I hear you on the AAA card—mine’s usually wedged between old receipts and a half-melted chapstick. I’ve had both, and honestly, I stick with AAA for the same reason: no weird premium hikes. Insurance roadside is fine if you never use it, but the one time I did, my rate crept up too. Not worth the hassle. AAA’s not always lightning fast, but at least you know where you stand.
AAA’s not always lightning fast, but at least you know where you stand.
That’s exactly it—predictability matters a lot, especially with a family in tow. I tried my insurer’s roadside once after a flat on a road trip, and sure enough, my renewal notice had a bump. It’s just not transparent. AAA’s not perfect—wait times can drag, and the membership fees creep up—but at least it’s not tied to my insurance risk profile. For me, separating those services is worth the extra card in my wallet.
That’s exactly it—predictability matters a lot, especially with a family in tow.
I get where you’re coming from about wanting to keep roadside separate from your insurance, but I’ve seen a lot of folks assume every call to their insurer’s roadside will ding their rates. That’s not always the case. Some companies treat it like a claim, others don’t—it really depends on the carrier and the state. If you’re worried, it’s worth asking your agent directly. I’ve actually had faster response times with my insurer than AAA a couple times, weirdly enough. Guess it’s a bit of a toss-up either way.
Honestly, I’ve had clients surprised when their insurer’s roadside didn’t affect their rates at all. Like you said, it’s a mixed bag—
Price-wise, insurance add-ons can be cheaper than AAA, especially if you rarely use the service. But if you want hotel discounts and travel perks, AAA still has its place. Just depends on what you value more.Some companies treat it like a claim, others don’t—it really depends on the carrier and the state.
I get the appeal of bundling roadside with your insurance, but I’m a little wary. My cousin had a flat last year and used her insurer’s roadside—no issues at first, but when she shopped for new coverage, that “incident” popped up in her report. Not saying it always happens, but it’s enough to make me nervous. With AAA, at least you know what you’re getting, and it doesn’t touch your insurance history. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’d rather keep those things separate if I can.
