Everything You Need To Know About AAA Roadside Assistance

The American Automobile Association (AAA) provides roadside assistance services — along with discounts on a multitude of other expenses — to members across the U.S. and Canada. As you conduct your own AAA roadside assistance review, you should note that AAA is a federation of auto clubs that operate independently, meaning the coverage information and prices mentioned in this article won’t necessarily be reflective of the exact details in your area.

Below, you’ll find our insights into roadside assistance from AAA, including the factors that make it an attractive option and the potential drawbacks to consider before joining.

On This Page

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  AAA Roadside Assistance Overview

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  Our Thoughts on AAA Roadside Assistance

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  AAA Roadside Assistance Cost

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  AAA Roadside Assistance Coverage

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  AAA Discounts and Member Benefits

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  How To Request AAA Roadside Assistance

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  How To Add AAA Roadside Assistance

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  Pros and Cons of AAA Roadside Assistance

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  AAA Roadside Assistance vs. the Competition

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  AAA Roadside Assistance Review FAQs

AAA Roadside Assistance Overview

Our Thoughts on AAA Roadside Assistance

Unlike the numerous insurance companies that offer roadside coverage as an insurance add-on or other secondary product, AAA’s bread and butter is roadside assistance, making it an appealing choice for anyone who wants comprehensive support after their car breaks down. As an added bonus, AAA members have access to a massive lineup of extra discounts and benefits, meaning many members should find that they’re getting their money’s worth.

Keep in mind that, due to its extensive coverage, AAA may be more expensive than other roadside assistance options, especially if you opt for a premium plan.

AAA Roadside Assistance Cost

The cost of a AAA membership can vary significantly by location, as AAA consists of more than 40 autonomous motor clubs that have the freedom to set their own prices. In addition, AAA clubs typically offer multiple membership levels, so you can pay a higher annual premium to unlock more advanced coverage.

For example, the following prices apply to members of the Auto Club Group (ACG) — a AAA club that operates in 13 states, two U.S. territories and one Canadian province:^[1]

AAA Roadside Assistance Coverage

While coverage specifics can also vary by location, the following table should give you an idea of what services may or may not be covered when you join AAA.

What's Included?

In the event of a breakdown, you can generally lean on AAA for the following roadside assistance services:^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

• Towing: If your car breaks down and needs extensive repairs, AAA can cover the cost of towing your car to an auto shop. Plus memberships cover tows of up to 100 miles. Meanwhile, Premier memberships cover a single 200-mile tow, after which they only cover 100-mile tows for the rest of the year.
• Winching: AAA can provide winching and extrication services if your car gets stuck in mud, snow, ice or a ditch. Plus and Premier memberships may cover winching up to two times per year.
• Battery jumpstarts and testing: A technician sent by AAA can jumpstart your car battery if it dies and you are stranded on the side of the road. Even if your car is simply parked at home, you may be able to request someone who can test your battery, alternator or starter. In most metropolitan areas, the technician may even be able to install a new battery for you, though you will have to pay the full cost for the new battery.
• Fuel delivery: Anytime you run out of gasoline, AAA can deliver enough fuel to get you to the nearest gas station. You can also request diesel if necessary, though this may have limited availability.
• Lockout services: You can also contact AAA for locksmith services if you lock your keys inside your car or are otherwise unable to get in. It will also cover a subsequent tow if the AAA technician is unable to unlock your vehicle.
• Spare tire installations: AAA representatives can install spare tires in case you have a flat tire and don’t know how to install the spare yourself. However, if you don’t have a spare tire or your car breaks down in an unsafe location, your car may instead need to be towed to a repair shop to get the tire fixed.
• Replacement wiper blades: In some locations, AAA techs can install new wiper blades, allowing you to get back on the road safely if your windshield wipers stop working while it is raining.
• Coverage for alternative vehicles: Your AAA roadside assistance does not exclusively apply to cars, as coverage may also be available for motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs) and even bicycles.
• Minor auto repairs: AAA technicians may conduct a wide range of additional services in the event of a breakdown, such as checking fluids and performing minor repairs that don’t require new parts. Of course, they will need to tow your vehicle to a repair shop if they are unable to adequately fix the car.

What Isn't Included?

