Who has AAA membership, is it worth it?

[foxpaws]

Well, I'll buck the trend -

Check your insurance company to see if you either have AAA type coverage - or can get it.

On my classic car insurance (which is what the Porsche is insured under) - I get $250 worth of towing, just if the car breaks down, gas, entry, tire changing - spare parts coverage - hotel/food coverage if the car dies and I am at a car show... all part of the insurance.

On my regular insurance (USAA) I get Roadside Assistance for $1 per month per car, which I have used and is exactly the same as I got with AAA, they even use the same providers...

And there is no plus regarding DMV in Colorado -

[si Banker]

Aside from the free maps and trip planning and road service there is the towing!

Last year on the way to Parade about 150 miles south f Chicago I had two flat tires. AAA towing took my car to the dealer in Highland Park, approx 210 miles and then drop ed me off at my Hotel in St Charles.

All for the price of $125 a year. That includes the extended mileage towing

Good deal and great service Also bought two new tires and made Parade. The only downer was the Porsche Dealer who I got the replacement tires from charged $200 for mount and balance.

[DGW]

I've been a member for 40 years. four different Porsches towed for nothing. Two fuel pumps, a wreck (totaled 914-6) to the body shop of my choice, and a head temperature sender in the middle of Nevada on highway 50. I don't need the towing service a lot but its been worth it.

And of course the DMV benefit and travel info and discounts.

[fbarrett]

Little-known fact: If anyone with the car (even a passenger) has the premium membership, it can apply. Last summer my Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon popped its radiator atop Loveland Pass in Colorado. I had the regular AAA deal and would have had to pay for towing beyond seven miles, but my passenger had the premium deal, so we used it, and the 60-mile tow was "free".

Next day I called AAA and upgraded to premium for $80 (I think). The next day I had them tow another car for free from my house to a shop...

Good point about the towing services provided by antique and classic insurers. Mine's with Hagerty, and I think they do this.

Frank

[zippy_gg]

I have the premium plus the RV/Motorcycle package.
So far my cars have been good but I had one instance when I needed a flat bed for my bike. I seriously bent my front wheel hitting a pothole in L.A. and was very lucky to stay up...


That membership is just like any other insurance, expensive until you need it.
I keep renewing every year because I love road trips on the Beemer or any of my cars, and I much prefer dealing with AAA than the CA DMV.

[mikemdd]

AAA has a very useful app for the iPhone and Droid. You input your car infom membership, etc. and if you break down, it sends GPS coordinates automatically. Never used it, but have it on my Droid.

[naparsei]

Originally Posted by si Banker

The only downer was the Porsche Dealer who I got the replacement tires from charged $200 for mount and balance.

$200? Even after your AAA and PCA discounts? Crazy

[1971 911T]

i've had Premier 100 mile tow for years. Didnt use it for years, and then one year I used it 4 times(VW ran over a firetruck's clamp and broke a tranny seal; Saab fuel pump expired inside a carwash tunnel, Porsche motor was clattering, and something else I forgot). Then didn't need it again for a couple of years. Then had a 70 mile breakdown tow. I was once in an crash and before i could get AAA the cops had called a truck, and it cost an arm, really demonstrated the AAA's value. The only time it's not worth it is if you have a brand new car with it's own emergency package.

[SGB]

I get by on the standard plan for me and my kids. I have probably 2 events per year ((old cars + dailey drivers)*3) = AAA.

I exceeded the mileage by about 7 miles on one, and it only added $25. Premium would be good, but its a risk management decision- like most things every day.

[Tsunamiboy]

I live on the Oregon Coast and the nearest reliable P-Car mechanic (or Benz mechanic for my little honey's car) is 80 miles away over the Coast mountain range. Rural living has it's down sides.

Twice I have had to have my Porsche towed on a flat bed. My AAA premium + and fire extinguisher give me piece of mind and I wouldn't be without either.

[Eclectic911]

I have AAA+.
It's paid for itself over & over....
especially when the Mrs. has to drive
the beach buggy.

[fbarrett]

Besides my 1995 Mercedes-Benz, I also drive a 1965 Alfa Romeo, a 1965 912, and a Maxton, all of them through the Colorado mountains. Of course I have the AAA premium service!

Frank

[aigel]

Originally Posted by fbarrett

Besides my 1995 Mercedes-Benz, I also drive a 1965 Alfa Romeo, a 1965 912, and a Maxton, all of them through the Colorado mountains. Of course I have the AAA premium service!

Frank

Note that every Mercedes is covered by their road side assistance regardless of age. AFAIK they do basic stuff for free (tire changes, battery, gas all for the cost of the materials). Look it up on the MB boards.

