Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance is a service provided by Canadian Tire, a Canadian retail company. It offers roadside assistance services such as towing, tire changes, battery boosts, lockout services, and fuel delivery. The service is available 24/7 and covers both the driver and their vehicle. Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance has received mixed reviews, with some customers praising their quick response time and helpful staff, while others have reported issues with wait times and unhelpful customer service. It’s best to read reviews and compare options before choosing a roadside assistance service that meets your needs.
Here are some potential pros and cons of Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance:
Pros:
- Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance is available 24/7 and offers a variety of services such as towing, tire changes, battery boosts, lockout services, and fuel delivery.
- It covers the driver and their vehicle, which can provide peace of mind for those who frequently travel long distances or drive older vehicles.
- Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance is a Canadian company, which may make it more convenient for Canadian residents to use.
Cons:
- Some customers have reported long wait times for service or unhelpful customer service experiences.
- Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance may not be the most affordable option for roadside assistance services, with some customers reporting high costs or hidden fees.
- It may not be the best option for those who don’t live near a Canadian Tire location or don’t frequently shop at Canadian Tire.
Services offered by Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance
Here’s a list of services that Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance offers:
- Towing: If your vehicle breaks down and can’t be repaired on-site, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can arrange for a tow truck to transport your vehicle to a garage or dealership within a certain distance.
- Battery Boost: If your vehicle won’t start because of a dead battery, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can provide a jump start to get you back on the road.
- Lockout Services: If you accidentally lock your keys in your vehicle or lose them altogether, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can help you gain entry to your vehicle.
- Fuel Delivery: If you run out of gas while driving, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can deliver enough fuel to get you to the nearest gas station.
- Flat Tire Change: If you experience a flat tire while driving, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can change the tire for you with your spare.
- Winching: If your vehicle gets stuck in mud, snow or a ditch, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can dispatch a tow truck to winch your vehicle out.
- Extrication: If your vehicle gets stuck and can’t be freed by winching, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can arrange for a tow truck to extract it.
- Trip Interruption Coverage: If your vehicle breaks down while you’re on a road trip, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance can help cover some expenses such as accommodations, meals and transportation.
Please note that the specific services offered may vary depending on the level of membership you purchase.
Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Plans
Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance offers three membership plans:
- Basic Plan: $69.95 per year or $6.99 per month (plus taxes) – includes up to 10 km towing, battery boosts, lockout services, fuel delivery, and flat tire changes.
- Plus Plan: $109.95 per year or $10.99 per month (plus taxes) – includes up to 250 km towing, battery boosts, lockout services, fuel delivery, flat tire changes, winching, and extrication.
- Premier Plan: $149.95 per year or $14.99 per month (plus taxes) – includes up to 320 km towing, battery boosts, lockout services, fuel delivery, flat tire changes, winching, extrication, and trip interruption coverage.
It’s important to note that these prices are subject to change, and there may be additional fees or restrictions depending on the specific circumstances of the service required. Additionally, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance may offer limited-time promotions or discounts, so it’s always a good idea to check their website for the most up-to-date pricing and options.
Canadian tire VS CAA roadside assistance
CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) and Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance are two of the most popular roadside assistance providers in Canada. Here are some key differences between the two:
- Coverage: CAA has partnerships with other auto clubs around the world, which means that CAA members can often receive benefits when travelling outside of Canada. Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance only provides coverage within Canada.
- Services: Both providers offer similar services such as towing, battery boosts, lockout services, fuel delivery, and flat tire changes. However, CAA also offers services such as passport photos, international driving permits, and travel insurance.
- Membership: CAA offers different membership levels, each with its own set of benefits and price points. Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance offers three membership plans, with varying levels of coverage and prices.
- Discounts: Both providers offer discounts to members, but the specific discounts may vary depending on the company and location. For example, Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance may offer discounts to members who also have Canadian Tire credit cards.
- Reputation: Both CAA and Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance have received mixed reviews from customers, with some praising their service and others reporting issues such as long wait times or unhelpful customer service.
