AMA Tow policy fail

[pehayes]

I've been an AMA member for years.  Mainly for access to emergency Roadside Assistance.  This year my renewal letter refers to their "upgraded roadside assistance program" which "requires activation".
I called to question and understand this 'activation'.
The new 2024 policy only covers FIVE vehicles and requires that I document make, model, year, VIN for each.  Only those five can be serviced.  I own seven motorcycles, two cars, and a small RV.  Last year they were ALL covered and without having to document each one.  What to do?
The AMA advice was to document five.  Then every week, decide in advance which ones I intended to use, call in to alter the list of vehicles with an alternate five, and don't touch anything that isn't on the current list.  Call again next week if I want to change again.



I only discovered this policy "UPGRADE" because I called in.  There was nothing in the renewal solicitation which would have alerted me.  My service is substantially downgraded without prior notification.

Looking for other options.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Well, after what my brother just went through, I wouldn't recommend AAA.

When I signed up for AAA plus several years ago I was told at the time that I got a 200 mile tow. Well, today's the day that I need it. I left Mogfest and my Karmann decided to chew on its own fan shroud breaking a large portion of it off and shoving it through the new radiator I installed last year. AAA is not sure they can find anyone to haul it home, nor do I have 200 mile service, I only have 100 miles! So I'm waiting on the side of the road for them to decide if they can tow me

And later...
Now.... in regards to AAA, they're total assholes , according to them in 2022 they notified everyone with an RV policy that it's totally changed, there is no mileage, you only get a $500 credit towards any towing or service call. Everything over that you have to pay out of pocket. And in my case they wanted $1,300 plus to get me home. I urge every one of you who has AAA RV policy to tell them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine and go shopping for a better plan because AAA is no longer worth anything! And I'm going to ask them for my money back for my renewal that I just paid last month.

[Tkelly]

Just hope you never need to use the AM A tow because you are unlikely to get it.Moto spent hours on the phone with a clueless person earlier this summer and ultimately had to get a ride home and go back with his own trailer.

[guzziart]

Hi,

Well, thanks for the update, I should probably investigate my options, I'm an AMA member too.  Additionally, I have roadside assist/towing on my vehicles through the insurer and through my cell carrier.  While I have all their toll free numbers in my phone, I have no idea what all is included by each.

FWIW, back in '07 I was on an ST1300 when I stopped for some chow, after eating the bike wouldn't start, needed a jump.  I called the AMA or Honda Red Riders contractor ( I don't remember which) and was put on hold, with my cell phone battery rapidly being depleted I hung up after about 12 minutes.  I then called the GWRRA contractor, they immediately had a tow service call me back and dispatched an associate.  About a half hour later a fellow on a '80's vintage Goldwing shows up with a car battery where the tail trunk used to be.  I got the boost off I needed and was on my way home from there.  Anyway, I was glad I had a couple numbers to call for a tow/boost/jump/etc.

Art

[Tom H]

Charlie: I just read this: https://www.ace.aaa.com/membership/benefit-chart.html

I am not sure what has changed, I see if I can find my membership package for AAA.

Unfortunately your brother has "Plus" which is only 100 miles. By the way it was written, he must have been over 100 miles from home. Also there is only up to 4 covered 100 mile tows. Makes me wonder what would happen if you got towed the 100 miles and told the driver I may be able to fix it. He drops you off at a parts store. Then you call AAA again for another tow for the next 100 miles????

I do think the RV/motorcycle coverage has been reduced. I could swear it was just like the car coverage. I have had to use the bike coverage 3 times about 5 years ago. Free tow, but it was only about 15 miles or so. But, I was broke down on the freeway emergency lane two of the times and it took about 1-2 hours for the first time before a tow showed up. The second time was 2-3 hours before the tow. There was a big traffic jam right where I was. He told me there was a multi car wreck up the freeway and the CHP gets priority on the rollback tow trucks.

With that said, the third time it only took them about 15 minutes. He had just dropped a car off near me and could get me right away. But, this time I had an accident that broke my clutch lever. Maybe because I said I was in an accident is why the tow got there quicker??

I might have to look at my Progressive insurance policy. I think they still offer towing at a reasonable cost, but you had to pay per bike. Might have to see who they use and how well it works?

Sorry to hear of his troubles.

Tom

[Turin]

I have two AAA accounts, one for the Mrs. and one for myself. With the RV package, we get a combined eight 100 mile tows. Progressive also offers a tow program that I need to look into. I'm interested in finding something better.

[cliffrod]

Charlie: I just read this: https://www.ace.aaa.com/membership/benefit-chart.html

…. Makes me wonder what would happen if you got towed the 100 miles and told the driver I may be able to fix it. He drops you off at a parts store. Then you call AAA again for another tow for the next 100 miles????



Tom

This^^^ is exactly what was suggested to us by the rollback driver 3-4 yrs ago when we were broken down just over 200 miles from home.  We were able to get the truck running and proceed, so didn’t have to do it.

