AAA Auto Insurance Review: Can you get affordable quotes? (2024)

At $158 per month for full coverage, AAA auto insurance rates are a bit higher than the national average. While it might not be the cheapest option, AAA auto insurance reviews say perks like roadside assistance make the price worth it. However, you’ll need an AAA membership to sign up for coverage.

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Laura Kuhl

Insurance Content Team Lead

Laura Kuhl holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Her career began in healthcare and wellness, creating lifestyle content for doctors, dentists, and other healthcare and holistic professionals. In 2018, she started writing for the cannabis industry. She curated news articles and insider interviews with investors and small business ...

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Brandon Frady

Licensed Insurance Agent

Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2024

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What You Should Know

  • AAA auto insurance rates are a little higher than the national average, with full coverage policies costing about $158 per month
  • You need an AAA membership to buy auto insurance, but it comes with perks like roadside assistance, discounts with different companies, and travel insurance
  • Although it scores high for customer loyalty, AAA auto insurance customer service doesn’t always receive the best reviews

AAA is best-known for its roadside assistance, but it also sells a variety of insurance policies. In fact, AAA is often considered one of the best affordable auto insurance companies. AAA auto insurance rates are a bit higher than the national average, but most customers agree that the extra perks make it worthwhile.

However, you’ll need an AAA membership before you can purchase an auto insurance policy, and availability varies by state. Explore our AAA auto insurance review below to see if AAA might be the right company for your insurance needs. Then, compare rates and coverage options with other companies to find the best policy.

What is the history of AAA?

In 1902, several motor clubs banded together to deal with a lack of roads that were suitable for cars. These clubs were the Chicago Automobile Club, Automobile Club of America, Automobile Club of New Jersey, Long Island Automobile Club, Rhode Island Automobile Club, Philadelphia Automobile Club, Princeton University Automobile Club, Automobile Club of Utica, and Grand Rapids Automobile Club – and together, they form what we know today as the AAA. AAA then merged with the American Motor League, which had been formed in 1895, but retained their current name.

Originally, AAA only offered driver’s training, road maps, and hotel guides. It wasn’t until the 1960s that they started selling insurance and started expanding into other travel-related services.

Still, their expansion did not veer them off course from their main goal: improving roads, helping travelers, and increasing safety (with things such as traffic safety programs taught in schools). Notably, AAA’s traffic safety programs have helped equip teens and young drivers with the know-how to keep themselves safe on dangerous roads.

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What makes American Automobile Association different?

As it is not strictly an insurance company, AAA provides customers with many more benefits and services beyond just auto insurance. Now, they offer things such as passport photos, travel maps, travelers insurance, and travelers’ checks (in addition to policies).

Although their insurance premium discounts and savings might not be as enticing as other dedicated insurance companies, it is worth noting that AAA’s discounts are not restricted to only insurance rates; they provide discounts on many other items and services, such as lowered hotel rates for stays at their partner-hotels.

The key differentiating factor is that AAA offers roadside assistance, and is found all over the United States. Today, AAA’s roadside assistance is so easily accessible that “calling Triple A” is equivalent to “calling roadside assistance.” People who travel a lot, particularly across state lines or out of the country, should use AAA for their coverage because of the specific options that are available for travelers.

Is AAA a good car insurer?

AAA is one of America’s most popular car insurers. While AAA doesn’t have the low costs of some of its cheaper competitors, it offers more features than most other major providers – including one of the best roadside assistance programs in the United States.

Generally, drivers are happy to get coverage through AAA – especially if you appreciate features like roadside assistance, which can quickly pay for itself with one mishap.

In terms of advantages, drivers across the United States enjoy excellent roadside assistance service with AAA as well as multiple membership discounts, including discounts on hotels, cheaper travel booking, cheap movie tickets, low-cost car rentals, cheap prescriptions, and more.

In terms of disadvantages, drivers with new vehicles that are not prone to breakdowns may not feel like they’re getting their money’s worth with AAA: the company tends to charge higher insurance premiums than its competitors while offering extended benefits. If you own a new vehicle that isn’t expected to break down any time soon, then you may feel like you’re paying too much for your policy.

Some AAA customers also complain that AAA discounts aren’t as powerful as they used to be. Hotels might offer AAA-style discounts even if you’re not a AAA member, for example. Those who are involved with other organizations or programs may qualify for the same discounts. In other words, it’s not quite as useful to have AAA as it once was.

Financial solvency is a crucial part of shopping for car coverage. In that category, AAA is one of the best. AAA Auto Insurance has an A+ rating with A.M. Best, which is the main agency in charge of ranking car insurers by their financial solvency.

