AAA is one of the most popular vehicle insurance providers in the country, but are their coverage options right for you?
Finding car insurance quotes
is one thing, but it's also important to find the type of insurance package that can meet your needs in the real world. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know when considering a policy from AAA. If you find yourself wanting to switch providers, let the trusted car insurance broker
app Jerry
find you the best coverage at the most affordable rates. AAA pros and cons
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Multiple insurance products and useful services | In most cases, an AAA club membership is required to access insurance services |
Holding a membership will often translate to discounted insurance rates | The services offered will often vary from branch to branch and state to state and may not transfer across state lines if you move |
Provides exceptional roadside assistance service | |
What is an AAA Auto Club membership?
When you sign up for an AAA Auto Club membership, you will receive a variety of services, support, and discounts. This includes 24/7 access to roadside assistance, a range of convenient travel resources and guides, as well as super-handy repair shop ranking lists.
Another major perk of an AAA membership is that they offer up a great supply of member-only discounts through local and participating businesses.
In most cases, you will only be able to access AAA car insurance policies by becoming an AAA member.
MORE: How to join AAA and make sure you have roadside assistance coverage
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What are the policies AAA offers?
While the specific auto insurance policies offered up through AAA vary according to state and region, most AAA auto insurance policies will be available once you purchase an AAA membership.
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Coverage
Auto liability policies
are designed to protect you up to your policy’s limit should you be found at fault in a car accident. Basic liability insurance covers the expenses associated with the accident for the other party involved.
Liability coverage is legally required in most states. There are two types of liability coverage: bodily injury liability
coverage and property damage liability
coverage. To make sure you have adequate coverage, it’s generally a good idea to purchase both. A collision coverage
insurance package is designed to protect you if you are involved in a collision. A standard collision policy will typically cover the following situations:
Incidents where you hit another car or stationary object
Damage that occurs when another vehicle collides with your parked car
Vehicle damages incurred during a rollover
The cost of repairs or vehicle replacement should you collide with an object on the road, such as a fallen tree
A comprehensive car insurance
plan is designed to protect you should something happen to your vehicle that isn’t covered by a collision policy. This could include situations like hitting an animal while driving, damage to your vehicle by floods or fire, or your vehicle being stolen or vandalized. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
will help to pay your medical bills if you are in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have sufficient liability coverage. This type of insurance is legally required in a handful of states so it’s important to make sure you have the mandated amount of coverage.
Medical Payments/Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Medical payments
coverage is a common insurance add-on that will help cover the costs of any medical or funeral expenses for you, your family members, or your passengers. Personal injury protection (PIP)
plans will cover the cost of medical expenses associated with an accident along with additional costs like rehabilitation bills, funeral expenses, and even lost wages. It's required coverage in no-fault states
. While basic liability coverage only applies to the other party, medical payment coverage or personal injury protection coverage will ensure that your medical expenses are also taken care of up to your policy’s limit.
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Optional insurance coverage options
Since AAA auto insurance services available differ from branch to branch, you may have access to the following features and optional services.
OEM exterior repair coverage
Original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, coverage
will help you cover the cost of original manufacturer parts and equipment for your vehicle up to your policy limit should you need to claim for repairs. Rideshare insurance
Rideshare insurance
fills the gaps where rideshare or delivery app drivers may not be fully covered by their company or personal insurance packages while on the job. Rideshare insurance is commonly sold as a policy add-on but may function as an independent hybrid commercial-private policy as well.
Custom equipment coverage
Custom equipment coverage will cover the cost of aftermarket items that have been installed in a vehicle according to the policy limits.
This might include coverage for upgraded sound systems
, aftermarket cameras, or tricked-out rims. This type of insurance is often sold as an add-on for an existing collision or comprehensive package. Mechanical breakdown insurance
Mechanical breakdown insurance
is an add-on coverage option designed to protect you should you experience a vehicle breakdown that is not covered by standard car insurance policies. The situations and parts that are covered will often differ according to the specific package offered. Roadside assistance
When you join AAA, you automatically gain access to their industry-defining roadside assistance program. You must be a member, but do not have to hold an existing policy to access the following 24/7 emergency roadside assistance services such as:
Battery replacement services
Extrication & winching services
Minor mechanical first aid services
Keep in mind that all of the above services will be subject to limits that may vary from provider to provider.
