Finding the right car insurance that fits both your budget and coverage needs can be an overwhelming process. With so many options out there, it’s tough to know where to start. One popular choice for drivers across the United States is AAA auto club insurance. Offering a host of useful benefits tailored for roadside assistance and travel, AAA car insurance gives peace of mind to millions of members.
As a longstanding automobile association serving North America for over 100 years, AAA understands what drivers truly want from their providers. From discounts and rewards to 24/7 emergency support, a AAA insurance plan offers complete protection whether you’re heading to the office or on a cross-country road trip.
So what exactly does AAA vehicle insurance cover and how does it stand out from competitors? Let’s take a deeper look at what AAA has to offer.
Overview of AAA Auto Insurance Coverage Options
AAA delivers flexible insurance solutions that can be customized to your specific needs. While plans and availability vary slightly by location, most members have access to these core AAA insurance offerings:
Full Coverage Auto Insurance
For complete protection, AAA full coverage insurance bundles together the most important forms of car insurance into one package:
- Liability coverage covers injury or damage that you cause to others in an at-fault accident
- Collision coverage pays for damage repairs to your vehicle after an accident
- Comprehensive coverage protects against theft, vandalism, natural disaster damage and other non-collision incidents
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage handles your medical bills and car repairs when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance
With all four main types combined under one policy, full coverage plans from AAA give 360 degrees of protection at affordable rates to members.
Liability Car Insurance
Even drivers looking for basic coverage will want to consider AAA liability insurance, which is required in nearly every state. Liability coverage from AAA pays for:
- Bodily injury claims from injured parties after an at-fault accident
- Property damage repairs or replacements for vehicles and structures you hit
- Legal defense fees and court costs if you are sued after an accident
AAA offers state minimum liability limits and higher amounts of protection based on your financial assets and situation. Their liability plans can make sure you stay compliant with state laws requiring basic auto insurance.
Collision Insurance
Don’t want to pay out-of-pocket for repairs when your own car gets banged up? Adding AAA collision coverage solves this problem by covering:
- Repair bills from an accident regardless of fault
- Total loss vehicle replacement minus your deductible amount
- Rental car reimbursement while your auto is in the repair shop
Even minor fender benders can cost upwards of $1,000 or more to fix, making collision insurance a smart buy to transfer this financial risk.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Protection from perils other than collisions is also available from AAA in the form of comprehensive insurance add-ons covering events like:
- Vehicle theft or vandalism
- Damage from natural disasters such as hail, floods or fire
- Windshield repair with no deductible to pay
- Animal collisions with deer, birds and other wildlife
AAA comprehensive insurance fills in the gaps left by liability, collision and uninsured motorist coverage. It gives peace of mind for the unexpected and unpreventable problems drivers periodically encounter.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance
What if an at-fault driver either lacks car insurance entirely or doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your vehicle repairs and medical treatment? This worst-case scenario can leave victims stuck with potentially bankrupting bills totalling thousands of dollars or more.
AAA’s uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage prevents this by paying for costs when underinsured at-fault drivers cannot, including:
- Ambulance transportation and hospital visits
- Prescription medications, radiology tests and physical therapy
- Lost wages from missing work due to injuries
- Car rental fees and repair costs exceeding the other driver’s policy limits
This optional add-on protection is inexpensive yet provides invaluable support when underinsured or uninsured motorists destroy your vehicle or health.
By mixing and matching coverages, AAA customers can create a personalized insurance plan meeting unique needs and risks. Members appreciate the flexibility to pay for only the protections they want while avoiding unneeded add-ons that raise premiums.
Benefits of AAA Vehicle Insurance Plans
In addition to tailored coverage options, AAA members unlock useful perks and discounts elevating them above standard insurers. Key membership benefits include:
20% Member Discount on Premiums
As an exclusive bonus open only to card-holding members, AAA reduces car insurance premiums by as much as 20% for signing up through the association versus competitors. This recurring yearly savings often makes a AAA plan cheaper than the same policy offered by other carriers. The AAA discount also applies to property like home and renter’s insurance if you bundle multiple policies.
24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance
Stranded on the highway at night with a flat tire or dead battery? Simply call the AAA helpline anytime to dispatch aid to your location including:
- Battery jump starts
- Flat tire changes using your spare or tire re-inflation
- Vehicle lockout service if keys are lost or inside
- Gas delivery for empty fuel tanks
- Overheating engine fluid top-offs
- Tow truck transportation up to 5 miles or 10 miles if a AAA Plus member
With four roadside assistance calls allowed per year, most members avoid out-of-pocket towing or locksmith fees thanks to AAA’s acclaimed emergency helper network.
Discounted Car Rental Rates
Planning to lease a car for vacation or while your vehicle is being repaired? Tap into discounted AAA rates with rental agencies like Hertz, Enterprise, Dollar and Thrifty saving members up to 20%. Why pay more when AAA provides instant savings off retail rental prices?
Reduced-Rate Hotel Stays
In addition to cheaper car rentals, hotel discounts let AAA members save 10-15% or more across thousands of brand-name chains and independent properties. Popular lodging companies providing AAA deals include Best Western, Hilton, Choice Hotels and Hyatt among many others. Nightly rates are typically slashed by $10-30 putting more money in your wallet for activities and dining out.
Rewards Points for Shopping
The full range of AAA membership benefits even includes exclusive points, coupons and discounts for retailers like Barnes & Noble, Costco, Overstock.com, Living Social and much more. Simply link your payment cards to shop online or flash your AAA card in stores to automatically save money through ongoing rewards programs. Points can be redeemed for future hotel stays, gift cards, magazine subscriptions or statement credits.
