Comments on: Roadside Assistance Comparison http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm Building Wealth through Saving and Investing Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:17:17 -0330 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Plan seeker http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-122497 Plan seeker Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:48:07 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-122497 Old article, but still helpful - just found it on a search. To those complaining about waiting too long for a service vehicle, note that most tow truck drivers are independent contractors and have agreements with most of the roadside assistance providers in that area. So, when you switch from one plan to another, you still may be getting the exact same tow service. The differences in the plan providers are detailed in the table in the article above, how CSRs deal with customer, and if the provider is willing to contract additional tow truck owner/ops in specific problem areas. Old article, but still helpful – just found it on a search.

To those complaining about waiting too long for a service vehicle, note that most tow truck drivers are independent contractors and have agreements with most of the roadside assistance providers in that area. So, when you switch from one plan to another, you still may be getting the exact same tow service.

The differences in the plan providers are detailed in the table in the article above, how CSRs deal with customer, and if the provider is willing to contract additional tow truck owner/ops in specific problem areas.

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-121900 Suzanne Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:05:27 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-121900 Had our first experience with TD Elite today....not impressed....waited more than two hours for a tow. I can understand that kind of wait in the middle of a snow storm but not on a sunny Sunday morning. I also spent 20 minutes on the phone...most of the time on hold. Don't see why they couldn't have taken the cell number and called back when the arrangements were made. Had our first experience with TD Elite today….not impressed….waited more than two hours for a tow. I can understand that kind of wait in the middle of a snow storm but not on a sunny Sunday morning. I also spent 20 minutes on the phone…most of the time on hold. Don’t see why they couldn’t have taken the cell number and called back when the arrangements were made.

]]> By: Jessica http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-121045 Jessica Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:28:54 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-121045 I've been with CAA for several years now. Recently I was stuck at the rest area on 401/Grimbsy and was told that Caa only had one tow truck in the entire area at 9pm. I was told they would be there within 45minutes, and I called 45 mins later only to be told the guy was towing someone's car and it would be an hour or longer. Customer service offered no explanation as to why there was only one tow truck in the entire Niagara region. Expect better service for the plus memerbership fees! I’ve been with CAA for several years now.
Recently I was stuck at the rest area on 401/Grimbsy and was told that Caa only had one tow truck in the entire area at 9pm.
I was told they would be there within 45minutes, and I called 45 mins later only to be told the guy was towing someone’s car and it would be an hour or longer.
Customer service offered no explanation as to why there was only one tow truck in the entire Niagara region.
Expect better service for the plus memerbership fees!

]]> By: cannon_fodder http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-121030 cannon_fodder Wed, 20 Jul 2011 04:44:46 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-121030 Kevin_405, All along, TD has been pushing their TD Infinite card to me - I didn't realize that the select service (which I just entered into 3 months ago) would allow me this TD Elite Card with free TD Auto Club membership for me, my spouse and any children under the age of 22 in the household. Thanks! Kevin_405,

All along, TD has been pushing their TD Infinite card to me – I didn’t realize that the select service (which I just entered into 3 months ago) would allow me this TD Elite Card with free TD Auto Club membership for me, my spouse and any children under the age of 22 in the household. Thanks!

]]> By: Ross http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-121027 Ross Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:55:39 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-121027 Recently we tried to use CAA roadside assistance for the very first time since we had purchased membership. 5 and a half hours later, we were still waiting for a tow truck. We called back several times during the period ( thankfully we had brought along a cell phone) and each time they indicated a truck was definetly on its way and gave the time of arrival. These arrivals never occurred. After more than 5 and a half hours of this nonsense, we gave up and called a normal tow which arrived in 10 minutes and took care of everything. It cost me $100 but I didnt have to wait all day and possibly all night. We were not in a remote place but in a small city near our home. It turns out the towing company who is contracted for the work in our area is over 60km away. Thus, they dont actually provide service in our area despite selling us the membership and promising us the services. Recently we tried to use CAA roadside assistance for the very first time since we had purchased membership.

