AAA Approved Repair Facilities Now Available Coast to Coast; Aiding Members and the Public.

Business Editors/Automotive & Travel Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2003

AAA, the nation's largest organization for motorists and other travelers, announced today it has completed expansion of its Approved Auto Repair network to all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the ten Canadian provinces.

Expansion of the service means AAA members and the public can easily identify more than 7,500 quality repair facilities across North America. Every facility is required to prominently display the AAA Approved Auto Repair, or Canadian Automobile Association Approved Auto Repair Service sign. Each is regularly inspected and approved by AAA's staff of certified automotive technicians, and meets the association's strict criteria for quality workmanship and exceptional customer service. (Editor's note: AAA clubs can arrange interviews with local program managers and inspectors, and tours of Approved Auto Repair facilities.)

AAA has been operating the Approved Auto Repair program for years in many areas, but undertook final expansion during 2001 and 2002 in an effort to better serve motorists and traveling members. Facility names and locations can be found at: http://www.aaa.com, or by contacting local AAA clubs.

The program serves the public through the knowledge that every participating shop has met AAA's requirements for customer satisfaction, trained technicians, proper tools and equipment, cleanliness, and ethical business practices. AAA clubs maintain a list of all approved facilities, and most shops advertise their participation in phone directories and other publications. New car dealerships, franchised car repair shops and independently-owned facilities all take part in the program.

AAA and Canadian Automobile Association members receive additional benefits from AAA Approved Auto Repair, which are summarized in the program's member "bill of rights":

These are:

-- Dispute Resolution -- AAA will investigate any dispute between

a member and an approved facility. AAA's decision will be

accepted as final by the facility. Members are not bound by

AAA's decision and may seek recourse through other avenues.

-- Safety / Maintenance Inspection -- When a member's vehicle is

serviced by an approved facility, upon request and at no

charge, the facility will inspect items on the vehicle that

most frequently contribute to roadside breakdowns. Member's

will receive a written recommendation of any needed

maintenance or repairs.

-- Written Estimate -- Members will be provided with a written

estimate of the cost of all work to be performed on their

vehicle. The cost of the work may not exceed 10 percent unless

authorized by the member in advance.

-- Warranty -- Repairs, including parts and labor, will be

covered for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever

comes first, unless otherwise noted on the repair order.

-- Returned Parts -- All replaced parts will be returned to the

AAA members, if requested, with the exception of those that

must be returned to the manufacturer under a warranty or

exchange program.

Convenient, continent-wide access to trustworthy and reliable repair facilities should prove especially valuable to millions of drivers planning automobile trips this spring and summer, AAA said.

As North America's largest motoring and travel organization, AAA provides its more than 46 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.