Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 09, 1999 11:37pm | #1

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   I found that adding a Towing and Labor endorsement to my vehicle insurance was the cheapest way to go; and it saved dealing with multiple companies.

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   Guest_ | Apr 13, 1999 10:26pm | #2

   *SuzieQ: When I used my California AAA card in MI 12 years ago, it only covered the hook-up and the first 10 miles. That left 70 miles at $1.50/mile for me to pay (fortunate I wasn't in a city where towing is $5/mile). I was in a Volkswagen which, in Michigan, is an exotic car. So I had to get towed halfway across UP to Marquette. But the towtruck driver told me that he kept towing/jumping someone who had an out-of-state (AZ? NM?) AAA-premium card or AAA Gold card or some such. The local AAA billed the out-of-state club and asked, on the 5th or 6th use, if they minded that the guy was using his card so much. They didn't.Some rental car companies have contracts with one of the roadside assistance networks, I'd assume they'd take on a 5-vehicle fleet. Sounds like the fleet isn't very reliable. Are the problems operator error (out of gas, dead battery, lockout)? Would seem reasonable to split those costs with the employee who screwed up - after one free warning. There are fixs for some of those as well. Spare can of gas and an Arkansas credit card. A buzzer if the lights are left on. A hide-a-key on the vehicle or in the pocket of an on-site co-worker. Also have some responsible person (yourself?) check oil, belts, running lights on a regular schedule. Because if it gets to the job-site and McDonald's each day, the workers won't check anything. -David

2. 
   SusieQ_ | Apr 14, 1999 10:29pm | #3

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   Fred and David thanks, It was mostly flat tires, just got to love these Michigan roads, I personally had 2 blow outs in a 2 hour period.
   David the vehicles are in fairly decent condition and the guys get regular oil changes ect.

   I did call a different insurance broker and he is going to give me Fleet insurance and save me over 1,000 bucks to boot. Our vehicles get a lot of miles on them, I bought a car 2 months ago and have piled on 9 thousand miles.

   Dave sounds like you are in business too?? Ahh aint life grand??

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 15, 1999 03:32am | #4

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   Those gold cards are nice, but your only allowed two tows a year. I've used my two for the last three years running. It's great, I live 55 miles from work, and that's usually where it breaks. They come, pick me up, and I make them tow me to my local car fixin' guy. The drivera always comments that I'm getting my moneies worth!

   Blue

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   Guest_ | Apr 15, 1999 11:12am | #5

   *Sue: My day job is as an environmental engineer. During the gravy days in the late 80's/early 90's we could charge our clients for vehicle use. Like $75/day PLUS $0.50/mile for a E-150 with a couple of pumps and tools in it. The office manager bragged about how each company truck earned as much profit as 3 geologists. That didn't help the morale of the geologists. Had a technician bill 53,000 legitimate miles on his personal vehicle one year. The resulting $17,000 in expense checks more than doubled his take home, seeing as how it's not taxed. He got a company truck the next year. -David

4. 
   SuzieQusie | Apr 15, 1999 11:12am | #6

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   Hi! Hope you guys don't mind a women butting in? I was left with a Small Business. Burgular Alarm, Access Control, sliding gates, cameras CCTV.
   I need some kind of Vehicle insurance that covers towing, I am presently with AAA, one of the guys broke down last night and it cost $216. to tow him home.
   Is there such a thing as fleet insurance? We have 2 vans, a truck and 2 cars. Does that qualify? The guys are all over lower MI. They have jobs in Ohio and IL occasionally. I had the gold AAA card when they would have a problem, I would take them another vehicle and stay and handle the towing, naturally I got cancelled. If you have any ideas I'd be gratefull. Thank's Sue