FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Roadside Assistance
Membership
Travel/Maps

Roadside Assistance

Q: Does Better World Club have coverage in my area?

YES! Better World Club is connected with a HUGE network of Service Providers in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia and Canada.

We work with one of the most reliable and trusted networks of service providers in the country. Vendors are carefully screened and selected based on excellence of service and reliability.

Q: How many service providers do you have in my area?

We work with a nationwide network of 35,000 tow trucks and approximately 15,000 other service providers, such as locksmiths. We guarantee that we have service providers in your area. If you would like a specific count, please contact us.

Q: When I call, how long does it take for service to arrive?

Our nationwide average response time is 38 minutes. We aim to respond within 30 minutes in urban areas and 60 minutes in rural ones. Of course, response times will vary according to weather, traffic, and accessibility of location.

Q: What kinds of vehicles are covered by Better World Club?

We cover you in any vehicle, not just your own. We cover vehicles that are used for personal use, including cars, vans, and trucks.

You can also be covered on your bicycle or motorcycle or in your RV by purchasing the appropriate membership program add on.

Vehicles that are not covered include taxicabs; tractors; trucks over 1 ton rating; boats; public conveyance vehicles on display for sale or any other purpose; vehicles used in competition; or vehicles used for commercial purposes.

Q: How many times can I call for roadside assistance?

Emergency road and tow service for motorized vehicles covers a maximum of 4 breakdowns per year, per member. No reimbursement will be provided for the remainder of your membership year if you exceed this limit.

Note: Members may use our dispatch service after you have used up all of their free calls, but subsequent calls will be treated as cash calls with the member responsible for paying for any services at the time they are rendered. In most cases, we can obtain a lower rate than if you call for service yourself.

Q: Do I have to be with my vehicle to get service?

Yes. You MUST be present with the disabled vehicle to receive service. Service providers cannot provide assistance to an unattended vehicle.

Q: What if I call for service more times than my membership allows?

Service will be dispatched to your location, but you will be responsible for the cost of all services that exceed your membership limits.

Q: What can I expect to pay if I have to pay for overage miles?

Basic/Basic PLUS membership includes up to 5 miles of towing at no additional cost. Premium/Premium PLUS membership includes up to 100 miles of towing at no additional cost. Should you require towing beyond your coverage limits, the cost is typically between $2-$3 per mile. Note: It has been our experience that these rates can be considerably higher in some metropolitan areas. For instance, in Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego) the cost can be as much as $8-12 per mile.

Q: What happens if I need a service that is not covered by my membership?

We will offer to get you service using a pre-negotiated corporate rate. This rate will be made available to you at your expense. This rate is generally 15 to 70 percent lower than the retail rate in your area.

Q: How do I submit a claim?

You may request reimbursement for services rendered after your car is disabled and cannot be driven safely under its own power. We encourage you to call our emergency roadside assistance dispatch center before arranging for service on your own. If, however, you prefer to obtain assistance on your own, Basic Auto members can be reimbursed up to $50, and Premium Members up to $100 per disablement.

Notice of claims must be submitted to the Club within 60 days of occurrence and must include information and attachments requested on the claim form. A Claim Form was included in your membership package. Please contact us for more information.

Q: Can I be towed more than once for the same incident?

No. We will not tow you more than once for the same incident. We do not do "secondary tows" from repair facilities.

Q: Are there any limitations as to where I can be towed?

We do not do "secondary tows" from repair facilities.

You should also note: we do not service vehicles that are already broken down when you join the Club. Motor clubs provide an insurance service, and if members only joined when they needed service, our prices would have to be much, much higher.

Q: What is the Arrest Bond Benefit?

The club covers members for bail bonds of up to $1000. Just present your membership card to the arresting officer or court instead of surrendering your driver's license when charged with a moving violation. Acceptance is at the discretion of the arresting officer or court. If you do not appear for your court date and Better World Club has paid the court your bond up to your benefit limit, you must reimburse Better World Club for the amount paid on your behalf. Certain states (like California) do not accept arrest bond certificates. In these states, Better World Club will not provide cash payment. Other states may accept a bond certificate, but in an amount less than the $1000 benefit limit.

