Credit card's roadside dispatch: any good?

[crocheted_stache]

I haven't subscribed to a paid roadside assistance service in many years. So far, I've never needed to use it, and I could afford a taxi/tow if it ever came to it. I also figure I do most of my day-to-day transportation without a car. I maintain the car I have. I know how to use the spare tire and jumper cables I carry. I don't let the fuel run too low.

One of my credit cards has a pay-per-use roadside dispatch benefit associated with it, and DH and I have that number in our phones, just in case. It occurs to me that I've had no occasion to call that number, and I'm wondering if anyone here has tried such a service. Does it work as advertised, or does it just add to the regular cost of the tow? Or is it one of those things they don't maintain because they know no one ever actually uses it? Would I be better off just looking up a couple reputable local tow services, while I'm safe at home with a good connection?

(I'm in California. I don't mind comments from elsewhere, but kindly mention if you're speaking about outside the US.)

[stclurker]

Speaking as someone that spent over a decade in the towing and recovery industry, you are far better off paying the service and then getting reimbursed through insurance.

I'm sure it's obvious that the credit card company doesn't actually dispatch a tow truck, they contract with a roadside service company (unlikely AAA, but I will use them for an example) who then contracts with the towing company.

There are a couple downsides to this, 1: roadsides don't typically pay very well so you will be the lowest priority (priority 1 is law enforcement, 2 is "cash" customers, 3 are accounts (repair shops and such), and at the very bottom is roadsides)

2, roadside dispatchers can either be terrible or decent, I've taken calls from them wanting me to change a tire over 100 miles away because they think we are close by

3 you may not be getting a decent operator with proper insurance coverage, someone that is working for bottom dollar simply has trouble maintaining everything necessary (this isn't a dig against someone starting out, it's just an unfortunate fact)

By paying up front for the service, you are able to talk to the towing company directly, they will know what to ask to find exactly where you are and as I mentioned before, it puts you at a higher priority.

I didn't mean to type a novel, be here we are 😁

[Tigerpine]

Speaking as someone that spent over a decade in the towing and recovery industry, you are far better off paying the service and then getting reimbursed through insurance.

I'm sure it's obvious that the credit card company doesn't actually dispatch a tow truck, they contract with a roadside service company (unlikely AAA, but I will use them for an example) who then contracts with the towing company.

There are a couple downsides to this, 1: roadsides don't typically pay very well so you will be the lowest priority (priority 1 is law enforcement, 2 is "cash" customers, 3 are accounts (repair shops and such), and at the very bottom is roadsides)

2, roadside dispatchers can either be terrible or decent, I've taken calls from them wanting me to change a tire over 100 miles away because they think we are close by

3 you may not be getting a decent operator with proper insurance coverage, someone that is working for bottom dollar simply has trouble maintaining everything necessary (this isn't a dig against someone starting out, it's just an unfortunate fact)

By paying up front for the service, you are able to talk to the towing company directly, they will know what to ask to find exactly where you are and as I mentioned before, it puts you at a higher priority.

I didn't mean to type a novel, be here we are

Does that apply to AAA (instead of actual insurance), too, then?  That's the main reason I have a AAA account, in case the car breaks down during our semi-annual road trip across the country.  Are you saying it's better to drop the AAA account?

ETA:  I know this sounds like a stupid question, since your example was AAA.  The OP specifically asked about insurance, so I'm just trying to be certain.  It's not often you get to ask someone with direct experience in the business.

[FLBiker]

I'm in Canada.  We had CAA when we first moved here, used it a couple of times as we had some battery issues when we first got our car.  They were fine.  Then I got a CC that had a free roadside benefit (it's why I got the card) and we've used it once.  My sense is that both CAA and the CC roadside contract with a similar network of providers in my area (rural).  I can't speak to CC vs. cash, but CC vs. CAA is very comparable.

[stclurker]

@tiger, honestly it depends, if you are just using AAA for roadside, probably not worth it, if you use it for travel discounts, maybe worth it.

