AAA Michigan LIES

**rb336** · January-03-12, 10:21 AM

Was quoted a price by my agent, was told that I would pay less paying upfront, matched a quote from a different company. Surprise!!! got my bill, it was $300 MORE per 6 months. Perfect driving record, good credit. Oh - spent 50 minutes ON HOLD with their customer disservice center, where they told me everything the guy said was a "miscommunication." I am DONE with them.

**Maof** · January-03-12, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by rb336

Was quoted a price by my agent, was told that I would pay less paying upfront, matched a quote from a different company. Surprise!!! got my bill, it was $300 MORE per 6 months. Perfect driving record, good credit. Oh - spent 50 minutes ON HOLD with their customer disservice center, where they told me everything the guy said was a "miscommunication." I am DONE with them.

that's AAA for ya. someone on here, recently, was looking for advice on auto insurance and i advise that AAA will give you a good rate then BAM, raise it before you get the statment in the mail. i've been done with them for 20 years

**rb336** · January-03-12, 11:56 AM

Geico beat my original AAA quote. Anyone have history with them?

Liberty Mutual wants over $6k/yr for a FOCUS

**JBMcB** · January-03-12, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

Geico beat my original AAA quote. Anyone have history with them?

I've never had a Geico quote come in under anyone else. They advertise so much I'm shocked they turn a profit at all.

We use AAA insurance for our cars and home, and it's pretty reasonable. We shop around every other year and they've been the lowest amongst the big firms.

**Zacha341** · January-03-12, 07:38 PM

No surprises here!

Gieco is known for 'lower' first six months then going 'ultra' high thereafter. You pay for all that little lizard stuff... LOL! That's how they did me and a couple of peeps I recommended them too. That was years and YEARS ago when I used to do the Gieco, Nationwide, AAA, State Farm and other big ticket insurance co. The common thread with these big brand name insurances is that they all run TV ads and other broad spectrum advertising. That cost must be passed on to the consumer.

I use Citizens thru a broker and once used Michigan Millers. Lower rates. I only use Allstate or AAA for the towing service which have been good but only worth it if you have an older car [[as I do) where you may need the convenience of only having to 'sign' your name when the tow company comes. No reimbursement non-sense. For that Allstate and AAA is ok and I share the service with a family member so it's great that way too.

Big name insurance companies are too extensive to use in the tri-county area. Especially Detroit! Especially if you have a high profile 'theft-magnet' car. Which I don't have.

Originally Posted by rb336

Geico beat my original AAA quote. Anyone have history with them?

Liberty Mutual wants over $6k/yr for a FOCUS

GUSHI · January-04-12, 09:39 PM

Geico is garbage, good luck if u get in a accident

**Scottathew** · January-03-12, 11:51 AM

AAA is horrible.

When I bought my first house in south Warren, I was moving from Clawson. AAA gave me a quote and I separated from my parents' account.

Months later AAA informed me that they quoted me using the Clawson "rate code" instead of Warren's. They said my premiums would be going up.

I said, "Oh, you mean the next time I renew my contract will go up?"

AAA told me that my price was going up immediately, regardless of the quote we agreed to. I objected, but they told me that I just had to deal with it.

AAA's technology is HORRIBLE. To change your automated credit card deduction you have to fill out a form and fax\mail it to them, then it literally takes "20 business days".

AAA's website is the worst, you can't do anything online.

All their policies start with prefixes like AUT for auto, HOM, for home, etc... My homeowner's policy number was something like HOM0123456789 [[with the 4th character being a zero). I'm not homophobic, but when would you tell someone that their homeowner's policy number is HOM0123456789. Every time I got documentation regarding the policy the policy number was on there and it's just too darn funny.

AAA left me and my 6 month old daughter stranded on the side of I-75 for 90 minutes with no heat in 20 degree weather. It wasn't a snow event or anything, I just had a mechanical issue that disabled my car.

Needless to say, I hate AAA with a passion. I switched to Liberty Mutual and I'm saving a lot of money now.

**Danny** · January-03-12, 11:56 AM

The biggest lie the Insurance corporations do is redline districts [[ especially the ghetto slums in the inner cities) and cash in profits. $$$$$$

WORD FROM THE STREET PROPHET

American Greed at work!

For the 99 Percenters and Guy Fawkes

Neda, I miss you so.

