Auto Club Insurance Association: Is It Like Aaa?

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs across North America. It was founded in 1902 by nine motor clubs with a total of 1,500 members, in response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for automobiles. AAA is a privately held, not-for-profit, national member association and service organization with over 60 million members in the US and Canada. AAA provides services to its members, including roadside assistance, auto insurance, travel planning, and discounts.

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second-largest of AAA's 25 member clubs and underwrites AAA's car insurance offerings. ACG provides over 9.8 million people with car insurance, financial services, travel assistance, and more. It is available in 11 states and two US territories, including Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

While AAA and ACG are closely linked, they are not the same entity. AAA is the overarching association, while ACG is one of its member clubs and underwriters.

AAA's roadside assistance and insurance

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a privately held, not-for-profit, member-based service organization with over 60 million members in the US and Canada. AAA provides a range of services to its members, including roadside assistance and insurance.

Roadside Assistance

AAA offers 24/7 roadside assistance to its members in any car, whether they are the passenger or the driver, anywhere in the US or Canada. Services include:

• Towing: AAA will tow your vehicle to a repair shop, gas station, or destination of your choice.
• Flat tire service: Inflation or replacement of a flat tire with your spare, free of charge.
• Fuel delivery: Free delivery of fuel to get you to the nearest gas station.
• Car battery service: Jump-starting your vehicle and, if necessary, testing and replacing your battery.
• Locksmith service: Assistance in gaining entry to your vehicle if you are locked out.
• Extrication/winching service: Assistance in freeing your vehicle if it is stuck and can be safely reached from a road.
• Minor repairs: AAA drivers will make minor adjustments not requiring parts to get your vehicle running.

Insurance

AAA, through its affiliates, offers a robust auto insurance plan as well as other types of coverage, including:

• Recreational vehicles
• Umbrella (personal liability)
• Education and occupation discounts: Discounts based on a customer's education and occupation
• Anti-theft device discount: Discounts on comprehensive coverage premiums for approved theft prevention and recovery devices
• Good driver discount: Discounts offered to drivers with a clean driving record
• Student discounts: Special discounts for good students
• Multiple-car discount: Premium discounts for two or more qualifying household cars insured through AAA
• Multiple-product discount: Discount when bundling your auto policy with a qualifying home or life insurance coverage through AAA
• Pay-in-full discount: Discount when paying your premium on time and in full
• Membership discount: Up to a 7% discount for purchasing auto insurance with AAA

AAA membership benefits

AAA, or the American Automobile Association, offers a range of benefits to its members. The organisation was founded in 1902 in response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for automobiles. Today, it is a privately held not-for-profit national member association and service organisation with over 60 million members in the United States and Canada.

AAA members can access a variety of services, including:

• Roadside assistance: AAA is well-known for its 24/7 emergency roadside assistance services, which include towing, lockouts, tyre changes, and battery replacement, among others.
• Insurance services: AAA offers a range of insurance options, including auto, motorcycle, boat, and RV insurance, as well as extended warranties. They also provide a range of insurance options beyond vehicle insurance, such as home, life, and pet insurance.
• Travel planning and discounts: AAA provides travel planning services, including maps, directions, TripTik guides, and travel agent services. They also offer discounts on travel-related expenses such as lift tickets and cruises. Additionally, AAA has a network of partners that provide member discounts, including ski resorts.
• Financial services: AAA offers a range of financial products, including credit cards, CDs, online savings accounts, and money market accounts. They also provide credit counselling and tax services.
• Driver education and training: AAA has a long history of promoting driver safety and offers driver education and training resources, including driving schools and curriculum.
• Other services: AAA also provides a range of other services, including auto buying and loan services, identity theft protection, and notary services. They also offer discounts on select automotive and retail purchases.

AAA members belong to one of 42 regional clubs, and the specific benefits and services available may vary by region and membership type (Classic, Plus, and Premier).

AAA's history

The American Automobile Association (AAA) was founded on March 4, 1902, in Chicago, Illinois, by nine motor clubs with a total of 1,500 members. The Automobile Club of Buffalo joined in 1903, bringing the total number of clubs to ten. The first AAA road maps were published in 1905, and the association began printing hotel guides in 1917.

