Comments on: What Is AAA, Really?

By: Mary Shiner

Mary Shiner — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:11:38 +0000

My AAA insurance went up $300 for 2012 and we both have good driving records and no accidents. The agent said it was because Michigan has the highest unlimited medical than anyone and that is what went up. She said she could drop my rate considerably (like $700 for the whole year) with a 6 mo policy through one of their other AAA companies. What other AAA companies? This is what I don’t understand and it was never offered to me before. Any comments would be welcomed.

By: MIKE NIKOLAS

MIKE NIKOLAS — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:15:45 +0000

AAA is more about cross selling products and services then they are about Road Side services. It would be very interesting to see an audited breakdown of their revenues and expenditures. Roadside service vendors are paid substandard fees. It would be interesting to see a study conducted to calculate what the true costs of road side services is. AAA looks like a hero the motoring public but the truth is this so-called non-profit has done more harm than good to the economic well being of the Towing Industry.

By: Miss D

Miss D — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:32:56 +0000

Speaking from the roadside assistance providers standpoint, AAA is NOT your best option. While they do treat their members well, they have no respect towards their towing vendors. They will tell the member 30min ETA when in fact the towing vendor told AAA it would be at least an hour, making the vendors looks bad. They also took away business from several small companies that had been working with AAA for years, giving it to a new company that just started up in our town. They randomly decide not to pay the vendors on invoices, and when we call for help, we are dealing with rudeness.

If possible use ANYONE but AAA. Other roadside assistance programs offer just as good rates, services, etc and they treat their vendors with respect. AAA just abuses towing vendors.

By: D.Barthlow

D.Barthlow — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:30:40 +0000

In the event that the organization were to disband or convert to For-Profit, then the proceeds would be converted to a charitable trust that would advance the original mission/purpose of the Organization. This is exactly what Health Insurance Companies (Blue Cross) , Student Loan Companies (Sallie Mae) and others have done throughout the Country, and is provided for as an option in the Tax Code revisions from 1996. In the event that no such conversion occurs, any profits are simply poured back into

You never voted on Blue Cross’s Board of Directors, or Sallie Mae’s directors before they converted to a for profit, now publicly traded company. You never have voted on AAA Northern New England’s Directors. The law specifically allows for not for profits to provide this mechanism to the Board of Directors of an Organization to perpetuate its own nominees.

Sorry to disappoint you, but your meager membership dues aren’t going to entitle you to a “Share” of AAA.

By: R. Fox

R. Fox — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:53:51 +0000

“There are no owners” There are assets ! Don’t think so.

Seems to be a big commitment to a message here ! Why ?

By: D. Barthlow

D. Barthlow — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 03:23:40 +0000

Here goes:

The insurance agency component writes policies for both a AAA subsidiary, as well as other companies. The insurance company that AAA Northern New England uses is owned by Auto Club of Southern California, and it is one of the largest insurance companies in California.

There are some independent clubs and several regional super clubs in therm of size. AAA Northern New England is owned by Auto Club of Southern California.

The organization is set up a private not for profit, similar to what health insurance companies like Blue Cross were before privatizing. Profits from areas such as travel or insurance go back in to defray the actual costs of dues, as road service costs are actually higher than what you actually pay. This collateral income keeps those costs lower.

You do not get a “vote” or financial statements, as a member you are not an owner, there are no owners, and the Board of Directors for the next term is nominated and elected by the existing Board, so if you want reliable road service stick with AAA, if you’re looking to have control over the organization then go out and start your own damn auto club. Get a life!!

By: R. Fox

R. Fox — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:56:17 +0000

It’s funny- the original question”Who really owns AAA has never been answered ?

I am a CAA member. I bet it is all owned by some family in the US and it is really a private for profit company running under the guise (costume) of coop type membership organization.

I have never seen Board of Director ballots or annual (or quarterly ) financial statements nor have I seen any discussion of financial surpluses.

Does anybody know the answer ?
Who really is making the money from AAA ?

By: Ty

Ty — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:58:35 +0000

Do NOT get road side assistance from your Insurance company. Every time you use it they count it as a claim and you don’t want claims because it increases your insurance rates.

Stick with AAA, it’ll save you money in the long run.

By: john

john — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:10:15 +0000

Great service and great AAA member discounts. Just beware that once you sign up, they will raise your rates EVERY year. Not much, but a slow bleed. There is “nothing they can do.” Good economy or bad economy, they go up. I know it’s nit picking and value outweighs cost, but c’mon. I can’t raise my rates every year. Looking at BP Auto club again.

By: Fern

Fern — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:52:58 +0000

I meant to add that I have AAA membership and car insurance, and have been wondering about what AAA is, too – so I was looking for answers and found your page here.

I will click the box to get follow-up comments via email.

Thanks!