J.D. Power, the main ranking organization for car insurers, also typically awards high ratings to AAA. AAA ranked third in a 2016 J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey, for example. Only two other car insurers in the United States had better claims satisfaction than AAA.

One of the main reasons to get AAA auto, however, is for the roadside assistance. Today, most car insurance companies offer some type of roadside assistance at an added cost, although AAA might be the best at it. AAA’s roadside assistance will arrive at your vehicle, tow it to a certified repair shop nearby (AAA has a list of repair shops), and even contact a family member on your behalf. Furthermore, AAA will automatically complete a vehicle claim for the incident and arrange for a rental car while your car is in the shop. Drivers who want the best possible roadside assistance may be willing to pay an extra premium for AAA.

It’s important to note that only AAA members can buy AAA car coverage. If you want AAA car coverage, then you’ll need to have an active AAA membership (priced at $50 to $100 per year, depending on your plan). Obviously, you will need to pay car premiums on top of this fee. If you cancel your membership or fail to pay your membership fees, then you will also lose your car insurance coverage.

Additionally, some AAA members will need to have their cars physically inspected by a AAA representative before the company extends car insurance coverage.

What do the customers have to say about AAA?

AAA has fairly positive reviews from customers. They have a “good” rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs and 3.4 out of 5 stars from WalletHub. The higher ratings are usually given for their extensive coverage.

Indeed, customers say they have good roadside assistance but that their rates are higher than other companies. There are also complaints that they don’t always have great customer service representatives.

Reviews state that AAA’s roadside assistance coverage is great for roadside annoyances such as a flat tire or for opening cars with the keys locked inside. So while customers lament their high rates, AAA’s excellent roadside assistance service more than make up for its higher insurance premiums.

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What’s our final word on AAA?

Ultimately, AAA is one of the best car insurers in the United States. However, the company’s superior claims satisfaction comes at a price: AAA car policies tend to be more expensive than many competing companies. Of course, some AAA policyholders are happy to pay slightly higher car policy premiums for vastly superior customer service. Plus, many AAA policyholders also appreciate the emergency roadside service, which is often seen as the best roadside assistance program in the country. Plus, you can lower the costs of AAA insurance by taking advantage of discounts or bundling yourlife coverage with AAA auto and home insurance.

Reviews
for AAA

4.12 (2,934 reviews)
0.5
October 13, 2023

Sally Ayres

AAA review

I just had an appalling experience trying to cancel my Mom\'s AAA insurance after she developed dementia and stopped driving. They threw up every barrier to what should have been a simple process, and even refused to accept my Power of Attorney documents electronically. The representative was extremely rude and copped an attitude. I think they refuse to close accounts so they can keep fraudulently charging non-driving seniors. This is a crooked ...
I just had an appalling experience trying to cancel my Mom\'s AAA insurance after she developed dementia and stopped driving. They threw up every barrier to what should have been a simple process, and even refused to accept my Power of Attorney documents electronically. The representative was extremely rude and copped an attitude. I think they refuse to close accounts so they can keep fraudulently charging non-driving seniors. This is a crooked company, and nobody should do business with them.
1
October 12, 2023

sally_a

Crooks

I just had an appalling experience trying to cancel my Mom's AAA insurance after she developed dementia and stopped driving. They threw up every barrier to what should have been a simple process, and even refused to accept my Power of Attorney documents electronically. The representative was extremely rude and copped an attitude. I think they refuse to close accounts so they can keep fraudulently charging non-driving seniors. This is a crooked c...
I just had an appalling experience trying to cancel my Mom's AAA insurance after she developed dementia and stopped driving. They threw up every barrier to what should have been a simple process, and even refused to accept my Power of Attorney documents electronically. The representative was extremely rude and copped an attitude. I think they refuse to close accounts so they can keep fraudulently charging non-driving seniors. This is a crooked company, and nobody should do business with them.
1
September 19, 2023

Teezee

Don’t buy triple AAA

I have Tripple aaa till this day 2023 been a member for the pass 8 years I was never involved into a accident till recently and I can finally say Tripple AAA is horrible they won’t take care of you doesnt not make you feel part of the team the only thing they are good at is taking our money dont go with triple AAA ROADSIDE is also horrible unless u don’t mind waiting 2 hours for help still have open claims they have no idea how to settle
1
July 5, 2023

Tia_15

DON'T CALL AAA IF THE CRASH ISN'T YOUR FAULT!!!!!!!

