Question: I don’t have time to have my car towed today, but will AAA allow me to schedule a tow for a future date?
Answer:
A spokesperson for the American Automobile Association (AAA) told Jerry that scheduling tows hadn’t been “what we do historically; however, times are changing. We are here to assist AAA members and are always looking for new opportunities to help. We suggest members contact the road service number on the back of their card and discuss what’s available in their local area regarding appointments.”
Explore towing options
Typically, AAA’s Roadside Assistance program—available for $33 per year as of August 2024—is meant for emergency situations, but certainly there may be instances when you need a car towed for service at a later time.
If you’re unable to schedule a tow through AAA, ask if the towing and labor coverage of your car insurance policy will allow it. Some policies include this automatically; for other policies, it’s an add-on.
Some credit cards also come with roadside assistance policies that might work in this situation. If your car is under warranty, that also might cover the cost of a tow. Otherwise, the best solution might be to wait until you have time to deal with getting your car towed, then contact AAA. You could also contact a tow company to arrange a tow and pay out of pocket.
What else AAA can do for you
It’s the law of the universe: Cars always break down at the most inconvenient times, right?
AAA’s The Roadside Assistance program offered by AAA has been a godsend for motorists since it began more than 100 years ago. With this option, AAA members can reach out any day of the week, 24 hours a day, whether they are in their own car or someone else’s, whether they are the driver or a passenger, and help will be sent.
The service is available anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. It can be a huge help if you’ve locked your keys inside the vehicle and need a locksmith, if you need a jump start or battery change, or if your car has been totaled and you need it hauled away. AAA has a network of 63,000 tow trucks and service trucks to help its members. They can also assist if you got a flat tire, ran out of gas or need minor repairs.
You can use AAA’s free smartphone app to request help. The app lets you see in real time how far the responding vehicle is from your location. You can also call the number on your AAA card to request help.
The fastest way to deal with car troubles is to fix them yourself if you can. It’s a good idea to learn basic car care and keep an emergency kit stocked with items such as a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, a spare tire and jack, flares, a first aid kit and simple tools in the trunk of your car.
Deirdra Funcheon is a journalist with a master\\\’s degree from Boston University and more than 20 years of experience covering a broad range of topics. She has worked at Univision (on the investigative team at Fusion), Axios (where she covered Miami-area news) and Bisnow (covering the commercial real estate industry). At Jerry, she aims to empower drivers with knowledge about how their vehicles work and how best to handle repairs, insurance and other complications of car ownership.
Phil Metzger is a personal finance editor and writer with more than 30 years of experience editing and writing content across a variety of industries. In writing and editing for Jerry, Phil’s mission is to help car owners better understand their vehicles and the costs associated with car ownership. Before joining Jerry, Phil worked as a writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, television radio and online news. His work has appeared in many major publications and websites over the years, including a series he edited that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize.
