Anonymous wrote:The thing about AAA is that you are not just paying for emergency roadside service. You are becoming a member of a massive lobbying operation that advocates for things that you may or may not agree with. For example AAA lobbies for pro-fossil fuel policies, against the clean air act, in favor of more roads, anti-pedestrian and cycling protections, etc. I’m not a member for that reason. You can either do roadside through your insurance or as previous posters above noted, doing it outside your insurance could ultimately save on premiums. In that case I recommend Better World Club (www.betterworldclub.com) which offers similar perks to AAA without opposing airbags as another example of a position AAA takes.

This is a great post. Many people don't realize that these issues are a big component of the organizations you are doing business with. I happen to support many of the positions of the AAA (and would take issue with a few of your comments, but that's a different issue) and wouldn't support the organization you linked, but nonetheless, this is a very good post that points out what many people probably don't think about. AARP is another organization that comes to mind as a seemingly innocuous organization that offers discounts and a nice magazine; most people don't realize what a powerful lobbying organization it is and would be surprised by many of their positions on important issues affecting seniors.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People don’t know how to change their own tires?

I wouldn't change a tire on the side of the road, and I don't want my spouse or kids doing it either. Too many people (including police officers) getting killed on the side of the road these days.

Let the tow truck drivers die instead, duh!

Geez - there's a huge difference between me or my 17 year old daughter on the side of the road trying to change a tire, and a tow truck with flashing lights with a driver wearing reflective clothing parked in a manner that blocks traffic somewhat and has an industrial jack and a high powered impact wrench, and if need be, could tow the car to a safer location. Don't be an idiot.

The thing about AAA is that you are not just paying for emergency roadside service. You are becoming a member of a massive lobbying operation that advocates for things that you may or may not agree with. For example AAA lobbies for pro-fossil fuel policies, against the clean air act, in favor of more roads, anti-pedestrian and cycling protections, etc. I’m not a member for that reason. You can either do roadside through your insurance or as previous posters above noted, doing it outside your insurance could ultimately save on premiums. In that case I recommend Better World Club (www.betterworldclub.com) which offers similar perks to AAA without opposing airbags as another example of a position AAA takes.

I'm always glad we have it. It's pretty cheap, but gets you out of a bind quickly.

I once broke down in my fiance's car in the turn lane on Rockville Pike on a Friday at 3pm. Buy was I glad I knew who to call! He's lucky I married him after I called hi to tell him the car wouldn't start, and he said, "Oh, yeah. It does that sometimes. Tow it to the service station."

I've also locked my keys in the car, had a flat, run out of gas (on me, but I'd left my wallet at home and didn't realize until I was far away). And I do use the travel services because I like physical maps.

When we had a nanny, I got a card in my child's name to keep in the car, so if she needed assistance, I didn't have to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People don’t know how to change their own tires?

I wouldn't change a tire on the side of the road, and I don't want my spouse or kids doing it either. Too many people (including police officers) getting killed on the side of the road these days.

Let the tow truck drivers die instead, duh!

Anonymous wrote:People don’t know how to change their own tires?

I wouldn't change a tire on the side of the road, and I don't want my spouse or kids doing it either. Too many people (including police officers) getting killed on the side of the road these days.

People don’t know how to change their own tires?

is chalk full of

Chock

I do not have roadside assistance on my insurance so being an Auto Club member is a great deal for me.

At only $52/annually I not only get flat tire assistance, battery jump, local towing, etc.
I also get retail/theme park/restaurant di$counts too.

Plus they automatically subscribe you to a free magazine that is chalk full of useful information, resources, etc.

One of the greatest things ever.
For me, the peace of mind I have knowing that good help is only a phone call away is priceless.

We have had it for 4 years on 3 cars and love the security especially now that we have teen drivers. They have changed 2 tires, jumped the battery three times, towed cars three times, and saved me a ton on hotels. Well worth it!

LensCrafters discount and some hotel discounts make it worthwhile for us.

I've had AAA for less than two years, for the first time in my life. I've found it to be very easy helpful for when I get a flat (which happens way more than I like) and for car rental deals.

There is some reliable information out there that insurers will correlate your roadside assistance claims with your insurability. That is, your insurer could raise your rates or even decline to renew if you have excessive use of your associated roadside assistance plan. For that reason, some people like to separate the two by getting AAA or some other non-affiliated roadside assistance plan.

We do have AAA. Every time I think about canceling, we end up having an incident. I think it's probably a break even. Other than the roadside assistance, we occasionally find a AAA hotel rate that beats anything else we can find.
That's about it.

Do you have roadside assistance with your auto insurance?

I have not had AAA is years because we don't use the travel benefits (thanks internet). And we have roadside assistance with our auto insurance. I can call the tow truck myself if needed and send the bill into insurance.

Anyone find this useful to have? What are the benefits.
How is AAA compared to my regular car insurance?