We’re considering switching from AAA Auto Club to the auto assistance offered through BJ’s Shopping Warehouse. Can those SDopers who have made the switch please share their experiences (good or bad) with what BJ’s offers?
Any great perks to brag about? Any regrets? How many times a year can you call for roadside assistance? How many towing miles will they grant you for free, and at what rate do they start charging for miles? Thanks for sharing! 
I was considering AAA until I discovered it would cost me only $3 a month extra on my auto insurance coverage for towing coverage/roadside assistance. Recently switched to Allied where it’s included at no extra charge. You might want to check with your insurance company before buying an outside policy.
P.S. With AAA, you don’t have to buy it until such time as you actually need it. It costs, I think, somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 extra to buy it the same day you first use it, but it would save you buying it months before you actually have need to use it. Last year I got it for my daughter when her car broke down - signed her up and got her towed all in one quick phone call.
Ask you insurance about road service coverage. Mine offers much better road service coverage than AAA, for less than half the cost. It’s hassle free – if in need of road service, I arrange the best and quickest I can get, pay for it, and turn the receipt in to the insurance agent, who cuts me a check while I wait, no questions asked.
AAA offers several tiers of service. Towing distance is 5/100/200 miles for each and looks like most insurance companies don’t offer that far (although many online are reticent to give details).
I’ve had good experiences with AAA. Regardless, this is usually a good idea, especially with an older car but new ones as well.
Found this. Double check that the fees are accurate, it looks like some of the information isn’t.
Here is an article from Consumer Reports that talks in general about how to choose a roadside assistance service. It doesn’t make any recommendations but suggests some things to look at when deciding.
I love AAA for all the discounts. I live in Maine, and go to a few conventions every year in Boston, so it’s worth it to me just for the Amtrak and hotel discounts. Also, 10% off at NAPA is always a good thing to have.
I had Allstate roadside assistance for a few years, cheaper the AAA, but it seemed like the additional benefits and recognition of AAA is worth something. I found that AAA was a discount at hotels almost no questions asked, I’m sure shmoosers could get the same rate or better, but if you just don’t want to haggle and just get a better rate AAA is a good way to go, the other service not so much (to the point that they gave a list of hotels/motels that honor their card).
Also when I worked in the Smoky Mountains, central dispatch (the ‘sort of’ 911 for that area) would happily call AAA for a roadside assist and I heard that many times over the radio, never once for any other roadside assistance program. It was AAA, or call a local towing company. Although I never heard a request that this person had ABC roadside assistance either so they may be willing to help, but AAA was a standard option and they knew what to do.
AAA vets their towing companies and auto repair sources. this can be a big deal when you are in the middle of Nodamnwhere and the scene from National Lampoons Vacation comes true.