General Chat
Q:
Hi There,
Need some input from people in the industry. First time I'm trying out AAA.
I have a 1996 Camry LE V6 for my Winter driving. Just insured it thru AAA. Their website quote me at $324 for one year.
When I went into their office to officially sign and pay up (today), their agent said:
"...in order for me to sign up, I have to buy the AAA membership fee (~extra $70; [$50 for the year membership, $20 for the membership sign up fee]). The AAA membership allows for AAA towing service, tire changes, AAA help while stranded, discount at restaurants, etc, etc...."
....basically, crap I don't need. She said that it's a MUST and she cannot sign me up until I buy the "AAA membership card." It's like a Costco Card, you have to be a member to shop there. And yes, she did try to sell me other options to my insurance in order to raise the limits/premiums and cost, etc.
My question: Is this legit??? Is AAA a membership only??? On my other cars, thru State Farm, I never had to pay any kind of "membership."
Your input is greatly appreciate. I ended up paying about $390 per year, still pretty low compare to the others. I just hate surprises; when I expect to pay $324 and then ended up paying around $390.
********************
1975 280Z (Stock)
303 Emerald Green
A:
Tell em to take a flying leap. Farmers is way cheaper than AAA anyway for same coverages on vehicles without all the hoopla club benefits like free maps and such when I checked em out.
If you want all the perks of the club for family members then pay the additional for AAA.
Post Edited (Oct 9, 6:09pm)
A:
Depends on the location. It was cheaper for me in Cali to go through AAA.
And yes it's legal. Think of it this way, insurance is a product they offer to their members, they're just doing you a favor letting you know what their rates are before you become a member. It would suck to have to sign up before getting a quote.
1991 300ZXTT White Pearl: Intake, DP's, TP's, custom exhaust, Ashspec, RPS Sport/Street clutch, Electric Fan, 3" Griffin Radiator, & Kaminari Aero kit(minus front fascia).
Bellingham, WA
A:
(still pretty low compare to the others)
including AAA...call them up n apologize
Have you shared the left lane today?
A:
Its a club. If you don't like the rules, don't join.
"I don't want to belong to any place that would have me as a member."
...Julius Marx (Groucho)
Rusty but running.
Polish cell phone and two tubes of Aluma-seal.
And, now we are historic.
A:
Thanks for the response. Just wanted to sleep better tonight.
Paying for "insurance membership" is NEW to me. Compared to the fact that I had State Farm before and there was no "membership fee." My sisters have Allstate and Progressive and there were no "membership fee."
So that's why I questioned AAA. They are cheap, nevertheless. For the 1996 Camry LE, I'm paying $390 A YEAR. If I sign up with Allstate or Progressive or State Farm, I have to pay about $310......FOR SIX MONTHS. WTF!!!! Those companies don't think I know how to do math???
Something wasn't right, so that's why I chose AAA.
********************
1975 280Z (Stock)
303 Emerald Green
A:
we've had aaa for years it's a good company and competively priced.plus we have our house covered under them aswell.it's part of there club deal so yeah unfortunately you have to pay for the mebership.cool thing is you can do most of your dmv things there.it's a hell of alot faster too.here in the sandiego area farmers is not cheaper.well years ago it wasn't aswell as state farm.very high but from what i've heard they do take care of business when your in an accident.
Z's are like woman maintenance,maintenance,maintenance!
1971 240Z gunmetal metalic 5sp 4:11 gears in the rear
illuminas and purchased from the original owner w/136k original miles
A:
I felt the same way you did, but AAA's price was competitive, so the wife and I joined. That 'expensive' membership I didn't need has paid for itself many, many times over in the years since. Think of it this way: one run-out-of-gas or the-spare-tire-is-flat-too will cost you at LEAST $70 for just the tow. Probably more. I would even recommend upgrading to their 'extended' package which gives you I think up to 100 miles towing. The basic towing package will only get you as far as the nearest service station.
'76 280Z driver, '75 parts car
A:
for about $4 every six months and you get all of that. How much is that AAA membership per year?
A:
Read the policy whenever you find 1 carrier much under the competition. It usually means they aren't planning on paying many claims. They or the other carriers mis priced the risk or the contract doesn't cover as much.
Anyone can drive a new car.
A:
Road side assistance and towing coverage is VERY good to have in your policy, without it and if you break down in the middle of nowhere or you get into a serious accident and need to be towed along way prepare to be raped on the price. Tow trucks are NOT cheap, especially if you have a crash miles away from your house.
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
I pay 5400/year for 9 vehicles full coverage with Farmers.
