Joining JAF ensures peace of mind on long drives.
Most car insurance policies also include roadside assistance, so you'll be fine even if you encounter trouble.
However, JAF is particularly convenient for flat tires, dead batteries, or running out of gas.
They arrive quickly and help you out instantly.
If you register as a member, you'll surely be glad you did.
Let me explain what JAF is and why it's reliable when you're in a bind.
Traffic Troubles with Cars and Motorcycles
JAF Dispatch Cases in FY2020
| Rank | Reason for Dispatch | Cases | Ratio |
| 1 | Dead Battery | 882,740 cases | 41.69％ |
| 2 | Flat Tire | 382,439 cases | 18.06% |
| 3 | Wheel Dropped | 143,902 cases | 6.80％ |
| 8 | Out of Gas (Obon holiday FY2020) | 1,469 cases | 2.46％ |
After winter, it's the perfect season for a drive.
However, the probability of encountering vehicle trouble increases significantly.
Common car and motorcycle troubles include dead batteries, flat tires, and running out of gas.
According to 2020 statistics, dead batteries and flat tires were indeed the top two causes.
Perhaps some of you have experienced dropping a wheel on a mountain road leading to a campsite.
Running out of gas also ranks high at 8th place, indicating its frequency.
Dead Battery
Have you ever forgotten to turn off your lights after exiting a tunnel, gone shopping, and returned to find your engine wouldn't start?
It's disheartening, isn't it?
In summer and winter, the air conditioning is used more frequently, which puts a strain on the battery and makes it more prone to dying. So, caution is needed.
Flat Tire
Unlike bicycle tires, car and motorcycle tires contain wires, so they rarely burst while driving. (However, a hole in the sidewall can cause a burst.)
A common scenario for a flat tire is finding the air has leaked out after parking and attempting to drive again.
This is because nails or glass shards can get embedded, causing a slow leak.
Modern cars no longer carry spare tires, so a flat tire immediately means calling for roadside assistance.
Wheel Dropped
Have you ever had trouble on a single-lane road leading to a remote campsite when an oncoming car appeared?
Perhaps some of you have actually seen a tire fall into a ditch.
Even in such situations, being a JAF member provides peace of mind.
Even if you're unfamiliar with the area, a smartphone app can detect your location, and they'll come to you quickly.
JAF smartphone app registration screen
Out of Gas
Running out of gas is common on expressways.
This is because the roads on expressways are monotonous, making it easy to forget to check the fuel gauge.
While some expressway rest areas have gas stations, the distances between them can be surprisingly far, and thinking you still have enough fuel can lead to running out of gas.
In rural areas, it's common for gas stations along national routes to be more than 20 km apart, so it's customary to refuel when the gas gauge is at half.
When driving to a campsite in a rural area, caution is necessary.
What is JAF?
JAF's official name is the Japan Automobile Federation.
With offices nationwide in Japan, they will rush to your aid with just one phone call if you encounter trouble while driving a car or motorcycle.
By registering as a member in advance, you can receive assistance at a more affordable price.
Annual Membership Fee
| Enrollment Fee | \2000 | Annual Fee | \4000 | Total \6000 |
| Enrollment Fee (Credit Card Payment) | \1500 | Annual Fee | \4000 | Total \5000 |
| Enrollment Fee (5-year lump sum payment) | \0 | Annual Fee | \4000*5 years | Total \20000 (for 5 years) |
You might think, "I already have roadside assistance with my optional insurance."
However, the difference is that optional insurance covers the car, while JAF covers the person.
In other words, while optional insurance has restrictions on the car and driver, JAF responds to troubles when the member is on board.
This means you can use it even when riding in a friend's car.
It can also be used when renting a car, providing peace of mind when flying to a destination and then driving there.
Let's join JAF
What I've talked about so far are the benefits you receive as a member.
Let's register according to your financial situation.
JAF Application Page (Link available)
JAF Membership Registration Page
The link above takes you to the registration screen.
Consider your driving environment and register.
Convenient to use with the smartphone app (Link available)
JAF smartphone app registration screen
The link above takes you to the smartphone app download screen.
If you request assistance through the smartphone app, it will use your location information to send help, so you won't get lost even in unfamiliar areas.
You can also track the location of the rescue vehicle, allowing you to wait with less anxiety.
When a non-JAF member uses the service
| Trouble | Non-member price | Member price | Trouble overview | In case of optional insurance |
| Dead Battery | ¥13,130 | Free | Emergency starting assistance during daytime on a general road | Limited number of times |
| Flat Tire | ¥15,230 | Free | Emergency flat tire repair at night on a general road | Partially not covered |
| Out of Gas | ¥16,770 | Free | Fuel delivery service during daytime on an expressway (outside PA/SA) | Limited number of times |
| Wheel Dropped | ¥14,280 | Free | Pull-out service at night on a general road (If one tire drops almost parallel to the road) |
|
| Stuck in snow/mud | ¥13,130 | Free | Pull-out service during daytime on a general road (Work within 30 minutes) |
Partially not covered |
Please refer to the table above.
I have listed the rescue costs for common troubles and those likely to occur when going camping.
With optional insurance, some issues incur costs, and some are not covered at all.
Furthermore, even for issues that are expensive for non-members, you can receive free assistance if you are a member.
Some costs can be as much as three times the annual membership fee.
This is even more true for a 5-year contract.
Is it possible to buy a new car and not encounter any trouble until the second inspection?
Let's take this opportunity to register as a member.
Various services become cheaper
As a JAF member, you can receive discounts not only on roadside assistance but also at restaurants and other establishments.
Get great deals while on your drive.
Steak Miya
You can receive a 10% discount at the steak specialty restaurant Miya.
Their homemade hamburg steak with the original "Miya no Tare" sauce is popular.
Set menus with a wide variety of drink bars and soup bars are also well-received.
Kamadoka
Kamadoka is known for its cold-aged chicken and kamameshi (rice pot dishes).
Get 10% off your total bill of ¥5500 or more.
After a tiring barbecue at camp, how about some Japanese food for your weary stomach?
Autobacs
You can receive a 5% discount from the in-store listed price.
After driving through the mountains, your car is covered in bugs.
You'll want to wash it, right?
Get your car wash supplies at a discount.
Summary
What do you think?
The numerous roadside services available for ¥6,000 per year cover many troubles that could occur on the way to a campsite, and if you register for the app, they'll arrive quickly and respond promptly.
Even troubles that would be expensive with only optional insurance are handled at a low cost, so take this opportunity to join.
