How AAA Can Save Money
Posted: Friday, January 27, 2012
by Terry Mitchell
http://commenterry.blogs.com
I recently received the bill for my annual membership dues from AAA. Once again, they have gone up. Of course, that’s something I should have come to expect, as they have hit me with a rate increase almost every year since I first joined that automobile club in 1983. But it made me angry anyway.
In the nearly 29 years I have been a member, my dues have more than doubled. And what I am I getting for my money? In all of that time, I have averaged calling them about once every four years. I rarely travel very far, so I don’t get to take advantage of the benefits they offer on stuff like plane tickets and hotels. Some retailers and service providers offer discounts to AAA members, but I seldom use their products or services.
Okay, I can buy that argument, but I believe they are involved in some unnecessary activities that also contribute greatly to the fact that their expenses are constantly on the rise. Two of those activities are lobbying and the marketing of life insurance. There is simply no good reason for an automobile club to be participating in either of those pursuits. I bet that kind of stuff was not in their original charter.
AAA is continually lobbying Congress and the state legislatures for tougher traffic laws, such as those mandating seatbelt usage and providing for stiffer penalties for DUI and texting while driving. Lobbying is expense. Besides, we don’t need more traffic laws. We have too many already. But even if we did need more, it is not AAA’s job to ensure that they get passed. I did not join AAA to support the enacting of more traffic laws. I joined it to get roadside assistance on those rare occasions when I need it. I’m sure the majority of its members feel this way.
And why does AAA waste so much postage marketing life insurance? I must get at least two solicitations in the mail from them every month. It’s just something I’m going to toss into the trash can without reading. I’m more than covered for any final expenses, and then some. That means I already have all the life insurance that I will ever need, as I have no interest in enriching someone else when I die. And if I did ever change my mind, there would plenty of other places I could buy it from. I thought AAA was an automobile club, not an insurance company.
It is my suggestion that AAA cease and desist from these activities effective immediately. Then I won’t have to worry about another rate increase for while, or perhaps I’ll even get a refund.
This Article has been viewed 468 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Great article. On Monday, with my PLUS membership, I got a free tire change in 30 minutes.Christofer, thanks for reading and commenting. Just curious, what kinds of benefits do you get from your PLUS membership?Free flat tire fixing. Something like 4 calls with no fee.
You reminded me of a time when we joined in a golf club for the purpose of utilizing their facilities such as swimming pool for the kids , golf course for the husband etc etc stuff. Rarely a month or two, the monthly membership so-called maintenance fees increased and while we at times hardly had time to go to the club yet we had to pay every month without fail because their reminders came on time if we wanted to stay as members. They got the right to terminate or reject anyone who did not comply with the rules. It's a lifelong commitment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.