AAA Membership
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driffter33
New member
Ive been with AAA 6 years used there towing services for friends 7 times and used there I left my keys in the car service many times @ $75 x6= $450 membership over the six years. 1 tow without it I'm guessing $100 x7= $700 keys removed from car maybe 8 times often for people I don't even know. say $25 without = $200+700-450=$450 in savings not to mention never having to go to the DMV office take care of DMV affairs right there in local AAA office much less wait and confusion. Hope this helps. its nice when a friend calls up to help them retrieve their P.O.S. all I do is call AA pull up wait till they get the car loaded up then go about my business.:dancin:
Uneek
Super Moderator
Your insurance company may offer options similar to AAA membership. Mine does at $8/yr on each vehicle that covers things like lockout, towing, flat tire changes, out of gas, etc.
However, I think this is specific to MY vehicle(s) only, since it's an itemized charge on each vehicle. The AAA membership is sort of transferrable. What I mean is if your buddy's needs towing or is locked out, you can call AAA to take care of him and let the AAA driver swipe your membership to cover the services.
What I don't get is AAA's DMV service inside their office (it's gone now, but use to be around), paper maps, etc. In the past AAA was worth it to me, but with DMV services available online and navigation systems, I don't need to visit their offices and I have the vehicle stuff covered. AAA does have other perks (some you can get from your employer too), hotel, travel and attraction discounts, even DirecTV.
However, I think this is specific to MY vehicle(s) only, since it's an itemized charge on each vehicle. The AAA membership is sort of transferrable. What I mean is if your buddy's needs towing or is locked out, you can call AAA to take care of him and let the AAA driver swipe your membership to cover the services.
What I don't get is AAA's DMV service inside their office (it's gone now, but use to be around), paper maps, etc. In the past AAA was worth it to me, but with DMV services available online and navigation systems, I don't need to visit their offices and I have the vehicle stuff covered. AAA does have other perks (some you can get from your employer too), hotel, travel and attraction discounts, even DirecTV.
Cougar8000
New member
It is a cheap insurance if you need a tow. It used to be that they took hours to get to you. now their contractors under such a huge gun that they do get to you within an hour most of the time.
I know this first hand as my brother is one of their contractors.
I know this first hand as my brother is one of their contractors.
charlier180
New member
I have had AAA for years.
When someone mentions AAA many automatically think of their towing services since that is what they are known for.
What people do not realize is that AAA offers a LOT MORE than JUST towing.
Auto title services, notary services, new tags, transfer tags, antique/classic tags, handicap tags/placards.
Most of these services are discounted or in some cases FREE. Then there are the travel discounts for hotels, amusement parks (ie Disney), etc.
I have used many of these and other AAA services over the years.
For just towing there are probably cheaper alternatives. Problem is those services are just towing.
If you need/use more than just towing services then AAA might be worth considering.
Personally, I would much rather have AAA deal with the DMV than having to do it myself. That alone is worth the price of AAA membership for me.
When someone mentions AAA many automatically think of their towing services since that is what they are known for.
What people do not realize is that AAA offers a LOT MORE than JUST towing.
Auto title services, notary services, new tags, transfer tags, antique/classic tags, handicap tags/placards.
Most of these services are discounted or in some cases FREE. Then there are the travel discounts for hotels, amusement parks (ie Disney), etc.
I have used many of these and other AAA services over the years.
For just towing there are probably cheaper alternatives. Problem is those services are just towing.
If you need/use more than just towing services then AAA might be worth considering.
Personally, I would much rather have AAA deal with the DMV than having to do it myself. That alone is worth the price of AAA membership for me.
morphius909
New member
Well we've had CAA (Canadian Auto Association, which IS in bed with AAA) for a few years now.
The two option is simple piece of mind.
As well, because of savings affiliations, I've gotten good discounts on
-Movie Tickets
-Hotels
-Vehicle Inspection Packages (got the 4runner inspected at an independent CAA/AAA garage before the warranty ran out and saved a bundle)
-Travel Insurance
-Vehicle and Home Insurance, Registrations
-Hoards of other benefits
The key is to use it. We travel a lot so we make it back and then some.
I'd recommend it.
The two option is simple piece of mind.
As well, because of savings affiliations, I've gotten good discounts on
-Movie Tickets
-Hotels
-Vehicle Inspection Packages (got the 4runner inspected at an independent CAA/AAA garage before the warranty ran out and saved a bundle)
-Travel Insurance
-Vehicle and Home Insurance, Registrations
-Hoards of other benefits
The key is to use it. We travel a lot so we make it back and then some.
I'd recommend it.
Jeffrey_VB
New member
I can usually pay my annual memberships with the money I save using their discounts. Saved over $100 on a pair of glasses from LensCrafters a few years back.