Overall, the choice between CAA and Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance may depend on individual needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to compare the services, pricing, and reputation of each provider before making a decision.
About the Author: Valerie D. Hahn
we have had plan for years now through canadian tire and uased twice
the fist time was north and thursday in the gta
called because my wife had flat tire
the service provider dispatched damaged nuts and broke a stud, then towed her vehicle to a dealer
they said they needed to take the van to dealer as they were paying, but when i went to dealer the i discovered that i was paying
i would have preffered my personal mechanic and garage as so much cheaper but was given no choice
i called Canadian tire roadside assistance and complained but to no avail
we have to seriosly consider the plan we coose when renewal comes due
terrible service. I called in the mooring today and said to me that they will come in between 430 pm to 500. Accordingly I planed for other works. All on a sudden they call in my home phone number at around 1:30 pm and said that they are near my home. I was out of home right after our conversation because my schedule is 430 to 5 pm. My daughter informed me from home that there was call from road side assistance. i called Canadian tire road side assistance around 1:45 pm and the lady told me that they came to my house at 130 pm and I have to book the schedule again. I was middle of the work and all on a sudden i have been told that as because i missed the schedule (??? ) they don’t know when I will be scheduled again. Then I told the lady that I want to talk to your higher authority. She transferred the line to another person and that person told me that road side assistance people will come to me anytime after 5 pm. I called them again at around 615 pm . They replied that I have to wait 2 hours more . This is ridiculous and totally unexceptionable and unprofessional service.
I have been a Road Side Assistance member for a number of years and have the gold plan. On Friday Jan. 12, 2018, I was pulled over by the police near 2092 Upper Middle Road East in Oakville and I told I turned right on a red light (true) and apparently that was not allowed (I did not see the sign). I turned off the engine (why waste gas) and kept the lights on while the officer wrote out the traffic ticket. Net effect: flat battery. I do not have a cell plan but the officer was kind enough to phone road side assistance and she was told I would have to wait 1 – 2 hours. I could not believe it. It was pouring rain which changed to sleet and then became a full blizzard and I waited and waited. A car does not have good insulation with temperatures sinking rapidly. Within 30 minutes I was cold. At the 1 hour 30 minute I could barely feel my toes. I saw ahead and saw a sign saying “open” and went into JazAuto…a used car dealer. The dealer let me borrow the phone and I telephoned to ask “Where was the truck?”. I was told it would come in 30 minutes if the weather did not get worse (it did). I was not amused because I had waited and waited. I ended up waiting another 1.5 hours and still there was no tow truck. The dealer was kind and let me stay in the building (otherwise you might have had someone with severe frost-bite or a corpse) and at 4:30 he volunteered to give me a boost. I had waited at that point 3.5 hours and no one turned up! I then took 2 hours to get to Simcoe as the weather was horrible. As soon as I got there and tried to calm down my husband, I telephoned Road Side Assistance and stated that I had finally received a boost and a tow truck was no longer required. The person on the other side said okay she would cancel the request. I asked when did the tow truck come. She told me I was still on the waiting list (5 and a half hours later) and could not tell me when the tow truck would have come if I was still on the side of the road.
I know the weather was bad but I am not an idiot either. I realize you can send out a tow truck on Highway 401 or on residential roads and service more people per hour than me, by myself half frozen on a side street with few places to seek shelter. There comes a point where there is a duty of care required beyond the profit motive. Apparently paying my membership over the years does not count. Currently the minimum wage in Ontario is $14/hr. I am cutting you a break and not charging you my usual hourly rate but I am expecting a cheque made out to me for $14 x 5.5 hours of no service = $77.00 I did not deserve to be left out in the cold literally. If there was no plan to help me (even if I got a membership for this reason), then I would have appreciated knowing that rather than being alone and cold and my husband terrified because he could not understand why a 3.5 drive would take more than twice that time.
If you are considering getting a membership, I would advise caution. I do not know if CAA is better or not but I am not impressed.
Total waste of money you don’t even get a single service what they are mention on website and customer care was horrible they don’t know what this service regarding and I would recommend to go for Different option instead of wasting your dollars on them.Total useless.
