AAA Colorado ~ EnCompass Magazine

AAA Travel—Get much more than free TourBooks, maps and TripTiks. AAA Domestic Travel Counselors can help plan your road trip. AAA Travel Professionals understand national and international travel, from guided tours to independent adventure. AAA Colorado's travel store (in most offices and online) contains books, atlases, luggage and other travel items. Call 866-235-7070, visit a AAA office, click on www.aaa.com.

TRAVEL—It's almost time to start thinking about summer road trips. To help you decide, AAA's travel experts have compiled suggested itineraries for more than 100 top-notch drives in the USA and Canada .

AAA Drive Trips are free to members and include maps, photos, drive-time and mileage estimates, sightseeing information and more. Many highlight attractions of exceptional interest and quality, designated as AAA GEMs—Great Experiences for Members. The routes, which range from two to five days in length, are designed to showcase notable cultural, historic and/or natural elements of an area. Two examples:

This drive delivers three national parks, all AAA GEM attractions. Begin your excursion on Glacier National Park 's Going-to-the-Sun Road , looping over the Continental Divide with panoramas graced by sub-alpine meadows, glaciers and gushing waterfalls. Poke through Great Falls and Bozeman before arriving at Yellowstone National Park to see shooting geysers, bubbling hot springs and colorful canyon walls. Then it's off to Grand Teton National Park , a land of snowfields and shimmering lakes—the Snake River's flat waters are perfect for a peaceful float ride.

Three national park properties, all AAA GEM attractions, are the focus of this intriguing South Dakota route. The enormous, stone-sculpted faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial welcome you at the beginning of your trip. You'll also investigate Badlands National Park , its ridges and cliffs weathered into a mesmerizing portrait of stark beauty. Look for bighorn sheep and bison or study fossil remains before venturing to Rapid City , gateway to the rock formations of the Black Hills. Top off your trip by visiting the maze of limestone chambers at Jewel Cave National Monument.

For a complete selection of AAA Drive Trips, visit www.aaa.com (click on “Travel” then choose “Road Trips” from the left menu) or talk to your AAA Travel professional.

No more wrong turns

A reliable, up-to-date road atlas should be considered standard safety equipment for every vehicle. Keeping one in your car means you have the flexibility to find alternative routes when faced with an unexpected detour, heavy traffic or simply a change of plans.

AAA recently published the first edition of its Easy Reading North American Road Atlas. The atlas has 40% larger type than standard road atlases, and has a map scale that's larger and easier to read.

The atlas has complete coverage of North America, from interstate highways to country roads, across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It also includes new maps of Puerto Rico and Canada's Yukon Territory and Northwest Territories. More than 58,000 cities and towns are indexed.

The Easy Reading North American Road Atlas is available from AAA travel stores and good bookstores.

Each month thousands of AAA members visit the AAA Colorado website, www.aaa.com, to plan and book travel. Here are the top five destinations members researched in January:

More than 100,000 U.S. gas station locations have been added to the Internet TripTik. You can now choose to show gas stations on your map in the same way as lodgings, restaurants and other points of interest.

When you move the cursor over a gas station on the onscreen map, the station's address and current gas prices pop up. Locations are updated weekly, and fuel prices are updated four times daily. Prices for multiple grades of fuel are shown.

AAA's Internet TripTik includes interactive maps, detailed directions and exclusive AAA information on lodgings and campgrounds, restaurants, special events, Show Your Card & Save partners, scenic byways and more. Routes can be designed as a simple A-to-B trip or one that stops at multiple places along the way.

Visit www.aaa.com and click on “Maps and Directions” to try the new features of the online TripTik.

AAA TourBooks include a listing of points of interest around the state that offer a Great Experience for Members: exceptional places for your list of “things to do.” GEMs are chosen solely on merit—an attraction or destination can't apply for GEM status.

Mesa Verde National Park, nine miles east of Cortez in southwestern Colorado, is one of the nation's major archeological preserves. The park consists of nearly 5,000 sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.

A score of large canyons seam the mesa, and in the shelter of hundreds of alcoves eroded in its cliffs are some of the world's largest and best preserved cliff dwellings. Visitors are allowed to enter a few of the more outstanding sites, such as Cliff Palace and Balcony House, on ticketed tours guided by rangers. Numerous other sites can be seen from roadside overlooks. The Mesa Top Loop Road provides views of about 40 cliff dwellings, two pit houses and six pueblos.

The park has a museum, visitor center and limited lodging. More lodging is available in Cortez, Durango and other nearby towns.

For more information, click on “TourBook” at www.aaa.com, visit www.nps.gov/meve, or call 970-529-4465.

