AARP Membership.. is it worth?
I have had AARP Hartford home, auto and umbrella insurance for about eight years with no claims and an attractive rate -- this year I had a major, easily verified claim after a storm and it took almost two months to get the claim resolved -- and it still isn't fully resolved. Most of my neighbors had their claims resolved in a matter of days through other insurance companies.
I will be changing my insurance once this claim is fully resolved and I see no benefit from belonging to AARP anymore. They seem to have become a selling organization in recent years.
I will be changing my insurance once this claim is fully resolved and I see no benefit from belonging to AARP anymore. They seem to have become a selling organization in recent years.
- nisiprius
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Just a guess since I've never bought anything from AARP, but I had the impression that it isn't so much that their co-branded stuff is bad, it's just that it's generic.
There probably isn't an organization out there that doesn't offer an affinity credit card, or a card that gets you exactly the same 10% discount off hotel rates as everybody else's card, or free death-and-dismemberment insurance with every Happy Meal.
I remember some old comedy sketch in which someone is explaining to the FBI that "I only joined the Revolutionary Assassination Movement in order to take advantage of their great charter flight deals."
You join the AARP hoping they are basically good guys, who are on your side and looking out for you. That AARP co-branding is a gold-standard seal of approval. That they would never put their name on something sketchy or "meh." That hope seems to be illusory.
There probably isn't an organization out there that doesn't offer an affinity credit card, or a card that gets you exactly the same 10% discount off hotel rates as everybody else's card, or free death-and-dismemberment insurance with every Happy Meal.
I remember some old comedy sketch in which someone is explaining to the FBI that "I only joined the Revolutionary Assassination Movement in order to take advantage of their great charter flight deals."
You join the AARP hoping they are basically good guys, who are on your side and looking out for you. That AARP co-branding is a gold-standard seal of approval. That they would never put their name on something sketchy or "meh." That hope seems to be illusory.
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness; Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.
Ditto
+1,BigFoot48 wrote:After 12 years, I did not renew my membership this year, for all the reasons stated in the previous posts, including the deleted ones.
I also would be interested in AMAC as an alternative.
hex
- Youngblood
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- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2008 6:18 am
I don't like the constant stream of mail, so I searched for a way to opt out. When I didn't find such an option on the website, I contacted them. I got a reply within 24 hours stating that they will remove me from such direct ads. Since it requires them to contact their partners, it may take 4-6 weeks.
So, rather than quit, you can simply contact them by phone or email to get this done. Sometimes there is too much angst over a problem that is easily resolved.
Jerry
So, rather than quit, you can simply contact them by phone or email to get this done. Sometimes there is too much angst over a problem that is easily resolved.
Jerry
"I was born with nothing and I have most of it left."
I agree with AARP politically. When I hit Medicare age I investigated their medicrap policy and was totally unimpressed. (Fortunately, my employer allows old goats to stay on the co. policy which I did.) I have no use for car insurance or life insurance or anything else they try to sell me. So, I've stopped renewing.Munir wrote:I wonder how many of the negative remarks about AARP are because of their political views.
Where's St. Maggie Kuhn when you need her?
Vic
A reason to go teetotal? Hearing impaired drunks with guns? Oh joy!LadyGeek wrote:it's interesting what you can find if you look around. For example, the NRA (National Rifle Association) offers discounts not only on insurance and prescription drugs, but also on hearing aids and a wine club (under products & specials).
Vic
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I never saw a need for AARP - I am in AAA.
Chaz |
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I had a terrible experience with Hartford a few years ago. I have gone into the details elsewhere. They seemed extremely dishonest. The dispute was eventually resolved when I contacted the state insurance commissioner. I would never deal with them again.I have had AARP Hartford home, auto and umbrella insurance for about eight years with no claims and an attractive rate -- this year I had a major, easily verified claim after a storm and it took almost two months to get the claim resolved -- and it still isn't fully resolved. Most of my neighbors had their claims resolved in a matter of days through other insurance companies.
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The most important thing you should know about me is that I am not an expert.
- LonePrairie
- Posts: 282
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- Location: North Dakota
I expected AARP membership would get me a break on hotel reservations, but usually the hotels have a rate for 'Senior' or 'Over 50' or something similar, not limited to members of AARP.
I'm not going to renew my AARP membership when it expires in a couple of years. Not because of their political position (which seems conservative to me) but because I get nothing from them that I want. There's never an article in the magazine that tells me anything new, so I've started tossing it without reading. (The last issue hit the recycling bin in about 5 seconds. )
I'm not going to renew my AARP membership when it expires in a couple of years. Not because of their political position (which seems conservative to me) but because I get nothing from them that I want. There's never an article in the magazine that tells me anything new, so I've started tossing it without reading. (The last issue hit the recycling bin in about 5 seconds. )
AARP Keep On Truckin'
Funny how moderators screen or dont screen posts for so many political comments to be allowed on thsi thread.
