February Connections Newsletter 2024

Connections Newsletter

Whether you’re seeking information on insurance storm damage protection, tips for packing hard side luggage, or planning a thrilling Mediterranean cruise, we’ve got you covered. Plus, take advantage of our exclusive discounts on electronics and comprehensive identity theft protection.

Weathering Storm Damage

AAA Says, Prepare by Understanding What Your Insurance May Cover

From frozen pipes and fallen trees to caved-in roofs and broken windows, storms can wreak havoc on your home and automobiles. AAA suggests that homeowners and renters check their insurance policies to see what is covered.

When high winds begin to howl or layers of ice and snow coat roofs and roads, knowing what your insurance may cover can help you rest easier. Understanding your policy will also help you plan any precautions that need to be taken.

Here are a few of the types of winter storm damages your AAA policy may cover.

Wind Damage. Wind storm damage to your home, its roof, and other insured buildings on your property, such as a stand-alone garage, will be covered under your standard homeowners policy. Cars damaged by wind will be covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto policy.
Rain Damage. If a storm smashes a window in your home, or puts a hole in your home allowing rain to pour in, the water damage it causes to your home’s interior or possessions may be covered.
Frozen Pipes. The damage caused by burst frozen pipes, whether it’s destroyed furniture or electronic items, is normally covered. The cost to access and repair the pipe, including a torn out wall, may also be covered. However, damage may only be covered if the heat was on in your home at the time. Check your policy.
Snow Pileup. The weight of snow on a rooftop that accumulates during a severe snowstorm can cause the roof to cave in. The structural damage to the roof and any water damage to the interior of the home may be covered under a homeowners policy.
Ice Dams. Your policy may cover destruction from ice dams, which form in gutters as a result of snow melting and refreezing. The damage can include broken gutters and windows, as well as damage to the sides of your home. Water from melting snow that is unable to drain into blocked gutters may seep through the roof and cause damage to the inside of your home or its possessions, which may also be covered.
Falling Trees. Trees crashing down onto the roof of your home, another insured building on your property, or a fence can cause damage that may be covered. Removal of the tree will also be covered up to a certain amount (some policies in California have exceptions), provided it hits a structure or blocks a driveway. It may not be covered if it just falls on the ground. The comprehensive portion of your auto policy could cover cars damaged by fallen trees or branches.
Food Spoilage. In a power outage caused by a winter storm the contents of your refrigerator or freezer may spoil. This spoilage may be covered by your homeowners policy, but the amount could vary from state to state.
Living Expenses. If your home is damaged so severely that you’re forced to live elsewhere, your homeowners policy may cover reasonable expenses while it is being repaired.
Hail Damage. Hail does more damage in the U.S. than any other natural hazard, except marine storms and high winds. Your homeowners policy should cover hail storm damage to your house. Additionally, the comprehensive portion of your auto policy may cover cars damaged by hail.

Special limits and deductibles apply to some coverages. Your policy will have the details.

Remember though, standard homeowners insurance policies do not have flood coverage, and a separate flood policy is needed. AAA sells flood insurance policies underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program managed by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). There have been important changes that have been made to the Flood Insurance Program. You should contact your AAA Insurance Professional to learn more. The comprehensive portion of your auto policy may cover flood damage to your vehicle.

Find An Agent

Flood Insurance

Hardside Luggage: How to Organize and Pack Successfully

Packing for a trip can be an overwhelming task, depending on how long and where you are going. Packing a hard-sided suitcase is different than packing a soft-sided suitcase. But with a little planning and organization, it can be a breeze.

Most hard sided luggage zips down the center, giving you two sides to organize. One side generally is a zippered enclosure while the other side is open with tie-down compression straps. These interior design features can make packing easier.

Organize in advance.

Before you start packing, decide what you’re taking and place items near your bag. This will make packing faster and more efficient.

Divide your items.

Simplify the process by dividing everything into three groups: 1) clothing that is folded 2) clothing rolled up and in packing cubes 3) bulky items like shoes and personal care items.

Put your suitcase on a table.

When packing a hard sided suitcase – any suitcase – is much easier if you don’t have to bend over to pack it.

Prioritize

Pack anything you think you might need on your travel day in your carry on for easy access.

Pack strategically

Pack bulky items like shoes and personal care items on one side and clothing on the other.

First, pack clothing that tends to wrinkle on the zippered side. Since it has a flat surface, this will lessen wrinkles and the zip closure keeps clothing from shifting and falling out when you open the bag.
On the open side of the bag pack shoes down by the wheels up along the sides of the bag, balancing the weight to help stabilize the bag when upright.
In the space between the handles, pack a long packing cube with smaller items like socks and underwear.
Continue to pack personal care items and additional packed cubes to fill up all the nooks and crannies.
Finally, use the suitcase compression straps to maximize packing space and keep items from shifting.

