I've called AAA at least four or five times in one year (old car problems...), and my premium didn't budge.
I've wondered about this too, but honestly, I've called AAA maybe three times in one summer (road-tripping with an ancient camper van...), and my premium stayed exactly the same. Still, I get the hesitation—insurance companies can be sneaky sometimes. A standalone service might be a safer bet if you're really worried about it. Better peace of mind and no second-guessing every time you dial for help.
Honestly, AAA probably expects people to use the roadside assistance a few times a year—it's kinda built into their model. But yeah, if you're constantly worried about triggering rate hikes, maybe a separate roadside service isn't such a bad idea... peace of mind counts for something.
Yeah, I get what you're saying. I've had AAA for years and honestly only used roadside assistance maybe twice—once when my battery died at the grocery store (fun times...) and another when I locked my keys in the car at soccer practice. Never noticed any rate hikes afterward, but I guess if you're using it a lot, it might be different. Still, having that backup is nice. Separate roadside services could be good too, especially if it helps you sleep better at night, haha.
I've noticed AAA can be hit or miss depending on your location. My brother had them for years, barely used it, then got stranded once on a road trip and waited almost three hours for help. He switched to a separate roadside service after that and swears it's faster. Personally, I think AAA's convenience is nice, but maybe dedicated roadside companies have more incentive to show up quickly? Just something to think about...
I've seen this happen a lot, honestly. AAA can be super convenient, but response times really do vary depending on where you are and how busy they happen to be. One thing I'd suggest is checking out local reviews or asking around your area—sometimes smaller, dedicated roadside services have fewer customers to juggle, so they can get to you quicker. AAA's still solid overall, but if you're regularly driving in remote areas, it might be worth exploring other options just in case...