Just changed over to AAA Texas from AAA California/Nevada/Utah in May 2023. Received our new policies (Auto, RV, & Renters) in the mail, postmarked 6/22/23. We had already had the insurance in Texas for 2 months/2 payments. On the very same day we received a "Notice of Cancellation & Termination of Insurance", postmarked 6/23/23! This notice stated that my husband "does not meet our acceptability guidelines for coverage". Their reason? "He's had...
Just changed over to AAA Texas from AAA California/Nevada/Utah in May 2023. Received our new policies (Auto, RV, & Renters) in the mail, postmarked 6/22/23. We had already had the insurance in Texas for 2 months/2 payments. On the very same day we received a "Notice of Cancellation & Termination of Insurance", postmarked 6/23/23! This notice stated that my husband "does not meet our acceptability guidelines for coverage". Their reason? "He's had too many claims". NO HE HASN'T!!!! He has had exactly ONE claim in the entire time we've been with them. He sideswiped a gate with our travel trailer & damaged the trailer; zero damage to the truck. There were two other incidents that were the fault of the other drivers. Incident # 1 was a drunk driver in a motorhome crashed into our parked truck in 2021. We weren't even in the truck. It was witnessed, photographed, he was caught, I got a police report, & the guy's insurance information. Incident #2 was a guy who sideswiped me as I was driving. He stopped, I got a photo of his car & plate, and then he drove off without giving me any information. It was all on traffic cameras, so the cops found him, got his insurance information, impounded his car, & cited him for hit & run. Again, I provided all of this information & police report to AAA. THAT was where I went wrong, apparently. I found out from my AAA representative, Kimesha that since no one was in the truck when it was hit by the motorhome drunk, they put my husband down as the "claimant", even though he had nothing to do with it. So that meant that he had two claims in his name within 3 years. Here's what else she educated me on..... even though the back of your insurance card says in Step 4 "Call our AAA Accident Assist Hotline at 1-800-67-CLAIM to report the accident and, if necessary, have your vehicle towed to the repair shop or location of your preference" ... DON'T DO IT!!! ANY time you call and speak to a AAA representative to ask ANY questions about anything to do with your policy they WILL start a claim on your policy. You want to ask about your deductible... LOOK IT UP YOURSELF!!! Just asking that instigates a claim, apparently! Also, if the incident was not your fault DO NOT CALL AAA TO REPORT IT! DO NOT GIVE THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE INFORMATION TO AAA, thinking they will "deal with it". (Like insurance companies used to do) They won't "waste resources" dealing with it anymore. It costs less for them to just pay for the repairs themselves, than to hire people to chase down other insurance companies & adjusters! Too many phone calls, or too many "claims" (even when YOU do all the footwork getting insurance info, police reports, photos, etc.) and they WILL ABSOLUTELY CANCEL YOU. We never made a late payment, we never called to ask questions we could find the answers to online, we did EXACTLY what our AAA insurance card says to do. And we got cancelled because of two incidents that were NOT our fault, and one that was our fault within 3 years. This is a disgusting, misleading, sleazy way to do business. Also, my cancellation notice says I have coverage until 12:01 a.m. on July 8, which is day 59 of their 60 day window to terminate our insurance . Today (July 5, 2023) I tried to go online to my account to remove my automatic payment information & cancel my Renter's Insurance policy. I am locked out already, 3 days before my cancellation, so I can't remove my payment information from the website. Anyone want to take bets against them trying to put an automatic payment through? If I could give them a -10 rating, I would. DON'T USE AAA!!!!! And DON'T do Step 4 on the back of your insurance card if the crash isn't your fault! They will count it against you, even after they WAIVED THE DEDUCTIBLE because "you didn't cause the accident".
1
September 12, 2022

cordarei

inefficient claims

I am dealing with a claim right now. Good luck getting one on the phone. I've only lucked out of reaching a live person 2 out of every 10 calls made, and they NEVER return your call back. I'm sitting on a claim for almost 30 days because they can't reach their insured. They sent a person out to the insured's house and the claim agent doesn't have a status of that. I was told that it will be 2 days before they can get in touch with the person who ...
I am dealing with a claim right now. Good luck getting one on the phone. I've only lucked out of reaching a live person 2 out of every 10 calls made, and they NEVER return your call back. I'm sitting on a claim for almost 30 days because they can't reach their insured. They sent a person out to the insured's house and the claim agent doesn't have a status of that. I was told that it will be 2 days before they can get in touch with the person who went to the insured driver's house. How hard should it be to pick up a phone and call the person who went out? They can't get in touch with their insured driver, and they can't tell me what the protocol is if they are unable to get in touch. Their claim adjusters are highly inefficient.
1
February 28, 2022

