AAA Santa Barbara Insurance and Member Services

Fantastic experience: Great service, clean, modern, wait wasn't too long. Would recommend.

Negative experience: Absolutely TERRIBLE experience, what a nightmare. I should've read reviews before trying to get a Homeowner's insurance quote, especially with Tito Valenzuela. He sent me a quote off the bat, which was great, but after over two weeks of calling multiple times and emailing, all I got was a voice message that he was "out of the office and would be back tomorrow." What a joke. I took time from work to go to the office in person, waiting an hour, with people who checked in after me being called before me. I checked back in with them asking how much longer it would be and he couldn't find my name in the queue, but told me he just told Tito I was there. I sat back down and heard my name called after a few minutes I was told Tito was busy and to come back at 5. SERIOUSLY?? No thank you, never again.

Negative experience: I called the Santa Barbara location because my son had locked his keys in the trunk. I was at work and trying to coordinate assistance for him. The woman with whom I spoke was rude and not helpful. She transferred me to a number that had nothing to do with roadside assistance. I have never had this type of interaction with a representative at AAA. Very disappointing

Fantastic experience: SO helpful and efficient. David handled all of my DMV paperwork with thoroughness and patience — I have been there 4 times in the past month! Great that AAA provides this service. The trainee reception woman was just delightful!

Fantastic experience: Beyond thankful with JC , he went above and beyond to help me and my cousin with our insurance issues . He’s honest and extremely good at communicating and helping you get the best service and deals . I had called for a quote and someone had quoted me x2 $$ for insurance , went to this office and another guy tried helping me but was making everything very difficult . Ngl I was losing hope for costumer service with aaa but after the help from JC I can say my cousin and I are very happy costumers Ps: save yourself some time and just go with JC so he can help you on the spot with your needs , it’ll save you time , trouble and money

Negative experience: Good luck trying to get anyone to answer the phones at the Santa Barbara office. I even called the private line of the person who helped me with my policy 4 times and he never called me back. I tried calling his manager and left a message on his voicemail and never got a call back from him either. VERY bad customer service. I really don't know how places stay in business when they treat their clients this way. Never had this problem with Progressive...might have to switch back. AAA if you need to hire more help so that you can help your clients, you should really consider doing it...it's just bad practices to not take care of the people keeping you in business.

Fantastic experience: Just super nice helpful people in there, highly recommend

Fantastic experience: Always ready available to rescue us when it's needed! very helpful and fast

Fantastic experience: My vehicle registration renewal and my temporary handicap plaque done within 20 minutes by the lovely, Serena!! Thank you for being funny and efficient!

Negative experience: Asked for an insurance quote from Tito 9 days ago. No response so I called back in the morning and was promised by him it would be emailed right over within 5 minutes. 5 hours later no response, so I called again. All Apologies from Tito who promised I would have it in 5 minutes. Again NOTHING. Routed to westlake not the Santa Barbara office, ... and their system is designed so you CANNOT talk to anyone in charge to complain. Finally talked to John N (assuming he was not lying) who claimed to be Titos manager and told him to shred all information that I had provided from this obvious scan to get information but I doubt they did it. If this is the service they provide when trying to get your money I can only imagine how poor the service would be if I actually gave them the money! Is ZERO STARS allowed??

Fantastic experience: Never go to the DMV

Fantastic experience: AAA Santa Barbara is awesome..when my battery died last week they were here in ten minutes, literally. It's so nice to have some competency in these crazy times..

Negative experience: As a member I was just trying to find out if they are open Saturday Veterans day weekend 2023. Good God, there's nothing but voice jail by phone! It's insane that I cannot speak with a human!

Negative experience: AAA will tell you that it's California Law that you must wait 14 days before you can register your car after getting insurance. This 100% NOT true. This might be their policy, but they don't tell you that. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else if you want to get insurance faster (and cheaper.)

Fantastic experience: Just left this AAA feeling much better than when I walked in - and that is totally thanks to Michael, an associate who helped me. He made it a delight and pleasure!

Negative experience: No follow-up for 6 months after trying to get the reduced auto policy rate promised, every month I called, they didn't do anything. They never answer your call, and if you come in person they promise all kinds of things that never happen. The manager seems to be nonexistent. Rates are overpriced. Big disappointment.

