Tiffany supported me with a complicated DMV situation from my perspective and was friendly, patient, and explained each step thoroughly. I also got support from Sergio M with another issue and he too was super helpful and conversational. I appreciated my experience at this Encinitas AAA office and I am perplexed why they have such a low yelp score. read more

I've been a member for over 52 years and have been trying to get my card for over 6 months. I used to love the service but something is seriously wrong. read more

DMV services are fast! 15" wait to pay my car registration here. They also have insurance service and travel services here. We have a bundle with our car and home owner insurance as well. Great customer service too! read more

See all

Still have not heard from any AAA executives or leadership. They essentially stole $500 from me and won't respond to any of my emails or calls and won't schedule an appointment based on the money that we already paid even though they canceled the appointment three days before we were supposed to have a driving lesson. This is criminal. read more

I called this branch to ask a quick question to make sure they had the service I needed at this office. The first time I called it sounded like someone was just finishing a conversation with someone else answered, then they hung up before I could speak. Perhaps a technical issue? I called back and was on hold for 20 minutes. I hung up and tried again, and this time when on hold I opted to leave a message to get a call back, as the intermittent on-call recording suggested. It's now been a few hours since I left the message but no returned call. I'll update this post if/when I get called. read more

AAA comes in handy for lots of things but my favorite task is DMV vehicle registration. I'm so happy I don't have to drive to the DMV office to renew my registration. Even with an appointment, my DMV office was a complete mess. With AAA, the task was fast and simple. Bring your paperwork, a form of payment, pick up your new registration paperwork and updated sticker and you're all set. The wait time at AAA was far less and I didn't feel like just another number at the DMV. Thanks to AAA for streamlining the registration renewal process and making it convenient and easy. read more

See all

Edson was very helpful and explained our options for making our reservations and then helped with our flight reservation

I've been to the Encinitas AAA office twice in the last month, both times for DMV-related tasks--to change a car title. From beginning to end, their process is streamlined and efficient. Upon registering at the counter, I was provided with the forms to complete. (On the second time, I knew which form I needed and had typed it out beforehand at home, which was helpful with the long VIN number!) Both times, the receptionist was very helpful in answering questions, and courteous. In fact, in every encounter that I observed while waiting, staff acted in a professional and courteous manner. The waiting area is quiet and calm, clean and spacious, and there were about 6 people waiting before me yesterday; I had to wait about 20 minutes. I can see how waits will be longer when it's crowded, but for me it sure beats the long lines at the DMV. Compliments to Heather (my first visit) and Employee #7J (wish I knew his name!) on yesterday's visit. They were patient, helpful, friendly, and explained every step in the process. The clerk yesterday was so patient with the customer in front of me, who was very frustrated with a DMV (not AAA) issue. The clerk maintained his positive and helpful attitude, and had a smile and friendly attitude when it was my turn. I'm thankful to have the choice to take care of these DMV matters at our local AAA office! read more

Disappointing and rude experience at the Encinitas branch with Insurance representative Sergio Mendoza. His dismissive attitude and disinterest in helping my concern along with his immature and disrespectful facial expressions were offensive. My business and funds will be elsewhere. read more

We went to this AAA Encinitas location to renew an auto registration. Tiffany & Danielle were very helpful. It was a Saturday morning & they were busy handling several complex "cases" before us. They maintained a professional stance with courteous responding which is appreciated. read more

Four hours for a tire change. FOUR!!! I have been disrespected, deceived, and lied to. They have now outsourced my driver to another company. They don't have enough drivers. I have spoken to several supposed supervisors. The last one yelled at me continuously until I told her the phone call was being recorded. Her response was, yes, it is... I said no it's also being recorded on my end. She changed her tone after that.. Discovered what actually happened they were directing calls elsewhere.. the original call had a driver that didn't even start work until noon and my call came in at 11 - So instead of having him come help me they sent him elsewhere and further away (I found this out from someone else working whom I do not want to get in trouble)... So yes they are short on drivers. But long on rudeness and uncompromising towards their community and some of them should not be working with the public. The AAA driver was coming from Mira Mar and yet they sent him on his first call to Carlsbad bypassing Encinitas where I was. Which was a call for a new battery. Do they make more money off of that? Does he? I don't know, but somehow that call was taken after mine came in but served first.. in other words they didn't have a car for me at 11. Also my tow driver Sam was AMAZING AND SINCERE. He's actually helped me in the past!! read more

