That's kinda what I figured as far as carrying passengers.  I guess I was
looking for anectdotal evidence, so thanks for the replies.

USAA has been great for around-town stuff; I've never had to use them (knock
on wood) while on the road.  They cover towing costs up to $75, last time I
checked, and there are other benefits comparable to AAA.  They've towed a
Vanagon and a Scirocco for me in the past.  The towtruck arrived quickly
both times,  and the USAA reps were courteous on the phone, which is
actually quite a treat in this age of crappy customer service...

And as far as insurance goes, the two times I've filed claims with them
(wife wrecked the 4Runner, and a break-in) they were excellent.  The guy who
fixed the 4Runner interior after the break-in said, "don't ever change your
insurance, these guys are the best."

And, they let me register the Vanagon as a "pleasure vehicle" which is about
as right-on as I can imagine.

Joe T.

>From: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM>
>Reply-To: Anthony Egeln <regnsuzanne@YAHOO.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Death Valley
>Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2007 06:30:40 -0800
>
>I don't know for sure, but I suspect this has something to do with the tow
>company's liability insurance, and perhaps not AAA directly.  I 've had
>myself, wife and/or assorted kids ride with a AAA contracted drivers on
>several occasions.  I've been very happy with AAA.
>   I have USAA also, but know nothing about their roadside assistance
>program.  How is that?
>Anthony
>"89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)
>
>
>joe trussell <vanagongl@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote: Speaking of AAA,
>
>My friends whose Eurovan broke down in the middle of nowhere last month
>have
>AAA, and they were surprised by the fact that the tow truck driver was
>willing to tow the Eurovan and take Jeff (the driver), but refused to give
>his wife or their five year-old daughter and two year-old son a ride.
>
>He told them to call a sheriff's deputy for a ride.
>
>Jeff was able to talk the tow truck driver into staying with them until the
>deputy arrived.
>
>Does anybody know if this is AAA policy?  I'm torn.  I have Roadside
>Assistance through USAA but had considered swapping it for AAA.
>
>Joe T.
>
>
> >From: Tom Buese
> >Reply-To: Tom Buese
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Death Valley
> >Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:02:03 -0700
> >
> >YMMV w/ AAA etc. depending on the driver/tow co./AAA dispatcher, etc.
> >but I have never had to quibble w/ any of them on these issues & in
> >fact I have learned how to use the system from the drivers themselves!
> >
> >The drivers/Tow Cos. get paid by AAA so, they want to help you get
> >around the system & allow you to use AAA to pay the Tow Cos. as much
> >as they can get?
> >
> >At first we had one AAA card for the whole family, but eventually AAA
> >said that they could only tow a car if the cardholder was w/ the
> >vehicle.  So I got cards for all family members at about $20/yr. each
> >extra.  That gave us 16 vehicle responses a year between us!  Never
> >used that many but did have my daughter one year use 8 including 4 in
> >one day & it cost moi an extra $135 for the 4 extra tow jobs!  At
> >that point, I had a dad/daughter talk about using the card, &
> >eventually she solved the issue by buying a newer car!
> >
> >I know that AAA will not come & get any of my non operational buses &
> >tow them to a shop, so if I need to have that done, I have to have
> >the bus look like it runs, but suddenly broke down in the driveway or
> >something similar!  Actually, when I needed to get my 65 westy from
> >our old house to our new, I had to pay to have it towed, but that was
> >only $35.
> >
> >The other advantage of Cos. like AAA is that you can delete/not buy
> >the towing option in your auto insurance policy, which is usually
> >about $25/yr/vehicle, & when you do need a tow job, gas, jump start,
> >or are locked out, you simply cal the AAA 800 number, they figure out
> >the nearest tow co., etc. & get you what you need, w/ only your
> >signature.  W/ your insurance tow options, you have to find a tow co.
> >yourself, pay them, & then get reimbursed by your insurance co?
> >
> >FWIW,
> >
> >Tom B.-looking for a truck & a tow job?
> >
> >
> >......................
> >
> >My last "adventure" of this ilk raised this question. There was a
> >shop about
> >12 miles away that supposedly worked on Vanagon's. I asked them to
> >call the
> >shop and ask them if they worked on Vanagon's with TIICO engines in
> >them. My
> >insurance co. called me back in 10 minutes and asked me where I
> >WANTED my
> >van towed as their shop did not know anything about this combination.
> >The
> >shop I wanted it towed was about 75 miles and that's where it was
> >towed and
> >my policy paid. I was impressed that the ins. co. actually listened
> >to what
> >I was telling them, and that they checked it out.
> >..............
> >>I have had the Plus membership for many years...used it on a few
> >>occasions, both near and far, and have never been questioned as to
> >>where I want the vehicle delivered.  Perhaps the fine print of the
> >>contract is not the same as it is practiced in the real world....or
> >>read by the duty driver.
> >>................................
> >>
> >>I keep seeing this about AAA, and I am aware of their "Plus"
> >>membership
> >>which allows towing UP TO 100 miles, but that is the very reason I
> >>dropped
> >>AAA years ago. As stated to me by AAA, they would tow me 100 miles
> >>IF the
> >>only "qualified" repair shop were 100 miles away. If there happens
> >>to one 5
> >>miles away, that's where they're taking me unless I pay the
> >>difference. I
> >>think Good Sam's policy is the same, however Good Sam has never
> >>refused to
> >>take me where I wanted to go-which is home, and both times it was
> >>within
> >>100 miles, last time was about 85 miles though.
>
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