5 and a half hours later, we were still waiting for a tow truck. We called back several times during the period ( thankfully we had brought along a cell phone) and each time they indicated a truck was definetly on its way and gave the time of arrival. These arrivals never occurred. After more than 5 and a half hours of this nonsense, we gave up and called a normal tow which arrived in 10 minutes and took care of everything. It cost me $100 but I didnt have to wait all day and possibly all night. We were not in a remote place but in a small city near our home. It turns out the towing company who is contracted for the work in our area is over 60km away. Thus, they dont actually provide service in our area despite selling us the membership and promising us the services.

]]> By: kevin_405 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-120954 kevin_405 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:37:01 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-120954 Open TD Select Service Checking Account with $5000 min balance Get all/Most bank services free.. Free services includes 1> TD Elite Visa with free TD auto club 2> Bank drafts 3> US $ checking account and US $ credit card 4> Lockers if available.. 5> Free cheque printing U should write an article on this After opening select service account with TD i closed my CAA membership.. TD auto club is far superior in terms of reimbursements when tows from clubs are hard to find.. this has happened to me with CAA where i would have had to wait 2 hrs for tow in a snow storm. Open TD Select Service Checking Account with $5000 min balance
Get all/Most bank services free..

Free services includes
1> TD Elite Visa with free TD auto club
2> Bank drafts
3> US $ checking account and US $ credit card
4> Lockers if available..
5> Free cheque printing

U should write an article on this

After opening select service account with TD i closed my CAA membership.. TD auto club is far superior in terms of reimbursements when tows from clubs are hard to find.. this has happened to me with CAA where i would have had to wait 2 hrs for tow in a snow storm.

]]> By: shelly http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-120361 shelly Thu, 19 May 2011 17:08:01 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-120361 Kijiji has a roadside assistance deal on today for $39. Kijiji has a roadside assistance deal on today for $39.

]]> By: cpedley http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-120250 cpedley Sun, 08 May 2011 13:41:25 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-120250 A great resource. Thanks for the comparison. One thing you might put in your chart is that some of the above plans require the signup for their credit card. This is 2011. Wondering what has changed if anything. A great resource. Thanks for the comparison. One thing you might put in your chart is that some of the above plans require the signup for their credit card.

This is 2011.

Wondering what has changed if anything.

]]> By: CharlesP http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-120234 CharlesP Fri, 06 May 2011 13:56:44 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-120234 @24. Tony C. [a year or so later] One difference in CAA and other clubs is that CAA it is on the driver, not the vehicle. Motorcycles are also covered with CAA Plus. So that means you have to pay extra [$40 for another driver] for your spouse. So that can be a bonus to we bikers or scooter-ers (:-) @24. Tony C. [a year or so later]

One difference in CAA and other clubs is that CAA it is on the driver, not the vehicle. Motorcycles are also covered with CAA Plus.

So that means you have to pay extra [$40 for another driver] for your spouse.

So that can be a bonus to we bikers or scooter-ers (:-)

]]> By: Greg http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-2#comment-119394 Greg Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:20:58 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-119394 It's definitely worth getting if your car is over 5 years old. $100 a year is not bad for peace of mind. The reason I say this......... 3 years ago my car died in cottage country on a sunday morning in the winter 180 km from Toronto. No local garages were open and I had to get back to the city. I had to get a flatbed tow truck from a local company and it cost me over $300 for the tow back to Toronto. It’s definitely worth getting if your car is over 5 years old. $100 a year is not bad for peace of mind.

The reason I say this………

3 years ago my car died in cottage country on a sunday morning in the winter 180 km from Toronto. No local garages were open and I had to get back to the city. I had to get a flatbed tow truck from a local company and it cost me over $300 for the tow back to Toronto.

