I'm just starting to shop for insurance myself, and threads like these are exactly why I'm hesitant about AAA. Step one: walk in asking for basic coverage. Step two: get bombarded with a sales pitch for stuff you didn't even know existed. Step three: leave confused with pet coverage and no pets...got it. 😂 Think I'll skip straight to the "another company" step and save myself the headache. Thanks for the heads-up!
Haha, your step-by-step breakdown is spot-on. I went through something similar last year when my wife and I decided to shop around for car insurance. Here's how it went for us:
Step 1: Call AAA, expecting a quick quote on basic coverage.
Step 2: Spend 20 minutes politely declining roadside assistance upgrades, identity theft protection, and yes...pet injury coverage (we have two kids but no pets—unless you count the goldfish).
Step 3: Hang up feeling like I just dodged a timeshare presentation.
To be fair though, once we got past all the upselling, the actual coverage wasn't terrible price-wise. But the whole experience left me skeptical enough to shop around more. Ended up going with another company that was straightforward from the start—no surprise pet coverage, thankfully.
AAA used to feel simpler and more customer-focused. Now it seems like they're trying too hard to bundle everything under the sun. Maybe it's just the way insurance companies operate these days...
"AAA used to feel simpler and more customer-focused. Now it seems like they're trying too hard to bundle everything under the sun."
I get where you're coming from, but honestly, bundling isn't always just upselling. Sometimes it's about risk management from their perspective. Companies bundle coverage because statistically, customers who have multiple protections tend to file fewer claims overall. Still, I agree it can feel pushy if not handled right—maybe AAA just needs better training on reading the room...
I see your point about bundling being partly about risk management, but from my experience, it does feel like AAA has shifted a bit from their original approach. I've been with them for years, mostly because as a high-risk driver, it's been tough finding coverage that's both reliable and affordable. AAA used to stand out because their agents genuinely seemed interested in helping me navigate my situation without pushing extras I didn't need. Lately though, every renewal feels like a sales pitch for something new—roadside assistance upgrades, home insurance bundles, even travel discounts.
Don't get me wrong, some of these offers are genuinely useful, and I understand the logic behind bundling from their perspective. But there's a fine line between helpful suggestions and feeling pressured into buying more coverage than necessary. Maybe it's just my experience, but the last couple of times I've called in, the conversation quickly shifted from addressing my immediate concerns to pitching additional services. It wasn't aggressive exactly, but it did feel less personal and more scripted than before.
I wonder if part of this shift is due to increased competition in the insurance market. Maybe AAA feels like they need to offer more comprehensive packages to stay competitive with other big insurers who bundle everything from auto to pet insurance. Still, I miss the days when the conversations felt more tailored to my actual needs rather than a checklist of products.
Has anyone else noticed that the quality of customer service seems to vary a lot depending on who you talk to? I've had some agents who were fantastic—patient, understanding, and genuinely helpful—and others who seemed more interested in ticking boxes and moving on. Maybe the issue isn't just bundling itself, but how consistently AAA trains their staff to handle these conversations.
Yeah, I've definitely noticed a shift too. Funny you mention the scripted feeling—I had a call recently that felt exactly like that. I called in because I wanted to see if I could trim down my policy a bit (trying to save a few bucks here and there, you know?), and somehow ended up hearing about everything from discounted cruises to home security systems. I mean, I live in a tiny apartment—my idea of home security is a deadbolt and a noisy neighbor who notices everything. 😂
But seriously, it does seem like the personal touch has faded a bit. I remember years ago, when I first signed up, the agent spent a good half hour just chatting about my driving habits and lifestyle to figure out what I actually needed. It felt genuine, like they were really looking out for me. Now it feels more like they're reading off a teleprompter, ticking off boxes as they go.
I get it, though—competition is fierce these days. Every company out there wants to bundle your car insurance with your house, your boat, your dog, your grandma... you name it. But there's definitely a difference between offering something helpful and making you feel like you're at a timeshare presentation.
And you're right about the inconsistency. I've had some agents who were absolute gems—patient, helpful, even cracked a joke or two—and others who sounded like they'd rather be anywhere else. Maybe it's just luck of the draw, or maybe AAA needs to step up their training game.
Either way, I still stick with them because, honestly, switching insurers feels like such a hassle. Plus, every now and then, they surprise me by actually saving me money. But yeah, I miss the days when calling customer service didn't feel like spinning a roulette wheel.
