Hadn’t thought about the claim history angle until a friend got a letter from her insurer after two roadside calls—she just needed a jump and a tire change, but it still showed up. That’s a bit sneaky. I get why people lean toward AAA for that reason alone.
If you’re mostly local and don’t mind the tow limit, sticking with insurance is cost-effective.
That’s fair, but with kids in the car, I’d rather pay a bit more and not worry about being stranded somewhere. Has anyone ever actually needed the longer tow from AAA? Wondering if it’s as hassle-free as they say or if there are hidden catches.
I’ve actually needed that “long tow” from AAA, and it was a lifesaver—well, maybe more like a wallet-saver, but still. My car decided to impersonate a brick about 35 miles from home, and I was dreading the bill. With AAA, they just asked where I wanted it towed and that was it. No surprise fees or weird rules, at least in my case. The only catch was the wait time. If you’re stuck during rush hour or on a holiday, pack snacks (and maybe a charging cable for your phone).
About insurance, I had no idea those roadside calls could pop up in your claim history. That feels a bit shady. Like, “Hey, you had the audacity to need a tire change? Here’s a letter.” I get the cost-saving angle but...
with kids in the car, I’d rather pay a bit more and not worry about being stranded somewhere.
Same here. Peace of mind counts for a lot, especially if your car has more gadgets than a spaceship and just as many things that can go wrong.
That’s wild about insurance tracking roadside calls—I had no clue, either. Makes me wonder what else gets logged that we don’t know about. I’m shopping for my first policy and leaning toward AAA just because I’ve heard too many stories about insurance companies using any excuse to bump up your rates. The wait time with AAA sounds annoying, but if it means not messing up my insurance record, might be worth it. Guess it’s one of those “pick your poison” deals...
I’ve wondered about that too—like, what else are they tracking behind the scenes? I drive a German car that’s... let’s just say, “temperamental,” so I’ve had my share of roadside calls. I went with AAA mostly because I didn’t want my insurance company knowing every time my battery died or I locked myself out (again). But then, is AAA really that much better, or just the lesser evil? Anyone ever had AAA actually mess up their record somehow?
I went with AAA mostly because I didn’t want my insurance company knowing every time my battery died or I locked myself out (again).
I totally get that. Insurance companies love any excuse to bump up your rates, even for little stuff. With AAA, at least it’s separate—never had them mess with my record or anything. Plus, their family plan actually saves us money since we’ve got two teen drivers... and you know how that goes. I’d rather pay a flat fee than risk my premiums creeping up every year just because my car hates cold mornings.