**rb336** · January-03-12, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

The biggest lie the Insurance corporations do is redline districts [[ especially the ghetto slums in the inner cities) and cash in profits. $$$$$$

I remember a few years back, I checked rates for hamtramck and b'ham. Hamtramck was, literally, 400% more -- WITH NO COMPREHENSIVE or COLLISION

**JBMcB** · January-03-12, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

I remember a few years back, I checked rates for hamtramck and b'ham. Hamtramck was, literally, 400% more -- WITH NO COMPREHENSIVE or COLLISION

My favorite Detroit insurance story:

My friend worked downtown for a few years. He was driving up Woodward on his way home [[near the Fox I believe) and when he came to a red light, the guy behind him didn't stop - plowed into the back of his car, pushing him into the car in front of him. When he got out, neither the driver in front or behind wanted him to take down their information - but a cop showed up pretty quick to check things out. The guy in front of him had a bench warrant, the guy who hit him didn't have a driver's license, insurance or current registration. The cop was nice enough to write out a long, detailed report to send in to his insurance agency.

His insurance rates didn't go up - he already paid more because he works in Detroit, but he had to eat the deductible since the mini-tort went nowhere.

I have multiple stories involving accidents in Detroit where the other drivers didn't have insurance, fled the scene, etc...

**rb336** · January-03-12, 07:38 PM

Hello lizard, goodbye AAA. officially

**Cinderpath** · January-03-12, 08:18 PM

As somebody who had AAA home owners insurance, then had a water line burst on the second floor of our home when we were out of town for a long weekend,leaving 9,000 gallons of water through our house, I have one piece of advice: Don't give the f*ckers at AAA one Dime of your money! The first thing they did was sent a fraud investigator, [[it wasn't), put us up in a hotel, [[they didn't pay the bill), they never returned phone calls on the claim until I hired a public adjustor, after 54 un-returned phone calls, they called back with in 5 minutes of the public adjustor calling. It took 2 years, and a binding arbitration ruling, hundreds of hours of my time, the arbitrator ruled 100% in our favor. AAA are the biggest scumbags on the planet. Use Citizen's Insurance of Michigan.

**Meddle** · January-03-12, 11:55 AM

I dumped them a very long time ago.

The only thing I miss is the free maps.

**Meddle** · January-03-12, 12:43 PM

The Geico Scammers came in WAAAYY high when I checked them. Highest of several, even with no accidents or recent tickets.

**j to the jeremy** · January-03-12, 12:45 PM

Without reading anything in the post, I can tell you my reason for not using AAA. They actively campaign and lobby in Washington to eliminate all federal funding for mass transit, bike initiatives, and transfer the funds to road construction/maintenance.

The percent of federal transport $$ for bikes, transit, etc, is currently under 5% of that pie. So fuck them.

**1953** · January-03-12, 12:53 PM

I have always found AAA cheaper than anyone else - that is until my wife had an infraction last year and our premium doubled.

1953

**Blueidone** · January-03-12, 01:04 PM

Also...I have had claims for both my home and auto coverage. Never had a problem getting my money or repairs handled. Would like them to know I gave the reference...if you are going to call please private message me so I can give you my real name.

**DetroitPlanner** · January-03-12, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by j to the jeremy

Without reading anything in the post, I can tell you my reason for not using AAA. They actively campaign and lobby in Washington to eliminate all federal funding for mass transit, bike initiatives, and transfer the funds to road construction/maintenance.

Do you have documentation of this or are you just spouting off what someone told you? I do know they are pro-safety and have even given the city of Detroit thousands to fix intersections where there are high crash levels. They probably have a business reason for this as it reduces thier overall pay-outs. Likewise they are also for the helmet law, did you come to this conclusion because wearing a helmet takes away your rights? I have never heard of them being anti-bike or transit.

AAA does offer roadside assistance to bicyclists:
http://bikeportland.org/2009/07/07/a...bicycles-20723
This is what I found on transit:
http://www.aaa.com/aaa/publicaffairs...portation.html

Even these two sources are a bit suspect. There is a lot of grey there, but it seems that there is enough there to contradict your assertion.

**j to the jeremy** · January-03-12, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Do you have documentation of this or are you just spouting off what someone told you? I do know they are pro-safety and have even given the city of Detroit thousands to fix intersections where there are high crash levels. They probably have a business reason for this as it reduces thier overall pay-outs. Likewise they are also for the helmet law, did you come to this conclusion because wearing a helmet takes away your rights? I have never heard of them being anti-bike or transit.

AAA does offer roadside assistance to bicyclists:
http://bikeportland.org/2009/07/07/a...bicycles-20723
This is what I found on transit:
http://www.aaa.com/aaa/publicaffairs...portation.html

Even these two sources are a bit suspect. There is a lot of grey there, but it seems that there is enough there to contradict your assertion.

I'm going off what I was told by someone whose research i trust and who works in the transportation field. I will dig a bit and try to see what I can find.

