Members Lounge

Issue: May/June 2009

Got Toys? Get Insured

Travel trailers, boats, Jet Skis and ATVs can provide great means of escape on weekends and vacations, but the ownership of these recreational vehicles brings great responsibility. You need special insurance to protect yourself, your passengers and the vehicles.

THE BASICS: At the minimum, everyone who owns a recreational vehicle, boat, ATV or motor home needs liability insurance. Liability protects you and your assets if your vehicle injures someone or damages their property. If you are concerned about protecting your recreational vehicle, you will want to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage provides coverage for damages to your recreational vehicle resulting from a collision. Comprehensive coverage provides coverage to or loss of your recreational vehicle from other things such as fire, theft and vandalism.

Watercraft insurance can vary greatly by the type of watercraft you own—its value and horsepower, for example. Many watercraft policies offer additional coverage from such unforeseen events as fuel spillage, medical payments for injured water-skiers and on-water towing.

ATVs, motorcycles and other recreational vehicles including motor homes may be insured on your automobile policy; however, those policies may not provide you with all of the coverage you may need or desire. Examples usually only found on specialty policies are accessory coverage, total loss replacement—which replaces a “totaled” RV with a new vehicle of similar make and quality—emergency vacation expense and transportation trailer coverage.

To learn more on how to insure your recreational vehicle, contact your local agent at AAA Insurance by calling (877) 222-4678 or go to www.AAA.com/Insurance.

FACT

Our struggling economy has been driving up the number of uninsured motorists on the roadways. Are you covered if someone without insurance hits your car? Find out if you have adequate coverage by calling your AAA Insurance agent at (877) 222-4678.

Keeping Our Students SAFE

Each year, in recognition of outstanding student safety patrollers, AAA Washington inducts 10 patrollers into the AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame. Students were nominated by their safety patrol adviser and had to provide responses to four traffic-safety essay questions. Judges from AAA, the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction selected the winners of the 2009 AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame. The following patrollers were recognized during a Seattle Mariners pregame ceremony on May 1:

Brooke Bowman - Evergreen Elementary, Fort Lewis
Lucas Cook - Nob Hill Elementary, Yakima
Ian Duro - Brighton Elementary, Seattle
Siena Helland - Highland Terrace Elementary, Shoreline
Shaylen Hughes - Woodridge Elementary, Spokane
Alexandra Jackson - Lincoln Heights Elementary, Spokane
Keenan Loughery - Salnave Elementary, Cheney
Jennifer Martinez - Albert Einstein Elementary, Redmond
Gianna Pittman - Truman Elementary, Vancouver
Christian Schnacker - Broadview Elementary, Oak Harbor

Manage Your Money

Most people do their best to manage their money wisely. With so many financial strategies available, however, expert advice can be extremely valuable. At this free two-hour AAA-sponsored seminar, financial advisers can help you improve your cash flow, understand tax laws that can affect your investments, adjust your portfolio to keep pace with inflation and more. To make a reservation for the Seattle workshops on
June 25, at 10 a.m. or 6 p.m., call (800) 491-5067.

Mountains to Sound Greenway Days

Don’t miss this year’s 6th annual Greenway Days, June 20–21.

The Mountains to Sound Greenway stretches along I-90 and encompasses protected and working forests, farms, historic sites, lakes, campgrounds, rivers, trails, wildlife habitat and vibrant communities. Of the 1.4 million acres of land in the Greenway, over 750,000 acres have been preserved in trust for the public good. All along the I-90 corridor, you’ll find communities from Seattle to Thorp celebrating with activities and events, such as the Mountains to Sound Relay (pictured). AAA, along with Boeing, PSE and REI, are the major sponsors of this year’s Greenway Days. For more information, go to www.mtsgreenway.org.

Long-Term Care Seminar

What does long-term-care insurance cover? What does it cost? AAA’s free informational seminar answers these questions and more. Specialists help you assess your health coverage and evaluate policies. You can also determine if you qualify for a AAA member discount. AAA invites you to attend long-term care seminars that will be held in the
Seattle and Eastside areas. Please call (800) 491-5067 to find out dates and locations, or to get information to help you sort through this complex subject.

Bridge Closure

Get ready: Hood Canal Bridge closes May 1 for six weeks

Starting May 1, the Hood Canal Bridge will close to traffic so the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) can replace the entire east half along with the east and west trusses to make the bridge wider, safer and more reliable. The construction, which will temporarily shut down the primary link between the north Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas, is scheduled to last six weeks.

