The Canadian Automobile Assistance, or CAA for short, is a non-profit organization that offers the best towing service and roadside assistance in the country. Together, CAA National and its eight clubs also ensure that the demands of Canadian citizens are met on issues such as consumer rights, new car advancements, and transportation.
Among these clubs is the CAA North & East Ontario (CAA NEO), whose goal is to improve the lives of its members by providing values, innovations, and top-notch customer support service.
With a network of more than 35,000 fully licensed road service cars or vans across Canada and the United States, the CAA is always available for members any time they require it.
So, whether you have a flat tire, are out of petrol, are locked out of your car, or are having trouble starting it, your CAA membership will always help you!
Can I call CAA without membership?
To get guaranteed 24/7 roadside assistance services like towing and all the excellent benefits that come with membership, you must be a CAA member.
A CAA membership also guarantees coverage for the member, but not for their car. This means that even in circumstances where a member is merely a passenger, they are covered as per the CAA insurance guidelines.
Friends, relatives, and family of a CAA member are required to have a current membership of their own to get emergency road assistance or other services. They can also be included as an associate member of an already existing CAA Membership.
What are the benefits of CAA membership other than roadside assistance?
The membership service programs of the CAA automobile association range mainly from changing flat tires and repairing car batteries to offering towing services whenever you require them.
However, the benefits of a CAA membership go far beyond just roadside support and assistance. The brand tagline of CAA North & East Ontario (CAA NEO) now includes travel and insurance as additional services. We provide goods and services that are intended to help you feel secure. Moreover, take advantage of discounts offered by the CAA Rewards program on lodging, auto rentals, retail services, and more. Each CAA member is officially registered in this loyalty program, and it is a perk of the membership.
How to reach out for CAA membership assistance services?
You can receive the CAA membership assistance services by doing either of the following:
- REQUEST FOR CAA ASSISTANCE WITH THE CAA APP: Download the CAA application on Apple Watch, iPhone, or Android mobile to submit your request.
- ONLINE CAA ASSISTANCE SERVICE REQUESTS: Utilize the official user-friendly website of CAA to log in and submit a CAA roadside assistance service request.
- PHONE CALL: To request a service, call the CAA either by:
- Calling at 1-800-222-HELP (1-800-222-4357).
- Dialing the Toll-free number *CAA (*222).
- SENDING AN SMS REQUEST FOR CAA ASSISTANCE: Members can also receive roadside assistance by sending a request text “RESCUE” to 222247. It must be kept in mind that standard message and data rates could apply as well in this case.
Does CAA require any information when a member calls for roadside assistance?
When requesting a CAA roadside assistance service, a member must provide the following necessary details:
- Your membership ID and the date it expires.
- Your name and the house address of where you currently live.
- The exact location of your damaged car is unknown.
- The car’s brand, model, year, color, and license plate.
- A valid mobile phone number where people can reach you.
Note:
- You need to remain in or close to your vehicle to receive assistance. CAA will make accommodations for you if required.
- When requesting service, inform the CAA assistance whether you are traveling with an animal.
- When you provide your valid membership card, CAA will cover up to four service calls every year for you.
- If by any chance you make more calls than this in a single calendar year, you will be billed for the service at the current local CAA contractor rates.
- You must remember that your membership card cannot be transferred, so please be aware of that.
- If required, you can get a CAA Associate Membership to guarantee that your family members are covered as well.
- You can add more family members to your subscription for just a few pennies daily.
- If you are having a crash or have broken down in a continuous flow of traffic, call 911 immediately if it is an emergency.
- You need to fill out the CAA Roadside Reimbursement Claims Form to send a towing receipt for compensation.
Is it a good idea to re-apply for CAA membership each year for roadside assistance?
Although CAA offers fairly decent services at an affordable rate, not everyone needs the service annually. This implies that a member doesn’t need to sign up for CAA service if they take good care of their automobile and keep it in excellent condition by performing routine inspections and maintenance.
It does, however, make sense to sign up for CAA roadside assistance only if your automobile is really old, damaged, or worn out which makes it difficult for you to handle the cold weather in Canada, especially during the harsh winter times when you can get stuck in a snowstorm or blizzard.
Other than this, the CAA truck drivers do take a while to come to your assistance during the winter, and you might wind up having to call a private towing service and pay them in cash. This also happens because their trucks are overbooked and they can’t spare any vehicles to help you out.
For all these reasons, people have to often wait a long time, and as a result, they prefer not to obtain CAA roadside assistance service throughout the winter.
What should a Canadian citizen with CAA membership do if their car breaks down in the middle of the road?
Here’s what a Canadian citizen with CAA membership can do if their car breaks down in the middle of the road:
- Keep track of your location and seek or browse your Google maps for landmarks that will make it easier to find you.
- Organize your thoughts and words on how to explain the issue you are facing to the CAA roadside assistant professional.
- The more information you can provide, regardless of how evident the problem is (such as a flat tire) or how obscure it is (for instance, an odd sound), the better equipped the CAA roadside assistant professional will be to resolve it.
- If it is extremely necessary, pull your vehicle to the side of the road, into a breakdown lane, or an emergency stopping lane.
- Stay off the road and remain in flat areas as much as possible.
- You must avoid standing in front of or behind your car.
- Make sure you are in a position where other passing drivers can see you.
- Turn on the hazard lights and place safety cones out if you have them with you.
- Once you are secure and visible, send an assistance request and a detailed description of the issue your car is facing.
- Make sure to include all the essential details concerning your car’s condition and any issues you are facing, along with a contact phone number.
- The delay could be lengthier based on how remote your location is, but you ought to be provided with an ETA (estimated time of arrival).
- Stay near your car and keep the doors locked.
- If you have to wait for a long time, avoid leaving the car inactive with the windows closed for an extended period for safety.
- Don’t be nervous when the CAA professional arrives and respond to any questions asked by them.
- You must be aware of your CAA membership’s coverage details and billing procedures.
- Ask for a receipt if you pay for any services.
By carefully considering the above recommendations, you’ll be on your way immediately, safely, and with the best possible benefit from your CAA Membership.