Thanks Canadian tire for sending Jesse from aaa. He was able to get our car out of a tough spot professionally. Sorely needed service on a day like today.
Raymond Hunt May 6, 2018
My experience with Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance started Sunday morning because I was supposed to have my car back Sunday morning to have a water pump installed. This morning I went out to start the car to drive to Canadian Tire Newmarket to finish the work they had done Saturday. Saturday the car would not start and I was assured that the problem was fixed by Canadian Tire, but in trying to start the car nothing happened, so I called Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance around 8:05 and explained I need to have the car in Newmarket by 9 am, I was told 45 minutes. I called them back after an hour and a half and they said maybe three hours. I said this is unacceptable and a attendant said he would call Abrams and call me back. I waited and waited but no call back from Roadside so I called Abrams and they said one hour. Two hours later the driver showed and took my car to Newmarket for repairs.
I don’t understand why this company that sold me a GOLD MEMBERSHIP for Canadian Tire Roadside assistance didn’t have the experience or consideration to call me back to let me know what is going on with my service call. Would I tell my family and friends to purchase Roadside Assistance through Canadian Tire? I couldn’t do that to them. Do I expect a call or compensation from Roadside Assistance? no
I have been considering Cdn Tire’s roadside assistance but, after reading these comments, I will stick with CAA. Sometimes I have had to wait for 30 minutes, sometimes only 5. They obviously have a better network than Cdn Tire. CAA calls you back to let you know how far away the tow truck is. They have been very courteous and professional over the years.
I’ve had a Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Gold membership for the past 22 months. This morning my truck would not start. I was pretty certain it was a dead battery. I called Cdn. Tire R.A. and was told a truck would be dispatched out of Niagara Falls. (I live in Fort Erie) and would be aprox. 45 minutes. After an hour and 45 minutes a called again. I was told they had a issue with the truck, but would be another 20 minutes. After another hour and a half, I called again. After a short hold, I was told that the rep had spoken to the 3rd parties dispatch, and would be another 15 minutes. I told the rep. to remove any auto renew option from my account, and made it clear that I would not be renewing my membership. His reply was, “I understand, thats business”. As it was; the tow truck driver ended up calling me at 2:15 in the afternoon, to confirm that I still needed assistance. He was in Grimsby, 45 minutes away. He arrived at 3pm to perform a 60 second boost. 5.5 hours after my first call for service. I’m switching to CAA in 2 months.
I have a Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Gold membership and I’ve had to call for a tow truck a couple of times. The first time I called them I was told there would be a tow truck in 45 to 60 minutes. I had my 3 year old with me(which I told them), stopped on the side of the QEW, weather was getting bad, it’s winter, snowing, cold, no heat in the car, late at night and nowhere near home. It took them 3 hours to get there. I kept calling them every now and then and they kept telling me the tow was around the corner so the last time I told them to stay on the line until the truck got there, if it was around the corner!
The second time I called for a tow truck around 7am on Tuesday morning. They told me a tow truck would be there in 2 hours, it took 5 hours! The tow got there at noon. I called them a few times and they kept telling me it would be there in 20mins, half an hour, etc. When the driver finally got there I asked him and he told me they’d just called him a few minutes before. So, somebody was lying. Based on the 2 instances I’d say CT was lying. I have already had enough of their crap and I’m considering making a switch as soon as my membership is up. I wouldn’t advise anyone to sign up with them. I’ve been told CAA is faster and more efficient.
Like another reader, I was considering Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance but with all the negative comments I’ll pay a little more and stay with CAA.
I have a Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Gold membership and I’ve recently had problems on the road with a car. I called to the service for the first time. They promised to the call back in 10 minutes. But they called back after more than 2 hours. I began to ask why they left us on the road for so long, and so on. The operator simply hung up and they did not give us any help. Now we will register with another company. With this company, money is wasted. I wouldn’t advise anyone to dealing with them.
Never ever again a Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance(
Huge waste of money and time!!! Ridiculous!