Automotive—AAA Colorado offers a wealth of automotive services, beginning with AAA's famous roadside assistance program that follows the member, not the vehicle. Other services include Approved Auto Repair and Auto Body Repair facilities, automotive products at AAA Colorado offices, and auto sales and leasing through AAA Colorado AutoSource (page 23). All can be accessed through www.aaa.com, including AutoManager, which manages the maintenance of your vehicle.

The AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program was created in 1975 to address one of the most frequent consumer complaints in the USA: unsatisfactory car repairs.

The program includes objective AAA inspection and approval of independently owned repair facilities. There are now more than 7,800 Approved Auto Repair facilities in the United States and Canada.

The approval process is tough. When a facility applies for AAR status, a specialist first inspects the facility for cleanliness, proper tools, adequate technical training and appropriate technician certifications. A detailed survey is then sent to approximately 200 customers of the facility to obtain their opinions on how well the business met their needs. For the facility to pass, every question on this survey must receive at least 90% positive responses.

AAA then checks the facility's reputation with government and consumer agencies, along with comprehensive insurance and financial checks.

If the facility passes all these selection criteria, a committee of AAA specialists makes the final decision on whether it should be approved. If so, re-evaluation and customer satisfaction surveys are ongoing to maintain the highest standards.

To locate an Approved Auto Repair or Approved Auto Body Repair facility near you, go to www.aaa.com and click on “Automotive.”

Thinking of purchasing a used car? Protect yourself from buying a flood-damaged vehicle by doing a little research.

Many vehicles damaged by hurricanes in the southern states eventually make their way back onto the market—and of course, cars anywhere in the country may incur water damage from other causes.

Often, the computer and electrical systems in a water-damaged vehicle are compromised. Some things to look for:

• Check the trunk, glove compartment, dashboard and under the carpet for traces of mud, silt or rust.

• If upholstery and carpeting don't match the interior or fit loosely, they may have been replaced. Ask why.

• Test interior and exterior lights, wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work consistently.

• Flex some of the wires beneath the dashboard. They should be supple. Wet wires become brittle upon drying and may even crack.

Use the 17-digit VIN, or vehicle identification number (found on the dashboard or at the front of the engine block), to check the car's history. CARFAX vehicle history reports are available to members at www.aaa.com, and can reveal a wide range of potential problems, including whether a vehicle was previously registered in a FEMA disaster area.

Before handing over money for any used car, AAA suggests having an inspection done by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. See pages 50–51 for listings.

EnCompass and www.aaa.com—Your membership brings you six issues of EnCompass magazine a year, and AAA Colorado's website. Online you'll find a 24/7 virtual office for member-only information, a sampling of travel vacations, TripTik maps, insurance and auto information, car sales and leasing, and the Show Your Card & Save member savings program.

Insurance & Financial Services—AAA Colorado's independent insurance agency offers auto, home, life and umbrella products from several highly rated national insurers, as well as its exclusive brand, “AAA Insurance.” For a competitive quote, call 866-399-9836, or click on “Insurance” at www.aaa.com. AAA Colorado also offers financial services like the AAA Visa card, certificates of deposit and money market deposits. For credit card information call 866-665-3581 or click on “Financial” at www.aaa.com. For deposit products, call 800-526-7120. n

When money is tight, the first thing many people cut is their insurance. However, this is not always the best choice when facing a financial crisis.

Many motorists purchase the least amount of auto insurance required by law. ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for medical payments and $15,000 property damage). That amount of coverage would likely not cover all of the expenses if you were at fault in a serious injury accident. It also would not cover all expenses in a collision with a vehicle valued over $15,000. If you are on a tight budget, your financial future could be devastated.

It's also important to review whether you are carrying more insurance than you need. For example, collision coverage on an older vehicle that has a low replacement cost may be dollars better spent elsewhere.

For more information on AAA insurance products, call 866-625-3601 or visit www.aaa.com and click on “Insurance/Financial.”

INSURANCE—Updating your homeowner's insurance may save thousands in replacement costs. Don't wait for an emergency to find that the coverage you originally selected when the policy was purchased is now inadequate.

In some cases, homeowners do not allow for the impact of inflation when renewing their policy. Some policies have an inflation guard endorsement, but even that isn't absolute protection—the endorsement typically applies a fixed increase to the homeowner's replacement cost each year. But if replacement costs have risen faster than the estimated inflation factor of the policy, then you may be under-insured.

Review your coverage annually. It's also wise to review after doing any type of remodeling that may have increased the value of your property.

Some homeowners calculate the amount of needed coverage by taking the cost of their new home and subtracting the land value. Doing this ignores the fact that replacement construction tends to be more expensive than new construction, because a new-home builder can frequently purchase materials and labor at reduced costs.

If you are unsure whether you have enough coverage, contact your insurance agent. AAA offers a full range of insurance services—call 866-625-3601 to find out more.

