Auto Club Auto Insurance: Is It Worth The Hype?

AAA Auto Club Group Insurance is a good choice for those who want to benefit from the advantages of a AAA membership. AAA has 60 million members and is comprised of 25 clubs, with 28% of passenger vehicles in North America belonging to AAA members. Auto Club Group is the second-largest of these clubs and provides insurance, travel, financial and other services to over nine million members.

Auto Club Group Insurance has an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, indicating financial strength and reliability. However, it has received poor rankings from J.D. Power and a high complaint index from the NAIC.

The Auto Club Group offers a range of insurance options, including liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection. There are also various discounts available, such as the AAA Membership Discount, which rewards members based on the number of years they have been a member.

Discounts and savings

AAA Auto Insurance is generally only available to members, but the perks and discounts might make joining worth it. The Automobile Club Group (ACG) is one of several AAA-affiliated insurance companies and is the second-largest AAA club in North America. It provides insurance, travel, financial and other services to over nine million members.

Discounts

• AAA Membership Discount: Rewards you based on the number of years you've been an AAA member.
• Paperless Discount: Receive your documents electronically and save. This is required for the Essentials plan.
• Advanced Purchase Discount: Save money for purchasing your insurance a certain number of days in advance of the start date.
• Pay-in-Full Discount: Get a discount for paying your whole premium within a certain number of days of the policy going into effect.
• Automatic Payment Deduction: Save money by enrolling in automatic payment deductions.
• AAA Safety Inspection Discount: Save if your vehicle has passed an AAA safety inspection.
• AAA Drive Discount: Earn a discount for letting them track your driving through your phone.
• Multiple-Product Discount: Save money when you insure something else with AAA, such as a home.
• Multiple-Car Discount: Premium discounts are available for two or more qualifying household cars insured through AAA with mandatory coverage.
• Education and Occupation Discount: Offers discounts to customers based on their education and occupation.
• Anti-Theft Device Discount: Comprehensive coverage premium receives discounts for approved theft prevention and recovery devices.
• Good Student Discount: For students who maintain a B (3.0) or better grade point average.
• Student Away Discount: A discount for when students are living away at school without a vehicle.
• Good Driver Discount: Offered to drivers with a driving record clean of violations and accidents.
• Alumni Association Discount: Save up to 9.3% if you are a current member of a four-year college or university alumni association.
• Driving Course Discount: Save up to 4.7% on completion of an approved course.
• Military Discount: Being in the military can get you a discount.

Savings

• Verified Mileage Discount: Save up to 18.7% (depending on the vehicle's annual mileage) for supplying current odometer readings when requested.
• Passive Restraint (Airbag) Discount: Save up to 10.2% on select coverages.
• Garage Parking Discount: Save up to 5.8% on comprehensive coverage.
• Loyalty Discount: Save up to 5.6% with continuous insurance coverage with AAA for at least one year.
• Auto + Home + Life: Save up to 17.5% on your auto insurance and up to 20% on your home insurance when you combine AAA home, auto and life insurance policies.
• Auto + Home: Save up to 15.6% when you combine AAA home and auto insurance policies.
• New Policy Discount: New policyholders who switched to AAA Auto Insurance and saved an average of $601 in certain states.

Customer satisfaction

In terms of customer satisfaction, Auto Club Group Insurance has received a rating of 3.8 out of 5 from Insurance.com. Additionally, 91% of customers said they would recommend the company to a friend. However, in J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, the Auto Club Group received a below-average score in multiple regions, including last place in Florida and the North Central region. Similarly, in J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study, the company received well-below-average scores and ranked near the bottom for both service and shopping experience.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks customer complaints and found that in 2019, Auto Club Group had far fewer complaints than the industry average, with an index of 0.29. However, in 2020 and 2021, the company received an above-average number of complaints, with indices of 1.71 and 2.0, respectively. This indicates a downward trend in customer satisfaction.

On the other hand, the Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) has received more positive reviews for customer satisfaction. In Insure.com's 2024 rankings, it scored 4.2 out of 5 for customer satisfaction. 80% of customers reported being satisfied with its customer service, ranking higher than The Auto Club Group and nine other large insurers. Additionally, 95% of customers said they would renew their services, and 9 out of 10 customers would recommend it to others.

Overall, while customer satisfaction ratings for Auto Club Group Insurance have been mixed, the Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) has consistently received positive reviews in this area.