I needed to do a name change and change the primary account holder. Amazingly, neither of these things can be done on the website or the phone. The explanation I got is they need to verify my identity and that requires an office visit. This despite the fact that they have direct access to CA DMV databases and will see a recent name change on my license. So off I went to the Encinitas office. After waiting 10 minutes, I was helped by someone in their insurance department. He viewed my license and made the changes I requested. When I logged onto the AAA website later in the day, I saw that my name was misspelled, and the email address was now my partner's. Ugh. No attention to detail. So now I have to go to their office again and look over someone's shoulder to ensure they get everything right. AAA used to make customer service a priority. Now it's mediocre at best. We're paying more for less. Maybe it's time to make this our last year with AAA. read more

Shockingly bad customer service at this location. I called with a simple question, the lady on the phone was so rude it makes you wonder why anyone would support AAA at all. The only reason to have AAA is so you don't have to go to the DMV, but if they are this rude, then I'll take my chances with the DMV. read more

every time you want to change your policy for example replace one car for another suddenly your other two cars go up 800 to 1000 a year why is this I am done with this illegal This company is insurance scammers!!!!!!! read more

I use this place quite a bit for dmv and travel related items. The dmv wait time can be a bit long as there is usually 1 person helping. But it goes quickly if you have all the info in what you need done. read more

I went in to the Mission Valley location to purchase insurance. My experience was very negative. There was a long line, but I waited and was shown into a cubicle with a young lady, I did not get her name. The lady was very pushy right from the start, there was no positive customer service vibe. The first question she asked I was uncertain of. I just moved to San Diego and have the apartment no. and zip code memorized but not the street address. I asked if she would Google the street address for the complex, and that got her upset. Then, she asked what year I had first been issued a driver's license. I told her it was years ago but I could not remember for sure. She insisted on having the exact year. I told her I was a teenager, probably 16 but maybe 17, and asked if we could just put down an approximate time period. She insisted that this information was imperative. I asked her if someone else could help out and she got even more upset. So, I went back to the check in counter and asked for a manager. The lady at the counter wanted me to get back in the line and I replied that I had already waited in line. She then said that the manager was on a break. I left, after advising that I would not be purchasing any insurance from them and that I would look into also canceling my annual roadside assistance membership. read more

OMG - worse than going to the DMV! I stopped in to renew my license tabs and was told 10-15 minutes. 1 lady was at the front desk and 1 at her desk helping people. 2 other manager type people wandering around trying to fix a printer that nobody knew how to work & then both said well we should go hide in the back since the printer won't work and we can't do anything else! I was there for an hour and the lady had only helped 2 people! There had to have been 20+ people sitting there by the time I left! I never even got my new tabs! Missed my entire lunch break too! What a joke! The membership used to have its perks but clearly it's just a joke at this point with lazy workers and no respect for people's time!!! read more

Keaton helped us do an out-of-state transfer and she was amazing. She went above and behind and made sure we were in and out as fast as possible. She always remained kind and patient with us. Other staff we encountered were also extremely kind and helpful. Highly recommended read more

It's surprising and unfortunate to read the negative experiences folks have had at some AAA offices, and that should definitely be addressed by AAA mgmt. However, we've been members since we got our first DL, over 50 years ago. We use AAA for home and auto insurance, DMV reg, notary, travel info, etc. Our local office in Encinitas has very helpful staff and is kept clean and easy to navigate. Yes, sometimes there's a line of people waiting for assistance for various things, usually DMV/other, and yes, sometimes it seems that they take lunch at the worst time, ie., when customers are coming in on their lunch. But once you get to the window they're efficient and helpful and get you in and out. And the AAA discount program saves us money on so many things, that alone pays for the membership. They also have a reciprocal agreement with the British AA, which can come in handy if you're driving in the UK. read more

