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moneysense.ca, 4/07/06
Is a CAA Membership Worth Keeping?
I have been a member of CAA for many years and since I have recently received the annual renewal notice in the mail, I am wondering if it is worth keeping the membership. My basic membership costs $62 + GST and though I have been renewing for years without a second thought, I don’t use their services all that much. Some of the benefits that I have enjoyed so far include travellers cheques, destination maps and discounts at tourist attractions, hotels etc.
So far, I have never used their Emergency Roadside Assistance. The few times I needed a battery boost because it was very cold outside, the waiting time was in hours (lots of people needing a boost) and it was faster to ask a friend to help.
Are a few travellers’ cheques, a few maps and some discounts worth $62 per year? I think not and I am leaning towards not renewing my membership.
moneysense.ca, 4/07/06
depending if you do your oil changes yourself or not you should look into the canadian tire auto club. The basic membership is $60 and it includes 3 service calls per year (lockout/battery boost/towing up to 10 kms/gas delivery etc.) It also includes gift certificates for one free Canadian tire oil change and four certificates for 14.95 canadian tire oil changes. Most places in my area charge about $25-30 for an oil change so the gift certificates are worth about $70…presto free auto club.
I have had the CAA Plus membership, which is about $95, ever since I had to get my car towed and the bill came to about 2 years membership. It would have been free with CAA Plus. Also, I locked my keys in a rental car in Florida and AAA came, for free, to unlock the car. That would have cost $45 USD. Also, if you have ever had a flat tire on a busy highway it is downright dangerous to try to do it yourself with the cars wizzing by. Whether it’s $62 or $95 it is cheap insurance that takes care of a host of emergencies. And, of course, it’s always when you just cancel it that you finally really need it.
My personal opinion is that most of these things are just another way to make money from you. Doesn’t sound like you make much use of it. My wife’s parents have always had BCAA “Gold” membership or whatever but I don’t think they have ever used it. They are big into buying any kind of insurance that’s out there. I think they mainly got it for the roadside assistance which is funny because they never even go on roadtrips. I guess they just want a boost and they don’t carry booster cables.
My opinion is that one should buy insurance for those items which if happen would ruin your life. for small stuff that you can pay out of your pocket – forget it. You will definitely pay more in membership fees over the long run than what the services are worth. After all , why CAA would exist if they were loosing money.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I am still inclined not to renew the membership. I checked that one of the credit cards offers roadside assistance (I have to pay out of my pocket if I ever use it, but I am ok with that).
Here in BC, purchasing gasoline and propane from the Mohawk / Husky chain gains credits that I can use towards purchase of the following year’s membership. Between my personal and work purchases, it usually ends up being just a few dollars per year for the coverage. I purchase the “Plus” coverage, as my motorcycle has no spare tire, and BCAA will tow it upright on a flat deck to the nearest garage (motorcycle shop) where I can have it repaired or replaced.
As my truck ages (too cheap to replace it!) it has also come in handy. Once when I parked, the battery shorted internally and would not start the vehicle. The free boost got me home, and I replaced the battery a day or so later — saved the boosting charge, and taxi fare.
Generally it has been cheap insurance. If you shop Canadian Tire, and buy their gas, the points accumulation you gain with their product may be worth the price — remember that their product covers the vehicle no matter the driver, whereas CAA covers the cardholder no matter the vehicle.
And, of course, many new cars have roadside coverage included in the price.
Happy price shopping.
DAvid
I used to feel the same way as you do until I learned they also have other deals that help pay out the membership fee for us in no time.
For example, you can get movie theatre tickets at a significant discount. With our four kids, it doesn’t take us long to more than save our membership fee with the movie discounts alone.
They also offer discounts on attractions (eg Marineland).
And lastly, just one hotel stay where you take advantage of the CAA/AAA discount (usually about the lowest price of any available) will pay for your membership.
I think I needed their car service just once in the past 5 years (dead battery) but the fees have been more than worthwhile with all the non-car bebefits.
I guess it all depends on your situation. Every year when I get our renewal notice I hum & haw about renewing it. (I have the RV Plus & an associate card for my wife, so it’s well over $100/yr).
If you’re mostly driving in populated areas, odds are you can easily / cheaply get a boost or a tow. However, if, like us, you break down in the middle of nowhere in the middle of winter, it’s definitely worth it… I hate to think what our 125km tow would have cost without a membership.
And, as someone else mentioned, if you use all their related perks (maps, passport photos, reservations, etc) the membership really isn’t a bad deal.
