Know AAA

Save on bags and accessories
Colorado teen driver website
Holiday home safety
Death of a battery
AAA Discounts app for Android
3 car insurance myths
Colorado GEM: Garden of the Gods

MEMBER SAVINGS

Save on bags and accessories


AAA members save 15% or more, and get free shipping on orders over $75, when shopping online at eBags. The company, based in Greenwood Village, Colo., is the largest online retailer of handbags, backpacks, wallets and luggage, and also sells specialty products like ski, surfboard, snowboard and skateboard bags. To use your member discount, go to AAA.com/eTravelStore and log in with your AAA member number. The site will redirect you to eBags with the 15% discount applied.




SAFETY

Colorado teen driver website


A new AAA website for parents and teen drivers is now up and running. The site, Keys2Drive, provides state-specific content including full information about drivers’ license laws, insurance requirements and other issues relevant to teen drivers.

Three categories guide parents and teens through the whole process: things to know before learning to drive, during the phase where the teen is driving with supervision, and the final phase of being a fully licensed but still inexperienced solo driver.

“This is a robust online resource providing a wealth of important information and research-based tools that can help parents keep their teens safe,” said AAA Colorado’s traffic safety spokeswoman Wave Dreher.

INSURANCE

Holiday home safety

If you’re going on vacation over the holidays, make sure your house is safe while you’re gone—not just from burglars, but from other winter problems.

Check that the plumbing is working properly, especially washing machine hoses and toilet supply lines. Check the thermostat, too, in case of an unexpected cold snap while you’re gone. Water pipes can freeze and burst if the house’s interior temperature gets below 65 degrees. If your home needs work before winter sets in, don’t forget AAA Colorado members get a discount at Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, Done Plumbing, Drain Solvers, Peter Water Heater, and Piper Electric.

If you put up holiday lights, unplug them if you will be away from the house for any length of time—or better still, don’t put them up unless you and your family will be home to enjoy them. The same goes for lights on a Christmas tree. They may look beautiful through a window, but they’re a fire risk when left unattended.

Properly installed deadbolts on all doors and windows deter burglars and can also bring savings on insurance premiums. So will a professional home security system—if you’re considering adding one, AAA members get a discount at Broadview Security. And, of course, make sure you stop the mail (you can do it quickly and easily online at www.usps.com) and have a friend check the house periodically while you’re away.

Taking proper safety precautions will allow you to travel with more peace of mind. AAA’s insurance department recommends reviewing your homeowner’s or renter’s coverage annually, or whenever your living situation or assets change significantly.

AUTOMOTIVE

Death of a battery

You’ve just returned from a nice, long vacation. For the first time in weeks, it’s time to start up the car and get back to work. But when you turn the key, nothing happens—even though the battery is almost new.

Like people, batteries need regular exercise to remain healthy, and even a new battery will lose its charge if it is not used. Modern cars have numerous components that use electricity even when the car is turned off. This is called parasitic load. If a vehicle sits for a couple of weeks or more, a new battery can be completely drained by parasitic load.

If you go long periods without using your car, a battery charger will help keep the battery alive. Numerous types are available. You’ll get a AAA member discount on those sold at AAA branch offices (find office locations here) or at NAPA Auto Parts.

AAA Colorado also offers a mobile battery service on the Front Range. The technician comes to you to check your battery, and can sell and install a new battery on the spot if needed—and take away the old one for recycling. Find out more about AAA Battery Service and request service online.

MEMBER SAVINGS

AAA Discounts app for Android

The popular AAA Discounts app, which has been downloaded more than 876,000 times by iPhone users, is now also available for Android mobile devices.

The free mapping and navigation app displays companies near the user’s location that offer a discount to AAA members, along with details of the discounts available. It also offers access to AAA roadside assistance, with the user’s GPS location transmitted automatically.

This is AAA’s first Android app. Other free AAA apps for iPhone are AAA Roadside and AAA TripTik Mobile.

INSURANCE

3 car insurance myths

  • Red cars have higher premiums. Many people have the idea that the color of a car affects its insurance rates. In fact, color is not considered. Factors that are important include make, model and year of the car, the driver’s age, and the number of miles driven per year.
  • Old cars don’t get stolen. Actually, older cars are hot targets for thieves. They’re easier to break into, and there’s a strong market for the parts. Make sure you have enough insurance to protect your vehicle against theft.
  • Customizing a car doesn’t affect insurance. If you added custom parts or a custom paint job to your vehicle, chances are you’ve bumped up its value. Review your policy to make sure it’s sufficient to cover the value of any customizations.

AAA Colorado has one of the largest personal-lines independent insurance agencies in the state, with agents available to answer your insurance questions. Visit www.AAA.com/insurance for more information or to request a quote online.

TRAVEL

Colorado GEM: Garden of the Gods


This 1,319-acre Colorado Springs city park is known for its towering red rock formations. Balanced Rock, Siamese Twins Trail, Kissing Camels, precariously perched junipers and technical climbers outlined against red sandstone make this a must-see freebie. In winter, the contrast of snow makes the red rocks even more scenic.

The parkland was purchased in 1879 by railroad magnate Charles Elliot Perkins. He bequeathed it to the city in 1909 with the stipulation that it remain open and free to the public.

In addition to the scenic drive, there are miles of paved and unpaved trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding (nearby Academy Riding Stables offers guided trail rides). The park’s footpaths are well-maintained with easy slopes for accessibility. Leashed dogs are allowed and there is one designated off-leash area. Watching rock climbers is another attraction—climbers must register for a free annual permit.

Go west off I-25 on Garden of the Gods Road to 30th Street, Colorado Springs. The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. at this time of year, and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. from May to October. There is no admission cost. The visitor center offers free guided nature walks daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Colorado GEMs (Great Experiences for Members) are listed in AAA TourBooks, which are free to members. Get them at branch offices (find office locations here) or read them online at AAA.com's TourBooks page. For information on Garden of the Gods visit www.gardenofgods.com.

What can AAA do for you?
  • Discounts: Your membership saves you money at hundreds of companies nationwide and online. To find locations that offer a discount, visit www.AAA.com/discounts or download the AAA Discounts app for iPhone or Android.
  • Travel: AAA is the largest leisure travel agency in Colorado. Plan and book everything from a road trip to a cruise, and get special member benefits. TourBooks, maps, TripTiks and travel products are available in offices and online at www.AAA.com/travel.
  • Automotive: AAA roadside assistance gets you on the go—it’s not just a towing service—and you’re covered in any eligible vehicle. Find Approved Auto Repair and Auto Body Repair shops; buy, sell or lease a vehicle through AAA Colorado AutoSource; or get prompt home or roadside battery service in most Front Range locations. Request assistance at 800-AAA-HELP, www.AAA.com, or through the AAA Roadside app for iPhone.
  • Insurance and financial services: AAA Colorado’s independent insurance agency offers auto, home, life and umbrella products from highly rated national insurers, as well as its own brand, AAA Insurance. Call 866-399-9836 for a quote or visit www.AAA.com/insurance. AAA Colorado also offers the AAA Visa card, deposit accounts and other financial services—866-665-3581 or www.AAA.com/financial.
  • News, advocacy and community: AAA is an active advocate on traffic safety and transportation issues. Your membership also brings you six issues of EnCompass magazine a year, with back issues and web extras online. You can also sign up for two email newsletters (eUpdate and EnCompass Extra) that bring more articles, information and current deals to your inbox.

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