Bond expenses not covered include, but are not limited to, for felony violations, driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics or without a valid license, and payments of fines or forfeiture of bail bonds.

Q: What is the Legal Defense Benefit?

If you must appear in court as a result of a traffic violation, you will be reimbursed for the fee charged by an attorney or your choice (other than yourself or a family member) to defend you according to the following schedule:

  • Reckless Driving: Trial - $150, Appeal - $170
  • Manslaughter: Trial - $600, Appeal - $400
  • Other Traffic Violations: Trial - $75, Appeal - $75

For New York state residents, we must by law make the reimbursement payment directly to your attorney.

Fines and forfeitures; commission of a felony; driving without a valid operator’s permit or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics are excluded.

Q: What is the Theft Reward Benefit?

If your car is stolen, Better World Club will assist in its recovery by paying a reward (up to $5,000 per occurrence for Basic members and $10,000 for Premium members) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who stole your car. (This reward is not payable to members, their immediate family, or law officers.)

Q: What is the Hit and Run Reward?

Better World Club will pay (up to $5000 per occurrence for Basic members and $10,000 for Premium members) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run driver who injures you or your enrolled associate member while in your car. (This reward is not payable to members, their immediate family or law officers.)

Membership

Q: If I'm currently a member of another roadside assistance program, can I join Better World Club?

Absolutely! You can join Better World Club today, even if your old membership has not yet expired. Just pick a start date (any date in the future) at our enrollment form. You can also contact your current club and ask to be reimbursed for the unused portion of your membership. Make the switch!

Q: Who do I call if I have a complaint?

The local service provider who provided your roadside service is responsible for the assistance that you receive and should be your first point of contact. However, we want to know about every incident that generates a complaint as we work to maintain a database of the most reliable Service Providers in the business. What’s more, if you remain unsatisfied, we want to act as your advocate in the complaint process. Contact us.

Q: How soon after I enroll does my membership become active?

Your membership will become active either three business days after your enrollment, or on a later date of your choosing.

Q: How soon will I receive my membership materials?

As part of our conservation mission, we work to do as much fulfillment as possible online. A link at the member section of our website will allow you to print membership cards. Electronic copies of all of our most recent fulfillment documents are also available to print. Paper materials are only automatically sent to those members for whom we do not have email addresses or who specifically request them.

Members with valid email addresses will receive a fulfillment email shortly after their enrollment/renewal with instructions on how to access their membership documents.

Paper materials generally arrive within two weeks of the date they are requested.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

If you are not completely satisfied with your membership, please let us know immediately. You may cancel your membership within 30 days of your enrollment date and receive a full refund. If you cancel after 30 days, you will receive a pro rata refund of the unused portion of your membership fee without any deduction. Upon termination of membership for whatever reason, all membership benefits will terminate. This includes termination of all benefits under this membership for your spouse, domestic partner, or dependent children listed under your membership number.

Cancellation by the Club:

In order to maintain fair and reasonable membership dues for all members, the Club reviews all unusual frequency of claims on the basis of average member claims. Usage determined by the Club to be excessive may result in limitation of the number of claims allowed, non renewal, or cancellation of membership. If membership is ever cancelled, the Club will send you a pro rata refund of the unused portion of your membership fee, without any deduction, within 15 days of cancellation.

Q: Can I change my membership level at any time?

Absolutely! Contact Membership Services if you would like to change your membership program. Please allow three business days for processing. You will not be permitted to change your membership program at the time you place an emergency assistance call.

Q: How do you define "additional drivers"?

Additional drivers are defined as spouses, domestic partners, and children of the primary member who are of legal age, are licensed drivers, and have the same principal residence as the primary member.

Q: Do you cover domestic partners?

Yes. Better World Club is one of the few roadside assistance and travel clubs to recognize domestic partners under a single membership plan.

Q: My new car comes with roadside assistance. Why do I need Better World Club?

