Know AAA

> Make a home inventory
> AAA discounts for golfers
> Fixing lock problems
> Tough standards for auto repair
> Travel accident insurance
> TourBooks highlight eco-lodging

INSURANCE

Make a home inventory

An up-to-date home inventory, listing all your personal possessions and their estimated value, is invaluable for anyone with homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. It helps you determine whether you carry the right amount of insurance and, if you ever need to file a claim, will make the process much faster and easier.

The Insurance Information Institute has a free home inventory program available online at www.knowyourstuff.org. It allows you to organize your possessions room by room and provides lists of items that are typically found in certain rooms. It can also store digital photographs, scanned receipts and appraisal forms so that you can document your possessions visually.

This digital home inventory is stored online in a secure server, so you can access it from anywhere if your home or computer is destroyed. You can also print out a full inventory report, if you wish to store a hard copy in a safety deposit box or other secure location.

For more information about home inventories or homeowner’s insurance, contact your insurance agent.

MEMBER SAVINGS

AAA discounts for golfers

Planning a round of golf as part of your next vacation? www.GolfDigestTeeTimes.com is the largest website for golf tee-time savings, and AAA members get a $20 discount on one-year access to the site — an exclusive rate of $39.95.

AAA members also save up to 60% when booking a round at any of the website’s 3,100-plus participating golf courses, located all over the country. Savings include 2-for-1 greens fees, discounted rounds, free carts with a paid round and more.

For a limited time during the holidays, AAA members who sign up for one-year access will also receive an additional free access code to pass along to a friend. Visit www.AAA.com/shopnow for full details.

AUTOMOTIVE

Fixing lock problems

You insert your key in the car door or the ignition — and it won’t turn. What’s wrong? There are four main causes of a jammed lock: cold weather, lack of lubrication, a disconnected linkage, or internal wear on an old lock.

The first instinct of many people when faced with a bad lock is to bang on it, perhaps because they assume something will be knocked free. This is a bad idea, especially on ignition locks, which often have anti-theft devices built in around the cylinder. Hitting the area can damage these devices and increase the cost of repair.

Another common error is to try and force the key to turn, perhaps with a pair of pliers. This can make matters worse, and you risk snapping the key off in the lock!

Before calling for professional help, try these steps:

Spray some 10WD40 lubricant into the keyhole. (Don’t use graphite, which will make the situation worse.)
Insert and remove the key several times, without trying to turn it.
Wipe off any excess lubricant, insert the key again, turn it and see if it works.

If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call AAA for help. Lock problems can be dealt with by AAA Colorado’s roadside assistance providers, including certified professional locksmiths if necessary. To avoid problems, lubricate locks twice a year as described above.

AUTOMOTIVE

Tough standards for auto repair

Finding a competent, reliable auto repair facility continues to be a top concern for consumers. AAA recognized this concern years ago and, as a result, established the Approved Auto Repair program.

To be approved, a repair facility must meet very tough standards for everything from tools and equipment to clean customer waiting areas and restrooms. The facility must have highly trained, certified technicians who keep their certifications current, and all staff must be courteous and professional. Facilities must be willing to provide customers with a written estimate that is accurate to within 10% of the final bill, and a warranty covering parts and labor for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles.

AAA also surveys the facility’s customers about their repair experience — the facility must score 90% or higher in each category of the questionnaire—and looks into its Better Business Bureau scores, insurance coverage and any litigation background.

Findings are then presented to a AAA task force for review. If the facility is approved, it will be re-inspected briefly every three months on average. Once a year it is completely re-inspected. AAA also collects evaluation cards, filled out by customers. A minimum response rate of 40 evaluation cards annually is required. Any customer concerns that are brought to AAA’s attention (on the cards or in other ways) are shared with the facility in the interest of resolving the concern. If a full investigation is necessary, facilities agree to abide by AAA’s final decision.

Statewide, AAA Colorado has more than 100 Approved Auto Repair shops and 15 Approved Auto Body Repair shops. Find a repair facility in your area.

TRAVEL

Travel accident insurance

When you make travel reservations with AAA Colorado, you automatically get AAA Travel Accident Insurance coverage for your trip. That’s $100,000 worth of coverage for death or disablement that occurs as a result of an accident in a rental car or on a plane, train, ship or other passenger vehicle.
Ask for more details at any AAA office.

TRAVEL

TourBooks highlight eco-lodging

AAA’s TourBook Guides, available free to members from any AAA office or online at www.AAA.com/travel, have added a new symbol to their listings to help members identify eco-certified hotels.

The green ECO icon identifies properties that have been certified through one of the well-established government or private programs listed at www.AAA.com/eco. AAA is not involved in the evaluation of any property’s environmental practices, but provides this information from recognized organizations to help members who consider sustainability when choosing hotels. As a further source of information for travelers, lodgings that are certified through a recognized program may include the program logo in their AAA TourBook advertising.

The new symbol is one of 26 used in TourBook listings. Others depict guest services, activities and features that members say impact their choice of a hotel. Just a few examples: swimming pool, refrigerator, health club, child care, pets allowed, and designated nonsmoking rooms. The pet-friendly designation has been increasingly popular with members in recent years — both among travelers who want a pet-friendly hotel, and for those who want to avoid accommodations that accept pets.

Complimentary copies of the annually updated AAA TourBook guides can be obtained by members at any AAA office. Or search TourBooks online at www.AAA.com/travel.

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