I’ve noticed agents definitely push more “extras” once you hit a certain age—like roadside assistance or higher medical, even if you don’t need it. I double-checked everything after my last quote and cut out a few things that didn’t make sense for us. The defensive driving discount in Kansas isn’t huge, but I did get about $30 off per year after taking the course. Not life-changing, but it adds up over time. And yeah, you have to ask about every little discount... they rarely just offer them upfront.
I totally get what you mean about the “extras.” I had an agent try to tack on rental car coverage, even though I barely drive outside my county these days. It’s like they assume we suddenly need every bell and whistle after 65. I did the same as you—went through my policy line by line and ended up dropping a few things.
The defensive driving discount in Kansas isn’t huge, but I did get about $30 off per year after taking the course.
I took that course too, mostly out of curiosity. The instructor was entertaining, but yeah, the discount was underwhelming. Still, every bit helps. Has anyone actually used roadside assistance from their insurance? I’ve always wondered if it’s worth keeping or if AAA (or even just paying out of pocket) is better in the long run. I feel like I’m paying for peace of mind more than anything, but maybe that’s just me overthinking it...
Honestly, I’ve always been a little skeptical about insurance roadside assistance. I get what you mean about paying for peace of mind, but in my experience, it’s not always as reliable as they make it sound. Had a flat tire last winter and called the insurance roadside number—ended up waiting almost two hours before someone showed up. Felt like I could’ve just called a local tow guy directly and probably saved time (and maybe even money).
AAA’s not perfect either, but at least you know exactly what you’re getting, and they cover more than just your car sometimes. Paying out of pocket isn’t always cheaper if you break down far from home, though. It’s kind of a toss-up, honestly.
“I feel like I’m paying for peace of mind more than anything, but maybe that’s just me overthinking it...”
I don’t think you’re overthinking it—it’s just that sometimes the “peace of mind” costs more than it should. For me, I ended up dropping insurance roadside and sticking with AAA, mostly because I use their discounts at hotels and stuff too. But yeah, it’s easy to get nickel-and-dimed with all these little add-ons...
That two-hour wait sounds about right, unfortunately. I had a similar experience last summer—stuck on the side of the highway, watching the sun set, just me and my melting ice cream. I switched to AAA too, mostly for the hotel discounts and because their roadside folks actually show up. It’s wild how all these “extras” add up, though... sometimes I feel like I’m paying for peace of mind and a keychain.
Yeah, those “extras” sneak up on you. I’ve been with AAA for years, mostly for the towing, but lately I’m questioning if it’s worth the yearly fee. Insurance after 65 is a whole other headache—rates just keep creeping up, no matter how clean your record is. I’ve started shopping around every renewal, even tried bundling with home insurance, but the savings are hit or miss. Sometimes I wonder if all these perks are just a fancy way to charge us more...
