Do you have AAA?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,516
Likes: 1,303
From: Windermere FL
I have had AAA for decades, dating back to my 20 year old C4. I kept it for C7 as my son still drives my 15 year old truck. AAA ha salways given me great tow service. If I tell them the reason I need a flatbed, that is what shows up. I got the extended plan that will tow me up to 100 miles so I can pretty much have them take it where I want them to take it without any hassles. On occasion I had to wait a few hours which does suck big time. Overall, I find that I use it enough that it pays for itself every year given what I tow costs these days if you got to pay cash.
Expensive yes. There are lots of sources for towing coverage, like insurance policies, Chevy Roadside, etc.
Expensive yes. There are lots of sources for towing coverage, like insurance policies, Chevy Roadside, etc.
Last edited by Flame Red; May 19, 2017 at 02:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I have roadside assistance with my State Farm Insurance policy, Does the same thing, for less. Four cars covered for $38.80 annually.
In the past 40 years, wife used it once when she locked her keys in the car. I had a flat tire in a remote part of Arkansas last year and ended up changing the tire(not in my Corvette, so I had a spare tire in the trunk) myself, as I couldn't get cell phone service.
In the past 40 years, wife used it once when she locked her keys in the car. I had a flat tire in a remote part of Arkansas last year and ended up changing the tire(not in my Corvette, so I had a spare tire in the trunk) myself, as I couldn't get cell phone service.
Last edited by JoesC5; May 20, 2017 at 11:05 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax VA
Expensive but with 6 vehicles we use some roadside service at least once a year (e.g., tire change in the rain for my daughter last week in Dawson, WV).
Then we figure in the discounts for maybe 6-10 hotel stays a year where we get 10-15% off the lowest regular hotel rate (excluding maybe AARP or senior discounts, YMMV), closes in on break even.
Only downside I've seen over the years is the dispatching process is cumbersome and response times are longer at off hours or less populated locations, and in our local area, drivers apply pressure to take the vehicle to the "base" shop that handles the AAA calls for service, even when I've tried to explain that all repairs will be under warranty, for free, at the dealership...and I have the "100 mile" package that tows to the shop of my choice in that range as opposed to nearest shop.
Then we figure in the discounts for maybe 6-10 hotel stays a year where we get 10-15% off the lowest regular hotel rate (excluding maybe AARP or senior discounts, YMMV), closes in on break even.
Only downside I've seen over the years is the dispatching process is cumbersome and response times are longer at off hours or less populated locations, and in our local area, drivers apply pressure to take the vehicle to the "base" shop that handles the AAA calls for service, even when I've tried to explain that all repairs will be under warranty, for free, at the dealership...and I have the "100 mile" package that tows to the shop of my choice in that range as opposed to nearest shop.
Last edited by Co-Vette; May 20, 2017 at 01:32 PM. Reason: correct a small detail...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 448
From: Upstate NY
What I like about AAA is the service is for me not a specific car -so if my older cars break down, I'm covered.
If I get stuck with the C7 I'm covered.
They have flatbeds and are typically nice equipment.
If I get stuck with the C7 I'm covered.
They have flatbeds and are typically nice equipment.
Last edited by glava2876; May 19, 2017 at 02:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
AFAIK, if your Corvette breaks down under warranty, GM will tow it to the nearest dealer free. If you wanted to go further, that would be your dime. For us, it's unlikely we'd be far enough away that our local dealer wasn't the nearest but close enough we'd insist on going there. If we break down 500 miles from home, we're not going to drag it home to be fixed.
Despite our Corvettes being highly unreliable over the last 16 years, only once have we been unable to limp to the dealership by ourselves.
Since I refuse to own a Corvette that is not under the basic or extended warranty, we're covered there.
Our Toyotas have been so shockingly reliable that we don't worry about them, we've always had two Toyotas at any given time for the last 30 years and never needed roadside help.
I play the odds that are in my favor, and accept that some day I may be unlucky and have to pay a few hundred buck for a tow or some help. Your circumstances may be different.
Despite our Corvettes being highly unreliable over the last 16 years, only once have we been unable to limp to the dealership by ourselves.
Since I refuse to own a Corvette that is not under the basic or extended warranty, we're covered there.
