Totally get where you’re coming from. I’m the same way—having AAA just feels like a safety net, even if I don’t use it all that often. There’s something about knowing you can call someone who isn’t connected to your insurance or dealership that’s just... reassuring? Especially when you’re out in the middle of nowhere and your phone signal is sketchy at best.
I’ve heard mixed things about insurance roadside too. Some folks say it’s fine, others have had issues with slow response times or weird billing stuff. The whole “might count as a claim” thing is what keeps me from dropping AAA, honestly. I’d rather pay a little extra for peace of mind than risk my rates going up over a dead battery.
You’re right though—if you’ve got a newer car and stick close to home, doubling up probably isn’t necessary. But for those of us who like to wander off the beaten path (and drive cars with “personality”), having that backup just makes sense.
I get the appeal of AAA, but honestly, I’m not totally convinced it’s always worth the extra cash—especially if you’re not using it much. Here’s where I’m coming from:
- My insurance roadside has actually been fine the couple times I’ve needed it. Response time was about the same as when my sister used AAA last year.
- The “might count as a claim” thing sounds scary, but my agent told me flat out that roadside calls don’t impact rates unless you’re calling every other week. Maybe some companies are different, but it hasn’t been an issue for us.
- We’ve got three cars (all pretty boring family haulers), and doubling up on coverage just feels like overkill. That said, if I was driving something older or less reliable, I’d probably think twice.
Not saying AAA is bad, just not sure it’s a must-have for everyone. Guess it depends on how much you drive and where you go. For us, the insurance add-on is just simpler... and one less membership to keep track of.
I hear you on the “is AAA really worth it?” debate. I’ve been back and forth myself, especially since my daily driver is a 20-year-old Buick that’s more “character” than “reliable transportation” at this point. For my wife’s newer car, we just use the insurance roadside add-on, and honestly, it’s been fine—no complaints, and it’s dirt cheap.
But here’s where I get a little twitchy: I had a breakdown a couple years ago in my old ‘72 Cutlass, middle of nowhere, and my insurance roadside basically shrugged and said they couldn’t find anyone to tow that far. Ended up calling AAA (I’d let my membership lapse, of course), and they still helped me out for a fee. That was a long night. I guess if you’re mostly sticking close to home or driving newer stuff, insurance roadside is probably all you need. But if you’re like me and occasionally trust your fate to a carbureted V8 with questionable wiring, AAA starts to look like cheap peace of mind.
I do get annoyed with the “double coverage” thing, though. Feels silly paying for both, but I keep AAA mostly for the classics and road trips. The discounts are nice, but honestly, I forget about them half the time. If you’re not using it much, it’s just another card in the wallet.
Funny thing is, I’ve had faster response from insurance roadside in town than AAA once or twice. But out in the boonies? AAA seems to have more pull with the tow companies. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw.
Guess it comes down to how much you trust your ride—and how far off the beaten path you wander. For my family hauler? Insurance is fine. For the old iron? I’ll keep AAA around... just in case the Buick decides to take another nap on the shoulder.
I’ve been wrestling with this since I started shopping for insurance last month, and your story kinda seals it for me.
I mean, I don’t have anything that old (yet), but I do like to take random road trips and honestly, the idea of being stranded somewhere rural freaks me out. Did you ever run into issues with AAA denying claims or being picky about what they’ll tow? That’s the one thing I keep hearing mixed reviews about—some folks swear by them, others say they’re not as reliable as they used to be.if you’re like me and occasionally trust your fate to a carbureted V8 with questionable wiring, AAA starts to look like cheap peace of mind.
Did you ever run into issues with AAA denying claims or being picky about what they’ll tow? That’s the one thing I keep hearing mixed reviews about—some folks swear by them, others say they’re not as reliable as they used to be.
That’s a fair concern. I’ve had AAA for years, and while I wouldn’t call them perfect, I’ve never had them outright deny a tow when I needed it. There were a couple times they asked a lot of questions about the situation—like, “Is it a mechanical breakdown or an accident?”—but in the end, they sent someone out. The only real hiccup I’ve had was waiting longer than I’d like in a rural area, but honestly, I’d expect that with any service out in the sticks.
I do think it depends a bit on which tier you get. The basic plan has some limits on mileage, and if you’re far from home, you might end up paying extra. But for peace of mind on road trips, especially if you’re not driving something brand new, it’s been worth it for me. I get the mixed reviews, but I’d still rather have them than rely solely on my insurance’s roadside help, which always felt like an afterthought.