Not at all happy with AAA roadside assistance

Hovannes · Post by **Hovannes** » 13 Aug 2024, 12:55

When our Passat cr@pped out in San Francisco, it got pretty frustrating when they sent a truck that didn't service the area where we were stuck, so the truck never showed up until we complained, and then they sent the correct truck, but the driver didn't speak English needed to translate through an app.
Yesterday my daughter called from LA with battery trouble, so I told her to call AAA (I have my kids added to my membership) Her battery is two years old. The driver installed a new battery for $350(!) I asked if he towed it to the shop where she bought the original battery to get it pro-rated and he never brought up the topic.
I suspect the kid got suckered, so I called AAA to ask what their protocols were regarding batteries and got nowhere.
I am slightly steamed.
I apologize.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 14 Aug 2024, 07:03

FWIW - I don't buy AAA or any other roadside assistance plans. Or road hazard warranties for tires. Or extended warranties on power tools or home appliances. Or third party warranties for vehicles. All those insurance companies make money selling policies and lose money paying on them so they will jump through all sorts of hoops not to pay out.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 14 Aug 2024, 07:20

Wait until you need towed and didn't break down on a highway and triple a tells you to pound salt. They're not what they were.

sweetandsour · Post by **sweetandsour** » 14 Aug 2024, 10:14

+2 to what the others said, I never buy any of those things.

Hovannes · Post by **Hovannes** » 17 Aug 2024, 19:11

Claire's girlfriend had a disaster with Farmer's Ins. roadside assistance. Claire was with her girlfriend when they had a flat tire yesterday. The tech dropped the car off the jack twice, dented the car and broke a line that poured fluid all over the road (brake fluid? Gas? Coolant?) The car is undriveable, and the tech peeled out of the neighborhood. Claire took pictures with her cellphone.
I guess I can't complain about AAA now.

Del · Post by **Del** » 17 Aug 2024, 19:44

None of these insurance companies own their own towtrucks. They call the same local guys that you might call yourself, but they have pre-screened to find the cheapest ones -- so you are assured of getting the worst and least-qualified goober with a rusty truck and a hook.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 19 Aug 2024, 07:23

Del wrote: 17 Aug 2024, 19:44 None of these insurance companies own their own towtrucks. They call the same local guys that you might call yourself, but they have pre-screened to find the cheapest ones -- so you are assured of getting the worst and least-qualified goober with a rusty truck and a hook.

You have insulted Tow Mater, sir.