MikesToy
Banned
I used to be an AAA member from 1992-1997. If their membership is still $75/yr today, then i must've got ripped-off. Here's my experience why i disenrolled: Back then, they would only tow my vehicle upto 200 miles then after that i have to pay any mileage that goes over, they give me a gallon or two of gas (from a dirty gas can) so i make it to the next gas station, unlock my vehicle (slim jim) and tell you they're not responsible if anything breaks, they'll change your tire but you have to bring the spare out. This does not include that they'll show up in 2hrs (minimum) just to tell you that they have so many jobs ahead of me. I assume there's only 1 tow truck in a 1000-mile radius. I know it's not solely AAA to blame but it's who they subcontract with AAA stickers on their tow trucks that show up. Sorry for the rant.
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Uneek
Super Moderator
Similar experience and when I switched insurance carriers from AAA, I dropped the membership. My membership was $40-50/yr. They covered the first five miles of towing, charged like $5/mile thereafter. I had a limit of three incidents per year, after two there was a warning that I would get dropped from membership. By incident, I mean like having two flats or need two jumps. They said having three was just being negligent. I think the first gallon of gas might've been free. When I had a flat, the tow truck who swapped it with a spare didn't even tighten down the lug nuts. I asked him about tighten the lugs while the wheel was up in the air he said "it would be fine." By the time I got home, the lugs were completely loose by more than several turns.
In CA, they still take over two hours to get here. Someone stole one of the wheels off my cousin's car and attempted to steal the second. He called them around 8:30ish in the morning, the driver didn't show up until almost 11am. He was cool guy though.
I'm not knocking AAA, because some of their perks/discount/conveniences are pretty good. For myself, it's been mixed and I don't utilize all their benefits.
Cougar8000
New member
Mike, as I have said before. Things have changed. My brother has a tow truck/repair facility and contracting with AAA. If he is as much as 1 min late it is a huge problems for him. So, he gets to 99% of his call within 1 hour. 1 hour is their guideline. Their constructors have a limited territory which helps assure that they always have a tow truck within an hour. Unless you are out in the boonies.
Had it for the family, but cancelled. Was stuck in a parking lot (goofing around) and got stuck. Called AAA that X-Mas and a) didn't get a call back for over an hour and b) was told the tow truck drivers don't help in that situation.
Called back a week later to cancel and was told "Sorry, but they should have helped you. The only reason why they wouldn't help would be if it wasn't safe for the tow truck."
I get the same type of road side assistance from AMEX and Costco's insurance company. Plus picked up a pair of GYSA tires, which also provide on/off road side assistance
Another thing to keep in mind is the DMV office they provide (if you need), as it can save you a long wait if you need to register/buy/sell/transfer a car.
Called back a week later to cancel and was told "Sorry, but they should have helped you. The only reason why they wouldn't help would be if it wasn't safe for the tow truck."
I get the same type of road side assistance from AMEX and Costco's insurance company. Plus picked up a pair of GYSA tires, which also provide on/off road side assistance
Another thing to keep in mind is the DMV office they provide (if you need), as it can save you a long wait if you need to register/buy/sell/transfer a car.
fxoffroad
New member
I really like AAA. It's been a major benefit... including discounts @ hotels and travel. Even though you can book your own travel online - AAA can usually match or beat what you find.
Roadside assistance (for me) has been excellent. Locked my keys in my vehicle outside of Sedona, AZ and AAA came and unlocked me.
My vehicle insurance has this same type of coverage for free, so I like have a little back up coverage.
AAA also has a vehicle purchasing assistance and it seriously rocks!
Roadside assistance (for me) has been excellent. Locked my keys in my vehicle outside of Sedona, AZ and AAA came and unlocked me.
My vehicle insurance has this same type of coverage for free, so I like have a little back up coverage.
AAA also has a vehicle purchasing assistance and it seriously rocks!
brian2sun
Elite Member
I still have AAA, but one thing that really pissed me off was when I needed a new battery while at Yellowstone NP. Even though AAA says "anywhere in the continental US", they will not go into national parks. I had to pay over $200 for the battery and the service call from the private contractor in the NP. I fought with AAA for reimbursement for the service call part of the bill for about 3 months and finally did end up getting about $100 refund, but it was a hassle. Just don't expect any help in a NP, otherwise AAA is good to have IMO.
nor cal boy
New member
last summer my parents and i were driving back home(bay area) from tahoe. we were in a bigg a$$ lifted f250 turbo desal. about 20 miles out of tahoe, a massive boulder fell on the road right in front of us. needless to say we hit pretty hard. luckely the truck was lifted enough to not sustain body damage. however, the rock managed to tear out the two differentals
AAA towed us home and we used up all of our tow miles for a few years. would have easly gone up past 5k$ in towing if we diddnt have the tow plan. i will never drive without AAA
AAA towed us home and we used up all of our tow miles for a few years. would have easly gone up past 5k$ in towing if we diddnt have the tow plan. i will never drive without AAA
MikesToy
Banned
what are you gonna do next if something happens? AAA ain't gonna tow you for a few years now.
i've had mine for a few years, also have the accompanying auto insurance. good service. though i hear that wawanessa is a lot cheaper for similar service. dmv services very useful, also the travel is really useful. i made good friends with my agent and one time they had an "employee special" for a week in hawaii, she told me about it, gave me the phone # to call and boom. the biggest thing for me though is the maps. i travel a lot and no matter where i'm headed, i always stop off at AAA first and get a couple maps.