Accident forgiveness
Depending on the specifics of your AAA car insurance policy, you may enjoy an accident forgiveness
program that will allow you to claim your first accident, in a certain number of years, without having to worry about the cost of your policy increasing after your claim. Pet coverage
A typical pet coverage package will cover the vet bills up to the policy limit for any cat or dog that is injured in a car accident if they are listed in your existing car insurance collision policy.
Rental reimbursement coverage
Rental reimbursement coverage
options are typically sold as an optional policy add-on and will help cover the cost of a rental vehicle, cab fare, or public transportation should you experience a claimable incident and require temporary replacement transportation as a result. New car replacement coverage
The value of new vehicles depreciates quickly, meaning that anybody needing to make a claim for a new vehicle might lose much of the vehicle’s original value in the process. New car replacement coverage
is an optional policy add-on that will help make up the difference so you can afford to replace your car with one of equal value (minus the depreciation) if you experience a total loss. Gap insurance
Similarly, gap insurance
coverage will help cover the lost depreciation value vehicle that is deemed a total loss following a claimable incident should there still be outstanding payments left to make toward the cost of the vehicle. Umbrella policy
You might have the option to purchase an umbrella policy, which will go beyond your standard insurance offerings to help provide an extra level of protection on your vehicle.
First aid reimbursement
Depending on the specifics of your car insurance package, you may be eligible to receive reimbursements for participating in approved first aid or driver safety programs.
Electronic key & lock replacement
Most AAA providers will cover up to $100 dollars in approved locksmith services that are required to replace a vehicle lock or lost key.
Glass coverage
Glass coverage is a type of coverage or add-on offered by some insurance providers to cover replacement or repairs or vehicle windshields up to the policy limit.
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AAA insurance discounts
Since AAA auto insurance policies will vary according to what is offered by your local provider, you may be able to take advantage of a full range of discounts that could help you save anywhere from 5 to 59% on your insurance package.
Here are some potential discount options that might be offered with your car insurance package through AAA:
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Student away at school discount |
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Anti-theft device discount |
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Multiple vehicle discount |
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How much does AAA car insurance cost?
Since AAA insurance policies will differ from state to state and some branches may simply act as brokers for local companies, the rates will often differ.
Policy prices can also differ according to a wide variety of factors including the type of vehicle you drive, your location, your driving record, your age, and the type of tailored options you add to your policy.
That being said, the average California
resident can expect to pay somewhere around $158 a month for a standard policy from AAA. That rate shoots up to about $250 for the same standard monthly auto insurance policy if the driver has been involved in an accident for which they had to file a claim in the past few years.
AAA vs. other insurance companies
Since the prices and offerings of AAAs auto insurance policies will differ according to your location, the way your AAA auto insurance policy stacks up in relation to what the other major competitors have to offer will vary according to the policies and prices available to you.
Using the same average California rate listed above, you can expect to pay comparable rates to Progressive
for a full-coverage plan. Meanwhile, it might cost you slightly less to go with GEICO
and more to go with State Farm
. However, these policy prices have significant potential to vary so be sure to take this comparison with a grain of salt.
How to get AAA car insurance quotes
It can be tricky to get a AAA car insurance quote if you aren’t already a member. You can call up a local branch or request a quote online via their website or app.
The best way to compare car insurance quotes from major providers is to use an intelligent online tool like Jerry
to make the process quick, painless, and worthwhile. "If you're shopping for car insurance, shop no further! Jerry made shopping for car insurance easier than ever! They give you multiple quotes at the cheapest rates I've ever seen and have excellent customer service throughout the entire process! Try the Jerry app, you will not be disappointed!" —Timmy B.
AAA auto insurance ratings
According to the 2018 J.D. Power Associates U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study
, AAA customers report average satisfaction in the following categories: According to the same survey, customers tend to rate AAA as better than most in terms of the Repair Process category:
Similarly, the 2018 U.S Auto Insurance Shopping Study
has found that State Farm clocks about average in all of the following categories. Call Center Representative
AAA scores better than most in the Local Agent category in the same study.