AAA has always advocated for better roads and safer driving conditions. In 1920, they began their School Safety Patrol Program, the first of their driver safety programs, which provided local schools with materials to train and organize students into a patrol force. AAA has also updated its driver training courses over the years, and many clubs now offer their own driving schools.

AAA began as a social group for drivers, but it has evolved into a massive organisation with over 60 million members in the US and Canada. Members belong to one of 42 regional auto clubs and enjoy a range of benefits, including roadside assistance, auto insurance, and special deals.

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.

AAA's regional clubs

The American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America. AAA members belong to one of 42 regional auto clubs. The two largest AAA clubs by membership are the Automobile Club of Southern California and the Auto Club Group.

AAA Northern New England covers Maine, New Hampshire (except for Salem), and Vermont. The Auto Club Group covers 13 states under various local AAA insurance company brands. AAA Southern New England Insurance Company serves Wilmington, Delaware, and parts of several other states. AAA Merrimack Valley covers Lawrence, Massachusetts, Eastern Middlesex County, Western Essex County, and Salem, New Hampshire, as well as parts of New York State. AAA Hudson Valley Insurance Agency covers several counties in New York State. AAA Western and Central New York covers a large number of counties in New York State.

AAA East Central (East Penn Region) covers Allentown, Pennsylvania, and parts of several neighbouring counties. AAA Northampton County covers Easton, Pennsylvania, and parts of Northampton County and northeastern Bucks County. Scranton, Pennsylvania, covers several counties in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, covers several counties in Pennsylvania. AAA Southern Pennsylvania covers several counties in Pennsylvania. AAA Schuylkill County covers Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

AAA Tidewater Virginia covers Virginia Beach, Virginia, and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Charlotte, North Carolina, covers North Carolina and South Carolina. Knoxville, Tennessee, covers Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and parts of Virginia. AAA East Central (Kentucky Region) covers Louisville, Kentucky, and several counties in the state. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, covers several counties in New York State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Ohio covers several counties in the state. Indianapolis, Indiana, covers several counties in Indiana. Burnsville, Minnesota, covers several counties in Iowa and Minnesota. Minneapolis, Minnesota, covers Hennepin County, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, Fridley, and Spring Lake Park.

AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah covers several counties in California. Automobile Club of Southern California covers several counties in California. Albuquerque, New Mexico, covers New Mexico. Walnut Creek, California, covers Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. Oregon and southern Idaho are covered by the CSAA Insurance Group. Bellevue, Washington, covers Washington and northern Idaho.

AAA's lobbying

The American Automobile Association (AAA), commonly pronounced "Triple A", is a privately held not-for-profit national member association and service organization. It was founded in 1902 in response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for automobiles. The AAA has over 60 million members in the US and Canada. Members of AAA belong to one of 42 individual clubs, and these clubs in turn own AAA.

AAA has a long history of lobbying, dating back to its early years when it advocated for the building of a cross-country highway. Over the years, AAA has supported various measures that tax motorists, with the goal of strengthening infrastructure and highway maintenance. For example, they have supported Virginia's now-repealed traffic citation tax and the since-repealed National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph. They have also lobbied in favour of speed cameras and red-light cameras in several states, and supported an increase in the federal gas tax.

In addition to its lobbying efforts, AAA has also provided services to the US government during times of war. During World War II, AAA offered its services to the Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense and AAA President Thomas P. Henry was appointed as a consultant in the transportation unit of the Defense Council. AAA also placed its mapping facilities at the disposal of the Army department and launched a campaign to alleviate a growing shortage of auto mechanics.

While AAA has historically focused on lobbying for better roads and highways, in recent years they have expanded their lobbying efforts to include other issues related to transportation and infrastructure. For example, in the 1980s, AAA focused on the Truck & Bus Safety Regulatory Reform Act, which required interstate drivers and equipment to meet federal safety regulations. In the early 2000s, AAA's focus shifted to helping seniors stay mobile longer and safer, which led to their appointment to the White House Conference on Aging.

AAA has been criticised for its lobbying positions, which have sometimes been perceived as hostile to mass transit and environmental interests. For example, in 2006, the Automobile Club of Southern California worked against Proposition 87, which would have established a $4 billion program to reduce petroleum consumption in California. Daniel Becker, director of the Sierra Club's global warming and energy program, described AAA as "a lobbyist for more roads, more pollution, and more gas guzzling."

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