Aaa Auto Insurance: Is Roadside Assistance Standard?

AAA offers a range of benefits to its members, including legendary roadside assistance. AAA's roadside assistance covers towing, jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, and battery services. Members can also add RV and motorcycle assistance for an additional fee. AAA membership is separate from car insurance, and members can save 5% on AAA auto insurance. AAA also offers a range of discounts and exclusive member benefits, including savings on travel, entertainment, and auto repairs.

AAA membership costs

AAA offers three basic types of membership: Classic, Plus, and Premier. The cost of membership depends on the level of membership and the number of people included on the plan.

The Classic membership is the most affordable option, starting at $5.99 per month or $64.99 per year. This option includes benefits such as free towing for up to five miles, free jumpstarts for dead batteries, free flat tire removal and spare installation, and free emergency fuel delivery (excluding the cost of fuel).

The Plus membership costs $8.49 per month or $99.99 per year and includes all the benefits of the Classic membership, plus free towing for up to 100 miles, free emergency fuel delivery (including the cost of fuel), and Automobile Accident Protection for up to $600.

The Premier membership is the most comprehensive option, priced at $11.41 per month or $124.99 per year. In addition to the benefits of the Plus membership, the Premier membership offers free towing for up to 200 miles, Automobile Accident Protection for up to $1,500, home lockout services for up to $100, and free emergency car rental.

The cost of adding additional members to a plan varies depending on the membership level and location. In California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, the cost for an additional member is $84.99/year for Premier, $64.99/year for Plus, and $44.99/year for Classic. In Montana, Wyoming, and Alaska, the cost for an additional member is $44.99/year for all membership levels.

AAA also offers a \$10 discount on membership fees when enrolled in Automatic Renewal, and additional members can be added for over 50% off.

AAA membership plans

AAA offers three levels of membership: Classic, Plus, and Premier. The plans differ in terms of the benefits and services they offer, as well as their costs.

Classic Membership

The Classic Membership plan includes the following benefits:

• Towing up to 5 or 7 miles per breakdown incident.
• Up to $50 reimbursement for car locksmith services.
• Emergency fuel delivery (fuel cost extra).
• Vehicle registration renewals.
• AAA Discounts & Rewards.
• Discounts on repairs at AAA Approved Repair Facilities.
• Identity theft monitoring.
• Free maps of the US, Canada, and Mexico, TripTik auto trip routings, and TourBook travel guides.
• Up to 100 miles of towing.
• Free emergency fuel delivery.
• Vehicle locksmith service up to $100.
• Free rental car upgrade with an in-state tow.
• Free Hertz membership with enrollment and bonus points.
• Free personal notary service.
• Free international AAA maps.
• Select European travel guides at a 50% discount.

Plus Membership

The Plus Membership plan includes all the benefits of the Classic plan, plus:

• Up to 100 miles of towing per breakdown incident.
• Up to $100 reimbursement for car locksmith services.
• Emergency fuel delivery (fuel cost included).
• Vehicle lockout and locksmith service up to $100.
• AAA Mobile Battery Service and jump start.
• Minor mechanical first aid.
• Extrication/winching service with one service vehicle and one driver.
• Discounted rates on rental cars, plus a free one-car class upgrade.
• RV/Motorcycle Roadside Assistance.
• Discounted windshield chip repair.
• Vehicle registration renewal.
• AAA Discounts & Rewards, including savings on dining, movie, and attraction tickets.
• Identity theft protection, including credit monitoring, real-time alerts, fraud resolution support, lost wallet assistance, and more.
• Free personal notary service (up to 10 signatures per day).
• AAA Travel Advantage Signature Card, including full-service travel agency and personalized travel planning.
• Domestic maps, TripTik Travel Planner, and Digital AAA TourBook Guides.
• Free Hertz Gold membership with enrollment and exclusive offers.

Premier Membership

The Premier Membership plan includes all the benefits of the Plus plan, plus:

• Up to 200 miles of towing for one service call per household per year, and up to 100 miles for the remaining service calls.
• Up to $150 reimbursement for car and home locksmith services.
• Up to $50 reimbursement for windshield repair or replacement per membership year.
• One-day complimentary rental car with an in-state tow.
• Free emergency fuel delivery.
• Home lockout service up to $100.
• $10,000 identity theft insurance.
• 24-hour travel assistance.
• Free personal notary service.
• Toll-free number for dedicated service.
• AAA Explorer magazine, a quarterly publication with travel tips, cultural events, and information about AAA benefits and discounts.
• Access to Allianz Concierge Services for assistance with travel bookings, entertainment ticketing, referrals, and more.
• Access to Allianz 24-hour emergency travel/medical assistance during eligible trips worldwide, including emergency message center, lost baggage assistance, emergency airline and hotel reservations, legal referrals, money transfers, and more.
• Up to $150 reimbursement for home or car locksmith fees.
• Up to $100 reimbursement for car locksmith fees.
• Up to $50 reimbursement for car locksmith fees.

The cost of AAA membership varies depending on the selected plan and location, but it can be as little as $64.99 per year.

