Thursday 28 November 2013

The Importance of CAA Roadside Assistance During The Winter Months ~ #CAASCO

Over the years we have gone through so many cars and each car has it own horror story I could share.  We try to maintain the car regularly by shelling out big bucks but we continue to have issues that make us wish we had CAA.  CAA Roadside Assistance could have saved us a lot of grief and stress.  We were not as smart as my Mother In Law for she had been a CAA member for years.




I could name a handful of horror stories that we knew CAA could have helped us with.  We have had a few car accidents and even when the car would not even start situations.  One of the worst case scenarios was my husband and I were out with my two girls and we were on our way home when we decided to make a quick stop to pick up some supplies.  We parked the car and when we tried to start it again to drive home, nothing happened.  Nothing.  It was dead silent.  We had no idea who to call since we were across the city.  We called around and found someone who would tow us across town to our usual mechanic.  You would not believe the price tag of the service.  It was approximately $300+.  If we signed up for CAA we could have used their towing services and saved us a lot of stress and money.

Another scenario which happened which I found was a bit fishy is when our car died on a red light one early morning.  A tow truck just appeared.  I guess they wait at the popular intersections until someone needs help.  He towed the car to a no name mechanic, which is a few streets away from our usual mechanic.  He would not tow us to our usual mechanic because he gave us some poor excuse.  I bet he made a deal with the no name because he gets a cut from the work that was done to the car.

My Mother In Law joined CAA once she started driving.  I am glad she did join after hearing so many of her horror stories like flat tires, car not starting because she left it running, left her keys in the car one too many times, and even car accidents.  She was usually alone when she is out driving so if she was caught in a situation, she does not need to panic.  She just calls CAA.

Winter driving is now around the corner and that means possibility of accidents, getting stuck, or even the car not starting.  Who wants that in the middle of winter?  Don't think that just installing winter tires would be enough.  Anything could happen because the vehicle could lose control on black ice (nasty stuff) so having roadside assistance would come in handy if you find yourself off the road or getting a flat tire.  If I was driving in the middle of winter I don't think I could change the tire even if I was an expert.  We have harsh winters in Canada so even if I feel I could change the tire, there is also a possibility the vehicle's components might fail and I could make it worse than it should be.  I could stay safe and warm in the car and wait for help instead of battling the bitter cold and try to change the tire myself.  I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

If you are a new driver, new to the neigbourhood, or in need of a new mechanic and not sure where to get your vehicle serviced or inspected.  CAA can point you to the right direction with a list of CAA Approved Auto Repair Facilities.  There are too many shady and over priced mechanics that makes a fortune off innocent hard working people.

Becoming a CAA Member gets you access to towing services, battery replacement, flat tire service, emergency fuel & delivery, lockout services and even Member-exclusive savings and rewards. Roadside Assistance from CAA is available 24/7*, 365 days a year.  Yes, they are open on Christmas Day, New Years, and even 2 am in the morning, so you can be safe to know they are always there to help when you need them.  CAA is affordable because the Basic Memberships start at just $69**.  A small fee each year to ease some stress during difficult times.

Not only does becoming a CAA Member helps you on the road but also gives you exclusive access to savings and discounts opportunity at many of your favourite retailers.  That is great news when you can save on holiday shopping at places like PayLess Shoes, the Banana Republic Factory Store and GAP Factory Store.  I could save quite a bit since I love going to those stores all year round.

CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club which also offers travel deals, home insurance, travel insurance and auto insurance. There are more than 1.9 million CAA members in South Central Ontario and over 5.9 million members in Canada.

* Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Please see Terms & Conditions for coverage details.
** Plus HST


Disclaimer -  I received compensation for this post.  All opinions are my own.  Events mentioned are true.

107 comments:

  1. I always forget that CAA gives you shopping discounts. Thanks for the reminder.

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  2. I have been accumulating Petro points to cash in for a CAA membership. I think it is great idea even just for peace of mind and it will cost me $0.00. Going to try to make this my goal every year now that I am aware of it. Plus... Shopping discounts? HELLO! I am IN!

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    1. I didnt know you can convert Petro points to CAA membership. Great to know!

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  3. I like the CAA a lot, they are dependable and always ready to help when needed. I'm not a member now but am contemplating returning to the fold :-)

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  4. We've been talking about getting a CAA membership for awhile now but our problem is procrastination.

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  5. Elizabeth Friesen (@emfriesen)30 November 2013 at 19:26

    CAA provides a number of very helpful services. Roadside assistance is just one of them!!! :D

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  6. Good thing to have when your in a bind !

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  7. Towing is always good to have!

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  8. always be ahead of the game -- caa is great for drivers

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  9. I like the security of having CAA membership! I have definitely had to use them in the past!