G

[Charlie V]

Lots of great reasons for having it. Here on the Wet Coast of Canada we have BCAA. Have only used it a couple of times, but it is comforting when on one of our drives in the middle of no where.

The best one for me - Rosie died at the bottom of the driveway and wouldn't start. I needed to get her into the shop to work on her. However, a steep driveway can be a challenge. The picture gives you an idea of how steep it is.....



On the phone with the call centre at BCAA. After exchanging all sorts of info, finally got to what I needed - "Where do you need the car towed to?". "Top of the driveway.", I replied. "Top of the what?", she said in a puzzled voice. "Top of the driveway. I need a small flat deck tow truck to move the car 30 feet from the bottom of the driveway to the top. It is very steep.", I explained. "Oh....", was the response.

Some 30 minutes later the tow truck shows up. Had to go through the same thing with the tow truck drive. And, he wasn't even blonde.

Certainly good for a laugh at the dinner table.

Turned out to be a minor electrical problem if I remember right.

[Radioactive]

Ok I am going to be the first one to ditch on AAA.
I have all the stuff & RV etc.. I love the DMV service.
I have used them for dead batteries in the past no problems.
But.. the RV service is a joke.
Here is my story
Returning from the Colorado River with the boat in tow I lose the transmission in the truck. I am 150 Miles from home on a Sunday night. Here are my choices 1) AAA will take my truck home for free but I would have to leave the Boat in the middle of the desert. 2) Take truck and boat BUT the miles start at the contract station (In Bylthe) and end at the contract station (port to port). Round trip from home to Blythe 378 miles - 200 for free = 178 x 10.00 = 1780.00. What a racket they don't tell you about that port thing when you sign up.

I would not recommend AAA for anything other than for a car.

Now If you have a Boat you need BoatUS they will do all the AAA stuff to the Boat in the water and do all the AAA stuff on the land when you are towing the boat up to 100 miles. For 38 yr, now that's a deal.

[speeder]

The RV/boat story not withstanding, I think that AAA is one of the best deals and one of the finest things about living in America that still exists. What I mean by that is that it's such a good deal, I'm amazed that it hasn't changed or been significantly diminished.

One tow and it pays for itself for the year, plus the auto registration feature in CA. makes it almost worth the cost by itself. (Not having to go to the DMV). If you're someone who messes around with cars like me, it's almost guaranteed that I'll use all of the tows or pretty close to it. Plus you can "loan" it to less fortunate friends who do not have AAA when they lock keys in car or need a tow, flat tire, etc...

Two major thumbs-up.

[id10t]

Worth every nickel and then some.

When my truck was stolen while I was camping, AAA was prepared to pay for a ride for me to get back into town, either rental car or hired. And when said truck was found, they paid impound/storage fees for me.

When the 356 died on me last time, I requested a flat bed. There were none local, AAA was willing to send one down from Savannah Ga (to me in Gainesville).

Get the AAA "plus" membership, it covers a bit more in some areas and lots more in others (100 miles free tow vs. 3 miles with standard AAA, etc)

[BRPORSCHE]

Ok, I'll add my negative.

On my way home from Baton Rouge to Houston, mid afternoon on a Sunday. I am approaching Lafeyette city limits and my tranny goes kaput on the side of I-10. No biggie, I have AAA+. Wrong.

Ended up sitting on the side of the road in BFE Louisiana for 6 hours. A cop picked me up and took me to a police station and finally an hour or two later a tow truck showed up. If it wasn't for my laptop keeping my phone charged I would have been screwed.

What happened was I told AAA where I was, pretty easy to figure out since I was at mile marker XX on I-10 west. Well turns out they couldn't quite figure that out. So one tow truck is on its way to me and breaks down. It has to be towed. Then they send another one out and it breaks down. I am losing my patience by this point. Car pulls up to me, I get out of my car to tell them I am fine and they speed off. Weird. Multiple cops pass by me during all these hours and nothing. Not even a slow down and see if everything was fine. Bastards. Finally, AAA decides that it's probably not that safe for me to be out there alone at 10 pm and has a local cop pick me up. Chill at the police station for a bit and get picked up by the tow.

Then I am informed that he can't drive into Texas. We would have to do a transfer at the state line. It's 1:00 AM and I am having none of that. He agrees to drop me off in Houston.

I am still pissed to this day.

[t-tom]

AAA pulled a Landcruiser FJ40 out of a lake that I thought I could drive across @ 2am but the best part of AAA is, If you ever go to Disney World They have there very own AAA parking lot. Well worth the 200 bucks

[Joeaksa]

Well worth it for me. Owning funky cars like the ones below helps, as does the discounts.

Try asking for AAA discounts ad various hotels. You will pay for the years membership in one or two nights at a hotel, then its a wash.