Note Remember that there is a lot of potential for policies and services to differ in quality and price when you purchase your car insurance through AAA, so the above results are not necessarily representative of what will be available to you.
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AAA’s services and features
Only AAA members may purchase insurance through AAA, and if you are a member, you automatically enjoy access to AAA’s stellar roadside assistance program. Keep in mind that you do not need an active AAA auto insurance policy to benefit from this service.
The AAA mobile app provides easy access to your AAA services including roadside assistance and easy on-the-go insurance policy management.
It includes a mobile version of their TripTik® Travel Planner, which will help you find the AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions that will ensure a high-quality experience wherever the road may take you.
Online Account Management
You can use your AAA online account login to easily and efficiently manage your AAA membership and insurance policy options.
Preferred Repair Services
The AAA Approved Auto Repair Locator tool provides access to a list of highly-ranked auto repair shops in your area that you can trust with your vehicle.
How to file a claim with AAA
The best way to submit a claim with AAA is to call up an agent or visit your local branch in person. Since AAA’s policies vary so drastically from region to region the online claim filing may not be accessible. Remember that the sooner you file your claim after an incident, the more likely you are to enjoy an effective claims process from start to finish.
Once you begin the claims process, you will receive a claim number that you will need to keep handy throughout the course of the claims investigation process.
Be prepared to provide the following information during the claim investigation process:
The location, date, and time of the accident
The names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance policy numbers of anybody else involved
A summary of the weather conditions
Photo evidence of the accident scene and damage
Any relevant copies of the police and/or accident reports
Once the claim is filed, it's a good idea to review your policy so you have an idea of what to expect with regard to your particular coverage. Once your claim is approved, you can proceed with the repairs and secure a replacement vehicle (if it is part of your coverage plan).
Payment methods
Most AAA branches will accept the following payment methods for your car insurance package.
Automatic online payments
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AAA’s car insurance cancellation policy
The only way to cancel your AAA policy
is to call up or visit the local AAA branch where you purchased the policy. Most AAA branches will not charge cancellation fees and will reimburse you on any remaining unused premiums. Make sure you have the effective policy cancellation date written down so that you can ensure a smooth transition to your new policy.
Depending on the circumstances, an agent might ask you to provide information on your new policy as well. It doesn’t hurt to ask about potential discounts that might be available to you should you choose not to cancel your policy.
Background of AAA Insurance
You might already be familiar with the flagship roadside assistance program that AAA offers to its members. A lesser-known fact is that most AAA clubs will also offer a full range of auto insurance packages, as well as member-only access to a range of products provided by regional and local insurance companies.
The first American Automobile Association, which is commonly referred to as either "AAA" or "Triple-A" was founded over a century ago in 1902.
A group of 1500 Chicago-area auto owners banded together to form a motor club that would help give them the political swing that they needed to make the roads more suitable for their vehicles.
Today, AAA clubs are dispersed all over the country, and the services offered have expanded well beyond the fight for better road conditions.
AAA is currently over 60 million members strong and offers up a full range of insurance services and member benefits. Since each AAA brand functions separately under the overarching umbrella of a federated club, the specific services available to you will depend on what your local AAA branch has to offer.
The Takeaway: Is AAA right for me?
To sum it all up, most AAA branches will offer up affordable packages that come with a range of handy member benefits. The downside is that you will almost always have to purchase a AAA membership in order to access their car insurance offerings.
If you are already an AAA member or are considering becoming an AAA member, AAA car insurance could be a good choice for you, especially if you want to enjoy 24/7 roadside assistance without having to purchase an additional policy or add-on.
The best way to find how your car insurance
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So if you are ready to save time and money while landing the perfect car insurance policy that truly works for you, be sure to come to check us out today and get started.
Does AAA offer SR-22 insurance?
Yes, AAA offers SR-22 insurance. An SR-22 is actually a certificate filed with your state's government certifying that you have the insurance coverage required by law, but AAA will file the certificate on your behalf.
Is AAA insurance good?
The right plan for you depends on your personal preferences and needs, but yes, AAA insurance is generally good. Customers should keep in mind that they will need to get a membership in order to use AAA insurance, however.