Although you can obtain auto insurance through AAA, car insurance coverage is not automatically included in your membership, so you will need to pay for it separately. Additionally, certain travel expenses are not covered for Basic plan members, but they may be available for Plus and/or Premier plan members. Examples of services restricted to higher-tiered plan members while they travel at least 100 miles from home include the following:^[3][4]

• Car travel interruption: If you experience a breakdown or accident while traveling by car, AAA can reimburse you for expenses like meals, hotel stays and transportation. Plus plans provide up to $1,000 for trip interruption, while Premier plans provide up to $1,500.
• Travel accident insurance: As long as you arranged and paid for your trip through AAA Travel, you can secure a medical indemnity payout in the event of a serious injury or death, regardless of your chosen mode of transportation. Plus members are insured for up to $300,000, while Premier members are insured for up to $500,000.
• Vehicle return: Premier plan members can receive up to $500 to put toward returning their vehicle home if they must cancel their trip due to an unexpected illness or injury.
• 24-hour travel assistance: AAA can provide around-the-clock travel support in a number of other ways, including assistance with emergency medical transportation, lost tickets and lost baggage. This benefit is only available to Premier members.

AAA Discounts and Member Benefits

When you join AAA, you not only gain access to complimentary roadside assistance, but you also unlock an enormous array of additional discounts and benefits. In total, there are more than 80,000 unique discounts AAA members may be able to access.^[2] For example, your AAA membership may make you eligible for discounts on the following:^[7][8]

1. Gasoline
2. Car repairs
3. Shopping
4. Dining
5. Travel
6. Car rentals
7. Home improvement
8. Entertainment
9. Electronics

Other services and perks available to AAA members include identity theft monitoring, career assistance and severe weather alerts.^[7]

Meanwhile, there are some bonuses available exclusively to AAA members with higher-tiered plans, such as digital travel planning tools, expedited passport services and concierge services. AAA members may also qualify for reduced rates on window tinting, gym memberships and pet insurance.^[3][4]

How To Request AAA Roadside Assistance

You can request roadside assistance from AAA through the AAA mobile app or by filling out an online request form.^[5] Alternatively, you can contact AAA for support by calling or texting “HELP” to 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357). You can also track your technician’s location by receiving text message updates from them.^[6]

How To Add AAA Roadside Assistance

All AAA memberships grant you access to roadside assistance, so you won’t need to take any extra steps to add roadside coverage once you enroll. You can purchase a AAA membership online. When you navigate to the AAA website, you may need to input your ZIP code to make sure you are directed to a AAA club that operates in your region.

Pros and Cons of AAA Roadside Assistance

AAA roadside assistance coverage is undoubtedly comprehensive, but its main drawbacks have to do with the discrepancies in coverage offerings throughout the country due to its different membership levels and the independent operations of its various clubs.

Pros

Some of the biggest benefits of roadside assistance from AAA include the following:^{[2][6][9][10]}

• 24/7 support: AAA offers numerous roadside services on an around-the-clock basis, so you can have peace of mind knowing that help is available even if your car breaks down on a weekend or in the middle of the night.
• Coverage available in the U.S. and Canada: Your roadside assistance will follow you no matter where you travel within the United States, and your coverage even extends to Canada in case you opt to take a road trip up north.
• All basic roadside services and several extra benefits covered: Not only does AAA cover every major service you would expect from a roadside assistance company, but it also offers a huge number of discounts and other services you won’t get from any other roadside provider. The magnitude of benefits offered by AAA helps to justify what may be a high price tag compared to some of its competitors.
• Free membership for family members for a limited time: Depending on your region, you may be able to add a family member to your AAA membership for one year at no cost when you first join. Even after the first year, other members of your household may qualify for an Associate membership at a discounted rate.

Cons

Before purchasing a membership with AAA, you should consider the company’s potential downsides:^[11]

• Plan-specific benefits: While the multiple membership levels at AAA may allow you to customize your coverage to fit your budget, it also means you won’t be able to access the full suite of AAA’s benefits without shelling out over $100 per year.
• Regional differences: Because there are so many independent AAA clubs with slightly different prices and coverage options, it can be difficult to understand the exact plan benefits offered in your area — if you happen to mistype your ZIP code on the AAA website, you could even be redirected to a motor club that doesn’t operate in your state, further adding to the potential confusion.
• Waiting periods: Depending on your region, your AAA benefits may not be available immediately upon purchase. For example, AAA MountainWest requires a 48-hour waiting period before Classic plan members can access emergency roadside assistance — unless they’re willing to pay a $75 fee. In addition, there is a 10-day waiting period for existing plan members who choose to upgrade to a Plus or Premier plan.

AAA Roadside Assistance vs. the Competition

Take a look at the following table to get an idea of how AAA’s roadside solutions stack up compared to other popular roadside service providers.