Benefits of AAA roadside assistance

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a national nonprofit composed of motor clubs around the country. AAA offers a range of benefits to its members, the most well-known being its roadside assistance. For an annual fee, AAA members can call for help with issues such as dead batteries, flat tires, and more serious situations. Here are some benefits of AAA roadside assistance:

24/7 Roadside Assistance:

AAA members can request roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No matter where you are or the time of day, you can get help quickly, adding peace of mind to your journeys. This includes towing, flat tire repair, battery jumping, and stuck vehicle retrieval. AAA even extends its roadside assistance to bicycles, so you can call for help if you're cycling and get a flat tire.

Travel Discounts and Benefits:

In addition to roadside assistance, AAA offers numerous travel discounts to help reduce your travel costs. You can access deals on hotels, flights, car rentals, and travel guides. AAA also provides trip interruption coverage if your vehicle breaks down while you're on vacation.

Automotive Discounts and Benefits:

AAA offers several automotive-related discounts and benefits. Members can get a discount on repairs at approved service centers, up to a certain amount. Depending on your location, you may also be eligible for a free car inspection, discounted vehicle history reports, and other benefits.

Identity Theft Protection:

AAA membership also includes identity theft protection, with some plans offering up to $10,000 in identity theft insurance. This includes daily monitoring, email alerts, fraud resolution support, and lost card protection.

Additional Services:

Depending on your location and membership tier, you may also have access to free notary services, discounted passport photos, locksmith services, and discounts on international maps.

With its range of benefits, AAA roadside assistance can provide peace of mind and valuable savings for drivers. However, it's important to consider the cost of membership and whether you will take advantage of the full range of benefits offered.

AAA vs. insurance-provided roadside assistance

If you're weighing up whether to opt for roadside assistance through your auto insurance provider or through a separate membership with AAA, there are several factors to consider.

Cost

Roadside assistance through your insurance provider is likely to be cheaper than AAA. While insurance-provided roadside assistance typically costs between $5 and $15 per car, per year, AAA's basic membership costs around $50 to $65 per year, and its top-tier membership can cost around $160.

Coverage

Insurance-provided roadside assistance usually covers towing, fuel delivery, jump-starting a dead battery, locksmith services, and, in some cases, mechanical labour.

AAA's basic membership covers up to five miles of towing, lockout service, tire change, fuel delivery (you pay for the fuel), and a battery jumpstart. Its Plus membership provides up to 100 miles of towing and increased locksmith benefits, plus free fuel delivery. Its Premier membership provides up to 200 miles of towing, identity theft insurance, free passport photos, and all the benefits of the lower packages.

AAA's roadside assistance package is more comprehensive than similar programs offered by other car insurance providers. It also offers additional benefits, including vehicle registration renewal help, discounts on shopping, dining, hotels, and entertainment, and identity theft protection.

Customer Service

AAA has a strong reputation as the most widely available roadside assistance program with efficient response times. However, some insurance-provided roadside assistance programs have been criticised for long wait times and poor service.

Usage

If you live in a metro area, don't drive much, and don't plan on travelling to remote locations, then your current provider's roadside service might be sufficient.

However, if you travel frequently or have an older vehicle prone to mechanical problems, AAA's more flexible and extensive coverage might be a better option.

Claims

Insurance-provided roadside assistance claims may not drastically impact your rates, but they can affect your renewal or cause your rates to rise. AAA membership, on the other hand, allows you to keep claims off your loss history.

Vehicles Covered

AAA covers any eligible vehicle you're driving or riding in, even if you're in a rental car or someone else's car. Insurance-provided roadside assistance usually only covers the vehicle listed on the insurance.

Perks

If you're unlikely to use the extra perks that come with AAA membership, then insurance-provided roadside assistance might be the better option. However, if you will make use of the various discounts and other benefits that come with AAA membership, then it could be worth the extra cost.

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider your specific needs and circumstances when making a decision. If affordability is your main concern, then insurance-provided roadside assistance might be the best choice. However, if you want more extensive coverage and additional perks, AAA membership could be worth the extra cost.

AAA's additional perks

AAA offers a host of additional benefits and discounts to all members, so that you can make the most of your membership. Here are some of the perks that make AAA stand out:

Efficient service

AAA ensures you won't have to wait hours for service by positioning tow trucks in high-traffic areas so that help is readily available.

Transparency

AAA is dedicated to transparency and provides all members with exceptional detail regarding its services and obligations. They clearly state what they will and will not cover so that you know exactly what you're signing up for and won't be caught off guard with surprise costs.

Mobile app

The AAA mobile app makes it even easier to access AAA services, including calling for help and checking estimated arrival times.

DMV services

Access to select DMV and MVD services are included in your AAA membership and offered at many AAA locations, so you won't have to wait in line at your local motor vehicle authority. Instead, you can walk into a AAA location and take advantage of convenient services like renewing your vehicle's registration.

Discounts and rewards

AAA offers its members many types of exclusive discounts at service stations, auto repair shops, NAPA Auto Parts, and more. AAA members can save 5% on AAA Auto Insurance. Members can also save on travel, entertainment, auto repairs, and more.

Multi-car coverage

AAA's 24/7 roadside assistance is available to help you whether you're driving, riding as a passenger, or using a vehicle other than your own. AAA covers you in anyone's car, even if you're a passenger.

Frequently asked questions