First time i spent 7 hours on the side of the road waiting to get help. Today I got a flat tire and called and called and the stupid machine kept answering saying they could not assist me. To send them receipts for reimbursement!! The whole point of paying this company is to not end up paying out of pocket and than waiting weeks to get my money back if i even do.. and the paper work added on top of dealing with a broken down car!!! Absolutely disrespectful to a customer that has paid over $200 and when in need just left stranded on the side of the road! Unacceptable, ridiculous, frustrating!! I can not stress this enough!! Dont give your moneh to this company!!! It is a fraud!! Go with CAA! Do NOT get into a contract with Canadiantire roadside assistance please!!! Protect yourself, and pick a company who will actual come through with their part of the contract and be there when needed! This is definitely NOT a company that can be relied upon or trusted!
I called for a Tow Mar 30 / 20 for my 06 F350 single axle and was told that they do not include 3/4 or 1 ton pick ups in their plans and that i should of seen the policy in the fine print. Most of the pick ups here are 3/4 or 1 ton. Very useless manager that i spoke to on the phone and will never renew with them again. Told him he was a poor manager when all he could say is i should of read the fine print.
I have had Costco Roadside Assistance and CAA but never have I been more happy than with Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance. Not only do they give you a free oil change & similar discounts and services, they’re much cheaper. Just a couple of days ago (Covid 19 era), my battery died. I called them thinking it would be hours, if they helped me at all. I waited less than 20 minutes for boost. A1 Towing in Carleton Place, Ontario did the boost with a smile while I waited. Also, they’re much easier to work with and don’t put you through the ringer with all the questions. Just call the number given and your name & phone number & you’re good to go. Super happy & impressed.
Would not reccomend!! I’m not an official member, but I called for their OnDemand services. The tow truck arrived 20min earlier than they said, (before I had time to get to where my car was broken down), and left before I arrived! The driver didn’t pick up their phone when I called, and Canadian Tire still charged be $80 for a tow I didn’t receive. Called Customer Service, refused a refund. Never calling this business again.
Was considering Cdn Tire, will stick with CAA after reading these reviews. Slight extra cost is definitely worth reliable service.
Canadian tire roadside assistance discrimates against people that drive 3/4 ton pickup trucks as a personal truck!!
Towed my truck last year, but this year was an issue !
TWO FACED LIARS!!!
CAA is the way to go.
In typical canadian tire fashion , another service that isn’t worth the paper it is written on!!!!
I was a Gold Plan member and it says that it offers 5 services calls. Unfortunately, this is not completely as they advertise.
Our engine died and we were able to get it towed with little issue to the mechanic. Since it was unable to be fixed, we were looking to get it towed to another place and they wouldn’t tow our dead vehicle because they said that it was being used “as a transportation service”. I had just renewed with them for the year and only used it the one time, which to me says that I had 4 more tows available. This was not the case and we had to pay for the second tow out of pocket.
It felt very misleading and I was informed that it was written in the fine print upon the purchase. Since I purchased on the phone with a sales representative, I was not informed of this information at all. Very disappointing. I do not recommend this service.
August 17, 2021: I have been a member of this Canadian Tire Auto Club company for many years , maybe more than 15 years and I dont remember if I ever claim anything. On August 17, 2021 I along with my family came back from a long flight to Toronto and when I picked up my car I noticed that my tire is flat. I asked my daughter , she is 17, to call them while I go to see if I can get any help. Two times they hung up on my daughter and finally after a long time on hold, a lady answered and she asked too many non sense questions, finally she said you have to wait for 90 minutes you may get some help, she even was not sure after 90 minutes I certainly get help. They don’t have any tow truck or service by themselves , they have to call other companies to get service. so they are simply irresponsible dispatching company that get money from people and not giving any service to them. This seems to be a fraud and fake company We were waiting for a few hours and nobody showed up and finally I paid a person who was taking care of the parking to call his friend to come and do the tire change for us. I and my family really were hurt emotionally and we still mentally are so sad and suffering of this and how they treated us. We have been paying them for many years that one time to use them and they didnt even care to answer our phone or giving us any services. Sorry I wrote long but I am so upset and emotional. Total waste of money you don’t even get a single service what they are mentioning on website and customer care was horrible they don’t know what this service regarding and I would recommend to go for Different option instead of wasting your money on them. Completely useless. I called the next day to talk with their manager, he promised me to investigate and somebody will call me but I have not received anything so far. I am not sure if there is anything we can do to stop this fraud and ripping off people legally. But if you guys want to take any action against this fraud please let me know here I will join you.