After 21 years and no insurance claims (wonder how much money I've paid them over 21 years?), AAA says they won't give me homeowner's insurance in Carlsbad, a coastal community near San Diego. Urban neighborhood, never, ever had a fire! Apparently, the trees around the golf course to stop golf balls from hitting houses are a fire hazard. Who knew. An ivy hill at my back yard could develop into a brush fire and burn the town down. Criminals. read more

Sorry, but after 30 years as a loyal and dedicated customer, I am leaving AAA Southern California effective August 31 at 11:59pm. And it's all because of a "service rep" in the Irvine office by the name of Nathan Kwan. You would believe that 30 years of service (within 3 product lines) one would earn some level of appreciation and respect. Well, don't make the same mistake as I did in expecting that from their service rep - Nathan Kwan. I have attempted to contact him 11 times in the past year with absolutely zero responses. That is literal, not figurative. It took repeated calls into the office with someone else eventually assisting me. Look, I could whine for hours. Bottom line, when I'm spending $8000.00 per year, I expect great service (even if you spend less). Too many options, I'm going elsewhere. Kevin Kojian read more

Another fast and easy transaction. Renewal time! Checked in. Waited until I was called. Paid cash. Got sticker and registration (smog was already in the system). So easy. Also, I need a passport photo a few months back and it was also quick & easy and the woman who helped me was great! read more

Beware! Danger! AAA home insurance wants members to take photos of the inside and outside of their homes and send the photos to AAA. This is likely just an excuse for them to raise your rates! And who are they going to give this information to? Of course, this is an invasion of your privacy, and a danger to the safety of your home. Do not comply! Do not expose your home to criminals. Find another insurance company that does not require photos or videos of the inside or outside of your home. read more

I had a question about the AAA drivers education program and was transferred to the insurance department after to talk me into switching over to AAA auto insurance. I found out Mercury still has a lower rate for me than what AAA was offering. The sales rep had no answer for that and didn't try to match their rate I should have hung up after talking to the first agent. Salespeople always try to talk you into switching over even when the bottom line is I am paying less at Mercury. read more

