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AAA auto club---Is it worth it?

beneteaubeneteau Member Posts: 8,552 ✭✭✭
edited July 2019 in General Discussion
Keep getting mail regarding joining AAA. I worry about my wife riding to and from work with the possibility of having a flat and, with my health/age, there's go way I could change a tire not even for myself. Was wondering if joining AAA would be the answer. Any experience working with them? What about their response time?
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Comments

  • BobJudyBobJudy Member Posts: 6,671 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Before the widespread availability of GPS and things like mapquest AAA was good to have to get routes and information before a trip. Judy and I used that service quite often. We haven't used that service for probably 10 years but kept AAA for my piece of mind for when Judy takes a trip without me. That being said we have never used the roadside service but friends who have said it took 30 - 45 mins for someone to arrive. I just know if I cancel the membership the next day we'll need it. I look at it like insurance - pay your money and hope to never use it. Bob
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  • chris8X57chris8X57 Member Posts: 1,270 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you have a cell phone, and a AAA card, you can get yourself out of almost any jam.
    My wife has to drive out of state, and used them several times for flat tires. Their response time was good and took care of it. I've always considered it a good thing to have.
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Once you join when your membership lapses they will come at you with all kinds of offers. We got 18 months for $22 and that covers both of us.

    I got it for my wife when I was deployed or doing long contracts overseas after I retired. She used it a few times.
    RLTW

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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you can afford it, it's worth the money. Especially if the wife has coverage.

    They now use a portable battery pack/analyzer, that does a great job of telling you if it's a bad battery or alternator, or if you just ran the battery down by leaving a door cracked open.

    Response time varies. AAA contracts with garages & towing services, so they have no control over how long response takes. When the temps drop to 10 degrees in the morning, you may have to wait a few hours for a hot shot. Under ordinary conditions, I never have to wait long. In some areas, you may have to wait a long time, there's no way to tell.

    At least they have a good app for your smart phone; that lets you know the status of your tow truck.

    Since it's possible that I may end up stranded with a flat & can't raise them, I keep a Gorilla bar in the trunk. Most service shops use a torque wrench that overtightens your wheel lugs.

    Neal
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,720 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Defiantly worth it when you need it .... just sayin.
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,525 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Used it the other day to get hauled to get new tires on the way there. No charge, We have the upgrade to get 100 plus miles free towing. Response time was 15 min.
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    And it is not limited to your own car. Have it with you as a passenger and it's valid for all the regular services - even for the driver's car. It's good for decent hotel discounts and lots more, besides. I've never needed mine for a breakdown, but save more than the membership fee every year anyway.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I give an annual membership to both of my adult children every year for Christmas. They have both used the services a number of times. Tire changes, dead battery, a couple tows, hotel discounts, etc.
    It gives us a great piece of mind at a reasonable cost.
    We like the idea the membership sticks to member, not the vehicle.
    It works for us.
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  • RIA10MMRIA10MM Member Posts: 225 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We dropped AAA when their response time was averaging an hour and a half.also they were dropping benefits like the trip maps for vacation routes.they will hound you for months.
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  • Quick&DeadQuick&Dead Member Posts: 1,466 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    A family friend tried to sell AAA to me decades ago.

    I declined as could see no advantage to it being a certified auto mechanic and working in the field. Therefore, my vehicles (some 10 years + old) were always serviced personally and knew their condition....and I still do all my own routine maintenance.

    In the 60+ years of driving, I've had maybe 3 or 4 flat tires and can only recall one time when broke down on the road about 40 years ago. The used engine I had just installed spun a main bearing on a test/trial run about 15 miles out of town. Fellow motorist stopped, got a ride to nearest house 2 miles away, called a buddy and within 1/2 hour, ample time for me to remove the drive shaft, he was giving me a tow to home behind his car.

    Of note, I've also driven to/thru nearly every state in the USA more than once, except the very upper north east.

    I can't imagine the thousands of dollars I've saved by NOT paying for some auto service club fees.

    To this day, I maintain my vehicles so always up to snuff and check them over before going out of town, even if only a hundred or so miles.

    I'm am sure it's fine for those who are physically impaired, don't own a wrench/screwdriver or don't even know who the check the oil level in the engine or add air to a tire. ;)
    The government has no rights. Only the people have rights which empowers the government.
    We have enough gun laws, what we need is IDIOT control.
    Blood makes you related. Loyalty makes you family.

