What Does AAA Full Coverage Auto Insurance Cover?
Beyond roadside assistance, AAA offers full coverage auto insurance—but is it the best option for you? Read more to find out.
Written by Kaitlin May
Reviewed by Alita Dark
The American Automobile Association, or AAA, offers full coverage auto insurance that covers liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Vehicle owners need full coverage insurance to stay protected on the road, and you can get an affordable policy through AAA.
You might be tempted to stick to basic liability coverage when buying car insurance to keep your rates low. While that seems like the cheapest
car insurance
option, it can leave you vulnerable to astronomical payments if you find yourself in an accident. That’s why full coverage policies are widely offered by most insurance companies—including AAA. Here, we’re breaking down what the roadside hub covers when it comes to a full coverage policy so you can decide if it’s the best option for you.
What does AAA full coverage insurance cover?
Contrary to what the phrase implies, “full coverage” isn’t a specific product you can purchase through an insurance company. There isn’t even a clear-cut definition of
full coverage
. When the term “full coverage” is mentioned by an insurance provider or a lender financing your vehicle, it’s referencing at least three types of coverage:- Liability insurance:A requirement in nearly every state, liability insurance covers damage and medical bills for other drivers if you’re at fault in an accident.
- Collision insurance:AAA’s collision coverage reimburses you for damage caused by a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object.
- Comprehensive insurance:If your vehicle is stolen or damaged by a non-accident event (i.e., severe weather or hitting an animal), comprehensive coverage will pay for it.
Not only does a full coverage insurance policy from AAA include
bodily injury liability coverage
, property damage liability coverage
, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage—but it also offers peace of mind while navigating anything from wintery road conditions to an unexpected fender bender
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Does full coverage really cover everything?
Despite its name, a full coverage policy doesn’t fill in all of the gaps—although that would be convenient, right? There are additional
types of insurance
you should consider buying if you want to optimize your protection. Since basic liability coverage is a necessity for the majority of drivers, insurance companies and lenders refer to “full coverage” as an overarching term for the (also necessary) add-ons you should have in your policy. Full coverage allows you to submit claims for your vehicle, which is why lenders won’t allow you to finance a vehicle without it.
Through AAA, customers can bolster their policy beyond the primary three insurance coverages we discussed earlier. Check out what AAA can offer in the table below.
Other types of AAA auto insurance coverage
Type of coverage | Description |
|---|---|
Uninsured motorist coverage from AAA pays for medical bills and vehicle damage if the other party in an accident doesn’t have insurance that meets the requirements to cover your costs. | |
MedPay coverage from AAA covers medical bills and even death-related costs incurred in an accident regardless of who is at fault. | |
PIP coverage also offers coverage for medical bills and lost wages whether or not you were at fault in an accident . |
AAA is slightly unconventional since it's known for
roadside assistance
benefits. With three tiers of coverage, customers can pay higher rates for additional benefits—including a free one-day car rental with towing in the Premier Tier package. Is full coverage car insurance from AAA worth it?
If you’re already a AAA member, adding full coverage insurance to your plan could be worth it. However, AAA operates with separate companies in individual states, so the prices and benefits vary depending on where you live. It’s not uncommon to have a AAA membership and an insurance policy through another company with lower rates, which is why it’s best to compare quotes before making a decision.
If you’re set on AAA and are planning to finance or lease a vehicle, you’ll most likely need to add full coverage to your policy. Although it’s not required by the state, it’s usually a requirement from lenders. Even with a vehicle you own outright, it’s still a good idea to upgrade to full coverage to prevent high out-of-pocket costs if your
car is totaled
in an accident. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversBenefits of full coverage AAA car insurance
Purchasing full coverage from AAA will allow you to:
- Fulfill requirements from your lender
- Maintain peace of mind in high-risk areas for theft and severe weather
- Submit a claim for your totaled vehicle
If you drive a vehicle with a hefty price tag or live in an area that faces severe weather, high theft rates, or frequent collisions, full coverage is a worthy investment.
Drawbacks to full coverage AAA car insurance
There are a few reasons why full coverage through AAA might not be your best option:
- A membership through AAA is required.
- Your insurance company might not transfer if you move to a new state.
- It’s a more expensive option than liability coverage.
If the price tag for full coverage insurance through AAA is causing some hesitation, you can explore some of the programs offered, such as AAADrive™ or AAA Onboard®. Depending on your home state, you can reap the benefits of safe driving habits.
Does AAA have the best full coverage auto insurance?
AAA’s strength is in its roadside assistance, and there are several variables in the type of coverage you can access with AAA since it operates on a state level.
Location isn’t the only factor to consider when exploring full coverage through AAA. Like all insurance companies, AAA calculates individual rates based on your age, gender, vehicle type, credit score, and more. If your profile aligns with AAA’s algorithm and you’ve maintained a
clean driving record
and good credit, you’ll have the best chance of scoring affordable rates on your coverage. Although AAA offers access to discounts and benefits through companies like Hertz, Thrifty Car Rentals, and Dollar Rent-A-Car for those with a zest for travel, it leaves some room for improvement in the customer service department.
Even with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a respectable 4.1 out of 5 rating from J.D. Power, customer reviews indicate the level of service and user experience on AAA’s website could be better.
The only surefire way to determine if AAA should be your full coverage source is to compare its rates with at least three to five car insurance quotes from different companies. You might find that a quote from
Allstate
, GEICO
, or Nationwide
could be kinder to your wallet based on your needs. The best way to find out more information is to reach out to your local AAA branch and speak with an agent.
The bottom line
AAA can offer you peace of mind on the road beyond its roadside assistance chops. Depending on where you live, what your finances look like, and what perks you’re aiming to access, full coverage through AAA could be a great choice for you. If your profile aligns better with a different insurance company, you could always keep AAA in your back pocket for roadside blunders.
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At what point is full coverage not worth it?
If you drive an older, high-mileage vehicle that would cost less to replace than your full coverage premium would cost to maintain, then the additional coverage wouldn’t be worth it.
What is the difference between full coverage and liability coverage?
Liability coverage is the baseline when it comes to auto insurance. It’s required in almost every state as a bare minimum, and it covers the medical bills and vehicle damage for the other driver in an accident. On the flip side, full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to liability coverage.
What is a deductible?
Your deductible is the amount required to cover a claim before your comprehensive or collision coverage takes over. In most cases, a deductible comes into play with comprehensive or collision coverage, but it can also apply to personal injury protection and uninsured motorist property damage.
