anyone else feel like AAA insurance isn't what it used to be?

Yeah, I hear you on the limits. My cousin tried to use her bank’s “free” roadside and ended up waiting three hours for a jump, then still had to pay for the tow. I guess with AAA, you’re paying for a bit more reliability... but man, that yearly fee does sting if you barely use it. I’m always torn—do I gamble and hope my old car behaves, or just cough up the cash for peace of mind?

I get where you’re coming from. I’ve had my own run-ins with “included” roadside through my insurance, and honestly, it was a mess. Waited two hours for a tow that never showed, ended up calling a local guy and just paying out of pocket. After that, I went back to AAA, even though yeah, it’s not cheap. But when my battery died in the middle of nowhere last winter, they actually showed up in under an hour. That’s worth something to me.

Still, I do wonder if it’s just nostalgia making me think AAA used to be better, or if their service really has slipped. Anyone else actually had them drop the ball lately? Or is it just hit or miss depending on where you live?

I hear you on the nostalgia thing, but honestly, I think AAA’s gotten pricier without really improving.

“even though yeah, it’s not cheap. But when my battery died in the middle of nowhere last winter, they actually showed up in under an hour. That’s worth something to me.”

Title: Anyone else feel like AAA insurance isn't what it used to be?

I get where you’re coming from—nobody wants to pay more and get less. I’ve heard a lot of folks grumble that AAA’s roadside service isn’t as fast or friendly as it used to be, and honestly, I’ve seen both sides myself. One time, they got to me in 30 minutes flat when my alternator died at a gas station (felt like I’d won the lottery), but another time I waited over an hour for a flat tire fix and the driver barely said two words to me. It’s kind of a roll of the dice.

Here’s the thing though: even with the price hikes, I still think there’s value in having someone to call when you’re stranded. Sure, you could stash the yearly fee in a “car trouble” jar, but if your luck is anything like mine, you’ll need help the one time you forget your wallet or your phone’s dead. Murphy’s Law, right? Plus, some of those tow bills without coverage can get wild—my neighbor paid almost $300 for a short tow last year because he didn’t have any kind of plan.

That said, I totally get being annoyed when the service doesn’t match the cost. If you’re not getting what you expect, it might be worth shopping around. Some car insurance policies have their own roadside assistance add-ons now, and sometimes they’re cheaper or more responsive (though results definitely vary). Just make sure you read the fine print—some of those “included” services only cover like five miles of towing, and after that it’s all out of pocket.

It’s definitely not as simple as it used to be. I remember my parents swearing by AAA back in the day—like, it was basically a rite of passage to get your card in the mail. Now it feels more like just another bill unless you actually use it. Maybe we’re all just nostalgic for when things felt easier... or maybe we just want our money’s worth. Either way, can’t blame anyone for wanting better service when prices keep creeping up.

I hear you on the nostalgia—AAA used to feel like a gold standard, and now it’s more hit or miss. I’ve noticed the same thing with response times and the overall experience. That said, I still think there’s peace of mind in having a backup, especially if you drive older cars or travel a lot. But you’re right, some insurance companies offer roadside help now, and sometimes it’s actually a better deal. Just gotta watch those fine print details... I’ve seen people surprised by tow limits or extra fees. It’s not as straightforward as it used to be, that’s for sure.