Better World Club membership is for you, not one specific car. With BWC, you can call for Roadside Assistance for any car you're traveling in -- whether it's yours or a friend's, -- whether you're the driver or just a passenger. BWC also offers quality service, something you don't want to be without. BWC offers a variety of other services as well, such as travel and insurance benefits and a wide variety discounts.

Q: What happened to the gas rebates?

The gas rebate benefit has been discontinued effective 8/1/2011 and replaced with the Better World Good Car-ma rewards program. Renewals whose current membership years have an effective date of 7/31/11 or earlier may still register for the benefit for their current years. Please see the registration information at the member section of the website for details on submission deadlines. Details on the Good Car-ma program are also available at the member site.

Q: Where are my fulfillment materials?

All of your fulfillment materials are available for review at our member site. You can even print your own cards. However, we will never ask you to present a card to receive service. All you need is a valid membership number and the emergency phone number. We are more than happy to mail out cards or materials if you request them. However, we will not send them to you automatically. A fulfillment email will be sent to you shortly after you're the email confirming your enrollment/renewal. You can request paper materials via that fulfillment email.

Travel/Maps

Q: Do you give out maps?

Maps are free for members and can be ordered at any time. We carry a wide variety of detailed city maps, state maps, and regional maps. Members also have access to Custom Trip Planning Services for State-by-State map routings, North/South orientation, narrative routing instructions, points of interest, national parks, and mileage guides.. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery by postal mail. Email delivery is also available. You must have a valid membership number when you place your order. Maps are intended for member use only.

List of maps in stock

Q: How do your Trip Routings work?

Trip routing provide directions along either a scenic or direct route travel plan. Your routing will include attractions and points of interest along your route. Please allow 14 days before your departure date for postal mail delivery. Please fill out our Trip Routing and Map Order Form at the member section of our website or give us a call toll free at 1-866-238-1137 (M-F, 8:30am-5:30pm PST).

Please include the following information when ordering:

- Member name
- Membership number
- Mailing address
- Daytime phone number
- Date of departure
- Departure address
- Arrival address
- Fastest route or scenic route
- Stops along the way
- Preferences (i.e. I want to head east on I-50 until I get to Anytown, USA)

Q: Do you offer discounts on Amtrak train travel?

Better World Club has been told by Amtrak officials that Amtrak is no longer able to make new discount partnerships per instruction by the Congress that it operate more as a viable private corporation. Some groups that previously had access to discounts on Amtrak train travel saw their discounts revoked.

Amtrak offers its best discounts to travelers that book train travel 14 days or more in advance of their departures. The discount for booking 14 or more days in advance is greater than ANY discount offered by a group that maintains a discount partnership with Amtrak.

Q: Do you offer hotel discounts and how do they work?

Save up to 50% on selected hotels and motels including some of the largest, best-known chains by clicking the “Hotel Access� link at the member section of our website.

Members can also use our Online Booking pages to obtain great rates and discounts on hotels, airline reservations, car rentals, vacations and cruises. Also check out our recommendations for eco lodging.

You can also place an inquiry with a Travel Consultant to obtain personalized travel planning services. Please note there is a $35 non-refundable fee for this service. For personalized travel planning, please form.

Q: Do you offer discounts on car rentals?

Yes. Members are eligible for savings of between 5-15% at major car rental companies. Check out the following pages for more information:
Hybrid and Biodiesel Rental Cars
Search Online for Deals
Participating Car Rental Companies

Discount information is also available via the "Hotel Access" link at the member section of our website.

Q: What is Emergency Travel Expense Reimbursement and how does it work?

If your personal trip is interrupted as a result of a collision more than 100 miles from your home, you are eligible for certain expenses incurred within 72 hours of the collision. Covered expenses include commercial transportation to your home or original destination, a rented vehicle from a commercial agency, and meals and lodging purchased in the vicinity of where your vehicle is being repaired. Lodging does not include pre-arranged vacation or recreational lodging.

Basic members can be reimbursed up to $500 per occurrence with a $1000 annual maximum, and Premium members can be reimbursed up to $750 per occurrence with a $1500 annual maximum.

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