks you have something mixed up Matt. I too live
in a rural area and the coverage of the plan provides towing up to something
like 100 miles for free. After that there's a per mile charge. We have the
gold coverage so perhaps it's different from the basic coverage(?).

 

I have used Hyundai Roadside Assistance under their 5-year free plan,
and it was excellent. I suppose it would be just as good under a
fee-based system.

However, many auto insurance policies have a towing rider available
for a very low amount. I have used mine, GEICO, after Hyundai's
expired, and it was excellent.

I suggest you compare what Hyundai would charge as against what your
auto insurance company would charge.

Kent

 

My vehicle was already at my house, but wouldn't start. When we called
AAA, they were adamant that they only towed it to the first service
facility on some list they maintain. They would not pay for towing to
the service facility of my choice. We checked with them twice on this,
both times the vehicle wouldn't start. The second time we used our car
insurance as it paid for much more distance than AAA, but neither would
pay for the full 20 mile tow.

Maybe AAA has different plans, I don't know. We have the most basic
plan for just my wife. It costs $57/year.

Here is a quote from their web site (we're in the North Penn region).

"Towing When your vehicle cannot be safely driven after attempting any
of the listed emergency services, your vehicle will be towed to the ERS
facility rendering the service, or at least 3 miles in any one direction
from the point of disablement at no charge, depending on which AAA club
territory you are in when service is rendered."

The ERS facility that provided the towing was 5 miles away, but they
weren't equipped to work on this vehicle, so having it towed there was a
waste of time. Therefore, the 3 mile limit kicked in and AAA paid for 3
miles and I paid for 17. Not a good deal for $57/year when you use
virtually no other AAA services.

Matt

 

Gold coverage. Flatbeded van from Lewiston to Henrietta. Flatbedded
Accent home from downtown. Several jump starts. Flatbedded Ford from
Ontario county to local dealer (passed at least two others). Bad
ignition sw on van, paid first $100, cost me 15.

It would be interesting to see what Hyundai charges for paid roadside.
At least that gets you to a dealer.

 

They don't list that on their web site. They only list basic and plus
levels in their online brochure. Even more interesting is that the
online application only allows you to select basic membership. Do you
have to be a member for a certain length of time to upgrade to the plus
level?

Matt

 

I have had AAA before I had my licence. I have only had to use
roadside once (flat on 95 in Maryland), but the discounts associated
with AAA have paid for my membership every year. The lenses for my
sunglasses run me $217.50, with AAA I get a 20% discount at
LensCrafters so I save $43 right there.

 

From what I have heard you need to be a member for X amount of years
before you can upgrade your membership.

 

Gold coverage here too. Had a Regal towed on the hook from just outside of
Scranton to 30 miles north of Syracuse. That's the tow that went beyond the
free coverage of AAA and if memory serves me correctly, I ended up with $75
out of pocket, including tip for the driver. I know it was under $100.

 

You gotta be good looking.

 

Well, it is my wife who is the member, not me.

Matt

 

leaves me out - fat old and bald

;-)

 

Actually it's Premiere now. Used to be Gold and the card was gold. I
don't know if it is a regional deal or what. If you go to the AAA web
site and put in 14534 for the zip you will see the choices.

 

Must be regional. Enter 16929 and see what I get. I don't see a
premiere choice, just basic, plus RV and plus. The plus includes much
better towing coverage, but I wasn't able to find a way to sign up for
plus using the online application. The drop-down menu only gave the
basic option. Strange. Just another reason not to use AAA.

I thought they were a national organization, but looks like they are
just a loose consortium of regional agencies.

Matt