Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying about the fine print. I’ve run into that “nearest qualified repair facility” thing before and it’s super frustrating when your mechanic is just a few miles further but you’re stuck paying extra. One thing I’d add:
- Some plans have weird exclusions, like not covering flat tires if you don’t have a spare, or only towing if your car is completely undriveable.
- Response times can vary a lot depending on where you break down—AAA was fast for me in the city, but out in the suburbs it took forever.
“It’s all about picking the one that’ll annoy you the least when things go sideways.”
That sums it up. None of them are great, but knowing exactly what you’re getting into helps avoid nasty surprises.
“It’s all about picking the one that’ll annoy you the least when things go sideways.”
That’s honestly the best way to put it. I’ve had AAA for years and yeah, it’s not what it used to be, but at least you know what hoops you’re jumping through. The exclusions are wild sometimes—had no idea about the flat tire thing until it happened to me. Just gotta read every line, I guess.
That flat tire exclusion tripped me up too—felt like a weird technicality. I get that every company has their fine print, but sometimes it feels like you need a law degree just to figure out what’s actually covered. Have you looked into any of the smaller roadside plans? I’ve heard mixed things, but I wonder if they’re any better about transparency or if it’s just the same song, different verse.
That flat tire thing gets a lot of people—honestly, exclusions like that are why I always tell folks to read the fine print, even if it’s a pain. Some of those smaller roadside plans look tempting, but I’ve seen a few that bury their own weird exclusions in the details. Have you actually tried one, or just heard stories? I’m curious if any of them actually spell things out more clearly, or if it’s just marketing.
I’ve actually tried one of those “budget” roadside plans—thought I was being clever saving a few bucks. Turns out, they covered everything except the stuff that actually happens to me, like locking my keys in the car. Ever notice how exclusions always seem to match your luck? Maybe it’s not just AAA…