Bundling’s definitely a solid move, and I hear you on the deductible thing—raising it too much always makes me nervous. With kids in the car, it feels like Murphy’s Law is just waiting to strike. I’ve kept my glass coverage for the same reason you mentioned; those random rocks seem to find my windshield every couple of years.
About roadside assistance, I actually dropped it once thinking I’d just pay out of pocket if something happened. Of course, a few months later, my battery died in a grocery store parking lot with both kids in tow. Ended up paying more than a year’s worth of roadside coverage just for that one tow. Not saying it’s always a bad idea to drop it, but for me, the peace of mind is worth the small extra cost.
Curious if anyone’s found a good alternative to the insurance company’s roadside—like AAA or even credit card perks? I’ve heard mixed things but never tried switching.
Had to laugh at this:
. Story of my life, honestly.those random rocks seem to find my windshield every couple of years
About roadside, I’ve been a AAA member for a while, mostly because my dad swears by it. It’s come in handy, but I always wonder if I’m overpaying for the brand. I’ve heard some credit cards tack on roadside perks, but I haven’t tried trusting one yet. Has anyone actually used their card’s roadside and had it work out? I’m skeptical, but maybe I’m missing out on easy savings.
Credit card roadside perks are hit or miss. Here’s what I’ve seen:
- Most cards only cover basic stuff—like a tow to the nearest shop, not a long haul.
- Wait times can be brutal compared to AAA. I’ve had people tell me they waited hours.
- Some cards charge per use, so it’s not always “free.”
- Claims process is usually more of a hassle if something goes sideways.
Honestly, AAA’s not cheap, but you’re paying for reliability and speed. If you’re stranded at 2am, that matters. I’d check your card’s fine print before dropping AAA, just in case.
Yeah, I hear you. I tried relying on my card’s roadside once and it was... not great. Waited almost two hours for a jump, and the operator kept transferring me. Ended up late for work and still had to pay a small fee. AAA’s definitely pricier, but when my wife’s battery died in the middle of nowhere last winter, they got to her in under 30 minutes. That peace of mind is hard to put a price on.
I’m always looking for ways to cut costs too, but roadside is one area where I don’t like to gamble much. Maybe if you barely drive or stick close to home, the card perks are enough, but if you’re out and about a lot, AAA seems worth it. Just my two cents—sometimes saving money isn’t worth the headache.
sometimes saving money isn’t worth the headache.
That really hits home. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks by skipping out on solid roadside coverage, and it usually comes back to bite them at the worst possible time. I remember one client who figured their credit card’s “free” roadside was enough—until their car broke down on a Sunday night outside Montgomery. They ended up waiting almost three hours, and the tow truck driver wanted cash up front. Not exactly the kind of surprise you want.
I get wanting to trim costs—insurance premiums aren’t cheap in Alabama, especially if you’ve got a less-than-perfect record. But there are places to cut corners and places where it’s just not worth the risk. Roadside is one of those things that seems unnecessary... until you need it. Personally, I’d rather pay a little extra for AAA or a reputable add-on through my insurer than roll the dice with those “included” perks. Peace of mind is underrated, honestly.