Auto Repair In Toms River Finds One-Stop Shop At AAA Mid-Atlantic

From oil changes to comprehensive engine work, AAA Car Care Insurance Travel Center of Toms River is the area’s one-stop bodyshop for all things auto repair. The store touts streamlined service from personable, well-informed professionals who maintain a singular promise to fulfill all automotive needs. Jennifer Landis, director of distribution marketing, discusses the location’s contributions to the community and how the Toms River team distinguishes itself amid a competitive industry.

Patch: How does the AAA Mid-Atlantic Car Care Retail and Travel Center of Toms River distinguish itself from area competition? What makes it unique?

Landis: The AAA Car Care Insurance Travel Center in Toms River offers trusted auto repair and car maintenance as well as travel planning, insurance, maps and TourBooks®, financial services and savings on attraction and movie tickets all under one roof. And you don’t have to be a AAA member to enjoy these services. However, AAA members do save more. Even the atmosphere of our store is unique; customers can watch their car be repaired through large glass windows while they wait. Or they can talk face-to-face with a travel agent and discuss desired vacation ideas or get a quote on home or car insurance. We also offer free coffee, Wi-Fi and shuttle services. All of our associates have been trained to provide excellent customer service.

Patch: AAA's car care centers promise to fulfill all automotive needs. How does it accomplish this?

Landis: Our location in Toms River offers full auto repair services and maintenance that includes everything from oil changes, tire sales and repair to comprehensive engine work. Our location has eight repair bays that are fully staffed with certified, Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technicians. We use the latest technology for diagnostics, and every vehicle gets a free comprehensive inspection.

Patch: What is the AAA Traveler experience?

Landis: At AAA, our knowledgeable and friendly travel agents can help with planning a vacation, whether it’s a road trip to a national park or a long-awaited cruise. While the store is open to the public, AAA members enjoy hotel discounts, discount car rentals and vacation packages that meet any need and budget. Our stores have all the essentials, including top-quality luggage, to help make your vacation easier. And for international travelers, AAA is the place to go for passport photos, electrical adapters and converters, international driving permits and so much more. The AAA provides peace of mind when you travel – before, during and after your vacation.

Patch: How is AAA involved in the community?

Landis: Having played a prominent role in traffic safety during its more than 100 years in existence, AAA Mid-Atlantic wanted to do more, to have a greater impact. So, in 2001, AAA Mid-Atlantic formed the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education, a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) non-profit, charitable organization. In doing so, the foundation has allowed AAA Mid-Atlantic to accomplish far more than it could ever have achieved through its Traffic Safety department. We offer a wide scope of educational programs with specific emphasis on AAA school safety patrols, school bus safety, child passenger safety, teen driving, distracted driving and senior mobility, to name a few. The AAA Mid-Atlantic also makes contributions to charitable, business related and mission-aligned organizations in the communities in which it operates.

Patch: Tell us about Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation.

Landis: AAA has partnered with Health Paws Pet Insurance and Foundation to offer AAA members a discounted price to cover their beloved pet in the event of necessary medical treatment. Often times, the expense of medical treatment for a pet is cost prohibitive causing owners to make tough financial and emotional decisions. Having pet insurance takes the worry out of making those decisions. The insurance covers, diagnostic testing such as x-rays, blood tests, hospitalization, surgeries and prescription medications.

Patch: What are the benefits of an umbrella policy?

Landis: Umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability protection on top of your auto and home policies. It pays claims above and beyond the dollar amounts covered by your primary auto or homeowner insurance policy. The policy not only provides additional limits but also provides coverage not available in the underlying coverage. An example of this is Personal Injury Coverage. You should consider an umbrella policy if you have additional exposures, like a teen or young driver, swimming pool, rental property or second home or own a boat or business. Additional examples of liability that an umbrella policy may cover that a homeowner's policy often excludes, including false arrest, invasion of privacy and accusations of libel and slander.

Patch: How has the insurance industry changed over the years, and how does AAA stay ahead of new developments?

Landis: AAA stays ahead of new developments in the following ways: ride sharing, as AAA is working with many carriers that offer this coverage as an endorsement for members that would like this coverage on their policy; automated cars and self-driving cars in an industry that is still in development, and AAA is working with insurance carrier to identify and reduce auto liability risk as this product become more main stream in the market place); and usage-based insurance, since many of the carriers that AAA partners with offer some version of UBI insurance for those members that would like to use the product and reduce their insurance rate through safer driving practices.

Patch: What is the outlook for the future of the AAA Mid-Atlantic?

Landis: Long known as the premier provider of road side assistance, AAA Mid-Atlantic is a trusted company that’s been around for more than a century and is getting stronger by expanding in ways that create even more benefit to our members. While times and technology have changed, so has AAA Mid-Atlantic. However, there is one thing has not changed: we are the industry leader in delivering peace of mind for our members and services that satisfy the demands of today’s hectic lifestyle.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about Toms River's AAA Car Care Insurance Travel Center?

Landis: We welcome your readers to visit AAA.com/carcare or call (866) AAA-AUTO for more information about AAA.

Photo credit: AAA Car Care Insurance Travel Center of Toms River