Most registered members of AAA have something good to say about the reputation of the organization. You can be assured that the organization will render you the roadside assistance that you need, provided you are complying with its policies.
Due to these policies, many members and potential members of the organization always ask questions about whether the company will tow a car to a dealership.
Yes, AAA will tow your car to a dealership, provided you have fulfilled all the requirements of the organization. If you are denied the tow service, it is not because the organization does not tow to a dealer.
You have likely violated one of the policies of the organization. Keep reading for more information.
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Things you must do to have your car towed by AAA to a dealership
You are qualified for any roadside assistance and other services rendered by AAA if you can comply with the requirements of the organization. If you want your car to be towed by AAA, the following are some of the requirements that the organization does not compromise.
Be a registered member
AAA is a voluntary organization and the membership is open to everybody. If you want any of the services rendered by AAA, including towing your car to a dealership, you must be a registered member of the association.
However, there are different levels of membership in AAA. Your level will determine the type of service you are qualified for.
Register the car
Another important thing for you to be qualified for towing service by AAA is that the vehicle must be registered. Not only that, all documents about the car must be valid and up to date as to when you need the service. AAA is doing this to avoid towing a stolen vehicle or a vehicle that has been involved in a crime.
Be with your membership card
You might be a member who does not have a valid membership card. For AAA to tow your car to a dealership, you must be with your membership card at the point of towing. However, if the owner is not a member, there must be someone at the point of towing, who is a member and is with the membership card.
Physical presence
Except in an emergency such as an accident where the member has been taken to the hospital, AAA will not tow any vehicle unless the member is physically available at the place of towing. If you want your car to be towed to a dealership by AAA, you should be present.
Reasons why AAA will decline to tow your car to a dealership
Being a member of AAA doesn’t mean you are qualified for all roadside assistance and towing service. Some of the things you need to do to be qualified have been highlighted earlier but your request could still be declined due to the following reasons.
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Insurance
There are some insurance companies that will stipulate the towing company that will tow your car and where it could be taken to. If a member of AAA is a client of such an insurance company, AAA could decline to tow your vehicle.
This is because AAA will not want to have issues with payment, especially when the insurance company will be responsible for payment.
Unregistered vehicle
While preference could be given, depending on your level of membership. AAA will not tow any vehicle that is not registered, irrespective of your level. This is because the organization will not want to be involved in lawsuits due to car theft or other crimes.
Not only must the vehicle be registered, but all documents concerning the vehicle must also be valid and up to date.
Waiting period
Though you are qualified for all the service packages for your level once you become a member of AAA but there is a waiting period before you begin to enjoy the benefits.
For instance, you must wait for at least 48 hours after registering before you are qualified for any service as a basic member of AAA. The organization will likely decline your request if you call for assistance within the waiting period.
Failure to present membership card
You don’t have any business contacting AAA for a towing service if you are not a member of the organization. As a member, your request could also be declined if you are unable to produce your membership card at the point of towing.
However, there are extreme situations when AAA will tow the vehicle despite the failure to present the membership card. For instance, when the member is involved in an accident.
Different membership levels in AAA
You have options when you want to become a member of AAA. There are different membership levels and the level you belong to will determine your subscription fee and the type of service you will enjoy as a member. Here is a list of the membership levels.
Basic or classic level
This is the first level of membership in AAA and the subscription fee is also the lowest. If you are on this level, you are qualified for free 7 miles towing service annually. The annual subscription fee for this level ranges from 40 dollars to 74 dollars.
This is the ideal level for people with limited driving distance. For instance, if your driving distance is from your home to your office and grocery store.
Plus level
This is the second tier of the AAA membership level. Members on this level are qualified for more towing services and other additional services.
A member on this level will enjoy 100 miles of free towing service 4 times annually. Being on this level also means that your subscription fee is higher than the basic members.
The annual subscription fee for this level ranges from 60 dollars to 124 dollars. It is also the ideal level for you if you drive at least 10 miles from home often.
Premier level
This is the last membership level and the one with many benefit packages. A member on this level is qualified for towing service, roadside assistance, and other services. If you are on this level, you are qualified to enjoy free 200 miles of towing once a year and 100 miles of towing thrice in the same year.
If you are a regular traveler, you should consider this level. The subscription fee for this level ranges from 77 dollars to 164 dollars annually.
Benefits of being a member of AAA
Whenever you need a towing service, there are options that you can consider. However, when you are a member of AAA, there are several things you will enjoy, which it is unlikely that you get when you opt for other options. The following are some of the benefits of being a member of AAA.
24 hours assistance service
You might not want to disturb your friend when you need a towing service at night and most towing companies have closing hours. Even if the towing companies will agree to tow your vehicle at night, you will likely pay more.
As a member of AAA that has fulfilled other conditions, you are qualified for roadside assistance any time of the day and day of the week.
It saves time
Instead of negotiating back and forth with a towing company when you need the service, you can easily call AAA for assistance, provided you are a member. The organization will send the needed help to you within the shortest duration.
It is safe
When towing goes wrong, a lot of things could be damaged in the vehicle. One of the things that could make towing go wrong is the type of method that you adopt. You can be assured that AAA knows the best method to safely tow your vehicle to the desired location.
Affordable
Hiring a towing company is relatively expensive. The national average fee ranges from 2 dollars to 7 dollars. Once you pay your subscription fee as a member of AAA, you are qualified to enjoy some services for free annually.
Even if you will be charged, it is unlikely that the fee will be the same as what you will be charged by a towing company.
Drawbacks of being a member of AAA
While the benefits that you can enjoy as a member of AAA makes the organization attractive, there are also potential disadvantages that dissuade some people from being a member. Below are some of the likely drawbacks.
Stringent policies
Being a member of AAA is not enough for you to be qualified for towing service. There are other requirements that the organization does not joke with. Failure to comply with the policies could lead to a decline when you need a towing service.
Limited service
What you will enjoy as a member of AAA is limited to your membership level and the type of service rendered by the organization. If you need any other service apart from what the organization renders, you have to look elsewhere.
Conclusion – Will AAA Tow Your Car To A Dealership?
AAA will tow your car to a dealership if you can fulfill the conditions of the organization. You can opt for alternatives if you have issues with the organization.