]]> By: Debbie Goodspeed http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-118003 Debbie Goodspeed Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:42:55 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-118003 We have had Alberta Motor Association for almost 2 years now, the AMA Roadside assistance SUCKS! Honestly, we broke down in Niagara Falls[starter solenoid], after a half hour of talking to somebody on their 1-800 number operator we simply gave up. It was 11:00 pm at night beside the Niagara Falls, and the only thing the operator on the telephone was interested in was trying to troubleshoot our car problems on the phone. ALL WE wanted was a TOW! Simple, it used to be that was what tow trucks were used for. We did not want a telephone mechanic, we did not want the tow truck operator to show up an start pulling wrenches on our car, we just wanted a tow to a repair facility. We gave up. We got some local help. We continued our trip across the continent and broke down in Burlington, Vermont[alternator]. This time when we phoned their toll free phone number in the United States, and they simply tried to Dodge the main issue which was; Would somebody please send us a tow truck? We even phoned the Alberta Motor Association when we returned to Canada, and they did not offer to help us in any way or form. Now here we have a snow storm that finished a couple of days ago, and the same old story. Our other car the fuel pump is gone 170,000 kms, and we once again can not get a tow truck to show up. It is sad and pathetic, all at once. We are canceling our AMA membership and we will buy Roadside Assistance from ANYBODY but AMA. The AMA roadside assistance is a complete WASTE of Money. Take you money and BURN it, it will be a more enjoyable experience. We have had Alberta Motor Association for almost 2 years now, the AMA Roadside assistance SUCKS! Honestly, we broke down in Niagara Falls[starter solenoid], after a half hour of talking to somebody on their 1-800 number operator we simply gave up. It was 11:00 pm at night beside the Niagara Falls, and the only thing the operator on the telephone was interested in was trying to troubleshoot our car problems on the phone. ALL WE wanted was a TOW! Simple, it used to be that was what tow trucks were used for. We did not want a telephone mechanic, we did not want the tow truck operator to show up an start pulling wrenches on our car, we just wanted a tow to a repair facility. We gave up. We got some local help. We continued our trip across the continent and broke down in Burlington, Vermont[alternator]. This time when we phoned their toll free phone number in the United States, and they simply tried to Dodge the main issue which was; Would somebody please send us a tow truck? We even phoned the Alberta Motor Association when we returned to Canada, and they did not offer to help us in any way or form. Now here we have a snow storm that finished a couple of days ago, and the same old story. Our other car the fuel pump is gone 170,000 kms, and we once again can not get a tow truck to show up. It is sad and pathetic, all at once. We are canceling our AMA membership and we will buy Roadside Assistance from ANYBODY but AMA. The AMA roadside assistance is a complete WASTE of Money. Take you money and BURN it, it will be a more enjoyable experience.

]]> By: VeryFrustrated http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-116364 VeryFrustrated Sun, 14 Nov 2010 04:31:19 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-116364 My experience with TD deluxe Auto Club is terrible. My car battery was dead, and I was on the phone with the call centre for 45 minutes. The agent had difficulty finding my location on googlemap or other map services, and I had to help him for 30 minutes to find my location. I had to repeat the same excruciating experience to help the agent locate the destination. Finally, after 45 minutes, I gave up. I called the Auto Club later to lodge a service complaint, and got a bland "thank you for calling" type of response. They would start an internal review, but I would not receive any follow-up or offer for the trouble. This is just thoroughly bad customer service. They did not deliver the promised service when I was distress and needed it the most. My experience with TD deluxe Auto Club is terrible. My car battery was dead, and I was on the phone with the call centre for 45 minutes. The agent had difficulty finding my location on googlemap or other map services, and I had to help him for 30 minutes to find my location. I had to repeat the same excruciating experience to help the agent locate the destination. Finally, after 45 minutes, I gave up. I called the Auto Club later to lodge a service complaint, and got a bland “thank you for calling” type of response. They would start an internal review, but I would not receive any follow-up or offer for the trouble.

This is just thoroughly bad customer service. They did not deliver the promised service when I was distress and needed it the most.

]]> By: Hasan http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-116021 Hasan Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:08:12 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-116021 I have TD Delux road side assisstance, unfortunatley my experience is very very bad, the call centre guy avoiding to send tow truck, my car tire rod broken, he said it's an accident, I explained him this is not but he refused me to serve please never buy TD Delux membership I have TD Delux road side assisstance, unfortunatley my experience is very very bad, the call centre guy avoiding to send tow truck, my car tire rod broken, he said it’s an accident, I explained him this is not but he refused me to serve

please never buy TD Delux membership

]]> By: CanadianRoadside http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-115520 CanadianRoadside Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:41:13 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-115520 In Reply to Kathryn, "I like the idea of their ‘roadside on request’ plan but hate that they’ll only take you to a Canadian Tire for car repairs." it's not true, the gold, silver and ror plans will tow you anywhere you like. The extra to that they do unlimited tows to canadian tire. So as where caa plus give you 5 claims...canadian tire gives you 5 claims anywhere, and as many tows as you need to canadian tire as a bonus. Oh plus you can't beat that package of coupons, one free oil change and 4 discounted ones every year. I've had the plan for years now and I love it. (more then caa) ;) In Reply to Kathryn,