tom_pop

Breach of Trust -- Raises Premium Without Notifying Consumer

AAA increased my annual premium by $319 a year after just one month on the plan -- and without giving me any notice. I only happened to catch it because I saw the cost of my next bill was significantly higher. I feel like AAA has a pretty stellar reputation, so I was shocked when this happened. When I cancelled my policy, I was hit with a huge fee as well, but I was so discouraged by this customer service experience that I just wanted out -- even...
AAA increased my annual premium by $319 a year after just one month on the plan -- and without giving me any notice. I only happened to catch it because I saw the cost of my next bill was significantly higher. I feel like AAA has a pretty stellar reputation, so I was shocked when this happened. When I cancelled my policy, I was hit with a huge fee as well, but I was so discouraged by this customer service experience that I just wanted out -- even if other insurers are going to charge me similar rates.
5
July 25, 2021

CCADE

Excellent, Fast Professional & Friendly Service

Locked Out Of Car. [REDACTED NAME] Did A Excellent & Professional Job! & AAA Service Was Exactly Worth My Premier Membership For Our Family. We R Very Grateful For His Service. On Such A Hot Day He Gave Service With A Smile👏Thank U [REDACTED NAME] For Being Such A Dedicated Young Man To Your Job. We Will Tell Others About AAA! & 👌EXCELLENT SERVICE.
1
April 2, 2021

vintagemx465

Home Owners Insurance

I have been a AAA member for over 27 years (one way or another). I received a letter saying they no longer could insure my home because the dangers of my house location. I called and asked what Dangers and they could not answer after several attempts (intimidation)? I later received another letter stating I had to have a video review of my home (invasion of privacy). After the video, was contacted by phone stating they wanted to see permits (hara...
I have been a AAA member for over 27 years (one way or another). I received a letter saying they no longer could insure my home because the dangers of my house location. I called and asked what Dangers and they could not answer after several attempts (intimidation)? I later received another letter stating I had to have a video review of my home (invasion of privacy). After the video, was contacted by phone stating they wanted to see permits (harassment). In that same phone conversation, I told the person that I wanted to see the renewal amount and then we could talk. I received my renewal and AAA gave me a 40% increase on my policy. Bottom line is after the intimidation, invasion of privacy and the harassment, I will not renew my homeowners, auto and Roadside Service with this terrible company... Just check the reviews on AAA's reputations on paying claims (or lack of). They like "Kicking the Can Down the Road" (a claim), but really kick the policy owners to the curb.
1
January 24, 2021