Negative experience: Whatever you do… DO NOT BOOK TRAVEL THROUGH THESE PEOPLE… horrible experience all because they don’t give a hoot!

Positive experience: It's just fine. I've been to more helpful AAA offices elsewhere in the country. This is not the best, but not the worst. They have a pretty small selection of maps and everything is kept behind the desk and you have to ask them for stuff. Perhaps it's just the regional difference from the East to the West Coast. Perhaps it's convenient to pay the bills in person, but most of us just do it online now. Sometimes the people are helpful, sometimes they aren't - total gamble over the past 7 years... caveat emptor...

Negative experience: Not sure what is going on with this branch but the service from the Insurance Agent is pretty much non existant!! Called our rep to get an insurance quote, stated they would call me back never happened, called his boss, she stated she would have someone reach out to me, NEVER HAPPENED!! After 30 years I am looking to move my insurance and apparently everyone here has a I Don't care attitude!

Positive experience: Nice folks, I've been going here for 20 years. Always appreciate how helpful and knowledgeable they are.

Fantastic experience: Very nice people clean inside very helpful

Negative experience: They all dont know their Task...

Fantastic experience: I actually locked my keys in my car in the AAA parking lot. My day was quite literally ruined but Curtis from AAA gave me an amazing experience and was incredibly helpful. Had such a good time that I became a member! Would definitely recommend you do too!

Positive experience: Nice staff - quite busy place. Waited for about 20-25 mins (after registering) for someone to help me. They are short staffed.

Fantastic experience: Way better than going to the DMV. Fast services and nice staff.

Positive experience: I swear by the travel department of this particular office of AAA and I suggest you try them as well. You will have travel arrangements that will not give you any problems once your voyaging. And, I have friends who also use this particular branch of AAA and their world travel section.

Fantastic experience: Had to take care of some title transfer and registration paperwork. The representative was excellent, making the whole process very easy. Will definitely visit again for DMV type requirements. Larger parking lot, but is located on a busy street, so traffic can be challenging at times during busier hours of the day.

Fantastic experience: It's almost worth the membership each year just to be able to take care of registration and driver's license issues without the hassles at the DMV. But the towing service and some discounts in restaurants and hotels add to that benefit. Nice people and rarely much of a wait.

Fantastic experience: Professional

Fantastic experience: Easy to use website

Positive experience: I went to pick up some maps and info for a trip. Wait was shorter than I'd experienced pre-covid. They were well organized and efficient with covid precautions. The folks who helped me were knowledgeable.

Negative experience: They should more friendly. It felt like I was asking them for a favor, always had a what do you want face! Sorry if I'm bugging you at your job. I'm information was terrible. The only friendly was the lady where I payed my tags for the DMV. Thank you for having a great smile on your face.

Fantastic experience: Always great service!

Fantastic experience: Beats the DMV for registration issues.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely perfect! Quick and efficient!

Fantastic experience: So much better than the DMV!

Fantastic experience: I've been coming here for 6 years to take care of all my insurance for all my vehicles

Fantastic experience: Awesome as always

Negative experience: We called in for service today to tow our car from Solvang at 1:43 and had to call back 4 to 5 times and still never got another guy to come out. The first guy came out and said that he was here and he called but he never had a call on my cell phone. It’s a sad thing when an 83-year-old lady had to sit here and worry about her car all day and all I tried to do is to help somebody out. I think that AAA should be ashamed of giving such poor service in such a small town where everyone knows each other hopefully they can get it together for the other people I’ve never had this problem with them before and it’s sad if this is how our world is becoming because there’s not enough drivers.

Fantastic experience: Great customer service Abraham in car insurance great on explaining all the questions we had... Thank you Abraham M.

Fantastic experience: Great service

Fantastic experience: Kind, helpful employees.

Fantastic experience: The best customer service. Extremely clean. So many options for travel & insurence help. Their range of maps and travel books is amazing and cheap. Their membership can't be beat!!!! ANYWHERE!!!!