This review is regarding: (1) Trip planning & assistance; (2) Roadside Assistance; and (3) Auto Insturance. Really wanted to love this company. (1) TRIP PLANNING & ASSISTANCE Wanted to love AAA cuz of the fond memories from my childhood. When I was in second or third grade my folks and myself visited our local AAA the day before our amazing roadtrip across the midwest. (where we'd see sights and get a slice of Americana) The nice AAA lady pointed us to the rack where we could grab **free** folded paper maps for the various states we'd be driving thru. She opened each map and helped us plan out our tip! With a red marker she traced the highway paths plus circled the town/city we'd be near at the end of each driving day. Then she gave us a list of hotels/motels for that city, as well as suggested sights and things to do. The excitement for the next morning's trip was mounting, and AAA helped plan our journey! So yes, back in the day, AAA (aka the "auto club") actually felt like a club, like an organization that we were part of and that actually cared about it's members. Enter modern times. First, no more free paper maps--they now charge for maps. But that's okay cuz maps are old school, nowadays my iPhone and Siri can guide me anywhere. Second, no more travel assistance and trip planning. I guess the whole "club" thing is now non-existent, but somehow they still refer to themselves "the auto club". The historic "warm and fuzzy" feeling is now gone. AAA is now all about profit, and no longer embraces "the customer" or customer service. In fact AAA walks on it's own customers in many ways, as you'll see in the remainder of this review as well as in dozens of other reviews by fellow Yelpers. (2) ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Like other reviewers mention, we experienced long waits for the jumpstart guy to show up. AAA has been very aggressive on selling batteries, which fyi turned out to be a scam as can be seen by literally thousands and thousands of consumer complaints on ConsumerAffairs-dotcom, BBB,TrustPilot, ComplaintsBoard-dotcom, and other places. The jumpstart guy used a handheld tester with printer to give me a battery check plus a mini hardcopy report of my battery including a simple graph. The report showed the batter was gone. What I didn't notice was that he did the battery check within 10 seconds after jumping the car, when the dead battery was just begging to charge back up. Jumpstart guy told me their replacement batteries were superior, and were well-priced cuz AAA buys them in bulk. I fell for it hook line and sinker. Part 2: The replacement battery lasted less than one year. So I Googled and found the many thousands of complaints on the above mentioned complaint websites. And a master mechanic explained to me the AAA guy should have waited for the battery to charge a bit before doing the check and hardcopy report! Knowing that, on a subsequent AAA roadside service call, when the guy did the battery check moments after he jumped the battery, I asked him to do a second battery check after the battery had charged up a bit. Now, holding the 2 reports side by side, the first report's summary said FAIL while the second report's summary said the battery was good!! (3) AUTO INSURANCE At my local AAA office, the auto insurance agent showed me a list of professions and asked if I was any of those. Yes, I was, and so I qualified for a 10% or 15% discount, woo hoo! My Engineering degree qualified me for a discount. However, since I did't have documentation proof of my degree with me, the agent suggested we go forward without the discount then I can show proof anytime in the future and get a rate adjustment. However the proof that I later brought to the agent (my college "final transcript", plus proof I was in the Alumni Association) was not accepted. He said I needed to bring in my diploma, an original not a copy, which I had no idea where that might be. Attorney's and doctors post their diplomas on the wall behind their desk, while most everyone else has their diploma stored away somewhere, perhaps up the attic boxed with their yearbooks, or in one of a dozen storage totes in the garage, or wherever. Unfortunately the insurance agent made it as difficult as possible for me to prove my engineering degree. Come on now, my college transcript wasn't accepted nor was my proof of being in the alumni association? .... End of story: Year after year my auto insurance policy cost me $150 more than it should have. After 6 yrs this amounted to about $1,000 bucks. That's one of the reasons I left AAA for Geico. (who incidentally was significantly cheaper than AAA) SUMMARY Close-by Location . . . . . . 5 stars Trip Planning Help. . . . . . 0 stars Auto Insurance Cost . . . . 2 stars Auto Ins Cust. Service. . . 0 stars Roadside Asst Wait time. 2 stars Roadside Asst Honesty .. 0 stars Roadside Asst Battery. . . 0 stars - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TOTAL . . . . . 1.4 stars . read more

AAA - San Diego Sabre Springs location - Auto Insurance Near Me - Encinitas, California

They need a new manager at this branch. She is very rude and lies to customers. I had to contact the DMV personally after she game me false information. The DMV informed me that what she said is incorrect. Having this club card was for convenience, but after my encounter with this branch I found this to be more of a headache and waste of time. It's better off dealing directly with DMV. read more

I love having AAA! It's very helpful if your having car issues, or even just getting your car registration. FYI if you choose to get your car registration bring cash. I also use them for car insurance and it's been great so far! read more

This is an update from my previous review below. I was able to call their customer service and got helped immediately at 8 am. They were able to update my membership back down to Classic level which is what I need with no issues. So I feel now that their app sucks but not their actual package. Updated from: I feel manipulated. Earlier this year I was offered a FREE upgrade to AAA Plus level as I was a Classic level customer for 5 years. I was told that I could switch back to Classic when it was time to renew. My renewal is due in 10 days and I see that there is no way online for me to downgrade my membership. I am only allowed to renew at the PLUS or Premier level. This is upsetting and I plan to cancel entirely if I am not able to downgrade. read more

After being a client of AAA for 65 years - both home and auto - we received a Notice of Nonrenewal and Termination of Insurance from them. We did have 2 leaks in the past 2 years and 2 minor automobile incidents - that is 4 claims in 65 years!!!!! Very very disappointed. read more