Always_Cold

Good customer service

I made my call about 10 am or so today (Sunday 1/24/2021). I was assisted by a AAA member, and I let her know that my mother's car has a dead battery and for them to come and take a look at it. My mother is also a AAA member. The AAA battery was purchased on 2/7/2020 (it is less than a year old) by me on her behalf, and I have told her to limit going out since she is immunocompromised. A Deerfield (company that is contracted by AAA) gentleman [RE...
I made my call about 10 am or so today (Sunday 1/24/2021). I was assisted by a AAA member, and I let her know that my mother's car has a dead battery and for them to come and take a look at it. My mother is also a AAA member. The AAA battery was purchased on 2/7/2020 (it is less than a year old) by me on her behalf, and I have told her to limit going out since she is immunocompromised. A Deerfield (company that is contracted by AAA) gentleman [REDACTED NAME] came out and asked me how long the car has been sitting there. I told him about 2 weeks. He flat out refused to replace my battery which is under a 6-year warranty after showing me that it is a bad battery (after he hooked it to his machine; it said BAD battery in RED). I talked to [REDACTED NAME], a AAA customer service employee, who was wonderful and assisted me (on behalf of my mother) in every way while [REDACTED NAME] was rude to [REDACTED NAME] and me. [REDACTED NAME] called his supervisor [REDACTED NAME] who was also rude to me and [REDACTED NAME]. [REDACTED NAME], the Deerfield supervisor, told me and my mother to drive around and if the car goes dead again, to call AAA back. How ethical is it of Deerfield to let my elderly mother drive around on a bad battery waiting for it to fail while putting her in an unsafe position (should she get stalled in a bad place; and what if I was not there to help her since I'm a healthcare worker and can't just leave)? This is just begging for bad things to happen. [REDACTED NAME] connected me with the Resolutions Dept; I talked to [REDACTED NAME] in the Resolutions Dept and [REDACTED NAME] apologized and said he would send someone out to replace the battery since he himself agreed that the battery was under warranty. In about 45 mins or so I got a call from Auto-to-go who said they will NOT replace my mother's battery. So, I called AAA AGAIN. I spoke to [REDACTED NAME] in the Resolutions Department who tried to help and said [REDACTED NAME] (who is her supervisor) would call me as he was a supervisor in the Resolutions Department. 2.5 hours later, no call. So, I called AGAIN and spoke to [REDACTED NAME] who said she couldn't do anything but put in a complaint against Deerfield and the "Service Monitoring Dept" would be calling me in about 5-7 business days. She did end up giving me a complaint #; she did do at least that much for me. But obviously, that didn't help me in my current situation. I and my mother have been loyal PLUS members for 13 years and have never encountered such terrible customer service from AAA or Deerfield. Is the Resolutions Dept in name only because no one has been able to help me/my mother or been able to resolve this? After an hour long wait (I was on hold that whole time), I was finally able to talk to the supervisor in the Resolutions Dept, [REDACTED NAME], who I thought would help me. But my luck - not only was [REDACTED NAME] rude, but she was also of no help. She said I need to get my (mother's) battery recharged myself by driving to Autozone with no offer to tow us there- seems like AAA was putting me and my mother in harm's way (they didn't care if the battery or me and/or my elderly mother was stalled on the road) just so I could get off their back - at least [REDACTED NAME] made it seem like that. She said "we have to follow the battery protocol." I told her all she had to do was offer to tow the car to the nearest AAA and have them charge the battery for us, but she didn't. I had to come up with that idea all on my own. Later, she claimed it to be her idea. Unbelievable. My mother and I are very shocked and terribly disappointed in the customer service shown by the Resolutions Department. It is now almost 4 pm with no resolution and me calling them 4 times, and on hold for an hour each time I called. They must think I have nothing better to do than be on hold. [REDACTED NAME], then, tells me to call again in the morning so they can tow my mother's car to a AAA shop and get the battery recharged. That was all she had to do to help a customer out, but she didn't even do that! [REDACTED NAME] was continuously clacking on the keyboard and who knows what all she was typing/saying about me. She didn't even have the courtesy to answer me when I asked a question; she said "I'm making notes about this." She just continued to type without apologizing as she never answered my question. Unclear why they have people like [REDACTED NAME] as supervisors in a Resolution Department. Maybe I should be a supervisor at AAA because here would have been my response, and the response I was hoping for (that never happened). It would have also been a way to have kept a 13-year loyal member happy. What should have been said was: I'm so sorry this happened to you/your mother's car. Let's fix this by towing you to the nearest AAA location, getting your battery charged; if it's bad, we'll replace it; if it's not, it is charged now and you will not have any further trouble. Once charged, let's tow it back to your house so you don't have to worry about this. Now THAT would be good customer service to a loyal member that would have kept me and my mother a loyal member, and I would give AAA stellar reviews. Now instead I've got to call AAA in the morning, have my mother's car towed, have to worry about missing AAA's call as I'm seeing patients (and murphy's law dictates that's bound to happen), and have to worry about how to get the car back as I'll be at work and will not be able to get to it in time. Being a healthcare worker/essential worker, I do everything in my power to protect my elderly parents, one of whom has cancer, by telling them not to go anywhere unless absolutely necessary. In these covid times, when people are sick, AAA expects us to be on the road and not leave our cars in our driveway (which means we are doing the socially responsible thing in not going out and socially distancing per CDC recommendations). It also means you can't get sick from covid or go out of town or in non-covid times, on a vacation -if you do and your car is sitting there, it hasn't followed "the battery protocol," and AAA will not be able to help you, nor will they replace your battery that is less than a year old and under a 6-year warranty. I mean why do I or my mother even have AAA especially if they can't help me or my elderly mother when we need them the most? Now I have to call AAA AGAIN tomorrow regarding the tow, and I can only hope I am available as I'm a healthcare worker who is actually taking care of covid patients. I will NEVER be buying AAA batteries -they will die on you before the year is up; and I certainly will not be renewing mine and my mother's AAA membership. I currently have a very poor opinion of AAA which I have never before had in the 13 years that I have been with them; this would have been my 14th year had I renewed. They have shown me in more ways than one that this membership, nor I/my mother, as a customer is worth much to them.
5
January 22, 2021

kathleenl1963

Best Insurance Ever

The price for this homeowners and auto insurance is fantastic. When I switched from Liberty Mutual I saved more than 1000 a year.
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