Our Toyotas have been so shockingly reliable that we don't worry about them, we've always had two Toyotas at any given time for the last 30 years and never needed roadside help.
I play the odds that are in my favor, and accept that some day I may be unlucky and have to pay a few hundred buck for a tow or some help. Your circumstances may be different.
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Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 79
From: Plano TX
There are many good road side assistance companies out there but in the last several years more and more people have recommended using ONLY roadside from insurance companies because they have a dog in the fight.
Last edited by geraldschumann; May 20, 2017 at 10:01 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I have road side assistance coverage through my State Farm policy but I also have it through my OnStar account. The nice thing about OnStar is I don't have to figure out who to call for help all I do is push the button and they send somebody. I have used that feature twice on two different cars that had flat tires. The tow truck fee is covered by OnStar.
Bill
Bill
Supporting Lifetime
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Syracuse NY
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I have had AAA for many, many years - it gets renewed by my sons every year for Father's day so it costs me nothing and as others have said, it covers ME, not just my C7. With four other vehicles, I usually get my money's worth out of it every year - even though it's not my money!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
Could we extend the conversation to value for money and quality of service with onstar?
I just bought a 2016 Z51/Auto Coupe from a dealer. They treated it like new (it only had 2100 miles and the owner traded it for a Z06)...meaning that they registered me with Onstar for the free trial, included a driving school discount and offered to sell me a 7 year 50K mile warranty for $2500 (which I declined).
Anyway the question is really what package is good and is it worth it. It seems expensive to me but also is a sin to have onstar built into my mirror and buy AAA!
I just bought a 2016 Z51/Auto Coupe from a dealer. They treated it like new (it only had 2100 miles and the owner traded it for a Z06)...meaning that they registered me with Onstar for the free trial, included a driving school discount and offered to sell me a 7 year 50K mile warranty for $2500 (which I declined).
Anyway the question is really what package is good and is it worth it. It seems expensive to me but also is a sin to have onstar built into my mirror and buy AAA!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 770
Likes: 130
From: Vacaville Ca
Have been with AAA for over 40 years (House Auto Roadside ) and for being with them that long they sent me a plastic license plate frame that said AAA on the top and 40 years plus on the bottom .
Used it for target practice !!
Used it for target practice !!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 389
Likes: 128
From: Santa Maria CA
AAA member for 57 years. It was a stress eliminator when my three daughters all started driving on their own . Towing services are a great benefit, but with eight vehicles, it's a life saver for avoiding the DMV.
There was a time not too long ago when I would collect their maps and travel guides for upcoming trips. All kinds of discounts, most notably hotel rates. I also use their travel agent services, among other benefits. I have never considered it too expensive, and there is an office just about anywhere.
There was a time not too long ago when I would collect their maps and travel guides for upcoming trips. All kinds of discounts, most notably hotel rates. I also use their travel agent services, among other benefits. I have never considered it too expensive, and there is an office just about anywhere.
Last edited by RaceMic; May 19, 2017 at 05:20 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 373
Likes: 157
From: McKinney Texas
AAA member for 32 years.
I've used it plenty of times (hotel rates, gas, flat tire, tow, keys locked in car, battery jump, and maps) for myself and others I've been with that experienced problems. To me, the price is inexpensive, and provides peace of mind and reliability.
I've used it plenty of times (hotel rates, gas, flat tire, tow, keys locked in car, battery jump, and maps) for myself and others I've been with that experienced problems. To me, the price is inexpensive, and provides peace of mind and reliability.
Last edited by twowinns; May 19, 2017 at 05:23 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 545
From: Chicago Burb
I did a road trip over spring break this March and while booking hotels and negotiating rates the woman asked me if I was an AAA member. Said no but what would I save if I was. Rate was $40 less per night for 2 nights. Hung up, called local AAA branch and got registered for the $49 membership which includes one for my wife, and received my membership number. Called back hotel and saved $80, no brainer. Also booked another 2 nights at Drury INN and save another $40, then saved some money on 7 passes at Johnson Space Center in TX. It also gets you discounts at many restaurants. I save about $150 on that trip alone. I have coverage on my vehicles thru Gieco for less than $2 each, which I would probably use first for a breakdown. Bottom line is get just for the discounts if nothing else 