AAA Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Review (2023)
AAA offers comprehensive mechanical breakdown insurance with three levels of coverage and a wide range of perks.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
Although it’s more expensive, the AAA's Vehicle Protection Plan offers generous coverage and benefits.
Car insurance
isn't the only way to avoid expensive future repair bills. Mechanical breakdown insurance, or MBI, will pay to fix nearly any problem your vehicle encounters in its lifetime, not just those it suffers in a crash. MBI is similar to an extended warranty
but offers more flexibility—and some exciting benefits!For our AAA mechanical breakdown insurance review (2023), we’ll examine the pros and cons of adding extra coverage to your policy. You'll find out what it covers, what it doesn't, how much it costs, and whether or not it's worth the price!
AAA Vehicle Protection Plan: the basics
AAA sells mechanical breakdown insurance under the product name of the
AAA Vehicle Protection Plan
. Similar to a car warranty, the plan will pay to fix almost any problem with your car. The difference is that MBI applies to mechanical failures that occur due to age and normal operation, not just defects in manufacturing. Plus, it lasts as long as you pay for coverage.
Here are a few more fast facts about the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan:
- Who’s eligible: Plans are available for vehicles up to 15 model years old and with a maximum of 150,000 miles on their odometer. You must be an AAA member and auto insurance customer.
- How long it lasts: It’s up to you—coverage terms are available in increments of 1 month/1,000 miles, up to a maximum of 84 months/186,000 miles.
- What you pay: The total cost depends on the age of your vehicle, your coverage level, the length of your term, and a host of other factors. Expect to pay out between $100 and $600 per year, plus a $100 deductible per repair.
- What the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan covers: All plans cover the cost of diagnostics, parts, and labor.
MORE: How to decide if you need mechanical breakdown insurance
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What does the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan cover?
The brochure describes the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan as "health insurance for your car." If you need to take your sedan or pickup to the doctor—sorry, mechanic—your plan will cover diagnostics, parts, and labor. Assuming the affected part falls under your level of coverage, that is.
You can choose between three levels of coverage:
AAA Silver | AAA Gold | AAA Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Everything included in AAA Silver plus:
| Everything included in AAA Silver and Gold plus:
|
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As you’ve probably guessed, Gold is more expensive than Silver, and Platinum is more expensive than Gold. No matter which plan you choose, you’ll get access to a range of benefits, including:
- Zero paperwork with AAA direct billing
- No inspections are required before enrollment (a waiting period may apply)
- Fully-transferable plans with vehicle resale (fees and conditions apply)
- Free one-time battery replacement
- Rental reimbursement coverageduring repairs (up to $35 with an overall maximum of $175 each time)
- 0% Financing plans for up to 24 months with a 10% downpayment
- Zero deductibles at AAA-owned garages and $50 deductibles at AAA-approved garages
- Trip interruption coverage if you’re 100 miles or more from home (up to $75 per day towards meals and lodging for a maximum of three days)
What does the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan not cover?
As comprehensive as it might seem, the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan doesn’t apply to every situation. Here’s what it won’t cover:
- Damages sustained in a car accident
- Theft or vandalism
- Weather-related damages
- Damage due to misuse, abuse, or neglect of your vehicle
- Ordinary vehicle maintenance, such as oil changes, filter changes, or tire rotations
- Wear-and-tear items, such as tires, light bulbs, and brake pads
- Excluded items, such as batteries, aftermarket parts, spark plugs, and rubber moldings
For collision, crime, or weather-related damages, you’ll need to invest in
collision insurance
or comprehensive coverage
. That way, the only thing you have to do to get your car repaired or replaced is to file a car insurance claim. AAA offers both policies in addition to the usual liability coverage
.How much does the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan cost?
The AAA Vehicle Protection Plan costs much more than your typical mechanical breakdown insurance. AAA charges between $100 and $700 per year, while most providers charge between $100 and $150.
Why is there such a large price range? AAA offers more benefits and customization than most other MBI policies. The quote you receive will vary based on:
- The year, make, and model of your vehicle. You will pay a higher premium if your car is older or has a low-reliability rating. Cars with premium technology or furnishings will also cost more.
- The condition and odometer of your vehicle. See above.
- The plan availability in your region. The offerings and prices of AAA chapters vary by region.
- The level of coverage you choose. AAA Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans differ by about $100/year.
- The length of the term you choose. Depending on how long you want protection, you'll pay more or less.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversIs the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan worth it?
The AAA Vehicle Protection Plan's value comes from how often you use it; to estimate that, you’ll need to do some research.
Consider how often and how far you drive. Are you fond of taking long, frequent road trips? How reliable is your car—does it have good ratings on
RepairPal
, J.D. Power
, and Consumer Reports
? Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator
can help you preview how much it’ll cost to maintain your car over the next five years (and how much you could save with an MBI policy). Mechanical breakdown coverage vs. extended warranty
If you're considering mechanical breakdown insurance from AAA, you might also want to take a look at
extended warranties
. The table below summarizes the biggest differences between the two:Factor | AAA Vehicle Protection Plan | Extended warranty |
|---|---|---|
Seller | AAA | Original vehicle manufacturer or third party |
Eligibility | Cars up to 15 years old and 150,000 miles | Manufacturer extended warranties may be limited to new or CPO vehicles |
Conditions | Must be an AAA member and customer | May restrict repairs to authorized garages |
Coverage options | Three plans | Multiple plans from different providers |
Maximum length of coverage | 84 months/186,000 miles | 15 years/300,000 miles |
Deductible | $100 ($0 at AAA-owned garages, $50 at AAA-approved garages) | $0-$250 |
Exclusions | Collision, crime, and weather-related damages; wear-and-tear, neglect, and routine maintenance | Collision, crime, and weather-related damages; wear-and-tear, neglect, and routine maintenance |
Extra benefits | Rental coverage, trip interruption, financing, plan transfers, battery replacement, and more | Roadside assistance often included |
Total cost | $200 to $5,000 | $2,000 to $5,000 |
The bottom line
You’re most likely to benefit from the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan if you own a car between three and ten years old. At this point, your vehicle is too old to take advantage of its original warranty and is beginning to show its age. By buying an MBI policy, you can keep it in good condition and preserve its value for resale—and maybe even lower your insurance premiums!
It’s also important to note that AAA perks favor frequent travelers. If you’re a homebody with a short commute and a brand-new hybrid or EV, they won’t add much to your life. Better to save your money or put it towards
full-coverage car insurance
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