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  10. caa rocks have been using them for years

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  11. I've already commented here once and now I have to again for the contest :-). I like the CAA a lot, they are dependable and always ready to help when needed. I'm not a member now but am contemplating returning to the fold.

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  12. very good tips - thanks!

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  13. we always have Caa to afraid to travel far without it.

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  14. Its great what they offer, and so handy to have. My grandparents have CAA and they wouldn't drive without it

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  15. I've been a member for years and used the emergency service once or twice!

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  16. I've had CAA for a few years now, just the basic in case I ever run out of gas, need a boost or get a flat. I've used it for each of these occasions so far! I just recently discovered the shopping discounts & am excited to see that I can get a discount on our Christmas Staycation hotel booking!

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  17. Great post! I can't tell you how many times I have locked my keys in the car or gotten stuck in the Winter time! After one too many times, we got CAA. You're 100% right.. better safe than sorry!!

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  18. I swear by CAA. Just one service call pays for itself. It's nice having that reassurance while on the road.
    (Debbie W)

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  19. I have no choice but to comment again it appears, oh well here we go then. I do like the CAA a lot, they are very dependable and always ready to help when needed. I'm not a member now but I once was and am contemplating becoming a member again.

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  20. Shopping Discounts - Safe and Secure - Need I say more?

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  21. Great info, I've got to start using my CAA membership more.

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  22. We have CAA and it has come in very handy.

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  23. The tow truck that just appeared, was it from CAA? Or just a random tow truck?

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  24. been a member of CAA for years, but now our cars come with roadside assistance, do we need two agencies.. decision to be made

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  25. I think that this would make a great Christmas gift for anyone that does not have it, just being locked out of your car one time will pay for the price of coverage!

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  26. Great to have this time of year or anytime of the year , you never know when you might need them !

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  27. It's worth it to be prepared. Especially here, in NW Ontario. You wouldn't want to be stuck without help in -31 temps!!

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  28. I have had caa since I stared driving, and give it as gifts to new drivers,, its the best feeling to know that there is no cost when a tow truck is needed,, or a battery boost,,, @pattygeorge2009

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  29. Collect petro points all year long for FREE membership

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  30. uhhh being stranded in frozen temps? no thanks! :)

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  31. It's a very good thing to have. Our daughter has it and it makes us feel better about her traveling so often by herself.

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  32. I need to learn to drive again (lived in the UK for a long time, so need to get license again). And I'm dreading it. I definitely wouldn't drive in Canadian winters withouth CAA.

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  33. I've been a member since I started driving. It has come in handy so many times! I often forget about the discounts though.

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  34. I just found out how much it costs and I think 69 a year is very good so I am signing up on monday

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  35. I have the BCAA roadside assistance already.

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  36. Many accidents. be prepared!!!!!!!

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  37. I wouldnt leave home without CAA!

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  38. Nice posting, Thanks for sharing this useful and informative tips..
    Roadside Assistance Services

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  39. We have been members for years, but I must say, I have learned things reading this blog

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  40. We are members for a long time now and have had to call for assistance more than a few times. Thanks for an excellent posting.

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  41. I love CAA it has helped me out at times. It has towed my car to a garage, it has changed 2 flat tires and it even unlocked my car when I locked the keys in the car

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  42. Commenting for the contest, just got CAA again thru the petro points

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  43. oh my goodness... last Tuesday, snowy yucky day, and my battery dies during evening rush hour on a main thoroughfare!! I shut down all traffic through the Coquitlam corridor. It's dark, dreary, and my 4 way flashers no longer work! I've visions of a massive car pileup on the highway - all my fault!! I could have called CAA - but I let it lapse. So I'm left paying for a tow truck - $110!! It would have been cheaper, quicker and safer to have had CAA! One word of advice? GET IT NOW!!

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  44. I didn't realize until reading this article that CAA does so much more than just towing your car. Battery replacement, flat tire service, emergency fuel & delivery, and lockout services are all services I have needed in the past.

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  45. having an older car it is important to have CAA

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  46. I like getting free travel maps from CAA. Really helpful in the US when I don't have ready access to cellphone data.

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  47. great info,, emergency car services r so important

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  48. I don't have CAA but I think I may look into it!

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  49. I have never thought twice about CAA but now that my sister borrows my car more, I might have to think about it! It's always nice to have reassurance

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  50. If I had a car I'd keep this in mind for sure :)

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  51. I just signed up for CAA a month back. invaluable for our climate

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  52. I have to renew my membership - I love their Game of Life as well!

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  53. I need to renew my membership too

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  54. I make it a point to faithfully renew my membership. OMG, with all the car problems we had last year, that membership paid for itself 2 times over.
    (Debbie W)

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  55. I would love to use CAA

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  56. i like how you get bonus points at Petro Canada when you register your CAA card

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  57. I am a firm believer in CAA as a recently i recently got a flat tire while driving in -40 weather.