Fantastic experience: Very good

Negative experience: I have historically been a huge fan of AAA - hands down, a business I value above most — it has been within the last several years that my opinion has changed. The amount of time that I spend on-hold waiting for a representative to answer for emergency roadside service is unbelievable and represents poor service, in my opinion .

Fantastic experience: Great place to get maps.

Fantastic experience: Best alternative instead of the DMV.

Fantastic experience: I was able to take care of everything I needed within 15 minutes.

Fantastic experience: Quick and Direct help for any of your needs.

Fantastic experience: Staff very friendly! Call with operator was easy and tow truck dispatched to be there at 8:15am was there at 8am. Ben the driver was professional, and very nice gentlemen ! Thank you!

Positive experience: Fast and effecient

Fantastic experience: It is a SB classic!

Fantastic experience: Thank you Jesus for AAA membership Rom 8:28My Registration last day to pay was May 2nd before I would of been charged late fees. On Saturday May 1st, I was able to pay registration at AAA instead of the DMV considering I would of missed the due date. So AAA came thru also, was able to check-in with a travel agent for vacay time later this month❤️ Thankful and Grateful to be a AAA member!

Negative experience: I canceled my membership months ago!! I have called and left messages asked for the supervisor of this branch to call me back zero communication they still have not sent me my money back!!! So unprofessional! Don’t do Business here!

Fantastic experience: Everyone is always very nice here. Can't go wrong with doing the DMV stuff here. And to have the travel agency option here is very convenient.

Fantastic experience: Very very helpful if you don't have AAA membership for your DMV purposes you should think about it

Fantastic experience: Love love love.. not having to go to DMV

Fantastic experience: Lots of friendly help, great place to plan your vacation. Good experience.

Fantastic experience: Very good services

Fantastic experience: I am always happy to get on the road knowing AAA has my back.

Fantastic experience: Great fast friendly customer service in each department I needed.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful experience. Met at the door by a guy who directed me to wIndow 3. I had my new tags and changed my address in 15 minutes. Easy as apple pie. Recommended over the zoo that is California DMV. Thanks AAA!

Fantastic experience: Always a well organized staff and smooth experience. They're handling Covid-19 social distancing very well. Sure beats going to the DMV for most things.

Fantastic experience: Rosie was so awesome. She is very polite and very knowledgeable.

Positive experience: What is transferring a title and it works very good except you have. You have to get a smog check within 90 days of transferring title.

Fantastic experience: Always so fast and friendly.

Fantastic experience: So much faster than the DMV!

Fantastic experience: great

Positive experience: Quick, organized and helpful.

Fantastic experience: I truly appreciate the set up they have during the covid19 period. And I appreciate all the help I got from the young lady on the outside station that helps to fill out all the paperwork before you enter, thank you very much for a job well done.

Negative experience: I simply can't get my membership fee refunded. It was taken twice on Sept 8, once as a recurring payment and once as over the phone. It was human error on their part. The recurring was set up after I made the payment with a real live human. It was set up for Srpt 2021 renewal. I've called 5 times, starting the day after the error was made. I was assured my refund would arrive in 3-5 business days. Well it's the 24th now, I was told on Monday this week it should go out that night. I finally stopped into the branch today and wow! It SHOULD go out tonight. Whatever. I'll take my car club, car and renter insurance elsewhere the second I receive my refund.

Fantastic experience: Always helpful, everything is clean, well spaced out and I feel totally comfortable going in here without fear of overcrowding during the pandemic. They have really streamlined the process for all needs and each time I have visited I've been in and out of there within a very short time! Highly recommend!

Positive experience: Great customer service they accommodate my friend's needs and were able to facilitate and expedite her transaction in a timely manner.

Fantastic experience: Ok, what can I say. You want roadside service?AAA! You want easy DMV service?AAA! An Insurance company that when it comes to a claim, actually cares about doing it right and not just saving themselves a buck? AAA! This is in addition to travel service, map service, ECT. Ok I sound like I work there when actually I don't. I've just been around and know a 5 star company when I see one.

Fantastic experience: They are fast and courteous. In over a decade of being a member I have never had anything less than a pleasant experience with them and often have had a great experience.

Fantastic experience: Such helpful people !!!

