Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2021 10:01:16 -0800
Reply-To: Mark Belanger <mbelanger@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Belanger <mbelanger@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: AAA coverage...worth it?
In-Reply-To: <1100766346.35260.1615425913716@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I once saw a sticker that said, "Insurance is a side bet against yourself,"
which I found rather funny. It's like any "insurance," which you pay for,
but rarely use. When I needed it (dead battery in an airport parking lot,
mysterious engine failure, running out of gas due to wonky gas gauge), I
sure was happy to have it. Plus, living in California, it's almost worth it
just to not have to deal with the DMV for renewals and what not.
Additionally, I think you're looking at it wrong. Sure $3K is a lot of
money, but you're not spending it at once. If you look at your
alcohol/steak/guilty pleasure bill over 30 years, I'm sure you wouldn't be
happy with the number either. I've definitely gotten more out of AAA than
I've spent, but it sounds like your mileage varies (pun intended).
-MB
On Wed, Mar 10, 2021 at 5:27 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> I recently posted about wondering about condition and life of spare tire
> in your clamshell. Many great tips and experiences posted, thank you.
>
> So...what about AAA? Many people recommend. I got a 1 year membership
> gifted to me a few years back; I loved it! Never used it. Except for
> their excellent paper maps! I picked up gobs of them.
>
>
> I think a 1 year membership is about $100. I've owned my Vanagon 30+
> years. So doing the math, that's like $3000. Wow...that sure buys a LOT
> of batteries. And wire brushes and grease to treat electrical terminals
> throughout Vanagon. And, I keep my eye on the fuel gauge and estimate
> travel ahead. Flat tires? Sure, having a reliable spare tire and even a
> crummy stock Vanagon jack to lift, and spending a few bucks for a better
> lug wrench works wonders. So far, we are way more money ahead! Not to
> mention the downtime of waiting for the truck to arrive.
>
> But, twice in my experience, bad things happen. Once blown out front
> wheel bearings; another time was a snapped ring terminal on big red wire to
> starter motor. Okay, bummer. So then you pay the big bucks for the
> flatbed ride of shame.
>
> That's the thing, though. Instead of paying over and over each year for
> something like AAA, you do your maintenance, and in the worst case scenario
> you bring out the cellphone and the credit card for the tow. Still, way
> more money ahead. Yes, they will have the fuel; yes, they can do the jump
> to battery; yes, they can tow if that is the only alternative. All the
> independent tow guys got this stuff.
>
>
> Thoughts and opinions?
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
--
________________________________________________________________________
Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com
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