Still feels like they’re charging more for less these days though...
Right there with you. I drive a car that costs more to fix than my first apartment, so I’m always eyeing those “extras” with suspicion. Here’s my take:
- Roadside is a must—learned that after my battery died in a suit and tie, middle of nowhere. Not a good look.
- The rental car add-on? Meh, unless you’re constantly on the road.
- Glass coverage is a joke if you’ve got a luxury model. They cap it so low it barely covers a wiper blade.
Honestly, half the time it feels like they’re just tacking on fees for stuff I’ll never use. But that one time you need it… ugh, you’re glad you paid.
Honestly, half the time it feels like they’re just tacking on fees for stuff I’ll never use. But that one time you need it… ugh, you’re glad you paid.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced about skipping the “extras.” I’m still pretty new to driving, so maybe I’m just more paranoid, but I keep thinking—what if something actually does happen? Like, I’ve heard horror stories from friends who didn’t have rental coverage and ended up stuck for weeks while their car was in the shop. Even if you’re not on the road all the time, wouldn’t it be worse to be caught off guard?
The glass coverage thing is weird though. My cousin had a cracked windshield and AAA barely covered anything, so I see your point there. But with roadside, I’d rather pay a little more and not be the person stranded at 2am. Maybe it’s just my luck, but I’d rather be over-prepared than under.
Is it really just about the odds, or am I being too cautious?
Honestly, I get the paranoia—my luck’s usually the kind where if I skip coverage, that’s exactly when I’d need it. But man, those “extras” add up fast. I’ve had AAA for years and half the time I wonder if it’s even worth it anymore. Their roadside used to be clutch, but last time I waited almost two hours for a tow... not exactly peace of mind. I guess it all depends on how much risk you’re willing to take. For me, I’m torn between being cautious and just feeling nickel-and-dimed.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. Those add-ons really sneak up on you, and it’s hard to tell what’s actually worth it. Waiting two hours for a tow? That’s rough—used to be way faster, at least in my experience. One thing I always suggest is making a list of exactly what you use each year. If you’re not using the extras, maybe there’s a better fit out there. Insurance is all about finding that weird balance between peace of mind and not feeling like you’re just burning cash for nothing. It’s tricky, honestly.
It’s funny you mention the waiting time for a tow—I remember back in the day, it felt like AAA would show up before you could even finish explaining where you were. Now, it’s almost like calling customer service for anything else: get comfy, it’s gonna be a while. Has anyone actually compared their roadside response times to other companies lately? I’m half-wondering if it’s just AAA that’s slowed down or if all these services have gotten bogged down as more people sign up.
When it comes to those extras, is there any add-on that genuinely feels worth it anymore? I used to think the travel discounts and DMV stuff were a nice bonus, but honestly, I can’t remember the last time I used them. Maybe I’m just not taking advantage of what I’m paying for... or maybe they’re just not as useful as they used to be?
And about that “peace of mind” thing—how do you all decide when enough is enough? Like, where’s the line between being cautious and just paying for features you’ll never touch? Sometimes I feel like I’m paying for the *idea* of being covered, not the actual coverage.
Has anyone tried dropping AAA entirely and going with something else? Did you notice a difference in service, or was it just more of the same with a different logo slapped on? I’m always curious if the grass is actually greener or if we’re all just dealing with the same headaches no matter who we sign up with.
