I get the frustration with AAA, especially out in the boonies. But honestly, insurer roadside isn't always the golden ticket either. I just signed up for my first-ever car insurance last year (woo adulting...) and figured I'd skip AAA altogether since my policy came with roadside assistance. Fast forward to last month—got a flat tire just outside of town and thought, "Sweet, finally get to use this." Nope. Waited almost two hours because apparently their nearest contracted tow service was coming from like three towns over.
"waiting times seem to stretch out the further you get from major towns."
Yeah, that's not just a AAA thing, it's pretty universal from what I've seen. Honestly thinking about keeping a spare tire and learning how to change it myself at this point... beats waiting around playing phone games until help shows up.
Yeah, insurer roadside can be hit or miss too. Had a similar experience last winter—battery died in a parking lot, called my insurance roadside, and waited forever because their contracted guy was stuck finishing another job miles away.
Honestly, learning basic fixes yourself saves so much hassle..."beats waiting around playing phone games until help shows up."
Yeah, I get that AAA or insurance roadside assistance can be convenient, but honestly, the few times I've had to use them, it felt like more hassle than it was worth. Last month, my tire went flat on campus. Nothing major, just a simple flat. At first, I almost called roadside, but then remembered how long it took last time—like 90 minutes of waiting in a parking lot in the cold, checking my phone every five minutes to see if they'd updated the ETA.
Instead, I just ended up watching a quick YouTube video on changing a tire (because let's face it, driver's ed barely covers that stuff). Took me maybe 20 minutes total, and I was back on the road. Not only did I save a ton of time, but I also didn't have to deal with the awkwardness of making small talk with some roadside guy. Plus, it felt pretty good knowing I could handle it myself.
I'm not saying roadside assistance is useless—it definitely has its place, especially if you're stuck somewhere sketchy or have a bigger mechanical issue—but for basic things like jump-starts, tire changes, or even topping off fluids, it's really not that hard to learn yourself. And if you're budget-conscious like me, saving money by not paying extra for roadside coverage through insurance is a nice bonus. A good set of jumper cables and a basic tire-changing kit in the trunk cost less than one year's membership fee.
Of course, everyone's situation is different, and some people might prefer the peace of mind. But personally, I'd rather invest a little time learning some easy fixes than sit around twiddling my thumbs every time something minor goes wrong...
I totally see your point about roadside assistance being a hassle sometimes, especially for minor stuff. But honestly, as someone who drives alone a lot, I still keep my AAA membership active. Had a dead battery late at night once in a pretty isolated spot, and knowing someone was on the way made a huge difference for my peace of mind. Sure, I could probably learn basic fixes myself, but that extra layer of safety is worth it for me...just in case.
Haha, I get that. AAA has definitely saved my bacon a couple times too. Once I took my old Mustang out for a joyride—beautiful day, windows down, classic rock blaring...perfect afternoon until the tire decided it'd had enough and blew out on me. Yeah, I could've wrestled with the spare myself, but honestly? Watching someone else do it while sipping my iced coffee felt pretty luxurious. It's not perfect, but when you're stranded roadside with your pride and joy, AAA still feels worth it to me.