I used to renew my BCAA membership when I renewed my insurance. However, this year I went with private insurance for my Optional Coverage which includes Autoplus Coverage for towing, rental, UMP and other benefits which match or exceed BCAA’s membership. Tons more for about $25 less than insuring with ICBC for Optional and BCAA’s membership. Other people, like my wife, saved even more!
my BCAA gold membership is about $75 a year and well worth it. I’ve had to use it several timees to tow my car when my clutch went, when I locked my keys in my car and numerous discounts. Also if you are in someone elses car and something happens it’s not car specific. My hubby locked his keys in his Accord and since it has laser locks and you can’t open it through the window like my old junker the tow truck guy said it would have cost him about $350 if he’d had to pay for it. The best part is you don’t have to pay deductibles or anything until you’ve used your generous quota of allowals. I have never gone over the limit and my car is a POS. I would say I get at least four to eight hundred dollars a year worth of services out of a $75 membership. If your car is newer and you won’t need the roadside stuff or your car already comes with it from the dealership then I suggest the similar membership they have through ICBC. It costs $24/ year and covers a lesser amount of things, but has some perks like no deductible if your car is stolen and discounts as well.
No it’s not! I pay $2 every 6 months with my car insurance company for 3 free tows a year. I get reimbursed with a receipt.
I have many horror stories with CAA and their policies.
Depending on your policy you may have to pay for every additional kilometer of towing because they have a maximum distance a car can be towed.
If you don’t have I.D. on you above and beyond the CAA membership card they refuse you services.
CAA membership rates for hotels is a myth. I often find the rates were the same regardless. It was just a ploy.
Save your money. Most people never use their membership which is why they don’t know this. Again a sign of a waste of money.
yes it is very worth while On holiday with 3 kids my starter stopped working.off to a garage of my choice to repair it, offer to take us with them to garage no hassel no muss excetent.
I locked my baby in the car when he was 2 months old!
Without CAA I would have smashed my window to get to him!
Not only were they there in 10 minutes, but the girl on the phone calmed me right down and made the situation so much easier!
They have been there for my brother in the middle of nowhere(literally) when he didn’t even have his own membership!
I stumbled upon this feed and it made me think back to the original statement made by CC I think that you have highlighted all the bad very precisley but have failed to weigh the true value of the membership!
HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE——-
64 dollars- 10 KMS…plus 2.25 for any additional KMS
90 dollars- 200 KMS …….HELLO!! It’s not CAA’s fault that some people are sticklers!!
FREE GAS ON HIGHWAYS…MOTORCYCLES….OIL CHANGES AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT (IN YOUR DRIVEWAY)
NOT TO MENTION PEACE OF MIND
I’m a “premier” member and I get 2 days free car rental and my membership card is a free long distance card!!!!
I’m keeping mine!
I have a 1998 Ford car with 210,oookm on it.
When I bought this second hand car with under $4,000, I immidiatly joined CAA with payment of $78 or $87(can’t remember).
The first year and a half, nothing happened. Then my car towed last month.
I believe that the whole investment theroy and practice is to balance risk and return.
Now we can understand why CAA/AAA is good for people who own older cars – risk and balance.
You can’t save money by risk your money.
Good night everyone.
hi
i have a ‘86 volvo and my husband has a ‘96 yukon … we have premier membership and with the saving from going to Husko/Mohawk it costs only about a hundred a year. Between maps when we go out of town … a gaurantee of 2 or 3 tows a year with rental car for 2 days each time … and my husband is a movie buff we have been reinbursed for our membership over and over again. When ever we decide to get 2 new cars, is when I may think about dropping our membership, but I will probubly just down grade it
I am a gold member with Canadian Tire Roadside Assisatnce and I feel it is well worth the cost. Its 99.95 for the year but it gives you 5 calls per year and up to 250 kms of towing! Most tow companies charge $50 for a hook up and $3 per km of towing so if you use it once its well worth it. Plus you get a coupon for a free oil changes and four for about $10 off.. which is a $70 savings! Their customer service is far superior to any other I have dealt with. Whenever I called CAA i felt as if i were bothering them but with Canadian Tire its like I am being treated as a loved one! It is some of the best money I have ever spent.
I agree with McLovin.. not sure if its his real name, but I have had the plan for a few years now since switching from CAA and the difference is like night and day. I love the oil change coupons and the service is always fast and friendly. A friend of mine once broke down on the highway with no coverage and had to pay $250 for a 30 minute tow. I would say this… “Can you afford no to have Canadian Tire Roadside?”
CAA Plus is a scam!
