I went and looked up the terms of towing service for my local Carolinas AAA, but I imagine it's largely the same for other areas. Here's what it says -
Towing Service
When your vehicle cannot be safely driven after attempting any of the listed emergency services herein, you will be given three (3) towing options:
Option 1: You may be towed to a AAA Carolinas owned and operated AAA Car Care facility, within 10 miles, or to the AAA contractor’s station that responded to your call at no charge. When a AAA Contracted Road Service Provider tows a member back to their location and the car is towed away from the Road Service Provider’s facility, over mileage for the original tow and storage fees may apply. If service is not performed at the AAA Car Care facility and vehicle is towed to another location, over-mileage costs will be incurred.
Option 2: You may be towed to a destination you select within the first three (3) miles of the disablement (at no charge). Plus and Plus/RV Members receive up to 100 miles free towing. Premier and Premier/RV Members receive one 200 mile tow a year with each additional tow covered up to 100 miles.
Option 3: You may be towed to a destination you select that is beyond the mileage coverage for your service level at the rate of $4.00 per mile. (Basic up to 3 miles, Plus & Plus/RV up to 100 miles, and Premier & Premier/RV up to 200 miles once, and 100 miles for all other calls).
In an effort to provide a safe, quality environment for our members and providers, large trucks and some multi-passenger vehicles, including but not limited to: F-350s, F-450s, motorcycles, dual-wheel trucks, Hummers and vehicles extending past the rollback bed, must have Plus/RV or Premier/RV coverage or they will not be covered by AAA Carolinas. In combination with the total weight and type of the tow vehicle, these restrictions are required as different equipment is needed to provide service. This restriction is based on: the weight of the vehicle being towed, weight distribution of the vehicle being towed and weight loads on the axle of the tow vehicle, and safety based on Department of Transportation guidelines. Note: The final decision to provide service to a vehicle safely is left to the discretion of the AAA Contracted Road Service Provider.
In instances where your vehicle is disabled while towing a trailer, service may be provided for the trailer at your expense and will be payable to the service facility at the time of service. Plus/RV and Premier/RV service extends coverage to include travel trailers with sleeping accommodations used for the purpose of camping. You may not use more than one service call per breakdown. Vehicles that have been modified by the owner risk possible damage when towed or serviced. AAA Carolinas reserves the right to refuse the tow or service on the grounds of safety and liability. If service is provided, the owner assumes responsibility for any damages not caused by the operator’s negligence. Premier’s 200 mile tow is not extended to vehicles requiring RV coverage. Charges for flatbed service requested by members, when not required by the AAA Towing manual, will be passed on to the member. The responding tow truck will have room for up to two passengers. AAA can assist in locating taxi service at the member’s expense to transport additional passengers. The final decision to provide service to a vehicle safely is left to the discretion of the AAA Contracted Road Service Provider.
Sounds like AAA gives a lot of power to independent towing shops and this guy used that to his advantage to extort you while hiding behind AAA.
