AAA is it worthwhile?

Katfish · February 07, 2018, 06:48:13 PM

How many carry AAA?
I just got an offer for $60 a year for 2 people. Now on the surface that doesn't seem like much.
I have to wonder about the economics of it.
Case in point, my mom has carried AAA for the last 20yrs, and only used it 3 times, always for locking her keys in the car.
Me on the other hand have saved $1200 over the same time period.

What's your experience?

GoodysGotaCuda · February 07, 2018, 06:59:03 PM

I have the 100mi tow version for me. Two old cars, it's nearly inevitable i'll be towed somewhere. I want enough coverage to get me home on most trips.

Brads70 · February 07, 2018, 07:00:50 PM

CAA ( here in Canada, same thing more or less) I've had it for well over 20 years also. I have used it a few times for myself, but mainly for the kids vehicle lately LOL I think its cheap insurance for the piece of mind it gives me. I have the upgraded version so it also covers my 30ft travel trailer as well.
I did have the Challenger flat bedded home , turned out to be a green death battery cable

ToxicWolf · February 07, 2018, 07:24:44 PM

I've had it for a long time and have used it from Hawaii to Florida. How well it works depends on where you are. Here in Florida their services are from good to really bad. Getting a tow truck takes up to 3 hours. I had a battery die on me once and they had a new one in my truck in 30 minutes at 2am. The second time I needed a battery they didn't send a AAA truck. The sent some contractor that didn't have a battery that would work in my truck ... Even though I gave AAA all the details on the battery I needed. Their wonderful guy they sent out shrugged his shoulders and said he couldn't help me and I should call AAA again and have my truck towed in to somewhere that had the right battery. After all it was free. Three hours later a tow truck came.

nsmall · February 07, 2018, 10:46:27 PM

Quote from: Katfish on February 07, 2018, 06:48:13 PM

Case in point, my mom has carried AAA for the last 20yrs, and only used it 3 times, always for locking her keys in the car.
Me on the other hand have saved $1200 over the same time period.

What's your experience?

I have AAA on all my rental homes so I have to be a member. My Honda Odyssey doesnt have a spare tire (not joking) so I acutally like the piece of mind. I would say no, but in my case its a perfect fit. Went 20 years without it and never needed it. Been a member for 2 years, never used it.

Squire Edgar · February 07, 2018, 11:15:43 PM

AAA would go broke if everyone who had it used it as much as me. I have car issues every year and have been a member for 25 years.

scf100 · February 08, 2018, 02:55:11 AM

I have it for all my family members......gives me piece of mind if they are out of town without me.

Dakota · February 08, 2018, 03:17:55 AM

I don't have it for myself or my wife. We have purchased for our kids who are far far away from dad's toolbox and jumper cables. Keys locked inside and dead batteries have been the main issues.

anlauto · February 08, 2018, 04:08:37 AM

20+ year member as well.....used it a couple of times in the past 10 years.....used to use it for free maps and triptics but don't do that anymore, also use them once and awhile to book travel and I try to use their discounts at various places in town....

A customer of mine used his to flat deck his 70 Road Runner shell home from my place

not sure how they wrote that up

72 Challenger · February 08, 2018, 04:35:19 AM

Quote from: anlauto on February 08, 2018, 04:08:37 AM
20+ year member as well.....used it a couple of times in the past 10 years.....used to use it for free maps and triptics but don't do that anymore, also use them once and awhile to book travel and I try to use their discounts at various places in town....

A customer of mine used his to flat deck his 70 Road Runner shell home from my place not sure how they wrote that up

Back in the day they never worked on the cars you just needed to prove the car couldn't run. I towed many cars for free.

When I built a buddies Nissan 240 Race car we used CAA to tow it anywhere we couldn't do in house. Alignments, Exhaust shop, etc... On my First Challenger I just swapped around the spark plug wires and got a couple of free tows.

I don't really do that anymore and my insurance offers me free tows on the challenger so I cancelled my membership.

Solarguy · February 08, 2018, 06:12:54 AM

I have the 100+ mile tow plan also and had it for 20 years. Never needed a tow but did need a jump in my work van at a customers house. You can also use it if you are a passenger in someones elses car. It doesn't bother me that I haven't used it much, in fact I'm happy, kinda like having a fire extinguisher. Good to have and hope I never need it.

Katfish · February 08, 2018, 07:02:51 AM

I understand the piece of mind aspect, just not sure it makes financial sense. I would never call for gas, locked keys, flat tire or battery, so that leaves towing for a major breakdown. How much could that cost, $300-$400?

So I don't see paying $60 a year (only 5 miles towing at that rate) in that it might save me $250.

303 Mopar · February 08, 2018, 07:03:02 AM

I also have AAA with the 100 mi + tow program. Don't forget about hotel, travel, and even recreation discounts too!

anlauto · February 08, 2018, 07:31:53 AM

Quote from: Katfish on February 08, 2018, 07:02:51 AM
I understand the piece of mind aspect, just not sure it makes financial sense. I would never call for gas, locked keys, flat tire or battery, so that leaves towing for a major breakdown. How much could that cost, $300-$400?

So I don't see paying $60 a year (only 5 miles towing at that rate) in that it might save me $250.

Well you could say that about a lot of things....Do you have car or house insurance you've never made a claim on ?

Knock on wood....I've paid car insurance for 35 years and only ever claimed one windshield....

Solarguy · February 08, 2018, 08:18:40 AM

Quote from: Katfish on February 08, 2018, 07:02:51 AM
I understand the piece of mind aspect, just not sure it makes financial sense. I would never call for gas, locked keys, flat tire or battery, so that leaves towing for a major breakdown. How much could that cost, $300-$400?

So I don't see paying $60 a year (only 5 miles towing at that rate) in that it might save me $250.

Murphys Law dictates that if you need a tow, it will happen at the most inopportune time and place and a reputable towing company will be tough to find. Having a reliable service one call away at anytime/place is worth it to me. They will also send a flat bed if you request, something that might be hard to find in a pinch. At 60 per year, that's 5 dollars a month, pretty good bargain IMO. Re-gift the second membership to a loved one. Unless you carry a jump box, every time and in full charge, why do you feel you'd never need even a jump?