CAA wouldn’t tow my car because it has an expiring inspection sticker, ( still valid till the end of the month but expiring) I have a 91 honda Accord, doesn’t look new but what they pulled is ridiculous then they tried to pull the show me id nonsense, after giving them two pieces of id they told me they only dealt with “road worthy” vehicles personally CAA and AAA is a scam. They keep sending me renewal forms I never renew personally your better off just getting insurance from your insurance company its usually less sticky on many of these concerns especially since they are your primary insurer.
CAA / AAA Plus huge scam,
Just like to add CAA will not tow any vehicle at their discretion its designed to be low risk on their end for payout of claims especially when 3rd parties and the lack of flat bed trucks are involved. Whats funny is with the majority of people getting CAA or AAA memberships because of older or aging cars the truth is CAA / AAA doesn’t want you. Risk assessment department at CAA don’t want older cars that pose higher call rate and failure potential.
I have been a member for about 10 years and when they did let me down I just never EVER trust them again. Btw I tried getting a refund for my membership after the two refusal it feel on deaf ears and their customer service department has been outsourced to a fax machine. They really remind me of air canada they are really that bad in customer service department also don’t forget the membership is only valid for you, your spouse gf or family member cant do didly without a separate card. Many road side assistant plans from various other people follow the car instead of the person which is a much better choice.
CAA / AAA if you still feel you need them read the fine print, you will be surprised.
CAA Memberships
Basic – Includes 10 km. $3.00 for each additional km.
Plus – Includes 200 km per tow. $3.00 for each additional km.
Premium – Includes 200 km per tow with 1 tow being up to a maximum of 320 km. If you use the 320 km tow because you break down in the 200 km + area then you use up the one time 320 km tow. After that each tow is up to 200 km. $3.00 for each additional km.
Prices known as of Jan 2009
I’m in the same predicament right now, my membership is up for renewal in the next 2 weeks..its $100 and I’m not sure if I should renew..I got it last year after my car left me stranded and because I still have the same 13 year old car I am considering renewing it, as I have no plans to buy another car for 2-3 years. oh what to do!
I have used BCAA twice in one day, once for flat tire and then 4 hours later, locked my keys in the car (Blonde what can I say. I have used discount services on accomodations and shoes. Above all, I have used my BCAA when people have locked their keys in the car. I look at BCAA as a knight is shining armor. A friend of mine pays for his 2 daughters who have older cars memberships. Both of the daughters have used the services. BCAA gives a person piece of mind, and can you put a dollar value on that.
Some of you folks make me laugh. They make money = it’s a scam. The fact is, it is insurance. You can like it, or don’t like it – it’s up to you. It is not a matter of right and wrong.
I have personally considered dropping the membership a few times myself, but here are some reasons I have not. It is not just about the car services.
I had booked a series of flights to London, schedualed for Sept 13, 2001. I am sure you know what happened after that. The airlines were not returning money to tickets for flights that were cnacelled. I had booked a short flight for this trip through AMA, and the longer portion through a discount company. I couldn’t get ahold of the discount people, and pretty much had written off these expensive overseas flights. The girl at AMA was able to refund me the short flights, and deal witht the other compnay to get me my money back, even though I hadn’t bought those tickets through AMA. That was worth 15 to 20 years of AMA memerships.
I also live in a community where the line up for any sort of registy is crazy, but as an AMA member, the line is small. I also get very cheap passport photos for myself and my family. Combine that with the other perks (if you are willing to look for them) and I feel the membership is well worth it. Go in as a member to ask about planning a trip. You don’t have to book through them, but the information you get will be the best you can find.
I am looking at buying out my leased vehicle – AMA has a service that gets me all the black book prices. It goes on and on.
If you don’t travel, have no money, and don’t want to put the time in to research – get rid of the membership. If you are okay with doing a bit of research, want to save money, and have some added convenience, the membership is a deal.
Again, some of you folks have to stop thinking that whatever is good for you, must be the best choice for everybody. I know what the membership costs, and I am comfortable with the benefit I get out of it. Might not be for you, and I would never make you feel that your dicision is bad. I like to research, always want the best deal, and for me, the membership is worth it.
did you no that bcaa pays its tow truck companies less then min wage basic tow starts at $50.00 plus taxes .bcaa pays around $28.00 to$30.00 the only one geting rich is bcaa well the tow company makes nothing .think about it how can an auto club who charges $80.00 to $100.00 per year afford to pay tow companies fair money bcaa thanks you people for making them rich and making the tow company poor
I work for a company that contracts to CAA. I drive what is known as a Battery Assist truck, so I don’t do towing I do Battery boosts, Battery installs (In your driveway), unlock your car and will change a tire for you if you get a flat. Those are my main jobs, next to that I get a variety of different calls the most popular being. A door won’t close or the key won’t turn in the ignition. As a battery assist driver I’m allowed to try and fix anything within my capabilities. I once tore half an engine compartment apart to find a transmission oil leak for a member. I saved that member probably $200+ that day.