Fantastic experience: Excellent customer service. Very helpful in explaining documents and where to sign. SAFE accomodations being made during COVID. Saved me time and hassle.

Negative experience: Everything is done outside currently. Understandable. However while waiting in the hot sun, 82° 25minutes, they don't provide any shade. That could have easily been done with a few canopies, umbrellas or easy-ups. Not understandable! I'm disabled and only have one leg. When I asked if they had a chair I could sit on the young, able bodied woman said NO! Very abruptly. When I told her I had a hard time standing for very long she very curtly said, "We don't have any chairs!" Not understandable at all! They did help me with what I was there for but nothing else. Outside service, ok. Hot sun, no shade not ok. Not providing a seat for a disabled person not ok. Suggestion for AAA: provide shade and maybe have bottled water if someone needs it, provide seating for handicapped people if needed and fire that inconsiderate moron!

Positive experience: Fast and easy way to get it done

Fantastic experience: It's so great how you could handle most of your DMV stuff there because the covid 19. The new normal sucks

Fantastic experience: Just the DMV services and towing benefits justifies membership. Don’t need maps and travel services no more

Fantastic experience: Staff here is always extremely friendly. The small annual membership fee is a bargain considering I rarely have to go to the DMV anymore.

Positive experience: Good food and it stays open late !

Fantastic experience: Been a member for 9 years, Priceless!

Positive experience: Good services.

Positive experience: Good maps and toes

Fantastic experience: Best service ever

Fantastic experience: Felt very safe, everyone had masks and gloves. It definitely felt like they had a system in place for your safety and theirs. Overall fast service even with the safety measures. I was genuinely happy and relieved it wasn’t a stressful process which I initially feared before going. (COVID - 19)

Negative experience: Do not use AAA travel. I was lead to believe that there were no charges for travel services except for booking airlines. That was not the case with my recent trip to Mexico. They used a 3rd party, Pleasant Mexico Holidays, to book my flight and hotel. Their services were unPleasant. That group charged me way more than if I booked myself. The hotels they chose were time shares that nickel and dime you for everything, no free internet. You can’t drink the water, so they put water in your rooms but charge you for it. They charge for coffee and pool towels etc. The restaurants and bars had subpar food and drinks. You cannot get a lounge by the pool because guests put their towels on the chairs at 6am. I would not be surprised if Pleasant holidays doesn't books these time share places because they get a kick back from them. The time share people constantly pester you to buy a time share or their other services. At one of the hotels, I was supposed to have a jr. suite for 5 days. The "suite" was on a very busy street, across from a fair. The 4th floor room had no elevator. Also, they provided the wrong travel locator for the airlines reservations. The bottom line is book your own travel. You will not be pleased with AAA free services.

Positive experience: It was bustling at closing time. Felt kinda rushed by the helpful staff. Office needs an interior facelift.

Fantastic experience: Its triple A... whadja expect?

Fantastic experience: aaa's a little more expensive than some insurance is but they're well worth it they treat you with respect they done things for me that other insurance companies would not do and they're clean they're courteous and you never have to go to DMV again that's the number one thing and roadside service is fantastic thank you

Fantastic experience: I LOVE the Santa Barbara AAA!They are always kind, pleasant and helpful!

Fantastic experience: Good, friendly & competent service - many times better than drudging through the DMV - I wouldn’t go anywhere else now that I’ve experienced the Auto Club

Positive experience: Helpful if you're lucky enough to get the knowledgeable staff person. One out of three in our experience.

Negative experience: Do not trust AAA I had a AAA insurance for home and Auto, after home inspection it was fine. time after month they cancel the home insurance without notice. I have to pay two company for home insurance . they never told me to my insurance has been approval. Also,they raise auto insurance, because, "your home insurance has been cancel" So i cancel the auto insurance and I have to pay early cancellation fee.... about 600 dollar when i sign the contract they never explains 12 percent cancellation fee. I will never use AAA again

Positive experience: Infectious enthusiasm about seeing the country with all it's variety and a big help if your car let's you down.

Fantastic experience: We love AAA. We have all our insurance with them and use them for car and hotel rentals. Great rates and promos on insurance and travel.

Fantastic experience: Great service

Negative experience: It took 20 minutes to get order and it was cold