[AJ Huff]

I have Progressive on my motorcycles..I know I have the towing option. I've never used it though so have no idea if it's any good.

All towing insurance options worry me because I suspect they don't actually send the proper equipment for a motorcycle. I envision my bike laying on its side on the back of a roll back held down by heavy steel chain. I don't don't know if that's how they do it, but I have that fear.

-AJ

[twowings]

AAA wouldn't even pick up my bike in BFE Oklahoma...and I've had a Premium RV membership for years...

They only help you when they want to 

[Dirk_S]

I’ve had to use AAA three times—once for the V7 early in the Newfoundland trip that cut the trip short to just Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, once for the Ural on the way home from visiting friends and family in PA, and once for the BMW R80/7 when the left side intake valve spring decided to grenade. All three were while I had the premium service, I think $500 max.

For that price, I was able to get the Ural hauled from Reading PA up to the Ural dealership in the Poconos. Terrible experience—rig was loaded up well and easily enough, but en route the tow guy kept falling asleep with me in the truck and torrential downpour causing the windshield to be hammered consistently with rain and the inside glass fogging up like crazy. Spent half the drive keeping the guy awake and wiping his side of the windshield. Anyway—$500 got me far enough; too bad the Ural dealership didn’t have any experience actually working on Urals—normally a Harley dealer, they were a newer Ural dealer at the time who up until then just sold ‘em and did maintenance service.

For the Newfoundland trip, I found out AAA has a Canadian sister company, and they were able to get someone out that day—a Sunday— and tow me to the local Harley dealership in St. John, one of the few motorcycle dealers in New Brunswick. Unfortunately for me, that Monday was a holiday (“New Brunswick day” of all days).

The BMW was local—my riding buddy wasn’t available to help me with his trailer, so I used AAA.

None of that really matters—I just felt like wasting your time. But—in all three instances, the tow guys all said many tow companies don’t want to deal with motorcycles because of the liability, as it’s way too easy to drop a bike.

[Motormike]

All towing insurance options worry me because I suspect they don't actually send the proper equipment for a motorcycle. I envision my bike laying on its side on the back of a roll back held down by heavy steel chain. I don't don't know if that's how they do it, but I have that fear.
-AJ

You needn't worry.  They handle your bike with the best of care.



Well, you might have to replace some fluids, but other than that....

[Tom H]

I have Progressive on my motorcycles..I know I have the towing option. I've never used it though so have no idea if it's any good.

All towing insurance options worry me because I suspect they don't actually send the proper equipment for a motorcycle. I envision my bike laying on its side on the back of a roll back held down by heavy steel chain. I don't don't know if that's how they do it, but I have that fear.

-AJ

When I had my 3 tows. All were rollbacks. 2 of which were the big cab and tall versions, the 3rd was a pickup truck cab with rollback and much lower.

All had no chock. Just pushed against the front of the bed and strapped down. 2 straps for the front and generally on across the seat to secure it. 2 of them let me use the side stand and then tie it down, one wanted it upright.

Tom

[n3303j]

My Triple A won't touch bikes in Massachusetts. Call for help and you get a recording on which you must enter Make and Model of Car / Truck you need help with.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I have AAA Premier RV and have had a mostly positive experience with it. It has always worked out for me when I've needed it, and I have a family member added to the account for extra $$$ who also makes use of it.

The plan name is confusing and has changed in recent years. It used to be RV Plus, now it is Premier RV for the plan that covers motorcycle towing. I don't even have an RV, so it would be nice if they just had a plan for motorcycles and named it accordingly. When you call for a tow you can expect that you may be waiting for hours, as with many tow services. Sometimes it has been quick though. I do make use of it unfortunately, for both cars and motorcycles, about once per year. The 200 mile tow still worked for me in 2023. The engine on my SUV threw a rod while my father had borrowed it and taken it out of state, just our luck. It worked out exactly how one would hope, AAA covered the maximum 200 mile tow, and then we paid the tow company out of the pocket for the remaining 20 miles or so to get it to a town with services close enough to home to go pick it up with a truck and trailer. Big annoyances I've had are that if you are getting a tow in a different state than your AAA coverage is in, they seem to make a big deal about it and sometimes don't route you appropriately. Not what one might expect from from a 50-state service. The other annoyance is that you need to clearly and up front specify what type of vehicle is being towed and stress that. Of course they ask you year, make, model, color, and maybe even plate right away but if you have having a motorcycle towed it needs to be emphasized or you can end up with a vehicle dispatched from the local tow company that is not capable of loading a motorcycle.

AAA is the only roadside service I use as it's worked out so far. Hopefully the service doesn't get worse.

[Wayne Orwig]

You mean people still get those policies.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

I have had a number of situations where a friend's motorcycle broke down, and their tow policy for their motorcycle was a total rip off. (or at least one case where we were all out of cell service range so what is the point). Carry tools.

