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A short history of the AA
On 29th June 1905 A group of motoring enthusiasts met at the Trocadero
restaurant in London's West End to form the
Automobile Association, otherwise known as the AA.
The AA body was initially created to
help motorists avoid police speed traps.
From 100 members in 1905, the AA's membership grew to 83,000 by 1914.
Between 1910 and 1929 the AA introduced AA Routes. To this day, the association continues to produce travel guides and maps. AA Publishing has grown to be the UK's dominant publisher of travel literature. Also, from 1912 the AA began inspecting hotels and restaurants, issuing the coveted AA Star Classification to those deemed to be of superior quality.
By 1914, the AA had grown to 83,000 members. In the 1920s the association introduced pre-purchase and post-accident repair checks.
By 1939, the AA's membership had grown to 725,000, a number equivalent, at the time, to 35 percent of all cars in the United Kingdom. When World War II ended the AA began to protest about wartime petrol rationing. The campaign was successful and rationing was repealed in 1950. This was the first of many campaigns, led by the AA, that were aimed at championing the rights of British motorists.
In the 1990s, the AA dramatically expanded its publishing activities by producing a range of maps, atlases and travel guides to worldwide
destinations. AA books are now available in as much as 28 languages in addition to English.
The AA membership now exceeds 15 million.
Their product and service offering has now expanded from not only the breakdown service and championing the rights of motorists but to, publishing and financial services, such as loans and inusurance services.
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theAA.com products
On this website the AA offers Insurances, Loans, Credit Cards, Travel Services including a Route Planner and Map Finder, Motoring Advice and Driving School section. The home page offers AA news updates including details on any new Premiums available.
The AA Car Insurance
For your car insurance, all you need to do is fill in the application form, all on one page.
To purchase temporary car Insurance the AA suggests tempcover.com which offers no online reduced rates. You will need to complete 5 steps to puchase this product.
The AA Breakdown Cover
According to their site you can get up to 25% discount when you book online. This is obviously subject to the type of cover you wish to purchase.
However, to purchase the cover you only need to fill in an application form, contained on only one web page.
The AA Home Insurance
theAA.com does not have it's own Home Insurance. They do however have a Home Insurance search service, whereby they they find the cheapest quote available frim their panel of Partner Insurers.
You will need to complete three steps in order to purchase your Home Insurance:
1 - You and Your Home
2 - Your Quote
3 - Confirm and Buy
The AA Travel Insurance
In addition to a 10% online Travel Insurance discount, the AA offers a wide range of useful travel information and tips.
There are five types of Travel insurance available:
1 - Single Trip Travel Insurance
2 - Annual Travel Insurance
3 - Winter Sports Travel Insurance
4 - Golf Travel Insurance
5 - Wedding Travel Insurance
The AA Life Insurance
You can get a quote and apply via the AA website, however the AA only acts as a middleman, as the life insurances on offer are from partner companies.
The AA Van Insurance
The AA do not have their own Van Insurance but search their panel of insurance partners to find the cheapest quote. You will need to provide the following to get a Van Quote:
1 - Driver Details
2 - Your Cover Details
3 - Details of your previous Claims and Convictions
The AA Loans
There are four types you can apply for. These are Car Loans, Personal Loans, No Early Settlement Fee Loans and Homeowner Loans.
The process for applying for any of these is as follows:
1 - Loan Details
2 - Your Personal Details
3 - Your Contact Details
4 - Your Address Details
5 - Your Job Details
6 - Your Income Details
7 - Your Bank Account Details
8 - Summary
The AA Credit Cards
After checking that you are elegible for the aquisition of a Credit Card you will need to follow these 6 steps:
1 - Basic Details
2 - Personal Details
3 - Financial and Emplyment Details
4 - Important Information
5 - Application Summary
6 - Application Result
The AA Travel Advice
The section privides an online restaurant and hotel booking service, travel advice, recommended destinations and links through to the online travel bookshop.
The AA contact details
Breakdown cover
Breakdown cover (sales)
0800 085 2721
(Mon–Fri 8am–9pm, Sat 8am–7pm,
Sun 9am–6pm)
Breakdown cover (existing members)
08705 444 444 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, weekends 8am–6pm)
Breakdown Repair Cover
0800 587 5856
Claims: 0845 604 0042 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, weekends 8am–6pm)
European breakdown cover
0800 085 2840 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8.30am–5.30pm, Sun 9am–5.30pm)
Emergency breakdown number
0800 88 77 66
From mobile phones: 08457 887766
Lines are open 24 hours
Insurance
Business insurance
0870 850 4854 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm)
Classic car insurance
0800 731 2063 (Mon–Fri 9:30am–5:30pm)
Life insurance
0800 197 2978 (Mon–Fri 8am–9pm, Sat 9am–3pm)
Personal injury and accident claims
08000 855 844
Lines open 24 hours
Travel insurance
0800 085 7240 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, weekends and bank holidays 9am–5pm)
Car insurance
0800 197 6173 (Mon–Fri 8am–10pm, Sat 8:30am–7pm, Sun 9am–7pm)
Home insurance
0800 197 6174 (Mon–Fri 8am–10pm, Sat 8:30am–7pm, Sun 9am–7pm)
Motorcycle insurance
0870 608 8221 (Mon–Thurs 8.30am–8pm, Fri 8.30am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–3pm)
Pet insurance
0870 242 0219 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, weekends 9am–5pm)
Van insurance
0800 083 8539 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–4pm)
Loans and credit cards
Loans
0800 096 8485 (Mon–Fri 8am–10pm, Sat 8:30am–6pm, Sun 9:30am–5:30pm)
AA Credit Card customer services
0845 300 4706 (Mon–Fri 7am–midnight, weekends 8am–6pm)
Phone and Save account
0845 603 6302 (Mon–Sat 8am–8pm, excluding public holidays)
AA Credit Card Rewards enquiries
0800 783 0167 (Mon–Fri 9am–5.30pm, message service outside these times)
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The AA