Wow...a club is not worth joining unless it's as easy as buying a pizza, eh?
Come on, I know there are some complaints about AMA, but this is a pretty weak reason. I don't think it's even possible to purchase any insurance policy strictly by phone. Lots of email providers allow you to create "alias" email addresses, anyways.

It's not so bad, and it's a piece of cake to renew once you got it. Go ahead and scribble on some paper and get yourself into the program. It'll be worth it when you get to sign up for that first event!

- Jim