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Which motor clubs are the best to work with?? :oops

None

They are all the scum of the earth. Some might be a little scummier than others.

Every person that comes here wants to know the 1 or 2 clubs they should sign with that will give them good rates and good volume. Generally, those qualities are mutually exclusive.

I should have a rubber stamp made up with these words of advise, I have given them so many times. Sign up with every MC that will send you an app. For some MC's getting the app takes an act of god. I've been in business 2.5 years, and still haven't gotten apps from all the MC's.

Now remember what I said about good volume and good rates being mutually exclusive? Where here's my advice. Set your rates high, to position yourself as a backup providor.

Now here's the fun part. High rates are relative. Most clubs will offer you a hook fee in the $22 - $26 range. I've put in rates at $35, and I thought the MC rep was having a coronary.

You CAN make money on MC work, if you are careful. If you are not careful, they will run you ragged, burn you out, and throw you out like yesterdays' newspaper. Also, do not expect to be profitable running all or even a high percentage of MC calls, unless you can get rates very close to retail.

OK, now some imprtant things to know about specific MC's.

USAC - will only pay en-route in areas you are not contracted for. So if you drive 30 miles to a contracted zip, they will pay you $0 en-route even if you only give 5 free miles.

Asurion - Pays no en-route

Also, most MC's will short you miles because they use computer routed miles, not actual miles. Their routes go though alleys and across highway medians and through roads that are cow paths. If you need to go past a vehicle on the highway and come back to it in the proper direction, the MC will not recognize the extra distance past the vehicle. Be prepared to call the customer en-route, and explain that there will be some charges not covered by their MC that they will have to pay (unpaid en-route, whatever).

2nd also, MC dispatchers will tell you whatever they need to for you to take the call. All expenses are A-OK. All en-route will be paid. USAC is really good for this. When you bill out the call, you find out that they lied. Make sure you know what the MC WILL be paying you, and charge any difference to the customer. If the customer does not want to pay (MC customers are generally cheap bastards) it's your decision to refuse to provide service or not.

3rd also, MC customers generally believe that we are all paid retail rates or more to provide them service. (CCAS in particular goes out of their way to tell customers they are "covered" for $75, $100, $150). So the customers many times believe this is what we are being paid. This belief that we are being paid high rates leads the customer to being cheap, and also requesting / expecting additional services at no charge.

I am now doing a couple things, first I am marking the MC on the work order before the customer fills out their info and signs. That way they know what I am being paid. Second, on the work order is a Mechanic's Lien. If the MC PO is not paid, I now have a lien against the vehicle to secure payment from the owner. MC's "Can" "Will" and "Do" not pay their PO's.

Ok, short version...

USAC = Worthless

Cross Country = Not bad, as long as all your tows are within a 10 mile radius. Does not pay enroute miles.

AAA = Depending on where you live, depends on how much they pay you. Right now I get $25.35 and $2.50 per mile.

GE Financial = Not bad. Enroute miles not paid.

Road America = Almost as worthless as USAC.

Assurion = They don't like to pay up. Expect long waits. Also expect calls possibly hundreds of miles from your location. (Got a call for Canada once)

Allstate = I like them. Unfortunately, their calls are few and far between.

Quote (Asylum towing @ Mar. 04 2006, 1:20 am)

thanks to all you guys for your advice :sofunny:

Asurion: I finagle the call to cash rates. (this may take some practice) And you're going to deal with mainly low life thugs and loosers.

USAC: I'd like to punch my network manager three times. They give Introductory rates to new companies and then if you do not do the work for them because you realize that bending over is hurting your back, they will NOT raise their rates.

Raod America: The central region, Joe Sly, good guy, he usually get things done, if you can get a hold of him. Any one else there........you'll have better luck seperating oil from water. They do almost pay my cash rates on contract. (E-mail me for details on how I got them to do this.)

Coach-net: Nice dispatchers, good luck getting calls unless it's an older car. (those are always fun)

GE: You'll have to learn about three different languages before you can communicate with them.

Geico: If you love accident tows at about 1/5 of your police act. calls. Although, it's easy to call back to them and add additional $25 for extra labor.

CCAS: If you talk their ear off and give them the 411 on the poor screw job their giving you, they'll move you up in the list and give better rates. I have $35 hook & 5 free to call and $2.50/mile after 3 free.

See guys, with CCAS, it is "price competitive", but lower the enroute miles and the to call miles. It helps. But I will postpone ANY motor club call for a cash call ANY TIME, ANY DAY. (and for dinner, to wash my truck, and every needed smoke break.)