If your car breaks, towing is expensive. AAA offers a service that provides roadside assistance to drivers all over the country. They can be an excellent way to either reduce or eliminate the towing expense, but there are a few rules about how far they will go and what it will cost.
Here is what you can expect if you call AAA!
AAA Towing Policy
AAA will tow your vehicle when you call the customer service number on the back of your AAA membership card. If your car cannot be started or driven safely, AAA will transport your car to an approved repair facility.
The plans allow your car to be towed to the nearest repair shop that is AAA-approved, but you can also have it towed to your home.
You can have your car towed from your home or office to a garage or from a certain repair shop to another garage. The only limit is that you can only have your vehicle towed once per breakdown.
If you decide to tow it to your house and then to a garage after you call around, the first tow to your house is free, but you will have to pay for the second one.
AAA will tow from any location as long as it is within the AAA coverage area. If you have a AAA Plus RV or AAA Premier membership, you also call for a tow for your trailer, motorcycle, or RV. AAA will arrange for a ride for you and anyone who is with you and make sure you are taken to a safe location.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can also get free fuel and free delivery. They also offer a mobile battery service that can help you avoid a tow. The Premier package also offers one free car rental, but the other membership levels do not have this option.
How Far Will AAA Tow Before Charging?
How far AAA will tow your vehicle before charging depends on the package that you purchase. They have different membership levels that come with a certain amount of services and free towing distances with each purchase.
Your vehicle can be towed to any AAA-approved repair shop near you.
AAA cannot have your car towed to any repair shop and can only tow it to those that are approved. Another option is to have it towed to the AAA-approved independent contractor station that is closest to you.
Here are the different membership levels and some of the benefits they offer.
1. AAA Classic
The Classic membership allows your car to be towed up to five miles from the breakdown point before a charge begins to occur. You can have up to four service calls per year at this level.
2. AAA Plus Level and AAA Plus RV
The Plus Membership comes with up to 100 miles of free towing services. This level offers up to four service calls in a year.
3. AAA Premier
The Premier package offers up to 200 miles of free towing. It also allows up to five service calls per year.
How Much Does AAA Charge for Towing Per Mile?
Once you have exceeded the free miles included in your package, you will be charged the standard charge of the local towing company. Some companies offer discounts to AAA members, but this is not always the case.
The average AAA cost per mile for towing falls between $3-10 per mile. However, this rate can vary from location to location.
Another benefit is that you do not have to pay the hookup charge because it is already included with the free miles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car 100 Miles?
If you have the Plus or Premier package, the tow would be free. If you have the AAA classic package, you would have to pay for 95 miles, which could range from $285-$950.
How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car 200 Miles?
If you have the Premier package, the first 200 miles of towing are free. If you have the Plus membership, you will have to pay for the second 100 miles which could be anywhere from $300-$1,000 depending on the geographic location and local prices.
You can put in a request for a tow by AAA using the mobile app, by phone, or online. You can call them by dialing 1-800-AAA-HELP.
If you have any questions, the operator will be happy to let you know what is and is not covered by your policy.
