Winter is one of our busiest times at AAA. We appreciate your business and look forward to helping you stay safe on the road. Here are a few tips to help us deliver the best service we can, as quickly and efficiently as possible. While this may seem like a lot of information to request at a stressful time, it helps us send the correct assistance & minimizes delay.
If You Need a Jump Start:
• Tell our call taker when you last started your car and what you hear when you try to start the car, such as a single click, many clicks or a cranking sound, as if the engine is trying to start.
When You Get a Flat Tire:
• Let us know which tire is flat and if you have a spare or donut in good condition.
• You must provide any special keys or wrenches needed to release the lug nuts.
If You Need a Tow:
• Tell us if you have an idea what is wrong with your vehicle.
• Tell us if there is any damage to your vehicle and where the damage is.
• Let us know if your vehicle has front-, rear-, all- or four-wheel drive.
• Let us know where you would like your vehicle towed.
• If you break down on the NYS Thruway, towing is covered. However, towing services are provided by the thruway’s towing contractors. Some contractors will accept your AAA card as payment, but others will ask you to pay them. In this situation, you can submit a reimbursement form to us. Mileage covered is based on your membership plan. You can download the form online or call us at (518) 426-1000 and we will mail or email you a copy.
Services Your AAA Membership Does Not Cover:
• We do not tow to salvage yards and do not tow any vehicle that is not registered or does not have valid license plates.
• We can’t deliver spare tires.
• Your car needs to be clear of snow, including when your car is in a parking lot or driveway.
• Some services and towing mileage vary based on your AAA membership plan. See your membership handbook for full details regarding what your membership covers. Download a membership handbook now or pick up a printed copy at any AAA Hudson Valley office.
Requesting Road Service
• For service, call (518) 426-1000, use the online request form or request a service call using the AAA Mobile app. Download the free app now from the iTunes Store or Google Play.
• Have your membership number ready. It’s best to keep your membership card in your wallet or add the key tag to your key ring, so it’s there when you need it. Our call takers will need to check that your membership is current before we send a service truck to your location.
• Know the location of your car. We’ll need an address, name of a business or store that you are near, or a street and cross street. This helps our driver find you and your car.
• Provide the color, make, model and year of your vehicle. This information will also be given to our driver to help locate you and your car.
• Remember that your membership covers you, not your car. You’ll need to be with the disabled vehicle when the driver arrives, and your identification may be requested.
• Give us a phone number to contact you. Cellphone numbers are great so we can update you on the service truck’s anticipated arrival time. We also will call if we have any trouble locating your vehicle. Plus, our service tracker tool allows you to see our driver’s whereabouts in real time.
For road service questions, call us at (518) 426-1000.
This blog was originally published in the January/February 2018 edition of AAA Home & Away magazine.