Canadian tire automobile towing membership is now a joke in 2017 you would get 250 km of towing now in 2021 you get 200 km of towing as well I tried to book a tow truck this morning at 9:00 a.m. and the tow truck could not show up till 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. the local toe company where I live said that they were busy which they always say that because they don’t want to do any of the toast recognition targets they say they don’t make any money I will never get another clean toddler with a membership again because it’s tied to one specific vehicle I only got it because of the extra 50 km for towing and the 5 toes per year on a pause of note I will say the gentleman who came at 1:00 p.m. today to tell my vehicle was polite and on time.
Called their service. Was told an hour. Waited 70 minutes. The tow truck left me ABANDONED on the side of a dark country road in the freezing cold. Why ? I didn’t have my insurance paper on me in the car…. I sent them a picture of my son’s insurance slip, but it wasn’t enough for them. So I left abandoned…. wtf ??? I called back and canceled member ship. This was in my first month of “service”. Never again !! And shame on you Canadian Tire !
Thanks for all the comments. I was thinking about going with CT but after reading the comments, I will definitely pay more and go with CAA.
Never go for Canadian tire Roadside assistance!
Canadian Tire road side assistance is just not waste of money. It is not for roadside even. it is whenever you are at home because delay time is always 2-3hr if you are lucky. It happened with me 3 times. It could be more than 5 hr. 24/7 calling is highly misleading. It is just for picking up phone. Today I needed help just for boosting. They are coming after 5 hr. They say if it is urgent call external roadside company who needs 75$ for boosting. Canadian tire does not even cover more than 45$ for this. Boosting is very basic think. Every time I call. They know one word. “Sorry” too many times.
Go for AMA or CAA. It is worth your time at emergency and during normal time. Roadside assistance is serious thing.
Do not let Canadian tire to play with this. Do not put your family in trouble. Do not waste your hardly earned money.
I recently signed up for Canadian Tire roadside assistance . Don’t waste your money.
I called and requested a tow. I needed to be towed to my garage as my battery died. In order to diagnose the problem, the car needed to be towed with a dead battery so my garage could diagnose the problem. The tow truck driver shows up . He refused to tow it and insisted on a boost. I told him no. He made every excuse not to tow my car. He told me, I would need to bring a dolly in here to get your car out. He had no dolly.. He also said there was too much snow. I have pictures and there wasnt. I own a CRV, a dolly is required to tow it.
I called their customers service and spoke to a supervisor. She tellsme roadside assistance is for is just for getting the vehicle back on the road quickly. She also told me the vehicle needs to be able to start before a tow can be done. So they never run into a situation where a vehicle has no power to a battery?
She had no answer for me. I canceled my membership and was refunded 19.99.
Don’t sign up with them. Just don’t.
Ya like so many others, after reading all the negative ct experiences, i will stick with bcaa to gift to my kids…
So terrible service my husbands car broke down by the road 8 am while he was coming home from work from north. And now it’s 5:30 almost they haven’t picked him up … if it was winter he would die out there . And every time he calls they say 1h 2 h 30 min . Such BS company never ever chose this service . Terrible if you are strained in cold winter little secluded you will die out there waiting for them
I have the free membership from having the Elite Card. I’ve carried the card for years and have never needed it but after reading the reviews here I won’t even bother carrying the card anymore. I can call CAA if I have an emergency and can join ‘on the spot’ when their tow truck shows up. “Free” isn’t worthwhile if it jeopardizes your safety or the safety of your loved ones. Just another CT “flash in the pan”.
