ChemMan

We have AAA. It is worth it. We upgraded to the plus plan. Also the discounts on various things help as well. Last christmas, we started asking if there was a AAA discount when shopping at the outlet mall. We saved more than the cost of the coverage.
Mike

84_Carrera

Since I drive to track events, it's always made sense. I got towed twice in the 911 last year (alt & clutch cable), both relatively close to home (~30 mi & ~3 mi). Nowadays Tow Co's in the northeast won't hook for less than ~$45, so the membership's paid the first time you call.

As a bad example of how to use the system, a few years ago, I bought a car in NY, slapped the plates on it, and called AAA, paid the $3 per mile after the first 100, and got the car flatbedded to RI for cheap money (always give the driver a nice tip, they'll remember you). I think they've since gone up to $4 per mile after the initial distance, so get the Plus.

FYI, companies will choose not to accept the call for an exotic, because of liability issues. Reportedly, it was the 4th company that was called that finally picked up my 911 when the alt died last summer. I didn't know they had the option, I thought it was a contract thing, if you're AAA, you go where they tell you kind of thing - not so much.

If you haven't been a member for a year, you can't upgrade from regular to Plus, so pick Plus right off the bat if signing up for the first time.

Didn't know they have a 200 mile option, will have to check into that!

Corrales911

I guess I will be the lone dissenter here about AAA. I have had AAA for the better part of 15 years and dutifully paid my $75/yr (2 drivers) for the basic coverage (I'll note also that the maximum towing range has steadily dropped during that time). On two separate occassions I ended up paying for a very short tow out of pocket when all of the sudden my coverage didn't apply.

In one instance my car wouldn't start at the local shopping center litterally WITHIN SIGHT OF MY HOUSE but once the tow company had the car hooked up they announced that they wouldn't tow the car across a section of dirt road and had to take the 10-mile "long way around" which AAA said they wouldn't cover unless I then and there "upgraded" coverage. What a scam.

On another occassion I bought a car from a friend who had it parked at a gas station when the HG blew. I checked with both the local AAA office AND the tow dispatcher whether my coverage would pay for a 5 mile tow to my house. I was assured that as long as the car title was in my name, no problem. Again, once car was on the dolly it was announced AAA wouldn't cover it and the car wouldn't be towed unless I paid on the spot.

dshepp806

You mean that the car has to have a clear title to the owner? WHAT? What if she's financed and the title belongs to the banK?

...think I need to read the small print?

Best,

Doyle

Pavegeno928

Thumbs up for AAA Plus...towed me one night from Orlando to Tampa and then to the mechanic the next day...no one ever asked about a title. Also, the 4 or 5 times I've had a car towed over the last 17 years, no driver has ever asked to see my AAA card...

oceanvue

You can option AAA to have a flatbed instead of hook tow your car. Nothings worse than being stranded and a hook shows up and they have to re-dispatch a flatbed.

JohnT

I have AAA plus an used it on my first day of ownership to tow my 85 Carrera home. DME relay died at my inlaws house. I also have used it when the DME died on my 944. I hit a pothole on the Blue Ridge Parkway last year outside of Asheville and blew both drivers side tires on my Crossfire. AAA was there in less than an hour.

ChemMan

Another thumbs up for AAA plus

BIG-BRO

NO issue on the title. It does not even have to be your car. Quote from aaa.com benefits online:

"Service will be provided to the person named on a valid membership card if he or she is driving or riding in the vehicle at the time of breakdown. AAA covers you - not your vehicle. "

I have used mine for friends cars more often than my own.

Edward

AAA is far more than just a tow. Something as simple as a jump start to get you home can be indispensible. Not to mention all the travel perks available. Plus much easier than DMV for any buying/selling, transfer of title chores. And as for towing, they offer different plans as well as multiple calls per year, and service all your household's cars. Offers a great service (and provides great service!) to all motorists, IMHO.

Edward

GMS

I always ask our customers whether they have AAA Plus (the basic 5 mile towing is not worth it) or a towing scheme with their insurance. AAA Plus is better because it covers you rather than the car.
After seeing some of our customer's tow bills when they haven't got AAA Plus..... you should have it.
One tow is more than the whole year of AAA.

Mike Murphy

PCA membership = $40
AAA membership = $40
Excellent Magazine = $37

where does it end?

Peter Zimmermann

I've had AAA for many years, only used it three times. Needed a jump after leaving the lights on in my '69, once after my 356 B gas guage failed while showing 1/4 tank, the third time when the anti hi-jack system in my SC Cab went through melt-down. Before moving to Bakersfield we averaged 30K miles/year, never needed AAA for a normal commute problem, but always had the peace of mind knowing the card was in the wallet. When I used the service they asked for my card and registration before doing anything. So, one 3-mile tow, one jump and two gallons of gas. Moneywise, I think they're ahead!
Pete

rgrimm

This came up on our PCA region's list about a year ago.

True, there are some downsides (AAA would have us all driving 55 again if they could get away with it). And the TripTiks or occasional jump start or pull out of a snowbank, while handy, might not justify the cost of the membership.

But when you slam into a deer at 75 mph coming out of Omaha at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning on your way back to North Dakota...

Priceless!!!

Got me a wrecker (reimbursed me), a rental car (reimbursed me). Looking through a shattered windshield at a nearly non-existent front end, you're in no mood for directory assistance.

And no, it was not the P-Car...

r911

All this costs me $10/year as a rider on my insurance...

I dropped AAA years ago when they got greedy & political -- all at once.