I have my auto and home insurance through USAA.

of the service call. There's nothing to pay at the time of service, either -- it's included in your policy premium.

If you've ever served in the military, or had a parent who did, or your ex-spouse had USAA, you qualify for membership.

As an additional benefit, USAA sends out a check (mine is about $200) each year as a membership distribution. If you're 65 or older you get an additional check in the spring.

One thing I just learned. When providing the annual mileage, it costs a lot less if you don't overestimate the miles. For example, since I retired the number of miles I drive each year has been a third of what it was when I was commuting in L.A. When I adjusted the policy to the more realistic number, my premiums dropped significantly. This was suggested by the customer service person. Not working on commission makes a difference.

...Such as Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, etc. offer road side service at the fraction of the cost of AAA. With that said, its a pain in the ass to use. Get a tow, pay through the nose, submit a claim....then they send the check to the Tow Company after you already paid them, get on the phone, explain the situation, they cancel the check, then send you a check for the cost of the Tow. So in about six months, you get your $300 back.

I've decided to stay with AAA. Of course, circumstances vary, the hassle of getting reimbursed may be worth it to you for more convenience. Add to that, AAA often gets me discounts on certain travel expenses, and I like to travel.

I broke down years ago out in the middle of nowhere. The tow guy came over 50 miles to get me. Took well over an hour. I think they must have contacted him while he was on the road. He was a nice guy and was willing to tow me the rest of the way home but that was another 20 miles or so. As it turned out he didn’t have enough gas to do that and get back to town. The little rural “town” I was living had no businesses, including a real gas station. But they had one of those card-lock places for farmers so went over there and I gassed up his truck for him. Anyway, I have both AAA and good insurance nowadays though I can’t remember the last time I used the towing coverage.

I'm very sorry this is a problem for you.

I've had AAA for decades now, and every few years I need them. In my case, I've never been where they can't help me.

Several years ago, the last time I needed them, I got a flat tire on a Sunday morning just outside Boise City, OK. Oh, great, I thought. Sunday morning. The Bible Belt. Well, a triple A tow truck showed up, changed my tire, but said he knew the guy who owned the tire store in town. Called him. The tire store guy happily opened up and sold me a new tire. The donut spare went back into my truck and I resumed my drive. (I was on my way from New Mexico to Nebraska)

I can't imagine how I'd feel (a woman now age 70) if I had to wait for hours, especially in the dark. The only thing that comes to mind is to perhaps contact local police or sheriff departments in the areas you're travelling through, and see if they know who you should use.

I sincerely hope you figure this out soon.

But then we travel quite a bit.

It is very reasonable. Check it out.

for around 15 years and then my car battery kept having problems and dying on me and I called the tow service to charge me too many times. State Farm woman called me and was so abrupt and callous. Says I have used the emergency service too many times and there is no way they will continue supporting it and are dropping it. She was so rude. Nothing about, maybe you should use it less, or here is a warning. And this was after using them 15 years with absolutely 0 use of them up until the past year with battery problems.