The closure will be challenging for travelers, but the Olympic Peninsula will still be open for business. Drivers are encouraged to get ready now by reviewing WSDOT’s transportation options to determine the best “get-around” route. A couple of the many options include:

A fare-free, passenger-only water shuttle between Jefferson and Kitsap counties with fare-free transit connections, and nearby park-and-rides.
A Sunday through Thursday reservation-based car ferry between Port Townsend and Edmonds.

Before you head out, check WSDOT’s Web site, blog and project information line (877-595-4222). For more detailed information and optional routes, visit www.HoodCanalBridge.com.

Become a Better Driver

Washington drivers 55 and older who complete this mature-driver classroom program may qualify for a discount on their auto insurance premiums. The fee for the class is $16 for members, $22 for nonmembers. To register, send your name, class date, and a check or money order payable to American Driving Services to: ADS, P.O. Box 66681, Seattle, WA 98166-0681. You will receive a confirmation letter with all the details. If you have additional questions, call (206) 243-3564. Classes are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or online classes, visit www.AAA.com and click on “Insurance.”

A Deal You Should Know, If You're Going to

MEXICO
FOR MEMBERS ONLY: The completely renovated Las Brisas Acapulco is offering you a $100 (USD) food and beverage credit for stays of four nights or more, or a $200 (USD) food and beverage credit for stays of seven nights or more. Rates start at $168 per night including taxes for two people. Also included: a continental breakfast delivered to your casita each morning. This special is running through Dec. 25.

EXPLORE CHINA
MEMBER SAVINGS: You can experience the fascinating country and culture of China with General Tours and save up to $230 per couple on escorted vacations, or save $110 per couple on its independent vacations of five nights or longer.

Complimentary RAIL-PASS theft/loss protection
MEMBER BENEFIT: Looking to travel through Europe by train? Let AAA help you find the perfect European Rail Pass to fit your vacation plans. Plus, when you book a Rail Europe train pass through your AAA travel agent, you will receive complimentary protection from theft or loss with each rail pass valued at more than $300.

For any of the above savings, call AAA Travel at (800) 430-9001.

DISCOUNTS

Your AAA membership allows you to save on products and services you buy and use every day. For more information on the 160,000 participating businesses all over the U.S. as well as internationally, go to www.AAA.com/Discounts. In the meantime, start your savings now by checking out the following:

TARGET OPTICAL
AAA members receive a:

30% discount on complete pair purchases (frames and Rx lens) of eyewear or non-prescription sunglasses and accessories.
15% discount on lenses or frames purchased separately.
10% discount on conventional (nondisposable) contact lenses, contact lens solutions and all other items at participating Target Optical locations. (U.S. only)
30% discount on comprehensive eye exams from independent doctors of optometry located at or next to Target Optical at participating locations. Exams include comprehensive eye exams and do not include contact lens exams or fittings. (U.S. only)
Some restrictions apply. See Web site or visit store for details.

JOS. A. BANK

Jos. A. Bank has an extensive selection of beautifully made, classically styled tailored and casual menswear at prices typically 20% to 30% below its competitors. AAA members receive 20% off regularly priced merchandise on Jos. A. Bank online orders placed only through www.AAA.com/ShopNow.

GNC
The largest global specialty retailer of nutritional products including vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet, and energy products offers AAA members 15% off GNC online orders placed only through www.AAA.com/ShopNow.

SWISS ARMY
Victorinox Swiss Army offers a variety of knives, watches, travel bags and other accessories with superior form, function, innovation and durability. AAA members receive 20% off Victorinox Swiss Army online orders placed only through www.AAA.com/ShopNow. Free shipping for orders of $125 or more.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
The world’s game has come to Seattle and AAA members can purchase discounted Seattle Sounders FC tickets for home games at Qwest Field. Save 10% to 20% on individual game prices for the 2009 season (based on availability) by ordering your tickets in advance online. To purchase priority tickets, go to www.AAA.com/Discounts and click on Seattle Sounders FC and enter the 3-digit club code on your AAA membership card into the special offer code box and create an account.

NBASTORE.COM
The new NBAStore.com provides the largest assortment of NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League merchandise. The NBAStore.com offers everything from jerseys and basketballs to one-of-a-kind items and personal gifts. AAA members receive 15% off NBAStore.com online orders placed only through www.AAA.com/ShopNow.