[karan230]

Hey guys,

I'd really appreciate if I could get some input from you all about a dispute that I filed with AAA Roadside Assistance.

Here's what happend...

-I was driving on the on freeway and I my left-rear tire blew-out.
-Pulled over and called AAA RSA
-The roadside assistant came and started installing the spare, which isn't full-size and reqires it's own set of bolts
-I could only find 2 out 5 bolts

*I'm the second owner of this car. I've never had a flat before with this car, nor did I know it required a different set of bolts for the spare, prior to this occurance*

-I asked the roadside assistant what I could do at this point
-He suggested that installing the normal bolts (that go on my AMG wheels) would be a better idea than driving like this
-He went ahead and finished installing the spare
-He even suggested that I could drive home using city-streets

*I was pulled over on the 57 South before Katella Ave and I needed to get home in Ladera Ranch (South OC, 25 miles away)*

-I didn't feel comfortable doing that so I told him to call a flat-bed truck and have my car towed home.
-He said okay and told me to drive my car off the freeway into a parking lot
-So I drove off, as suggested
-The car didn't drive right at all. It was making noises as if something was hitting the rear-end and was hesitating to move.
-The next day, I took my car to the tire shop. They told me the roadside assistant should've never even installed the normal lugs on the spare because they were too long and clipping braking system.

*I had the car towed back home because I wanted AAA to deal with this*

-I called AAA and filed the claim with their Roadside Assistance Dept.

I followed up today and spoke with the adjuster. He said the shop will take responsibility and get it fixed. The problem I'm having is that the towing company wants to fix it at their shop, which they own. The adjuster told me the mechanics are ASE certified, etc. I did not feel comfortable with this because the same people who screwed up my car want to fix it. Then I told the adjuster that I wanted to either take my car to my personal mechanic or the dealer, who I trust. The adjuster said that the shop would be saving money if they did at their own facility and would certify their work. Now I'm thinking, I don't care if they want to save money or not, it's not my problem. My car is damaged, I should have a choice of getting it fixed where I feel most comfortable and not worry about some place where they just want to save money.

I had the above convo with the adjuster today and he kept on pushing for their own shop. I didn't budge. So he finaly told me he would talk to the towing company to see what they say about paying the bill to get my car fixed at the dealer.

I didn't get a call back from him today and I'm pretty sure he's going to call me back tomorrow or I'll definitely call him.

I wanted to ask you guys if I'm doing the right thing? And also what should I do if he keeps pushing to get my car fixed at their shop?

My biggest concern is that I don't want their shop to cut corners to save money or I don't want them to misdiagnose the issue and not tell me about it. I'll even be comfortable with getting the car observed by the dealer to see what the damage is and then have the towing company fix it at their facility if they can do it.



Let me know what you think, guys.

Thanks.

-K

[PshhhhhMW]

i'm thinking maybe you can call your insurance company and ask them if you can file a claim against the tow company. sorry for the trouble bro. hope everything turns out ok.

[simpleE92]

ur car, they messed up, they fix it untill its back to they way it was before they messed it up, and i belive and feel that if u want it at ur shop u get it at ur shop. fight it dont let anyone work on ur car if u dont want them working on ur car.

[evoi19]

AAA should allow you to pick any shop you want your car to be fixed. It doesn't have to be at any specific shop.

You're doing the right thing by standing your ground. Afterall it's your car and you have a choice in what to do. I wouldn't let that shop touch my car either.

[kitw]

it sounds like you don't know exactly what is wrong with the car. What I would do is not agree to settle until you get the car checked out by a dealership or a personal mechanic that you trust. Depending on exactly what is wrong, it may change your strategy for getting it fixed.

It's very possible that no permanent damage was done. What happened sucked, but you gotta look at the actual damages before. The lug bolts may just have bonked the brake caliper a bit and not done any permanent damage, or they could have some something serious. I wouldn't be afraid if you knew what was wrong, but it sounds like you don't, and that would be the first step I would take.

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by evo119

AAA should allow you to pick any shop you want your car to be fixed. It doesn't have to be at any specific shop.

You're doing the right thing by standing your ground. Afterall it's your car and you have a choice in what to do. I wouldn't let that shop touch my car either.

+1

[Chowbow]

Don't let them force you to take it to their preferred shop, or the towing company's shop. In fact, what they are doing can be considered illegal "steering" and making the consumer believe that they are only covered if they go to a specific shop. BY CA LAW, you can take your car to any certified repair facility and they will have to foot the bill if they are assuming responsibility. Stand firm on that and tell them that your car will be fixed at your preferred repair facility.

If they keep fighting you, call your own insurance company and explain the situation and have them fight for you instead. In fact, it may not be a bad idea to let them know of the situation sooner than later... if you think it's wise to do so.

Don't let the adjuster pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. It is your car and they are claiming responsibility, and you have the legal right to take it to where you choose. For this kind of mechanical stuff it's not a bad idea to take it to the dealer and have them take care of it. Sounds like the lugs protruded past the hub and was smashing up against other components in the wheel hub. Should be a pretty straight forward and localized fix, just make sure it's done right so I would recommend dealer for this one since you're not footing the bill.

Good luck...

[karan230]

^ thanks, guys. this is just the reassurance i needed.

[greentea335i]

no matter what happen i will always call for flatbed...
esp slk amg.. omg

[Synergy]