Makes me wonder if it’s more about luck and location than which company you use.
Totally agree with this. After my first fender bender, I was super anxious about being stranded, but honestly, paying for both AAA and insurance roadside just felt wasteful after a while. Here’s what I ended up doing:
- Kept AAA for a year, barely used it.
- Tried pay-per-use once when my battery died—cost less than my annual AAA fee.
- Realized most of my breakdowns happened close to home anyway.
Now I just keep some emergency cash and a portable jump starter in the trunk. Not perfect, but it’s saved me a few bucks.
Honestly, I think you nailed it with this:
. A lot of folks double up on stuff they barely use out of habit or worry. I’ve seen plenty of people just keep a jump starter and some cash, like you said, and skip the extra fees. It’s not a one-size-fits-all thing though—some people feel better with more coverage, but if you’re mostly close to home, your setup makes total sense. I’m all about cutting unnecessary costs where you can.paying for both AAA and insurance roadside just felt wasteful after a while
Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. After my first fender bender, I remember being all hyped up about having every kind of coverage under the sun. But honestly, after dealing with insurance and realizing how much I was shelling out for stuff I barely used, it felt like tossing money in the glovebox and forgetting about it. These days, I just keep a jump starter in the trunk and a few basic tools—old habits from working on my ‘72 Chevelle, I guess.
I know some folks swear by AAA, but for me, it just didn’t add up. Most of my driving is local anyway, so if something goes sideways, I can usually call a buddy or fix it myself. Not saying everyone should ditch extra coverage—if you’re road tripping across the country or have a newer car full of computers, maybe it’s worth it. But yeah, for those of us who don’t mind getting our hands dirty (or just want to save a few bucks), less can be more.
Yeah, I’m with you on the “less is more” approach, especially after you’ve been through the insurance wringer once or twice. Here’s how I look at it:
- After my first accident, I was all about max coverage too. Thought it’d give me peace of mind, but honestly, dealing with claims felt like pulling teeth.
- Over time, I realized I was paying for stuff I never used. Like, do I really need roadside assistance when my neighbor’s a mechanic and I know my way around an old carburetor?
- These days, I keep it simple: liability, a solid toolkit, and a good flashlight. Haven’t missed the extras.
- That said, I get why some folks stick with AAA or full coverage—especially if they’re not into wrenching or have newer cars with all the tech.
Curious—have you ever actually needed one of those extra coverages you dropped? Or did you find out later that you were better off without them? Sometimes I wonder if I’m tempting fate by keeping things bare bones...
Honestly, I’ve dropped a few of those “extras” over the years and haven’t really missed them. I used to pay for rental car coverage, but the one time I actually needed a rental, it turned out my credit card already covered it—go figure. Roadside assistance is another one; I’ve always managed with a decent toolkit and a bit of patience (plus, YouTube tutorials are a lifesaver). I get a little nervous sometimes during long trips, but so far, keeping it simple hasn’t come back to bite me. Knock on wood...