Everything You Need To Know About AAA Roadside Assistance

American Automobile Association (AAA) memberships include 24/7 roadside assistance coverage nationwide. Membership will include four service calls per year for most emergency roadside services, such as tows, flat tire changes and battery jumpstarts. Drivers can pay to upgrade their plan, which may unlock higher coverage limits, trip interruption benefits, priority service and other perks.

With a network of 32 motor clubs, 1,000 branches and 7,000 approved repair shops nationwide, you will likely find a AAA provider in your area. Keep reading to learn more about AAA membership perks and costs.

On This Page

• 

  Overview

• 

  Our Thoughts on AAA Roadside Assistance

• 

  What's Included and What's Not Included?

• 

  Pros and Cons of AAA Roadside Assistance

• 

  How To Request AAA Roadside Assistance

• 

  How To File a Claim for Reimbursement

• 

  AAA Roadside Assistance vs. the Competition

• 

  FAQs

Overview

AAA membership coverage and pricing can vary by region. The benefits below are based on AAA memberships in southern California.

*May be included in some regions

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Our Thoughts on AAA Roadside Assistance

AAA is a household brand that serves millions of U.S. drivers nationwide. From towing your vehicle to helping you get back into your vehicle after locking yourself out, AAA is a staple for all your roadside service needs.

While AAA offers most common roadside services, the covered towing mileage is relatively low. In California, the cheapest plan covers seven miles but may go as low as only three miles in some regions. Unless your car breakdown happens near your home or an auto repair shop, you'll likely have to pay some money out-of-pocket for the mileage not covered by AAA.

You will likely pay more for roadside coverage through AAA than your auto insurance provider.

For example, Allstate may charge as low as $25 per year for roadside coverage, whereas AAA memberships may cost $55 and up each year. However, AAA’s higher price tag purchases more than just roadside emergency services. Depending on the membership tier, AAA members gain access to the following perks and more:

• Travel planning and booking resources
• Passport services at your local AAA branch
• Identity theft protection

What's Included and What's Not Included?

AAA memberships come with a lot of roadside service-related benefits but there are some limitations depending on your membership tier.

What’s Included?

AAA roadside assistance is based on membership level: Basic, Plus or Premier. The following chart spells out the differences between the three programs.

What’s Not Included?

AAA roadside assistance will cover you for most types of emergency roadside services but you should be mindful of some restrictions:

• AAA roadside assistance is not car insurance. You will need to purchase auto insurance coverage as a separate AAA product or from another provider.
• You are not covered for expenses beyond your claim limit. For example, if you’re covered for seven miles of towing mileage and you’re towed 15 miles, you are responsible for the costs related to the eight-mile difference.
• Fuel delivery is covered but not the cost of fuel. You are still responsible for paying for the cost of fuel if you arrange for somebody to deliver it to your location. Upgrading your membership to Plus or Premier may cover this cost.

Pros and Cons of AAA Roadside Assistance

Every AAA club offers slightly different roadside assistance packages, so you should check with your area's club to get the details. Generally speaking, here are some benefits and drawbacks of AAA roadside assistance:

Pros

• Coverage for leased, rented and borrowed cars: Whether you’re driving your own car, leasing, renting a car or borrowing a friend’s car, AAA will cover you for roadside emergencies (other providers will pay for roadside services only if the vehicle is listed in the auto policy). The only exception is if you’re riding as a passenger in a taxi, rideshare service or some other vehicle for hire.
• Coverage as a passenger: You can request AAA roadside assistance whether you’re sitting in the driver’s or passenger’s seat.
• Other membership perks: AAA memberships may include other benefits on top of roadside emergencies, including identity theft protection, free vehicle inspections, and discounts on vehicle history reports.
• Trip interruption benefit: In some regions, trip interruption is an included benefit in Plus and Premier memberships. This coverage will reimburse you for certain expenses, like meals and hotel fares, if your car breaks down on a road trip when you’re a certain number of miles away from home.

Cons

• Other household members must purchase a membership: AAA states that it can cover the entire household but only if other family members purchase an associate membership. Associates are nested under your primary membership and receive a discounted annual rate.
• Fee for requesting service within 48 hours of purchasing membership: AAA may charge a fee if you use your roadside assistance benefit within 48 hours of signing up. Fees may be as high as $75 and up.

How To Request AAA Roadside Assistance

If you require an emergency roadside service, call the number on your AAA membership card. The phone number for requesting service can vary by region and we recommend adding it to your phone’s contact list in case you leave your card at home or lose it. You can also request service through your phone by downloading the mobile app on Google Play or the Apple App Store.

When requesting service, you will be prompted to provide the following information:

• Your 16-digit membership number
• The location of the disabled vehicle
• Type of service needed
• Description of the disabled vehicle
• Phone number where you can be contacted

After confirming receipt of your request, AAA will dispatch a professional to assist you with getting your car back up and running. The average response time is 21 minutes but you may have to wait longer depending on the circumstances. You may need to keep your phone’s GPS function enabled so the provider can locate your exact location. If your vehicle needs to be repaired, AAA may send you pertinent local information, such as network repair shops in the area.

How To File a Claim for Reimbursement

There may be some scenarios in which you pay out of pocket for a covered expense. For example, you may use a non-AAA service provider when you experience a breakdown on a toll road or limited-access highway. Fortunately, you may qualify for reimbursement and you should ask your local AAA club about the process. You will typically need to submit a reimbursement claim within 60 days of the service but this time frame may be shorter or longer depending on your AAA club’s policy.

The reimbursement form will usually require the following information:

• Membership information
• Location of vehicle breakdown
• Vehicle information
• Reason for using a non-AAA service provider
• Type of service received
• Vehicle tow destination
• Garage providing service
• Amount paid for roadside service
• Copy of itemized receipt

If AAA service was available but you still used another provider, AAA may only reimburse you for what they would have charged for the service. The remaining cost will be an out-of-pocket expense. Storage fees are generally non-reimbursable.

AAA Roadside Assistance vs. the Competition

AAA's roadside coverage varies from club to club, so prospective members should check out the offerings of the AAA club in their area. The majority of roadside assistance programs offer fuel delivery, battery jump-start, flat-tire change, lockout service and ditch extraction. Let's compare AAA's plans to plans by other providers.

*Based on requests from California customers

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If you're looking for auto insurance, SmartFinancial can help you find the best, cheapest car insurance for you in your area. You'll be connected with insurance pros who can help you determine which roadside assistance carrier is right for you. You may also save up to 40% on your car insurance when you compare rates. For a free quote, just enter your zip code below or call 855-214-2291.