I am disable am I a gold member | had to pay 150 dollars of my own money because they couldn’t find anyone to change a flat tire
Did I ever get my money back answer is no. They said they would give me my money back phooney on them . I will not spend one cent with them.
Don’t use this service!!it is a scam!! They take your money and then refuse to supply a towing company! I had to find my own as told by agent on phone and they would reimburse me in ,6-8 weeks?? Contacting better business bureau and reporting them as they are totally misleading the public and taking people’s money and cannot supply the service they are advertising!
Wow, I was thinking of buying a Gold membership but the comments here are all negative, so won’t buy one now.
Horrible service..,buyCAS
Needed a tow but won’t tow it. Small Benz needed tow because of bad road conditions
It says they tow but would not do it,
Christmas time
SORRY I BOUGHT
Last saturday, on February 4, 2023, Halifax had a low of -39C. I had trouble starting my automobile in the morning. When I phoned Canadian Tire Roadside Central at 1-888-727-7478, a voicemail advised me that no attendants were available because of the high volume of calls. The phone was answered after a very long 34 minutes with a voice message asking me to type my Roadside ID.
I did that, but their inability to identify my ID was shocking. Up until the point that my call was disconnected, I kept typing. Then, when I attempted to browse their website, there was no chat feature. They responded to my email TWO DAYS LATER, essentially saying “I am sorry for the inconvenience.” I requested to have my subscription cancelled because I truly didn’t need a service that I couldn’t get in touch with when I needed it due to a high amount of calls. I was disappointed to hear that my subscription “will be on June 2023 as per our cancellation policy and your request.”
Unbeliavable!!! How were they unprepared for that since the weather forecast warned for many days that the temperature will drop significantly on February 4, 2023? Canadian Tire Roadside has profoundly let me down. The worst part of not receiving assistance when I most needed it was hearing that I couldn’t cancel my subscription “as per our cancellation policy and your request.”
Worst experience ever!! Their service agent said “I don’t care”!!! What, they are supposed to care and take care of you . . . ?????
I had bought the Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance family plan thinking this was the best thing ever given the cost . . .BAD IDEA!!! After a couple of months of purchasing this plan, my son called for his van which broke down on the night of Feb 9/23. They firstly, told him his van was too big . . . then said there would be a delay and then continued to offer many excuses why they couldn’t come help him . . . (the tow truck was stuck, was delayed, had another job, and after waiting over night and many hours, waiting all the next day, they then said it would take another 3 hours . . . Jeeze . . wt_)
So, my husband called to express his concerns and asked what was going on but, during the recorded conversation, the agent said to him, “I DON’T CARE” . . . WHAT . . . . what kind of service is this??????
We still had CAA coverage for a couple of days. Giving up on Can Crappy Tire, my husband called CAA, they said they would be there is 30 minutes no questions asked!!! Did so, and the van was taken to the garage for repairs! Now Jesus, that is customer service!!
We had been with CAA for many years and only switched to save money . . . wasn’t worth it to switch for sure!! Don’t buy the Can Tire CRAPPY Roadside Assistance!!
CAA has always been prompt, courteous and we never ever encountered such disrespect, so, back to CAA we go!!
We were soooo unhappy, the Can Tire Crappy Roadside assistance gave us a full refund!!
Deeply regret having left CAA but, just signed back up with them again. They are more expensive but, DEFINITELY WORTH IT!!!
I have had a Gold plan for years and got service. However, My truck was towed by their service provider Kingsway towing Group, and they towed the 4×4 vehicle with a Dolly. The Dolly was blown on the Anthony Henday Hwy, and severe damage to the vehicle. The tow company operator told me they would fix my vehicle, so I did not take their insurance. My transmission and transfer case were damaged due to the blown Dolly because it was in the Park mode with a 4×4 option. They did not willingly pay the repair, and my vehicle cannot operate now. Canadian Tire Roadside was not compensated even though they made the issue. Deric Delcourt, the Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance Regional coordinator, is untrustworthy. He is the wrong person to deal with.