Is AAA Membership Worth It?
AAA membership could be worth it if you take advantage of their benefits. Learn about the Classic, Plus, and Premier membership tiers and how much they cost.
Written by Jacoba Bood
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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AAA memberships come with a lot more perks than just roadside assistance—but you might be able to find cheaper coverage through your car insurance provider.
Is an AAA membership worth it, though?
Ultimately, this will depend on you. Like any good
car insurance
broker, Jerry
has compiled everything that you need to know about AAA so you can find out if a membership plan is right for you—and how you can save on your AAA car insurance costs
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How much does AAA membership cost?
AAA is technically not a single company but rather a federation of motor clubs. This means that each separate AAA club will offer up the same membership tiers and membership benefits, but membership costs will vary between states and counties.
You can generally expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark $40 to $80 per person annually for the base-level AAA membership. Higher-tier benefits could come with a yearly price tag of up to $165 a person.
You will still benefit from the roadside assistance program no matter what membership tier you choose. Higher-tier members will get more free service calls in a year.
Auto discounts
Roadside assistance might be a standout perk of an AAA membership, but it isn’t the only AAA membership discount.
AAA offers up a very diverse range of auto-saving potential. Just keep in mind that their availability might vary according to the state you live in and the membership tier you choose.
Here is a sampling of some of the auto discounts you can benefit from through your AAA membership.
AAA discounts:
- Locksmith service discounts
- CARFAX reportdiscounts
- Windshield repair or replacement discounts
- Rental car and moving van discounts
- Battery purchase and installation discounts
- Auto partner discounts for AAA-approved auto body and repair shops
- Oil change discounts
AAA membership tiers benefits
AAA includes the following membership benefits for each of their membership tiers, regardless of state or region.
AAA Classic Tier ($38 - $74/year):
- Dead battery services
- Fuel services
- Flat tire services
- Car lockout services ($50 limit)
- Towing services of 3-7 miles each (max of four per year)
AAA Plus Tier ($60 - $124/year):
- All Classic Tier benefits
- Free fuel delivery services
- Car lockout services to an increased limit of $100
- Towing services up to 100 miles each (max of four per year)
AAA Premier Tier ($77 - $164/year):
- All Plus Tier benefits
- Car or home lockout services (increased limit of $150)
- Towing services up to 100 miles each (max of three per year)
- Towing services up to 200 miles (max of one per year)
- Free one-day car rental with tow
- Trip disruption coverage ($1500 limit)
AAA insurance cost and features
If you are looking for affordable auto insurance, an AAA membership might be worth the investment. However, there are a few important things to consider before turning to AAA for your next car insurance policy.
The first thing to keep in mind is that AAA auto insurance is only available to AAA members. If you don’t have an AAA membership, you can’t take out an auto insurance policy through AAA, so it might not be worth it to shell out the extra membership fees.
The second thing to note is that AAA insurance rates will vary from club to club. Some AAA clubs work with national, regional, or local providers to AAA member rates. Other clubs will function more like local insurance agents, connecting you to insurance providers in the area.
The only way to get an idea of how much you might be able to save by purchasing your car insurance to AAA is to call up a local branch to find out more.
If you want to save yourself the hassle of calling around, just use
Jerry
to find the cheapest insurance rates instead. Other AAA benefits and savings
AAA is an auto club but the benefits don’t stop at auto discounts.
Here are some of the other opportunities to save that you can take advantage of when you subscribe to AAA:
AAA non-auto saving opportunities:
- Retailer discounts
- Restaurant.com gift certificates and sit-down restaurant discounts
- Online food and drink discounts
- Travel discounts
- Financial service discounts
- Passport photo, notary service, and identity theft protection discounts
- Pet supplies discounts
AAA alternatives
If you are looking to save money on roadside assistance, there are AAA alternatives that might offer up more affordable plans.
Credit card companies
If you have a credit card, there is a good chance that you already have a pay-per-use option for roadside assistance at your fingertips. If you drive infrequently or have a low risk of getting stranded, pay-per-use roadside assistance could make more sense financially.
Many premium travel rewards cards come complete with free roadside assistance. Be sure to check the terms of your contract to make sure you aren’t doubling up on roadside coverage.
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Cell phone companies
Popular cell phone providers will often offer roadside assistance services for five dollars a month or less.
You might find the monthly billing cycle more manageable than the lump sum annual payment that you have to shell out for AAA. If this is the case, be sure to check in with your cell phone provider to see what options are available.
Car warranty protection
Some major car manufacturers automatically include limited roadside assistance protection with the purchase of a new vehicle.
You can also talk to your dealership to discuss what roadside assistance programs they offer through their extended warranty programs.
Even if you don’t have a warranty on your vehicle, some manufacturers might allow access to the service for a fee.
Auto insurers
Most major insurance providers offer optional roadside assistance programs that you can add to your regular car insurance policy.
In fact, purchasing your car insurance through your car insurance company is often much more affordable than an AAA membership. Most major insurers will provide comparable roadside assistance coverage for less than $20 a year.
If you’re looking for a new insurance company, Jerry can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of all the paperwork and phone calls and even helps cancel your old policy on your behalf. Oh, and it’s free!
Is AAA worth it?
At first glance, an AAA membership could easily seem like a worthwhile investment. After all, roadside service calls can be incredibly costly, and $40–$165 a year seems like a small price to pay for peace of mind when out on the open road.
If you are looking to take advantage of all the other perks and discounts you can access through AAA, then an AAA membership could be a good choice. However, purchasing AAA might not be the best way to save on roadside assistance coverage alone.
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How much is AAA roadside assistance?
The amount you pay for your AAA membership and perks (including roadside assistance) depends on which plan you select. The basic plan that includes roadside assistance will cost between $40 and $74 per year, depending on your state and county. Higher tiers of membership will cost more but offer better perks.
Is AAA Plus worth it?
The second tier of AAA membership, AAA Plus, is a great option for those who appreciate what AAA has to offer and are willing to pay extra for some greater benefits. If you've tried the basic AAA membership plan and you want to continue using it, you may find that getting AAA Plus is worth it.
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