I see your point, but honestly, AAA has saved me more than once on family road trips. A couple years back, we got stranded with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere—kids restless, wife stressed, you know the drill. AAA took about 45 mins to show up, but knowing exactly who to call without worrying about sketchy apps or surprise charges was worth every penny. Guess it depends on your situation...
I get where you're coming from, AAA can definitely be a lifesaver in certain situations. But honestly, I've noticed a bit of a decline myself over the years. Maybe it's just my cautious nature kicking in, but I always feel better having a backup plan.
A few summers ago, I was driving my '68 Mustang upstate for a car show—beautiful day, windows down, classic rock on the radio...you know, living the dream. Then suddenly, engine sputters and dies right there on the highway shoulder. Called AAA immediately, and they said it'd be about an hour. Fair enough, I thought. But after an hour and a half passed with no sign of help, I started getting nervous. Ended up calling a buddy who lived nearby to bail me out.
Don't get me wrong, AAA eventually showed up (two hours later), and the driver was super nice and apologetic. But ever since then, I've learned to keep some extra tools and spare parts handy—just in case. Guess it really does depend on your luck and location...
Totally get your point about AAA. I've had similar experiences, and honestly, it's made me a bit more cautious too. A few things I've learned over the years:
- AAA response times can vary wildly depending on location, time of day, and even weather conditions. Had a flat tire once in the middle of nowhere—AAA said 45 mins, ended up being closer to two hours. Not fun when you're stuck roadside at night...
- Always good to have a backup plan. I keep a small emergency kit in my trunk now: jumper cables, basic tools, flashlight, tire inflator...you know, the basics. Saved me more than once.
- Also worth considering: AAA isn't technically insurance—it's roadside assistance. If you're looking for actual coverage (like towing reimbursement or rental car coverage after an accident), you might want to double-check your auto policy. Some insurers offer roadside assistance as an add-on that's cheaper and sometimes quicker than AAA.
- Another thing: AAA contracts with local tow companies, so quality can be hit or miss depending on who they send out. I've had some great drivers who went above and beyond, but also a couple who clearly weren't thrilled about being called out at 2 AM.
Bottom line for me is that AAA is still useful overall—but I wouldn't rely on it exclusively. Having your own backup gear and maybe even a second roadside service through your insurer can really help ease anxiety when things go sideways.
And hey, at least you got stranded in style with that '68 Mustang...could've been worse!
"AAA contracts with local tow companies, so quality can be hit or miss depending on who they send out."
Yeah, this part really resonates with me. Had a similar experience last winter when my battery died in a parking lot after work. AAA said they'd be there in 30 minutes, but it took over an hour—and the guy who showed up seemed pretty annoyed about the whole thing. On the flip side, I've had some fantastic experiences too—like the time my wife's car broke down on a busy freeway ramp. The AAA driver was there super quick and even gave her some great advice on local mechanics.
From an insurance perspective, you're spot-on about checking your auto policy. A lot of people assume AAA covers more than it actually does. I've seen clients surprised to learn that their standard auto coverage already includes roadside assistance at a fraction of the cost.
And hey, stranded in a '68 Mustang? Could definitely be worse...I once got stuck roadside in my old Corolla during a snowstorm. Let's just say it wasn't exactly glamorous.
"AAA contracts with local tow companies, so quality can be hit or miss depending on who they send out."
Totally agree with this. Had AAA come out when my '72 Chevelle decided to quit on me last summer—guy showed up quick enough but had zero clue how to handle a classic. Ended up having to walk him through hooking it up without damaging the chrome bumper...fun times. Definitely worth checking your regular insurance first; mine covers roadside and seems more consistent overall.