“I like the idea of their ‘roadside on request’ plan but hate that they’ll only take you to a Canadian Tire for car repairs.”

it’s not true, the gold, silver and ror plans will tow you anywhere you like. The extra to that they do unlimited tows to canadian tire. So as where caa plus give you 5 claims…canadian tire gives you 5 claims anywhere, and as many tows as you need to canadian tire as a bonus. Oh plus you can’t beat that package of coupons, one free oil change and 4 discounted ones every year. I’ve had the plan for years now and I love it. (more then caa) ;)

]]> By: J.P. http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-113609 J.P. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:43:23 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-113609 @Kathryn- Canadian tire will actually tow you to any location of your choice within the limits of your plan, it does not have to be Canadian Tire. HOWEVER, if you do go to Canadian Tire it does not count as one of your service calls for the year. I was hesitant about purchasing a plan from them for the same reasons but when I called their customer service number the gentleman explained how there plans actually work. Hopefully I wont actually ever have to use it. @Kathryn- Canadian tire will actually tow you to any location of your choice within the limits of your plan, it does not have to be Canadian Tire. HOWEVER, if you do go to Canadian Tire it does not count as one of your service calls for the year. I was hesitant about purchasing a plan from them for the same reasons but when I called their customer service number the gentleman explained how there plans actually work. Hopefully I wont actually ever have to use it.

]]> By: Carol http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-113535 Carol Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:13:57 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-113535 We have two vehicles as well as a motorcycle and three children that drive so either need coverage on all three vehicles or on all five of us - any suggestions? We have two vehicles as well as a motorcycle and three children that drive so either need coverage on all three vehicles or on all five of us – any suggestions?

]]> By: JC http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-111957 JC Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:46:15 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-111957 I had been with CAA for years until about a year & a half ago. After I got a renewal notice/invoice, I switched to "PC Financial Roadside Assistance". The reason being, they say there are 3 'Free" calls per year but on the renewal, they said they were increasing my fee because I'd used 3 calls the previous year!!! I'd called for things like unlocking the door & a short tow (5 kms). D'oh! Free eh?! Not! I said 'ADIOS!' to CAA & switched to PC. I've had to call for a tow once since & had good service. No regrets. I had been with CAA for years until about a year & a half ago. After I got a renewal notice/invoice, I switched to “PC Financial Roadside Assistance”. The reason being, they say there are 3 ‘Free” calls per year but on the renewal, they said they were increasing my fee because I’d used 3 calls the previous year!!! I’d called for things like unlocking the door & a short tow (5 kms). D’oh! Free eh?! Not! I said ‘ADIOS!’ to CAA & switched to PC. I’ve had to call for a tow once since & had good service. No regrets.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-110718 Kelly Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:40:46 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-110718 I agree that, in normal city driving in an average vehicle, road-side assistance isn't necessary, for the price. However, I have a CAA membership, which also gives me discounts on my home insurance. As the discounts are more than the cost of the annual membership, I am basically receiving road-side assistance coverage for free. I agree that, in normal city driving in an average vehicle, road-side assistance isn’t necessary, for the price. However, I have a CAA membership, which also gives me discounts on my home insurance. As the discounts are more than the cost of the annual membership, I am basically receiving road-side assistance coverage for free.

]]> By: used tires http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-110635 used tires Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:57:47 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-110635 You're right oneadvice, online comparision sites are the best way to get the best deal for me too. Jean You’re right oneadvice, online comparision sites are the best way to get the best deal for me too.

Jean

]]> By: cannon_fodder http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/roadside-assistance-comparison.htm/comment-page-1#comment-110625 cannon_fodder Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:16:52 +0000 http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/?p=1190#comment-110625 Do any of these services cover driving in the US? I haven't had my vehicle need such a service except once when I was driving to our Corporate HQ in the US. Do any of these services cover driving in the US? I haven’t had my vehicle need such a service except once when I was driving to our Corporate HQ in the US.

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