AAA wanted over 6.5K and wouldnt insure my Z06 with my son on the policy unless i paid an extra 2K+ a year for him on the Z06. Mercury was charging me 6.8K (i left them and went to Farmers) and State Farm was 7K+ for less coverages.
Oh and Geicko....over 8K!!!! Their commercials suck as do their prices.
check around as there are huge differences in companies here in California.
Post Edited (Oct 10, 6:58am)
A:
I have been a AAA member and used their insurance since I was 16. They cost me 50% of what progressive would for a full year. They don't dick me around on claims either, never have. Sometimes they screw up billing but that only takes an hour or so of screaming at them to clear it up so it still saves me way more $$$$ wise than to go to another company. Plus the membership is something everyone should have. I of course have the upgraded membership for the longer tows and what not but it has more than paid for itself many, many, many times. Everyone should have AAA just for the Towing.
As far as their insurance not being as good as someone elses well, I have done the quotes recently for the exact same thing as I could get at progressive I get at AAA for 50% of the cost. And my mother has had many claims with them (I won't get in a car she is driving BTW), and never had any problems.
Mans Prayer "I'm a man.... But I can change..... If I have too...... I guess"
No matter how good she looks, some other guy is sick and tired of putting up with her.
A:
Never had their insurance, but have used AAA for nearly 30 years. Worked sweet when I had to have the Z towed 98 miles back to my house when trany went out. I have the extended coverage, thank goodness. I think the fee pretty much covered my tow right there and then some.
Roger
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Quad Cab
1986 300ZX 2+2 NA 5spd
It's funny until someone gets hurt. Then, it's hilarious!
A:
You wouldnt get much change from $500+ with a tow that long if you had no coverage I'd suspect...
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
I think it would be well worth it. I'm going to sign up for AAA Plus membership when the wife's check hits the bank. We broke down on our way to Canton Ohio and my wife's sister has AAA Plus. They came and picked us up, called AAA and had the car towed 40+ miles for free. It's not even their car and AAA covered it. It's a great service to have even if you don't need it. Not to mention the insurance rate you quoted was extremely low.
______________________________________________________________________________
77 280Z - TEC3 Engine Management, Coil Packs, 3.1 Stroker, 550CC injectors, tripple throttle body FI intake, MSA Stage II Cam, etc...etc...
79 Fairlady - Rusty
81 280ZX - DD
A:
Ins. rate change often. U have to shop around at least every 2 yrs. I've had various companies depending on who had the best deal.
If U own a house, try to get it's HO coverage w/ the same co. as your auto because U will get a discount. If U pay prems. thru EFT from your checking acct. U may also get a disc. Talk to the ins. co. rep. and ask what discounts they offer. Also, do NOT get regular auto/HO liability coverage > $500K. Get a separate policy called Umbrella coverage for any excess > $500K. At least $1MM is the min. these days with the sharks (lawyers) that are out there if U own your own home or want to protect your stuff.
Each state/locale has diff. rates; your mileage may vary.
Rusty but running.
Polish cell phone and two tubes of Aluma-seal.
And, now we are historic.
A:
Ive had AAA for many years. It pays for itself EACH year. All it takes is one blown rad or busted tire to pay for itself.
Quick example from a couple months ago: My wife calls me one night from the side of the road. She blew a tire and couldnt remove the wheel it to put the spare on because the tire shop spun a lug when they rotated her tires last time. Long story short.. AAA comes with a flatbed and tows it back to the shop to get the lug torched off and a new one attached. Cost of the tow? Included in my membership. Here in Nashville I would have spent $70+ easy that night right there, if not for AAA.
I can think of 6 other similar examples with different family members and different cars. AAA is well worth it.
...
A:
Stone chips in your windscreen is another example, my coverage allows for one free windscreen replacement per year in the case of a chip!
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
Its almost impossible to compare rates. Its has everything to do with the drivers record, and credit rating, state you live in, people living in the house.
As mentioned its good to look around every 2 yrs to compare, just put together a list of ins companies and there phone numbers, all information on the car and the driver, and coverage you want and dial away. Its amazing the differences in cost with ins companies.
When I moved from Houston, to tampa, state farm wanted wanted 1200.00, where I was paying 700.00, Had state farm for 20 yrs........
Gieco now covers me for around 615.00 pr yr.
Dont just keep paying the bill and bitching, look around.
82zxt /5sp /Fsm /Tools /Med Knowledge /Tampa /And a little Learned Luck.
A:
i kept paying Mercury's bill each month figuring they were the lowest according to people and commercials and i had been with them fior over 10 years and holy crap, they werent by a long shot!