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Tuesday, January 19th
You know a company is different when it says "My Auto Club is kicking asphalt. And yours?" Better World Club's tagline is "America's only eco-friendly auto club", and the "green" focus of this A-rated, BBB-accredited business is evident throughout their roadside assistance membership plans.
Customers with hybrid vehicles can get a discount of 10%, while drivers of one of their list of ten worst gas-guzzling cars will pay extra fees of 20%. Also, 1% of all revenues goes to environmental advocacy and clean-up efforts. Their site emphasizes not being a part of what they call "the Highway Lobby"; instead, Better World Club supports funding and development of bike lanes and mass transit, along with broad enforcement of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.
Their roadside assistance coverage closely mirrors what other major providers offer: a towing radius of only 5 miles on the Basic plan and 100 miles with Premium coverage; four covered service calls per year; similar bail bond, trip interruption, and legal fee reimbursement coverage to more well-known companies.
Additionally, Better World Club allows members to add comprehensive roadside coverage for bicycles for $17 per year; member testimonials both on BWC's site and independently posted on social networking sites indicate that their service is reliable and cost-effective for both two-wheeled and four-wheeled transportation, with a response time that averages an impressive 38 minutes. Coverage is limited to the 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with Mexico as a notable exclusion that is included with some other plans.
Plan costs start at $57.95 for Basic memberships and $92.95 for Premium, with additional family members covered for an additional $35 to $49 per person. This is significantly more expensive than most other providers; however, if members are switching from AAA, Better World Club will waive their sign-up fees. Also, even without a membership in AAA, customers can call Better World Club and ask for a price match of their local AAA's membership fees.
Better World Club has a generous cancellation policy: a full refund within 30 days of enrollment, or a prorated refund after the first month. This provider does reserve the right to cancel membership due to unusual frequency of claims.
Better World Club's plans give customers the opportunity to be more environmentally-friendly while protecting themselves against unforeseen events on the road. We like their refund policy, their ample coverage for bicyclists, and their commitment to a "green" lifestyle, but we'd like to see more reasonable membership costs.
Whether on a cross-country road trip or a quick errand across town, it's never a good time for a vehicle to break down. With a Roadside Assistance plan, drivers have protection against the inconvenience and danger of being stranded by the side of the road and can trust that help will be on the way.
While motor clubs used to be the only way to access these protection plans, today there is a wide range of Roadside Assistance plans from which to choose, from credit card providers to insurance companies. Plans can include flat-tire changing, fuel or coolant delivery, help with stuck vehicles, and some even offer financial help with legal defense in the event of a speeding ticket!
Some plans also tie the coverage to specific vehicles, while others allow the covered member (and often the other drivers in the household) to receive roadside service regardless of the vehicle. The latter can be particularly useful if a covered member is riding in a car belonging to another driver when a breakdown occurs, as the coverage will be extended to servicing that vehicle.
If you're shopping for a reputable provider of Roadside Assistance, you should consider the following.
TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best Roadside Assistance providers available today. We hope this information helps you find the right roadside assistance plan for you and your family!
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