Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Hi

Any recommendations for the equivalent of RAC or AA here?

We're in Phoenix, AZ

Cheers

HTS

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

I use a company called "Driver's Elite", evidently it's a division of Cross Country Motor Club Inc. I've been with them forever, and have used them several times over the years. It's 24-hour service. They'll come to wherever you are, tow the car, send someone to unlock your door (if you've locked yourself out, like I have!), give you a jump start, fix a flat tire, pretty much any road service. It's less than $60 a year and it's really worked out well for me over the years.

http://www.driverselite.com/

Rene

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

We are in TN but we have used Allstate motor club for many years.. they have always been prompt, never a problem on the phone and always call back to check if they done job right. not the cheapest but worth the money. I believe their coverage is national.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

I get the option to add roadside assistance coverage on my car insurance though I've never added it. My work car has it through GEICO though and I know my boss used to use AAA so I'm guessing GEICO offer a similar thing.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

I've got it tacked on to my auto insurance through State Farm. I've used it several times over the years and it's less expensive than getting a separate plan though AAA.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

AAA

Has some nice side benefits like coupons and discounts to a bunch of online stores, and shopping outlets as well as car loans, passport photo's, credit unions etc.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Agreed, and check out their special offers page; we could have saved a couple of hundred on our home cable service had we joined AAA before joining the cable company, and we did both within the same month...

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Aye, same if you're a member with a bulk store like Sam's Club, BJ's etc.

Though AAA discount book to the Wrentham outlet mall, you pick up at the service desk has been really good for us, with all the kids stores :D

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

The equivalent of the RAC is the Automobile Club of America [AAA]. Each state has an affiliate [or two. In California there is the California State Automobile Association for the North and the Automobile Club of Southern California for the South.].

As others have noted, many insurance companies may have their own services.

BTW, the Automobile Club of Southern California has a service if you state your car won't turn over, the person sent will attempt to jump start your car and test your electrical system. They sell quality batteries on the truck for reasonable rates. If they can't get you started, the truck will then come. I kind of like the system].

BTW, on a driving trip in the UK, the RAC recognized my US AAA card for travel assistance and maps.

As for AA, Alcoholics Anonymous operates in both countries.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Automobile Association of America - AAA (or as they say here Triple A).

Great organisation.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

One more for AAA. I can't say enough about them. In addition to all the discounts, DH has an associate membership (own card) at less than half the original price, (even though he doesn't drive). That means we get double the coverage (ie. 8 tows/call outs a year-- even though we may not need them, since he doesn't drive, if he happens to be with someone who breaks down, he can use his AAA to get them going). We pay slightly extra for the "Plus" coverage, which means that we get towing up to 100 miles, among other extras. Who needs that you ask? Well I sure did a couple of years ago when I was on my way to be with Sis when she was scheduled to have an emergency surgery. She lives 120 miles away. Belt broke in the car about 40 miles in. Called AAA, they towed to a garage we picked in her city, and dropped me off at the hospital (where I could use her car in the meantime). Oh, and make sure the garage you use is AAA rated. They only rate those businesses who give good services.

I've also used their battery services, twice (Okay, I'm a long time customer and I have a 14yo car!), and I have a great auto and homeowners insurance with them.

No, I don't work for them, just a long time customer...:rofl:

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

AAA are great they even towed my F350 4 door Dually which is a good size. One thing the driver told me was that if you have a truck or van for a business be sure to use magnetic signs so you can remove them in the event of needing a tow as commercial vehicles are not covered.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Though don't discount garages who are not, because the way it works for the garage is the hope of bulk business and they pay very slowly for it.

Well down where I was living, the garage would get $20 a call out from AAA, plus mileage of a couple bucks, which was reason my local garage stopped doing it, as the going rate in the area is $85 call out and $10 a mile for the first 50 miles.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Check with your employer. Mine is part of the employee network and that gets us a discounted commercial rate for AAA. They may have some thing similar, also as previously mentioned a lot of insurance companies have road side assistance as an option.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

We have it tagged onto our insurance (Progressive) I think it is $30 a year.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Harry, Been delighted with AAA (triple A) in the year we have been here. I signed up at a stand at the driving test centre, took my driving test, then 20 minutes later when my wife was ready to take her test, the battery was a flat as a pancake. The guy at the stand saw it all happen and couldnt exactly refuse help but he admitted it was a first! This was all in a hire car and any replacement was hours away! They have been great, lots of good maps, travel discounts on hotels and have just renewed our membership. Hope all well with you. Best, Des

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

If you have an iphone with a t and t its about 2 bucks a month to have breakdown service.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Not sure what you drive but some companys give you automatic roadside assistance and towing mine does....JG you have a Merc as well you get free assistance right.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

Agreed
I've also used the hotel room discounts and the DMV services at the office. But free maps were the best, till I got a TomTom.

Re: Car Breakdown Service - Recommendations?
 

well the maps are great back up, especially when exploring a new area by foot/bike :D