As for towing. As other have said the basic tow is 10 free kms to the shop of your choice. If you have roadside from a dealer your tow is to the nearest dealer not your dealer of choice.
If you have no roadside at all your looking at $55 for the tow to show up and $65 for a flatbed. Some companies charge $25-$35 if the driver has to use dollies (Wheel Lifts) and then you got the $2.50-$3.00 per km charge on top of that.
If you don’t normally leave your city a basic membership is what you should get. If you travel out of your city regularly then go with a Plus membership. If your tow a trailer or drive a motorhome go with the RV. If your towing a utility trailer a basic or plus membership will not cover a tow or tire change of the trailer.
No CAA membership will cover a car with invalid plates without special clearance from a CAA operator. CAA also will not tow a car to a scrap yard. Most of this is due to insurance.
The CAA driver has the right to refuse any car or service he deems as unsafe or unfit. The main reason for this is as a CAA driver we are responsible for any damage to the vehicle. Also if your impaired and lock your keys in your car we are not to open the car as we are now liable in case you get in an accident.
Todd
I’m not sure how BCAA work but I can tell you that here in Ontario almost all CAA work is contracted out. Most companies do not pay by the hour but by commission. In my line of work for CAA I average $10 per call. Tow trucks would be $12. At times your comment above could be correct, but over the course of a year we are paid well above minimum wage.
This has been a slow year so far for us here in Ontario and I’m only averaging $2000-2500 a month so far. But with the snow and cold days still to come I can expect anywhere from $3000 to $6000 a month.
Just in the last few weeks my daily income has gone from $60-$100 to over $200 a day. My best ever take home pay for 2 weeks was $4100 the worse was $800 and change. This is more a lifestyle then a job and you have to work long hours to make good cash.
But going from what I see and hear from other drivers it’s not all about the money. For most of us drivers it’s the satisfaction we get when we get a members car going.
I can also tell you that if you have a flat on the side of the road not many tow trucks will stop to help unless they get paid. A CAA driver is more likely to stop and help free of charge
I agree with Joe. My partner and I own a small business and he travels alot by car. We look at as a necessary expense to avoid a large, unexpected tow bill which happened to us once. Not all independent TT operators are honest. We do drive a 2007 Toyota in very good condition but we both know from experience “life happens” and we’d rather be prepared. We have claimed this expense under our business without question for a few years. We also made sure to have car rental coverage on our auto insurance policy to ensure minimal interruption to our business if something happened along with an emergency roadside kit in the trunk and well rated winter radials. To CC: I do believe everyone needs to do what works for them so happy motoring.
I had a Canadian Tire membership for 4 years in a row, and will get it again, just haven’t yet. I have compared it to CAA and I find the Canadian Tire is cheaper, allows you longer tows, half price oil changes, (that in itself pays for almost 75% of the cost of the membership over the year), and best of all, UNLIMITED tows to any Canadian Tire store within 250 km!! I used my past membership 6 times in one year for an old lemon I was driving that just kept having problems. I lived exactly 230 km from where I wanted to have the car towed down to my father, who is a mechanic and I knew could fix it for me. Canadian Tire sent a truck promptly and towed me the entire way, I rode with the tow truck driver. Awesome service. I will get it again because I drive an older car and one can never anticpate when something will go wrong. I go to the drivein movies quite frequently in the summer and you wouldn’t believe the amount of times I have boosted people driving newer vehicles. lol, so don’t think that just because you drive a new car you wont break down. Mine is a 93 Mercury
One thing to consider is the relative response in the area you live. I started with Cdn Tire auto service when i was in Ont. where they have a lot of contracted drivers. When I moved back to BC I mistakenly brought my car back and it broke down a number of times. The coverage in Vancouver was terrible it took them 2 hours to respond to my request. Also don’t forget that the oil change is @ Crappy Tire…They stripped my oil plug and the location that I tried to get service would not work on it and the previous place would not admit to doing it.
So why bother if you can’t trust the “free service?”
It is all about risk management, I decided to go with BCAA because it lowered my house insurance and they provide battery boost. As I also got my car broken into and 80 dollar cables were stolen….ICBC would not replace it because it they told me that it didn’t really belong in the car!
Another option is to go get oil changes from walmart and get the (additional $$ now??) temp auto coverage.
