Has anyone used Amica for emergency road service? (Franklin: insurance, credit card)

[FranklinBusybody]

The recent thread regarding automobile towing has caused me wonder about roadside assistance.

Like many in the area, I switched to Amica homeowners and auto insurance a few years ago after getting the State Farm "sign this waiver or else" letter.

Amica recently pointed out to me that, as part of the towing coverage of my auto policy, they include roadside assistance and a phone number to call for emergency road service.

From the coverages page on their website:

"Roadside Assistance
Premium $5.00 Limit $100 per disablement
Roadside Assistance will tow your vehicle up to 50 miles, jump-start dead batteries, change flat tires,
deliver gas and unlock your vehicle. This coverage may not apply for an auto accident. Assistance is
available 24/7 at 866-286-9968."

From the policy declarations page:

"Towing and labor costs: limit $100 each disablement, premium $5.00 (each auto)"

That looks to me like Towing & Roadside Assistance are one and the same and are limited to $100.

Question I have is, how well does that work in the Triangle? I know that AAA covers this area well, how does Amica's roadside assistance compare? Anyone had an occasion to use it (either for roadside assistance or towing)? How did it work out for you? Does it make sense to drop Amica's towing coverage and pay for AAA membership just for roadside assistance and towing coverage that I've never needed and hopefully never will?

[don6170]

Originally Posted by FranklinBusybody

I know that AAA covers this area well, how does Amica's roadside assistance compare?

Not sure about Amica, but some insurance companies consider a call for a tow to be a claim and can use it to drop you or raise your rates.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by don6170

Not sure about Amica, but some insurance companies consider a call for a tow to be a claim and can use it to drop you or raise your rates.

I wondered about that.

And...
We have 3 vehicles.
Amica is $5.00 each is $15/year for $100 coverage, limited to those three cars.

AAA $129/year for two drivers.
Compare the benefits, including towing that "follows me, not the car."
https://join.carolinas.aaa.com/

We've been AAA members for years, even with State Farm Roadside assistance, or credit card roadside benefits.

[twingles]

I can tell you the towing is usually outsourced to a third party vendor....not gonna lie, we get a lot of complaints about the one we use. I'd stick with calling AAA. It's not like Amica has tow trucks sitting around waiting to tow their insureds. Nor does any other insurer.

As far as it being handled as a claim, that is a good question to ask your agent. Agents should handle those claims themselves (which means it doesn't get filed as a "real" claim, it's something they are allowed to pay out of their office) but a lot of them are too lazy to do it so then it gets reported as a claim. However, it is HIGHLY doubtful that would lead to your policy being cancelled. However I have seen some shady practices with tow claims so ....if your car gets towed a lot best to put it through AAA.

[don6170]

Originally Posted by twingles

As far as it being handled as a claim, that is a good question to ask your agent. Agents should handle those claims themselves (which means it doesn't get filed as a "real" claim, it's something they are allowed to pay out of their office) but a lot of them are too lazy to do it so then it gets reported as a claim. However, it is HIGHLY doubtful that would lead to your policy being cancelled. However I have seen some shady practices with tow claims so ....if your car gets towed a lot best to put it through AAA.

Clark Howard has a recent article on the topic. He notes that it will probably show up on your CLUE report.
https://clark.com/insurance/car-insu...de-assistance/

[twingles]

Originally Posted by don6170

Clark Howard has a recent article on the topic. He notes that it will probably show up on your CLUE report.
https://clark.com/insurance/car-insu...de-assistance/

Don't know the author's background, but I've handled claims for 30 years with several major carriers, now audit closed claims, and that's complete BS. And if your AGENT HANDLES IT (hence, my suggestion to ask your agent) it never goes through claims. Most agents have "draft authority" to handle small dollar amount claims but a lot of smaller agents are too lazy or fearful to do it, so they report it to claims. ASK YOUR AGENT. Of course if you call the carrier direct (ie GEICO) to buy insurance, you do not have this option and you get what you get and don't get upset.

If I had a roadside assistance claim and it was coded "at fault" you'd best believe I'd file an insurance department complaint, and would probably win. If I were auditing a roadside claim that was coded "at fault" I'd have that changed.

[don6170]

Originally Posted by twingles

Don't know the author's background, but I've handled claims for 30 years with several major carriers, now audit closed claims, and that's complete BS.

Why don't you let him know directly? Maybe he will have you on the podcast to discuss it.
https://clark.com/clarkstinks/