3. Report billing errors and lost/stolen cards immediately. Reporting these issues will result in timely resolution and reduce possible fraudulent activity.

4. Carry credit cards as needed. Reducing the number of cards you are carrying will decrease your exposure to loss or theft.

5. Keep credit card numbers secure. Do not give information over the phone unless you are familiar with the merchant or you have initiated the call.

6. Reduce fraudulent charges. Merchants use the signature on your card to verify you are the cardholder. If you prefer they request identification, you can forgo signing the back and this will require the merchant to request ID.

7. Track your usage. Keep receipts for your ATM, credit card and debit card for reconciliation of purchases.

8. Keeping a list of your card numbers and the issuer's telephone number in a safe place will assist you in quickly canceling them if they are lost or stolen.

9. Shred all pre-approved credit card offers, credit card receipts and anything else that displays your credit card information before putting them in the trash.

10. Use a credit card when making purchases on the internet, not a debit card. You don't have the same consumer protections with a debit card.

Show Your Card & Save Program—This is the member savings program of AAA. Simply show your AAA membership card to save money at hundreds of retail and service shops, travel-related companies, lodging and automotive facilities. Various restrictions apply; for details visit your local AAA office, or go to www.aaa.com/save, call 877-244-9790, ext. 2054.

Save with mail-order prescriptions

You may already be familiar with the AAA Prescription Savings program that provides member discounts on prescription medication to every member of your household, including pets. The average saving is around 20% on normal retail prices. A lesser-known benefit of the program is that some medications are available at extra savings if you choose home delivery.

Home delivery is convenient if there are medications you need on an ongoing basis. For many medications, you can even order a three-month supply. Standard shipping is free, and delivery typically takes 10–14 days from the day you place your order.

For more information about the AAA Prescription Savings Program, call 866-AAA-SAVE or visit www.aaa.com/prescriptions. If you are already a member of the AAA Prescription Savings Program, you can switch your prescriptions to home delivery by calling 866-AAA-SAVE and asking for FastStart service.

(AAA Prescription Savings is not an insurance plan. Savings are only available at participating pharmacies. Your savings may vary by pharmacy, prescription strength, dosage and quantity. Savings figures are compared to the usual and customary prices and may include home delivery. The program administrator may obtain manufacturer rebates and other fees based on your prescription drugs. These rebates and other fees may be retained by the program administrator or shared with you and/or your pharmacy. Cannot be combined with any other discounts.)

Hertz and AAA

MEMBER SAVINGS—Hertz and AAA have expanded their partnership to provide more car rental benefits for AAA members. Hertz has offered special savings and benefits to members for 28 years, and has been AAA's exclusive car rental partner since 1993.

The main features of the AAA program with Hertz in the USA and Canada include increased savings, free rental of a child seat, 50% off Sirius Satellite Radio and 25% off NeverLost (Hertz's customized onboard navigational system).

For more information on Hertz car rentals, talk to your AAA Travel professional (page 11 for locations), visit www.aaa.com/hertz, or call Hertz at 800-654-3080.

50 million members

On March 4, 1902, nine auto clubs met in Chicago to form the American Automobile Association. The original membership consisted of approximately 1,500 motoring enthusiasts. It took 38 years for AAA to reach its millionth member, in 1940. The two million mark came just seven years after that.

Toward the close of the 20th century, AAA's strong growth continued, reaching 40 million in 1997. This year, AAA has 50 million members nationwide.

While many join for the association's roadside assistance, maps and travel publications, AAA also has travel services, insurance and financial products, an auto-buying service and public-service initiatives.

In its nearly 105 years, AAA has seen a tremendous amount of growth. However, in that time, AAA's primary mission has not changed—providing the best services to its members, whether it's a few thousand, 50 million, or one.

ADVOCACY—

Mature drivers: when to stop?

Age in itself does not affect driving. Physical changes that come with aging can influence how safely a person drives, but because each person experiences those physical changes differently, nobody can name a specific age when it's best to stop driving.

How can a driver decide?

AAA worked with TransAnalytics, a leading transportation safety research organization, to develop the Roadwise Review CD-ROM as a user-friendly yet scientific way to measure the eight physical and mental abilities shown to be the strongest predictors of crash risk among older drivers.

Roadwise Review is a self-assessment tool that allows mature drivers to consider their driving strengths and weaknesses on their own, in a nonconfrontational way. It is not a pass-or-fail test. The software can be used annually, like a regular doctor's check-up, to assess changes in your driving ability.

AAA wants mature drivers to be able to continue driving safely, longer. Self-awareness is the key. People who can accurately assess their fitness to drive can adjust their driving habits and stay on the road. They will retain the freedom and independence that comes with driving, while limiting the risks to themselves and to others.

For more information, or to order the Roadwise Review CD-ROM, call 866-625-3601, ext. 8105.