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  58. I love the idea of shopping discounts!!

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  59. The discounts are great but it is good knowing we have the peace of mind when we travel.
    (Debbie W)

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  60. marla
    @marlibu

    WE have CAA and love it! theyt are there wen we need them the most

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  61. We could have used CAA the other day... We drove to my parents's farm, which is about 3.5 hours away, and ran out of gas during a long stretch where there are no gas stations. We had to call my older brother, who lives closer than my parents, and he had to rescue us!

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  62. We have CAA and they have never disappointed me! It's a must!

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  63. They are very dependable and like the shopping discounts

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  64. Very important to have especially with the weather this year.

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  65. i love CAA but i fell ill never need it. my car is always reliable and the winters here are pretty mild

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  66. CAA is awesome!

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  67. CAA has grown into an impressive organization that offers a lot of value in roadside assistance but also so much more for almost every aspect of life. Insurance, shopper discounts, travel planning and just lots of good advice you can't get anywhere else - without hunting a lot. I have roadside assistance provided with my car but am thinking about getting CAA anyway since it's got a more comprehensive package and it follows me around wherever I go so if a driver I'm with gets into trouble, my CAA will help us when needed.

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  68. I had CAA in the past and cancelled it when I got my new vehicle which came with a 3 year roadside assistance plane.

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  69. Definitely safer to sign up with CAA

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  70. I don't have CAA with my car, and I probably should get it as I commute 600+KM in a single trip to my boyfriend's place once or twice a week. Everyone I know who has CAA has used it for something - keys breaking off in doors, getting stuck in mud (VERY deep in the mud), timing belt going, car accident with other driver at fault (a tow to the garage was necessary!), etc, etc.

    With the current sign up bonus of an extra $10 gift card, and all the deductions I'd get from accumulated PC Points and Husky Rewards it's something I plan to do soon. I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it!

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  71. We have CAA which in BC is called BCAA:)

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  72. My husband kept telling me that we could not afford CAA. I have a much older car than his and it has issues. when I showed him everything CAA does for you he agreed very srongly that we could not afford to not have it..

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  73. With an older car, you absolutely need a CAA membership. The tow cost alone overrides the cost of a years membership.

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  74. We got CAA and a cell phone after we broke down in the middle of nowhere on our way home from college (literally a half hour away from anything) I never want to walk that far again!

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  75. Great post about the CAA. Great organization!

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  76. we have been a member for years!

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  77. I have heard so many people that have CAA and love their assistance that they provide. I do not have CAA but I do have my amazing husband! LOL

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  78. for a new driver, is it good to have CAA?

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  79. Only last year did my parents sign up for CAA. Best thing they could ever do. Within a week my mom spun out in the snow and wedged herself against a snow bank on a small off ramp. Someone had to call for her, since she did not have a cell phone. Now she has a phone too. Piece of mind.

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  80. Thanksfully I use more for Shopping, Hotel & Dining Discounts than emergency services!

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  81. Should send a pic...lol, I received in the mail cards that can be activated today. It's open in front of me... Maybe an omen?? lol

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  82. We plan on signing up with CAA. Have heard nothing but good things about them! This would of also came in handy when our Van wouldn't start up again after stoping for gas 4 blocks away from home and the towing was $80. :S

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  83. I needed 3 tows last year. It paid for itself a couple of times over
    (Debbie W)

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  84. CAA has come in very handy for a lot of my friends this past few weeks what with the ice storm in Toronto, and dipping temperatures basically everywhere!

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  85. I am so happy I have CAA because in the winter being stck with your kids or family members is not good as it is so cold out

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  86. I have just read the post above and think it is the best item ever to support all drivers to join CAA. I know from Consumers Reports on TV and from personal knowledge from other people 's problems that drivers are at the mercy of mechanics and other people in the car towing business. As you have found out, these people seem to be looking more towards their own welfare than yours. Thank you for giving us such a detailed account of the merits of joining CAA.

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  87. I've only heard good things about this program from friends.

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  88. I have been with AMA (provincial CAA) since 1991...great move!

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  89. I love CAA they keep you mind free and if you have a problem they will be there to help you.

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  90. There have been times I sorely wished I had CAA.

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  91. Wow, I let my membership lapse, but I think I better get it.

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  92. CAA is very important!

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  93. Oh wow...didn't know a lot of this ~ thanx! Am sure to let the hubby know!

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  94. my dad and brothers have always had CAA! something that my husband and I should really look into because it has come in handy for my dad many times

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  95. It is awesome having CAA as security.I locked my car keys in the car at Walmart and they came straight to my rescue.Otherwise |I really don't know what I would have done.

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  96. We have BCAA and I know that Hubby is happy with the peace of mind it offers...

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