I am an older woman, and I live far away from any family or friends, so i rely on roadside assistance programs once in a while for help with flat tires, or to start my battery for me. My husband used to have a Canadian Tire membership and when he passed away about five years ago I decided to keep it in my name as the car we drove was old and although i could afford it i couldnt’ bear to get rid of it for a new one for sentimental reasons. I have called for help about 3 times over the past 5 years and i must say that the service has always been friendly, and the time it took for them to arrive did vary, but it was always reasonable considering the circumstances. I had a dead battery at home in a terrible storm last year and the operator told me it would be about three hours for them to get to my rural location, and because i was safe at home and others on the road took priority. I think whenever theres bad weather, no matter who you are with, you may have to wait longer, the one thing that i truly like is their commitment to the customer, not too many companies seem to have that anymore. The people that answer the phone when i call for help are always firendly and seem to really show concern for my situation, which truly does offer so much comfort when you are stranded on the side of the road knowing the person at the end of the other line doesnt just look at you as customer number 1001.
Not worth the hassle to get a tow from CAA. I purchased the “Gold” Membership as my family has a 5 year and a 6 year old car.
My first call was 2 weeks after the purchase. I had a flat tire and the car would not start. The CAA rep (arrived after 45mins, thats ok) said that if he would help me boost and inflate the tire it would be 2 service calls (even if both were unsucessful) or I could have it towed to a dealer for 1 service call. That was the first experience. Ok, I had it towed.
My second call was because I got a flat half hour from home. I was told that I needed to get the vehicle towed as no service could be provided on the busy road.
My bumper was damaged by the tow truck as the representative did not take the time to properly hook up our vehicle. I had followed behind him in another vehicle and tried to get him to pull over as I watched my car angled down toward the right. When we arrived at the dealership, we were all able to see that a long pin from the tow was on the bumper as opposed to being in the wheel well. This caused a crack in the bumper and the paint to be scratched off. The driver of the tow admitted to the damage (as we could all see the pin on the bumper ). He told us not to call CAA as he only gets paid 11$ for the tow. He added that he should have left us at the side of the road for the trouble we will cause when we said that we will call and that we don’t understand why he would have to pay, wouldn’t CAA take the necessary claim. He said he will have to pay for it out of his pocket. I do not understand this. He said the tow truck drivers are contract, they are not CAA. He admitted to the damage yet here I am having all this trouble. CAA forced me to go back and forth with the tow company to make an agreement for them to pay for the bumper replacement. Which turned out to be ridiculous as the guy was going to just paint it with whatever paint. So fast forward a bit and CAA agreed to pay for the repair as long as I provided them with 2 comparing estimates. I did. Then they told me to get an estimate from their garage, I did. Then they thought the price was too high, so they told me that they would only pay for an aftermarket bumper. My car has never been damaged and it has Original parts on it. But they insisted so I thought that to speed up the process, I’ll agree. CAA then tells me to book the appointment for the replacement because the only cost difference would be the bumper, which is true. So I went to the same places and got new quotes. I booked it and now CAA only wants to pay for half the repair. Again, here I am with CAA changing the agreement after the fact. This has turned out to be a very frustrating and difficult situation.
I have been dealing directly with CAA for 3 months, with communication at least 4 times per week and still no resolution. No apology on behalf of the tow nor the CAA either. I can not understand why they wouldn’t want to close this case. they are trying to swindle me obviously and I have been falling for it. I am not being treated as a valuable customer. Its a large cooperation and I regret ever purchasing membership.
I was told by the CAA rep in the complaints department that tow trucks regularly damage the vehicles.
On another note, I travel regularly and the discounted CAA rate is NOT a better rate, I have found the same hotels and shows and restaurants have other promos all the time and are ALWAYS better.
I thought I would like getting the travel books, because my parents and in laws always did (but they never required the roadside assistance part), but what I find is that google, the library, the tourism board (free and detailed) and then of course once at the destination (like the hotel you stay at) provide much better, precise maps and tourist information.
The customer service from the tow driver and all the CAA representatives I have had to call has been very terrible. It has been unhelpful even trying to just get a manager’s name and telephone number is impossible without relaying the whole story and then they just transfer me back to the small department of 4 who has been handling the damages. I’m in a vicious circle. The lady who sold me the membership was pleasant and the lady trying to get me to book a vacation was also (though her deal was not good). Everyday I know that they will try to get out of their responsibility to me, a paying customer. Because that has been what is happening. If the tow driver was more diligent (if he cared about the $11) I would not need to be dealing with this miserable company, who does not support the customer. They do not care about me or you or your car. They don’t care about the money you invested to support them nor the service they are paid to provide. Save your time and aggravation and don’t deal with them.