I have called in to the Encinitas office many times. As a longtime member, you have certain expectations, like...they answer the phone. I have had a very difficult time getting a hold of anyone on the phone at this office. It always goes to international help line. If you walk in the office, they take your name and tell you to wait for an undisclosed amount of time. Try planning your day around that. This office is shameful in comparison to other experiences I've had with AAA offices across the country. read more

Momma bear is PISSED OFF at AAA for their predatory insurance practices. This review is not about the AAA or roadside assistance programs which I love. My family has been with AAA for generations, every time I go in there they thank me for my 53 years of membership. My membership with them is older than I am, and both of my boys have been on my policy since they started to drive. When my son's Pathfinder started having mechanical issues we found him a rock solid granny car from 2004 and assumed that the insurance rate would be similar to what we were paying. He went in and began the registration process which was complicated due to a Power of Attorney for the title owner (now blind and in a senior home), and handicapped license plates. He went to talk to OSCAR, who who took advantage of my son, and my family with no hesitation. He set up his victim by telling my son to remove himself from MY policy, telling him that he had to get his OWN policy, and then giving him a horrible rate with a TERMINATION FEE, in this ORDER. Oscar set up this scam in such a way that my son had to purchase insurance just to drive home, even though he was insured when he walked in the door, and the grace period for purchasing a new car had many days left on it. My son asked if there were any other options and Oscar responded with a no. In reality all that my son would have to do is register the car in my name. The second he took my son off of my insurance, without my permission, my son had no insurance. Then he went in for the kill by selling him a product that had a termination clause and fees for cancellation. The new insurance cost more money for minimal insurance with no comprehensive or uninsured motorist coverage than our current policy that has full coverage with the highest liability available, maximum uninsured motorist coverage, and rental car insurance. I specifically discussed the steps taken by Oscar because it is a crucial issue in this sales tactic. Once a child comes off the parents insurance they do not get to go back on. My son did not want to leave the comfort of our family policy which includes 4 cars, homeowners insurance, and a roadside assistance plan. Oscar claimed that my son could not make any changes to my policy, but somehow allowed him to make a change to my policy that was self serving. My son intended to research other insurance and discussed his intention to research and change his insurance in short order with Oscar. Ocsar did not tell him about the termination fee during this discussion which is unacceptable. A few days after my son was at AAA, I received an email about a change to my policy, so I immediately called an 800 number to figure things out. Once I realized the scam I escalated my call to a supervisor and complained about the agent. Please be warned about this devious practice. Whatever you do, avoid Oscar, and do NOT mess with my cubs. read more

After 30 years I'm leaving AAA with a bad taste in my mouth. it's gone from a primer company to a company that's horrible. This has happened in a matter of months. You can no longer talk with anyone. you are hung up on after waiting an insurmountable length of time. They have double charged me and will not correct. read more

Horrible experience w roadside service. Needed battery tested as was dead. First guy arrived promptly and said could only jump battery. Request put in for test. Told provider would be there 20 minutes. Called back placed on hold 15 minutes. Called back said someone had cancelled request and would need to start over. Told would arrive 45 minutes. When called back said another 1hr 45 minutes. Cancelled request. Nobody at service provider would answer phone for update. After 2 hrs problem not resolved and will need to start over tomorrow. read more

Can't say enough about AAA, specifically insurance agent Elizabeth Burke. I've run into her a couple of times as she was previously the front desk agent for the insurance department. She then earned her license and is now and agent. Good for her! She has been caring and understanding when I mentioned my personal plight and made adjustments when and where she could to help out. As a business, I love the availability of DMV registration services here. No need to go wait in endless lines at the actual DMV offices. I can pretty much walk in and take care of many DMV needs. Keep on Yelp'n! read more

