[frenchtowner]

Is anyone a member of AAA auto club? And if so, how much do you pay? Have you had any problems with them? Do you feel that it is worth it? I will be going on an extended driving trip this month and I just feel that this would be a great idea.

If anyone knows of alternatives with other companies or organizations, please let me know. I know on a recent trip we had car trouble and it was a real pain. That was before I got a cell phone (at that point, I hated them and the people who used and abused them) and I had to have a passerby call the state police, who called a local towing company. I really don't want to take another road trip without a company to provide emergency roadside assistance and service. I would appreciate any and all feedback from everyone. If you want to share how they saved or ruined your vacation, let us know.

FT

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Antique car photo above by Val Roy Gerischer, of Frenchtowner.com.

[frenchtowner]

Additional info:

Guys, I am only asking this because the AAA site was asking me to go through a whole series of forms before they would tell me the price. I really don't think that's wise these days. You don't want to scare away, frustrate or bore your customer to death before he gives you the money.

FT

[ken7700]

I have AAA and it is I think 60.00 a year even though I do not get much use out of it. I have a fairly new car that has GPS so I do not use it much. The main reason I keep it is if I am riding with someone else it still covers me so that way I am never stranded.

[kjscrafts]

Depends on what you want it for, but I know some that buy it for the discounts you get at lodging by being a member. In just one weekend trip the savings on lodging made the price of membership worthwhile even though they already have free roadside assistance with their car insurance. Over the course of the year with several road trips it really made it worthwhile even without ever needing to use their actual service.

[frenchtowner]

Thanks Ken and KJ.

I will be showing friends around the countryside up here in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and I just don't want to get my guests stranded. It wouldn't be such an issue if it were just me.

FT

[Coda1108]

There are different levels of membership. Three, I think. Each level gives you more road service calls.

Believe it or not, I pay over a hundred dollars a year, but it's because I get a lot of use out of it (unfortunately). My coverage is for my wife and myself, and we each get 4 road calls a year. We used 6 of the 8 last year!!!! I have an antique car that sometimes decides not to run, so 2 or 3 calls were spent on this. The rest were for flat tires. There are a LOT of potholes near where I live and this is unfortunately necessary. In fact, I had 3 flat tires over a two month period. Earlier in the year, one of my cars got a flat tire at 2 am. The next day we took our other car out shopping and THAT got a flat tire. 2 in 12 hours, believe it or not. Both were new cars with new tires.

[blackkats4]

I use Shell Motor Club. I had AAA for many years till their prices and services got out of hand. I live out in the country and there is not a AAA tower in our area so I have to use the tow company that is in my area. With AAA if you do that and then submit the tow charges for reimbursment they will only send back what they would have paid thier tow members. Not actually what the tow cost. Also they charge extra per year for any of your family to have the services.

I switched to Shell in 2000 and have never been happier. It is 53.00 a year and includes all you imediate family or who ever you tell them is your family. And they do not stand by the designated tow company. You use whom ever you want for the service and pay upfront and then submit a claim (the tow receipt with your membership #, name , address and phone written accross the top) and in 2 weeks they reimburse the WHOLE thing. They have the same towing radius that AAA has also.

I know alot of people like the idea of not having to carry cash or a credit card or putting out money upfront for service but in the long run you are better off (especially if your car goes down out in the sticks and it is 50 or so miles from one of the AAA tow members.) If you live in rual areas or travel the back roads Shell is the answer.

aka coldspring

[twocents]

AAA recently had a special going on for new members. It was $40 for the year membership and any other member of your family could also get thier own coverage for $25. In addition, if you are in a car that isnt covered but it breaks down or something you can call for that car and they will service it too.

I have needed it twice and it was way better than calling a random tow and waiting all day for them to show up.

[bika]

I am Hummer club and I dont think it is so exciting to be in club.