    I thought getting old would take longer. :shock:
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  • castingcasting Member Posts: 110 ✭
    edited November -1
    We have two autos. An '05 and an '07. So I have it and I've used it. And it took forever for them to show up. Over an hour. But still I'll get it again. You at least have to get the PLUS. That covers 100 mi. The standard only does 3 mi. There's another level of coverage but it's kinda expensive. I have towing on my insurance but it's useless.
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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,525 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Plus covers 100 mile tows if needed. Something like 85 yr plus 35 for Wife. One tow would be more than that. Used it for two yrs and towed two times. Vehicles do break down regardless if New or older. That covers all my vehicles.. classics and my truck. Response time was quick.
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  • Grunt2Grunt2 Member Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Much like boat and trailer tow insurance...Better to have it and not need it...than need it and not have it...(applies to CCW's too!)
    Retired LEO
    Combat Vet VN
    D.A.V Life Member
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  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,041 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My auto insurance covers any road problems so I don't need it. Wife, :o locked keys in vehicle two weeks ago, called towtruck guy, paid him then and turned over to insurance and they had me a check in 7 days. No penalty on insurance/
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  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RIA10MM wrote:
    We dropped AAA when their response time was averaging an hour and a half.also they were dropping benefits like the trip maps for vacation routes.they will hound you for months.


    AAA contracts with the least dependable, least experienced wrecker companies because they pay so poorly. Often it does take 1.5 hours for AAA wrecker. You'd think AAA would send the closest wrecker, nope doesn't work that way..they post the job and who ever grabs it first gets it...so you could be getting a wrecker from 30+ miles away when there is a AAA towing company two miles away.


    Anyone with a modern vehicle should have roadside assistance, and most insurance companies offer as previously stated.
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,459 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Grasshopper wrote:
    My auto insurance covers any road problems so I don't need it. Wife, :o locked keys in vehicle two weeks ago, called towtruck guy, paid him then and turned over to insurance and they had me a check in 7 days. No penalty on insurance/

    +1 cost me $6 dollars a year for same coverage on my vehicle insurance..........
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  • asopasop Member Posts: 9,019 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We have been members since 1993! I keep it as they cover my 3 adult kids! Don't know why but they service them without question! Service calls are promp and always courteous.
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  • chollagardenschollagardens Member Posts: 4,614 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes. Just renewed,39 years. If I remember correctly you have to be a member for a couple of years to be a premier member. Premier membership is much better. There are some quirks that would be good to know about.

    Road service is not unlimited. My mother put my son on her membership. My son locked himself out of his car a FEW times and called AAA. Then when my mom needed help the service was used up.
    If you add a camper shell or improvements to your truck and you have AAA insurance, call auto club insurance and let them know or you won't have insurance for that.
    I believe the road service for RVs is separate from regular road service.
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  • WearyTravelerWearyTraveler Member Posts: 2,019 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As others have said. It?s great for peace of mind. Really cheap insurance...
    ”People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
    - GEORGE ORWELL -
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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When I was working out of town I kept a list of wrecker service telephone numbers in my car that were along the route that I drove. If I had an engine to conk out I could call the closest one to me to get a tow and cut the middle man out. Never had to call one so I saved some money over the years. Worst I ever had was a flat tire and I fixed those myself. I think I'd be a bit embarrassed to call someone to change a tire.
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  • JamesRKJamesRK Member Posts: 25,670 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I signed up with AAA for about the same reasons you are considering it. I haven't had to use it yet. I hope it's worth it, but I don't know yet.
    The road to hell is paved with COMPROMISE.
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2019
    Sorry. I can't delete it!
    I need more coffee
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  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    accidental post!
    Please ignore....
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,497 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Look at it this way: a month's worth of AAA peace of mind costs less than one cup of Starbucks.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Has been for us. Have the car stop 13 miles west of Tucumcari, or 23 miles from Deming and it pays for itself quickly. Gotta have a cell though. They have also pulled me out of a snow covered ditch when 4 wheel couldn't outside Silver City. For both of us it has been most helpful. Yeah, it costs kind of a lot, but you pay for what they do when you need them. Think of it as insurance, hope you never need it, be glad you had the foresight when it turns out you do.
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