Encinitas office. I have always used AAA services and insured both my cars with them. It's been a good experience... until today. I was there last Wednesday to gift a vehicle to my bf. I messed up the paperwork miserably and was sent home with new copies to fill in. Fair enough. Went back this morning and had all the paperwork ready except the smog check which was just over the required 90 days. My bf had a meeting down in SD so I told the nice woman at the counter that I would get the smog check done and come back but that he wouldn't be with me. Nobody said a word. I got the vehicle and went to the smog check, he went to his meeting. I ran back to AAA and the woman that was suppose to help me was awful. She looked at the paperwork and snottily said to me that she wasn't going to hand over his registration and plates to me without his license in front of her. I said all his info was on the paperwork and the other woman could verify that he filled it out in front of her. I asked if she could speak to that woman but she went to a desk behind us. As she's talking I asked if we could call him and she yells across the office NO! She was so nasty, like I was trying to do something illegal. I understand there are somethings that can't be done but there is no reason for her to act like a dried up snot on a week old tissue when they couldn't be bothered to give the correct info before I made the 3rd trip there. I was told there was a time limit once I started the process so I tried to get it done. The whole thing was more than inconvenient because I was suppose to be home resting from a hospital procedure but wanted to meet the deadline. Maybe there should be classes for that one woman on how to deal with long time customers. I can say to anyone who has ever been to this office, it's not who you think it was. read more

Was not expecting this place to be so much worse than the DMV. How that's possible is beyond me. I came in to get a vehicle title transfered and got all necessary paperwork. The first obviously bad thing is the parking lot, with its spaces for AAA members only, however, the spaces are extremely compact and some people didn't even park well on top of this resulting in me having to park further away. When going inside it was unclear if I had to wait in a line or even which desk I should go to. A few minutes later someone said they could help me, but unfortunately they could not in the end. This AAA is seriously lacking a queuing system like the DMV has where you get a number and a time estimate. Instead they call you by your first name and when someone else actually had the same first name as me, they got upset that I got in front of them and there was some confusion. So probably waited like 30 minutes in total, this place is busier than I expected and they are definitely short staffed. It is also awkwardly quiet in here. When it was my turn finally they told me they were unable to transfer the vehicle title because of "something pending" at the DMV and AAA doesn't seem to have the skill nor the authority to determine what it was. Why can't I just leave the paperwork with you and you figure it out? I just bought this car so what could it be? The only thing I requested from the DMV in the last week was a new style of plates that are purely aesthetic and the numbers on my plates did not change. Why on earth would this affect a title transfer? I'm not even certain this is what the problem was and staff here were just as clueless as I was. Overall a waste of time and sadly the DMV is surprisingly better at this point. read more

Quoted a rate for auto insurance and then when I said sign me up they raised it $400. I found another company that was less expensive with better coverage. Will never buy insurance from them, I don't do business that way. read more

I have been a premier member of AAA for about 30 years. This organization has completely gone downhill and they do everything they can even when you need emergency roadside assistance to not answer the phone. They want you to talk to you a "virtual assistant". The quality of people that answer the phone is very low and they seem not to have even basic skills of intelligence. It took me a half hour calling them three times and telling them where I was (three times)???? to finally get somebody dispatched. They just keep transferring you around like a Chinese fire drill. Each person I spoke to demonstrated complacency and incompetence. Hopefully somebody finally comes even though I'm in a heavily populated area with probably hundreds of tow trucks in a 25 mile radius. AAA needs to repair their company and answer customer demand that when you call them they actually answer the phone and I have an intelligent human being that is trained to help. I don't think that's too much to ask for a company that's supposed to be providing customer service and roadside assistance among other things. for AAA read more

my son took his drivers ed with Jonathan. passed DMV behind the wheel with flying colors! great, calm driving instructor.

I don't know about a certain location but I do know about their installation of car batteries. My dealer quoted me $620 for a new car battery. Wooo.They stated I would have to wait there for an hour and a half to complete. I called AAA they sent a truck out within 30 minutes. The truck had all kinds of batteries on it. The technician switched out my battery in 15 minutes gave me a warranty and charged me $207 out the door. What a fantastic savings! I also love that I didn't need to leave the house. read more