Use the TSA Lock

Many hard sided bags – like this featured Ricardo Rodeo Drive 25” spinner bag – have an integrated TSA approved lock – which provides additional security when checking your bag.

Rodeo Drive 25” Hardside

AAA member price $249.99

Available in Black and Silver Lilac, sizes 21”,25” and 29”

With an extra-generous packing area for your extended trips, the 25” suitcase is meant to be checked while resisting stretches from handling to maintain its pristine appearance. Designed for travelers and engineered with a nearly indestructible Makrolon® by Covestro polycarbonate exterior, this exceptional case also offers smooth, ergonomic handling, a well-organized interior, and TSA-lock security—perfect for business, and pleasure.

Rodeo Drive Weekender Duffle

AAA member price $149.99
Available in black only.

A versatile piece in the Rodeo Drive Collection, the Weekender Carry-On Duffel offers generous packing capacity in a Nanotex® water-resistant fabric exterior. Featuring plenty of pockets to keep things organized—including quilted padded laptop and tablet pockets and a handle pass-through strap to attach to any rolling bag. Also includes a removeable shoulder strap, bottom zippered pocket for cables.

AAA Travel Store: Ricardo Luggage Sale

Now through March 22nd AAA members receive 15% off Ricardo luggage at your local AAA Oregon/Idaho Travel Stores. Find a location near you below.

Find a AAA Travel Store

Baggallini Long Cube

AAA member price $15.50

Baggallini Compression Cube Set - Three Cubes

AAA member price $31.50

For super-efficient suitcase organization try Baggallini’s compression packing organizers. The long cube – which fits on the bottom of luggage between the handles – maximizing packing space is perfect for organizing small items like socks, bras, and underwear. The set of three compression cubes are the right size for shirts, sweaters, etc. Upon arrival, just place them in the drawer and go. Available in a variety of colors.

Travel Smart. Pack Right.

Traveling soon? Join us at an upcoming Travel Smart Pack Right event. Click below to view and register for an upcoming event near you.

Explore Events

Featured Vacation: Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise

Viking Cruises | 8 Days | Spain, France, Monaco & Italy

FROM: $2,799pp

France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures take center stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, call on historic Montpellier and picturesque Marseille, and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glamorous city by the sea.

AAA Member Benefits

$100 per person shipboard credit for all cruises 8-11 days

See Full Itinerary

Pothole Palooza

What do you get when you mix water, traffic and a cracked section of asphalt? A pothole. What do you get when you mix a pothole and a car? Trouble.

Pothole encounters can wreak havoc on car tires, wheels and suspensions. According to a recent AAA survey, the average cost of most pothole-related repairs is $406. Even worse, hitting a pothole – or taking the wrong measures to avoid one – could cause a crash and personal injuries.

To help protect yourself, your car and your wallet from pothole damage, keep tires properly inflated, eliminate driving distractions, look ahead for road hazards, be wary of puddles that may hide potholes and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Check your surroundings for collision threats before you stomp on the brakes or swerve suddenly to dodge a pothole. If you can’t avoid one, slow down, but release the brakes and straighten the steering wheel just before impact to help minimize any damage.

As a AAA member, take advantage of our partnership with Samsung and enjoy exclusive savings and offers on their most popular devices. Now you can get premium devices at an affordable price. Start your shopping journey by visiting the online shop exclusive to AAA members.

New Galaxy AI

Get up to $750 enhanced trade-in credit on the Galaxy S24 series.

Shop S24 Series Offer

President's Day Savings

Get up to $1,300 off select Refrigerators, plus additional AAA savings.

Shop Refrigerator Offer

Galaxy Z Fold5 Savings

Get up to $800 enhanced trade-in credit, up to $200 off, plus additional AAA savings on the Galaxy Z Fold5.

Shop Z Fold5 Offer

Bespoke Washer/Driver Savings

Save up to $900 on select Bespoke Ultra Capacity Washers and Dryer sets, plus additional AAA savings.

Shop Bespoke Set Offer

Protect Your Identification

Identity thieves can sit on stolen information for years before using it. High-level identity protection from AAA gives you greater peace of mind. When you activate ProtectMyID® Deluxe or ProtectMyID Platinum coverage, you get more monitoring and alert features to help you keep an eye on and restore your identity. AAA has you covered with Social Security Number Monitoring, Real-Time Identity Alerts, Dark Web Surveillance, up to $1 million of Identity Theft Insurance,1 and more. Plus, as a valued AAA member, you can unlock more protection for 40% less for similar products with an additional 10% off if you’re a Premier member. Visit AAA.com/IDTheft to activate a comprehensive plan today.

1 Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Review the Summary of Benefits: $10K Insurance and $1MM Insurance.