You am pretty sure you can go to the AARP website and manage your subscriptions to turn off certain offers.
I don't seem to get any more junque insurance program mail etc than I do from other fine organizations like Reserve Officers Assn, my credit unions and other affinity groups I belong to. Much less than the credit card offers I get from frequent flyer programs!
I have used many AARP discounts (travel, Golds Gym, Restaurant.com, etc) that makes the small annual dues very much worth it.
When I used to get their monthly magazines (which I stopped the hard copy and switched to online only), I used to take them to the doctor's office fro people who have to sit in the lobby. Surprisingly, the Receptionist said people would take them home - good for them - means someone found something worthwhile in there at least.
Cheers,
Ray
You am pretty sure you can go to the AARP website and manage your subscriptions to turn off certain offers.
I don't seem to get any more junque insurance program mail etc than I do from other fine organizations like Reserve Officers Assn, my credit unions and other affinity groups I belong to. Much less than the credit card offers I get from frequent flyer programs!
I have used many AARP discounts (travel, Golds Gym, Restaurant.com, etc) that makes the small annual dues very much worth it.
When I used to get their monthly magazines (which I stopped the hard copy and switched to online only), I used to take them to the doctor's office fro people who have to sit in the lobby. Surprisingly, the Receptionist said people would take them home - good for them - means someone found something worthwhile in there at least.
Cheers,
Ray
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- Location: Central Ohio
several years back I went for their bonus offer that expires in 2013. they will take your insurance business whether you are a member or not. I have yet to show my card - which I no longer carry - to get an AARP discount. there was a time when it bothered me to not be challenged when asking for a senior discount. then I realized to most youngsters at hotel desks and box offices, we all look pretty old...
no, I will not continue membership
no, I will not continue membership
Don't it always seem to go * That you don't know what you've got * Till it's gone
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- Location: Charlotte, NC
AARP Membership
I use the AARP membership to get a $25 discount on my annual eye examination. Thus the multi-year membership is less than this one discount.
I ignore their political rhetoric which is the same shallow analysis that I can get on any news channel.
Best wishes,
Bill Rogers
I ignore their political rhetoric which is the same shallow analysis that I can get on any news channel.
Best wishes,
Bill Rogers
If you call, maybe several times, they will stop ALL correspondence to your address. I have been a member since 2002 and have NEVER received any mail from AARP or those that sell thru them.They send out insurance advertising weekly to the point that they are more insurance than advocate and a real nuisance.
I specifically joined for two reasons...which has worked for me. First without hassle we get 10-15% off hotel rooms. Sometimes the online reservation rates are the same but many times the online rates restrict cancellation but AARP rates do not. Of course that is specific to the chain we frequent.
Second we rented a Penske truck to move across the country and with AARP received either 10 or 15% off...don't remember.
In 2007 when we moved back to FL our 30 yr home owners policy ( State Farm) no longer insured homes in FL. At the time Hartford THRU AARP would insure us here in FL...we are still with them. However local Hartford did not insure.
So we remained with AARP to keep Hartford home owners and auto ins.
Still we receive no mail or phone calls from anyone...ever.
Is it worth it to be a member? It depends on your circumstances and what you might use the card for but for us it works.
Desiderata
Well, I changed to Hartford this year specifically for the price. I price insurance yearly. Carried Farmers for years in Colorado and Oklahoma. Dropped Farmers this year after about 20 years. I will recheck next fall and change based on price - I have no loyalty to Farmers or anyone else. I took a screwing from Farmers contractors on the big ice storm in Oklahoma in 1977.
I worried a bit about service of a local agent like Farmers vs Hartford, but after visiting with local agents after I returned to Colorado ,I dont think I will make much difference.
Note that right now I only carry vehicle insurance with Harford. May change my mind once I buy a residence and price some umbrella policies.
Bill
I worried a bit about service of a local agent like Farmers vs Hartford, but after visiting with local agents after I returned to Colorado ,I dont think I will make much difference.
Note that right now I only carry vehicle insurance with Harford. May change my mind once I buy a residence and price some umbrella policies.
Bill
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I joined AARP when I got to 55. Seemed OK, never bought their insurance. But AARP got involved with the politics of the Medicare Drug option and I did not renew. More recently, they have become a marketing company focused on seniors.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man. George Bernard Shaw