Your car just died. You have a AAA card somewhere in your wallet, a local tow company’s magnet on the fridge and a phone at 12% battery. Who do you call?
Honest answer: it depends. And yes, a local tow company is about to give you a fair comparison. We are as surprised as you are.
Short answer: If you have a roadside plan like AAA or coverage through your insurance, it can be the cheaper choice for short tows and simple fixes within your plan’s limits. A local towing company makes more sense when you have no membership, need a tow longer than your limit, drive a heavy or commercial vehicle, or want one direct call with the price quoted upfront.
How AAA Roadside Assistance Works
AAA is a membership club. You pay a yearly fee and get a set number of service calls, plus towing up to a mileage limit that depends on your plan. Entry-level plans usually include a short tow, often around 5 miles, while higher tiers can cover 100 miles or more. Calls are often handled by local service providers working with the club.
If a tow goes past your limit, you usually pay a per-mile fee for the extra distance. Limits and prices vary by club and region, so check your own plan. Here is one AAA club’s explanation of towing limits.
How Calling a Local Towing Company Works
No membership, no annual fee. You call, describe the problem and get a price for that one job. With Time Strike, most roadside calls cost $65 to $95, and local car tows start with an $85 to $125 hook-up fee plus $3 to $5 per mile.
You also know exactly who is coming: the company you called.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roadside membership (like AAA) | Local towing company | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Annual membership fee | None |
| Cost per call | Covered within plan limits | Pay per job, quoted upfront |
| Tow distance | Limited by plan tier | As far as you need, priced by the mile |
| Service calls per year | A set number | No limit, pay per call |
| Commercial trucks | Usually not covered | Heavy-duty towing, quoted by phone |
| Who shows up | Often a local provider working with the club | The company you called |
Neither option is wrong. They are built for different situations.
When a Roadside Membership Makes Sense
- You drive a lot, especially long distances
- Your car is older and more likely to need help
- You want one plan that covers several drivers in your family
- You use the other member perks, like travel discounts
When Calling a Local Company Makes Sense
- You do not have a membership, or it quietly lapsed (it happens to the best of us)
- You need a tow longer than your plan covers
- You drive a heavy-duty truck, a commercial vehicle or something with a load
- You have already used your service calls for the year
- You want one direct call with the price confirmed before the truck rolls
Does Car Insurance Cover Roadside Assistance?
Many auto insurers offer roadside or towing coverage as an optional add-on, and some credit cards and new-car warranties include roadside help too. Coverage, limits and how you file vary a lot. Some plans dispatch a provider for you, while others reimburse you after you pay.
Check your insurance app or policy before you need it, and always ask for an itemized receipt. If you pay a local company directly, you can usually submit that receipt for reimbursement if your policy allows it.
The Smart Move: Save Both Numbers
Plenty of drivers keep their membership card and a local number. Your phone has room for both. It already holds a few thousand photos of your lunch.
If you are in Canton or Cherokee County and need help now, or need more than your plan covers, call Time Strike at (470) 227-8963.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AAA cheaper than calling a tow company?
It can be if you use it, since service calls are covered within your plan’s limits. If you rarely need help, paying per call may cost less than a yearly membership. Compare your plan’s fee with what a typical call costs.
How far will AAA tow my car?
It depends on your plan and your club. Entry-level plans usually cover a short tow, and higher tiers cover longer distances. Check your membership details.
Can I call a local tow company if I have AAA?
Yes. You can call any company you like. A direct call is billed by that company, and whether your plan reimburses it depends on your plan’s rules.
Does car insurance cover towing?
Many policies offer towing or roadside coverage as an add-on. Check your policy, and keep an itemized receipt in case you need to file for reimbursement.
Do I need a membership to use Time Strike?
No. There is no membership. You call, we quote the job, and you pay only for that service.
Need Help in Canton, GA?
Time Strike Towing & Roadside provides 24/7 roadside assistance across Canton and the surrounding Cherokee County area, 24 hours a day. We give you an honest quote before we dispatch.
Related services: Car Towing and Heavy-Duty Towing. See all towing and roadside services or our service areas.