With so many included perks, AAA protection plans provide incredible overall value compared to standalone policies from other insurance carriers. Between discounted premiums, roadside assistance, travel savings and loyalty rewards, members gain a total package making AAA insurance worthwhile.
Getting a Free Quote for AAA Insurance
Ready to compare your current coverage versus AAA’s offerings? Obtaining a no-obligation quote takes only minutes via AAA.com or your local chapter office:
Online: Visit the AAA insurance section online and enter details like your name, birthdate, address, Social Security number and driver’s license information. Next, provide vehicle details including the year/make/model and annual mileage. Finally list coverage needs based on state minimums versus full insurance. After submitting this secure form, an instant AAA quote appears showing yearly premium costs.
Phone support: Call your nearest regional AAA office and speak with an agent to discuss needs plus receive personalized quote options for liability, collision, medical payments and other protections. Discuss potential discounts you may qualify for like low mileage, good student, anti-theft device or AAA membership savings.
In-person meetings: Book a one-on-one appointment with AAA agents at local branches to ask questions face-to-face while reviewing quotes. Prepare your current policy documents, driver histories and vehicle details for a side-by-side comparison. Inquire about bundling home or life insurance to save more.
However you obtain a AAA insurance quote, make sure to provide complete details for the most accurate pricing. Premium costs vary based on factors like location, age, driving record, vehicle type and mileage among other risk characteristics. Inputting truthful info ensures you pay the proper non-inflated rate for coverage.
Review AAA quote results to see how their pricing stacks up against competitors when factoring in policy discounts. Having quotes from multiple firms allows savvy comparisons to find the best rate. Make AAA agents compete to earn your business.
Digging Deeper into AAA Insurance
For over a century AAA has delivered quality 24-hour emergency road service to stranded members in need. But how does their insurance stack up? Here are answers surrounding some frequently asked questions:
Is AAA insurance available nationwide?
Yes – unlike smaller insurers limited to select regions, AAA sells affordable policies across most states except Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Northern New Jersey. So whether based in California or Maine, Florida or Alaska, AAA insurance options exist including coverage from national partners like Safeco.
Who gets the multi-policy and AAA member discounts?
The 20% membership discount applies when purchasing AAA insurance as an existing member versus non-AAA policies. Bundling home or life insurance earns a multi-policy discount around 10%. Retaking the AAA safe driving course also lowers premiums 5-15% for three years.
How many days of rental car coverage are included?
The standard $35/day car rental reimbursement from AAA lasts for just five days. Upgrading to a Plus membership boosts this coverage to $100 daily with 15 days maximum or even up to 30 days reimbursed if adding optional rental car coverage.
Can I manage my AAA account online?
Yes, like progressive insurance, AAA offers convenient web access for members to view insurance cards, pay bills, check claims status, update policies, file reports and handle most tasks 24/7 without picking up the phone. Mobile apps also help manage or modify coverage.
What is AAA’s financial strength rating?
Independent evaluators like Standard & Poor’s rate AAA as A+ meaning superior financial stability to pay out large claims without risk of going bankrupt. This surpasses big names like State Farm, Geico and Allstate cementing AAA as an established and trusted insurance provider recommended by Consumer Reports.
AAA rightfully earns praise as a top-tier auto insurance provider thanks to rock-solid history and diverse coverage options loaded with money-saving advantages. Comparing AAA quotes against current premiums shows if making the switch makes sense for your situation.
Conclusion
When shopping for car insurance, do not leave AAA auto club insurance out of the running without first obtaining a free quote. AAA’s reputation for superior roadside assistance spans over 100 years for good reason – their extensive network offers peace of mind and support for drivers nationwide.
Beyond tow trucks and battery jumps, AAA insurance packages square up well versus big box companies by layering on nice-to-have travel perks, loyalty rewards programs and exclusive member discounts. Make sure to leverage these savings by bundling multiple policies under the AAA umbrella for maximum value.
While cost remains the ultimate determining factor, take a holistic look at everything included for your premium dollar when weighing AAA insurance. Between customized protection plans, 24/7 accident support and bonus vacation deals, AAA treats its members right as a supportive community improving road journeys for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to get a AAA insurance quote?
Obtaining a AAA insurance quote takes only minutes online at AAA.com by entering just a few details about you, your vehicle, and desired coverage. You can also call a local AAA branch or broker to discuss options over the phone or request to meet an agent face-to-face.
Does AAA offer usage-based “pay-as-you-drive” insurance?
Yes, AAA now partners with Verisk Analytics and their Segment solution to provide discounted rates based on actual driving habits using a plug-in dongle or mobile app. This benefit called Milewise by AAA saves members money for staying accident-free.
Are AAA roadside assistance benefits worthwhile if I already have a cell phone?
Even with a mobile device, AAA roadside assistance offers unique financial value and security blankets unattainable from phones when stranded. Only AAA provides free tows, emergency gas delivery, tire changes, lockout service and more to slowly drive home for repairs. AAA Plus members even enjoy free 100-mile tows and extended rental car reimbursements.
What discounts make AAA insurance cheaper?
Top AAA insurance discounts include multi-policy bundling, pay-in-full payments, new car, low mileage, good student, defensive driving course completion, anti-theft devices, multi-car, good payer, AAA membership itself. Certain states permit additional reductions like senior, military, affinity group, emergency personnel or telematics.
Who owns AAA and what is their rating?
AAA is independently governed by automotive and travel club branches without shareholders or owners. Different regional AAA entities collectively form the national alliance. Insurance oversight bodies give AAA strong A+ or A++ ratings attesting to excellent fiscal strength paying claims for over 100 years.