AAA membership

The benefits of a AAA membership include:

• Roadside assistance: AAA members have access to 24/7 roadside assistance, including battery service, jumpstarts, lockouts, tire changes, and tows to nearby auto repair shops.
• Approved Auto Repair facilities: Members can access a network of nearly 7,000 approved auto repair facilities that meet AAA's high standards for appearance, technician training, certification, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
• Discounts: AAA membership provides access to a variety of discounts, including shopping and dining, movie tickets, attraction admission, car rentals, cruises, tours, and more.
• Travel services: AAA offers travel planning tools, trip guides, maps, passport photos, and information on top-rated hotels and restaurants.
• Insurance: AAA provides insurance services, including home and car insurance, as well as life insurance.
• Financial services: AAA offers identity theft protection, credit cards, and other financial products for domestic and international travel, including currency exchange.
• Peace of mind: AAA members can drive with peace of mind, knowing that they have reliable assistance in the event of unexpected breakdowns or accidents.

AAA offers different membership plans to suit varying needs, including Basic, Plus, and Premier options. Membership is available to anyone travelling on America's roadways, from parents navigating local roads to retirees traversing the country. With over 60 million members, AAA is a trusted and reliable organisation that continues to advocate for safe roads and deliver unrivalled roadside assistance.

Types of coverage

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is one of the largest AAA-affiliated insurance companies in North America. It offers a range of insurance types, including auto insurance, and serves over nine million members. The types of coverage available from ACG include:

Recreational Vehicles

ACG offers insurance for recreational vehicles, such as RVs and campers. This type of coverage is ideal for those who enjoy travelling and exploring in their recreational vehicles, providing protection in case of accidents or other incidents.

Umbrella (Personal Liability)

The company also provides umbrella coverage, which offers extended liability protection beyond what is included in standard policies. This type of coverage can be beneficial for individuals with significant assets or those who want additional peace of mind.

Accidental Death Benefits

ACG offers accidental death benefits, providing financial protection for beneficiaries in the unfortunate event of accidental death. This coverage ensures that loved ones receive support during difficult times.

Car Rental Reimbursement

This coverage option reimburses customers for car rental expenses while their vehicle is being repaired or replaced after an accident or covered incident. It helps ensure that customers have access to temporary transportation without incurring additional costs.

Extra Equipment Coverage

Recognizing that vehicles often contain valuable equipment and items, ACG offers extra equipment coverage. This type of coverage protects against the loss or damage of items kept in a vehicle, providing financial reimbursement for these items.

New Car Added Protection

For those who have recently purchased a new car, ACG offers new car added protection. This coverage option helps maintain the value of the vehicle, ensuring customers receive the full value of their car in the event of a total loss.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is a crucial coverage option that helps cover medical expenses and lost income resulting from a covered accident. It provides financial support for customers' medical treatment, ensuring they can focus on their recovery.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

In the unfortunate event of an accident involving an uninsured or underinsured motorist, ACG's coverage steps in to provide protection. This coverage helps ensure that customers are not left financially burdened due to another driver's lack of insurance or insufficient coverage.

Other Policies

In addition to auto insurance, ACG offers a range of other policies, including boat/personal watercraft insurance and renters and rental dwelling insurance. These additional policies provide comprehensive protection for customers' diverse needs.

Contact and claims

Contacting AAA Insurance

To get a quote for AAA Insurance, you can call 877-288-4546 or find a local agent. You can also manage your insurance online through the AAA website or mobile app.

For general membership services, the phone number is 1-800-222-1134.

For roadside assistance, call AAA to request this service.

For new membership services, the phone number is 1-800-564-6222.

For new policies or to request a quote, the phone number is 877-288-4546.

For help with creating or accessing your online account, the phone number is 877-736-7813.

For insurance documents, you can order these over the phone by calling 800-222-6424 or by visiting your local AAA office.

Making a Claim with AAA Insurance

Submitting a claim with AAA Insurance is "quick and easy" and can be done online or by contacting a skilled representative 24/7.

For typical claims, AAA representatives are available 24/7 to lend a hand.

In the event of an emergency, AAA Accident Assist can streamline the claim process for services such as towing, rental cars, and auto repair.

AAA Insurance also offers a free review of your current home and auto insurance to help you understand your coverage and potential savings.

Frequently asked questions