Edit: so far I've found the original controversy that I seem to be remembering wrong. They wanted to eliminate the 1,5% of highway trust fund funding used for non-motorized projects.

Here's an interesting article from Portland
http://bikeportland.org/2010/12/10/r...p-monday-44381

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/12/13...ity-for-bikes/

**DetroitPlanner** · January-03-12, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by j to the jeremy

I'm going off what I was told by someone whose research i trust and who works in the transportation field. I will dig a bit and try to see what I can find.

Edit: so far I've found the original controversy that I seem to be remembering wrong. They wanted to eliminate the 1,5% of highway trust fund funding used for non-motorized projects.

Here's an interesting article from Portland
http://bikeportland.org/2010/12/10/r...p-monday-44381

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2010/12/13...ity-for-bikes/

There is no set aside for non-motorized. There are two programs that are used for these types of projects but you can flex nearly all funding categories to non-motorized.

In a previous version of the Nextea/SAFTEA2, there was a proposal to do away with the enhancement set-aside. Many non-motorized projects are funded through this program, but it is also used for landscaping, streetscaping, historic preservation, and the mitigation of highway runoff/wildlife mortality. Locally, this pot has been tapped to pay for projects such as the reverwalk, the mid town loop, campus martius, dequindre cut, and the extension of the hines park trail that connected U of M, Henry Ford and the soon to start Dearborn train station on Michigan.

The other program that is used for non-motorized is something known as the recreational trail fund, but this is mostly used for trails on state or federal land and not neccessarly trails for bikes alone [[many are combination trails that also are used by ORVs, Sleds, or even horses.

The current bill does reduce the number of federal programs, but it keeps the enhancement program. This program is very popular so while it sets aside ten percent of the STP program, it is likely to remain. You are right the proposal was made to incorporate it back into STP. Typically in Michigan STP is used for road maintenance, but many agencies while maintaining the roads will also extand the shoulders to allow for safe passing of motorized vehicles.

lilpup · January-03-12, 12:45 PM

AAA also offers group discounts through credit unions and other organizations. Easy, peasy to deal with all the years I've had them.

Leaving drivers stranded for 90 minutes is the tow company, not AAA. The tow companies AAA uses are supposed to be available to respond within 45 minutes and are also, by contract, not supposed to have anyone with a felony record doing AAA runs. Tow companies do lie, though...

**Scottathew** · January-03-12, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by lilpup

Leaving drivers stranded for 90 minutes is the tow company, not AAA. The tow companies AAA uses are supposed to be available to respond within 45 minutes and are also, by contract, not supposed to have anyone with a felony record doing AAA runs. Tow companies do lie, though...

I called back multiple times to AAA. Each time I called back they kept pushing wait time further out. They even acknowledge that I should have been a priority because my car had no heat and because I had an infant with me.

I understand that they're at the mercy of the tow company, but they need to pick a better company and better prioritize.

**Blueidone** · January-03-12, 01:02 PM

I left AAA when they upped my rates for an accident I was involved in, but they suffered NO LOSS! I paid for the damage myself.

Since then I have been insured through the Sterling Agency in Sterling Heights. They handle multiple carriers, but offer home/car discounts and other amenities. Good rates...great coverage...great people. Here's their website if you're interested:

Sterling Insurance Group
P: 586.323.5700
F: 586.323.5703
www.sterlingagency.com

**krapug1** · January-03-12, 02:50 PM

I've had GEICO for close to 10 years, and I'm happy with them.

I had one accident while with GEICO, and the "other side" claimed that their "infant" was injured in the accident. The "infant" was an adult child of 19. The car that they were driving had a
way expired inspection sticker.

GEICO went after them with guns blazing, and I never heard a peep from the "other sides"
attorney again.

No increase in rate either.

Ken

**ndavies** · January-03-12, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by krapug1

I've had GEICO for close to 10 years, and I'm happy with them.

I had one accident while with GEICO, and the "other side" claimed that their "infant" was injured in the accident. The "infant" was an adult child of 19. The car that they were driving had a
way expired inspection sticker.

GEICO went after them with guns blazing, and I never heard a peep from the "other sides"
attorney again.

No increase in rate either.

Ken

This may be true where you live, However in Michigan we have no-fault insurance. In Michigan, Your insurance pays for repairs to you and your car, not the other parties. With no fault insurance the most you can sue the other [[Legally insured) party for is $400. The only one the other party could sue for big bucks is their own insurance company.

Our No-fault system cuts down on lawsuits, but leaves us with very high insurance rates.

Michigan also does not require vehicle inspections.