I heard many times how people were so glad they had AAA to pay to get their car towed or unlocked or something... Yep, you paid years of $100 a year to save yourself a one time $100 tow, or spent the same to cover a $75 unlock

[cannotWAIT]

Speaking as someone that spent over a decade in the towing and recovery industry, you are far better off paying the service and then getting reimbursed through insurance.

I'm confused about this. What kind of insurance reimburses you for a tow?

[stclurker]

Lots of insurance companies do, most people don't realize they have it because it's dirt cheap (usually) to have it.

[Telecaster]

^ Yep.  Towing insurance is a pretty cheap add on to any policy.

Not long ago I had a blow out, so I pulled over immediately into an apartment complex and parked.  I was on a slight slope, but there wasn't a better spot in eyeshot and didn't want to drive around looking with the totally flat tire and all.  Welp, as I jacked it up, the vehicle fell off the crappy factory jack due to the slight incline.  At that point, I couldn't move it no matter what.  So I very, very carefully jacked it up again and it fell off again.  So I called a tire change company.  They were there within five minutes.  Used a floor jack and an impact wrench and the tire was changed within another five minutes.  Cost was $89.  Worth every penny. 

[crocheted_stache]

Speaking as someone that spent over a decade in the towing and recovery industry, you are far better off paying the service and then getting reimbursed through insurance.

I'm sure it's obvious that the credit card company doesn't actually dispatch a tow truck, they contract with a roadside service company (unlikely AAA, but I will use them for an example) who then contracts with the towing company.

The point here is I'm not paying for AAA or my insurance company to provide any direct service or reimbursement after the fact. So far, that saves me something like $100/year, because I have had zero need. I can pay out of pocket if I have occasion to need help, not that I drive too much, anyway.

I'm trying to understand the difference between these choices, in case of some breakdown:
A. Pay via the credit card's contracted dispatcher to send whoever is on their list. Last I checked, this is a base rate of $55 per use, but I'm not sure if that covers just the dispatch or the whole service call (before mileage and whatever fees). I'm also not sure if it is likely to result in the tow truck operator being less happy about taking my call.
B. Contact a towing company directly and pay them directly, out of pocket.

There are a couple downsides to this, 1: roadsides don't typically pay very well so you will be the lowest priority (priority 1 is law enforcement, 2 is "cash" customers, 3 are accounts (repair shops and such), and at the very bottom is roadsides)

2, roadside dispatchers can either be terrible or decent, I've taken calls from them wanting me to change a tire over 100 miles away because they think we are close by

3 you may not be getting a decent operator with proper insurance coverage, someone that is working for bottom dollar simply has trouble maintaining everything necessary (this isn't a dig against someone starting out, it's just an unfortunate fact)

By paying up front for the service, you are able to talk to the towing company directly, they will know what to ask to find exactly where you are and as I mentioned before, it puts you at a higher priority.

I didn't mean to type a novel, be here we are 😁

This all sounds like a case for approach B above, which would make me a "cash" customer rather than a "roadside." Is that an accurate read?

All good on the length. Thank you for the insights.

[NotJen]

Speaking as someone that spent over a decade in the towing and recovery industry, you are far better off paying the service and then getting reimbursed through insurance.

I'm confused about this. What kind of insurance reimburses you for a tow?

I am confused about this as well.

I pay $12/year for the roadside coverage add-on to my auto insurance.

My understanding is that I call their roadside assistance line, and they find an operator.  Nowhere does it say that I will be reimbursed for assistance I organize myself.

[stclurker]

This all sounds like a case for approach B above, which would make me a "cash" customer rather than a "roadside." Is that an accurate read?

All good on the length. Thank you for the insights.

that would be my suggestion, yes

"My understanding is that I call their roadside assistance line, and they find an operator.  Nowhere does it say that I will be reimbursed for assistance I organize myself."

generally speaking, it doesn't say that they won't, if you call them you will get one of thier providers at the rates they pay. you insurance may not reimburse you... your agent is of course a far better person to answer that then I am. again, I'm only speaking generally and what I've seen in the industry.