I got an RV a few years back. It included Good Sams club tow service for one year free. On the way home from the coast, one of the rear tires decided to give up. Good Sams club was like, we can't help, it is Sunday, and we don't have anyone in that area on Sunday. Luckily, I was in central Georgia near Muley. (who remembers Muley). Muley gave me the number of Leroy. I called Leroy and got the job done quickly and at a great price. 

I now have the proper jacks and tools to lift the RV and change the tire on the road myself.

My brother has been in the towing business for a long time. AAA keeps him poor.

[Moparnut72]

Years ago I had a buddy who had the AAA contract for our town. I used to fill in when he needed additional help. He had a thing made by a local fabricator that was a piece of channel iron with tie downs that would go on the wheel lift on the wrecker. A lot like the motorcycle carriers you can get for your truck, car etc. I preferred that over the flatbed as it was easier to load the bike.

I live in a small town, the only tow companies anywhere near us are the AAA contractors. If someone needs a tow or other assistance and has a towing service other than AAA the company will call a local towing company which will be AAA. AAA customers get preference over any other company so that could result in a delay. I don't know if they still do or not but they had a policy that they will not go off paved roads. We always did but had to make up some story so that we would get paid. Now you have to call main dispatch so fudging is pretty much not happening.

I recently had a situation where I needed a dead car towed from my house to the AAA facility. A computer answered the phone and couldn't figure out what I needed to do because GPS was telling them I was at the company location and couldn't understand why I needed a tow as I was already there and wanted to know where I wanted to go.
kk

[kballowe]

I have AAA RV Plus.  It covers all of my vehicles, and any vehicle that I ride in.

Of the two times that I have tried to use them, I ended up finding my own tow service and then sending in the reimbursement form.  They paid, each time, after about a month.  And yes, it's now limited to $500, not just mileage.

One of the benefits of having AAA is that the card gets discounts.  We always use it at motels, but it's also good at some restaurants.

Still, it's not the full featured towing insurance that we had hoped for.  Not by any stretch of the imagination.

[Dirk_S]

Circling back to AMA, or rather trying to summarize thoughts comparing AMA and AAA, if someone were to shoot for just one or the other, which is the better choice? I’ve been a AAA member for a couple years now, and just bought an AMA membership, a necessity for obtaining a racing license through USCRA. With the required AMA membership, maybe I no longer feel the need to have AAA?

[John A]

I lost touch with AMA a decade ago . They sent me a letter and a pin saying I was a charter member and I didn’t have to pay dues but if I wanted the magazine I’d have to pay for that. We had MoTow, their towing service but they reduced the benefits and it was troublesome to use , some towing places wouldn’t deal with them which was stressful when broke down. Now I have all my insurance with one company, house, vehicles etc. they have a towing service that has worked well . I arrange my own tow and pay for it. Then I get reimbursed from the insurance company when I give them the receipt. I’ve used it several times and it works well without a third party involved. There is a limit to what they will pay but I’ve not hit that and don’t remember what it is.

[pehayes]

The new 2024 policy only covers FIVE vehicles and requires that I document make, model, year, VIN for each.
The AMA advice was to document five.  Then every week, decide in advance which ones I intended to use, call in to alter the list of vehicles with an alternate five, and don't touch anything that isn't on the current list.  Call again next week if I want to change again.

For  those with multiple vehicles,  you can do this add/delete online.  However, the system warns you that your addition of a vehicle may take up to three days to formally 'register' or 'activate'.  So, you had better make your riding plans early in the week to allow their computer to catch up with your needs.  I thought computers and databases worked at near the speed of light.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Chuck in Indiana]

We have Foremost motorcycle insurance through AARP. *I've never called it* but it says 24 hour service, Trip interruption coverage, towing, jump starts, roadside service, fuel delivery, and locksmith service. All included in the policy. Cheap, too. (Guzzi content)
I will say their service after our infamous crash and burn was exemplary.

[Moparnut72]

Doesn't AMA charge extra for towing now? It used to be included in the membership fee. I was an AMA member and let it lapse for a couple of years then got back in. Then a year or so ago let it lapse again. Then just recently I read something about what it had been doing for street riders and rejoined. It seemed to concentrated on off-road which I am not interested in. But with renewed work for street riders I am back in. The magazine has gotten pretty good and is almost worth the membership in itself.
kk

[Perazzimx14]

You needn't worry.  They handle your bike with the best of care.



Well, you might have to replace some fluids, but other than that....

Beats pushing a 700lb bike in 100 degree weather and think the $23 8mm windscreen bolt you dropped in behind the gauge cluster 4 years ago will come rushing out.

[mechanicsavant]

But the shareholders love it ! Extra income without having to do almost nothing .

[dguzzi]

 I dropped my AAA after experiencing the wonderful road service on my truck and the ever expanding cost! Now after having relatively good pricing on my home insurance for 3 years since that; they want me to reinstate my membership for vehicles they don't insure! 
  That is crappy!

[Tom]

Pat.  I'm in the same boat.  Trying to figure out what "vehicles" to put on the policy.  Looks like a combo of motorcycles and cars/trucks.  🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️