AAA (American Automobile Association) is widely known for its extensive range of services, including car insurance. With a history spanning over a century, AAA has built a strong reputation for providing reliable and comprehensive coverage. This review delves into various aspects of AAA car insurance, including coverage options, discounts, customer service, and overall value, to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Overview of AAA Car Insurance

A Legacy of Trust and Service

Founded in 1902, AAA has been insuring American drivers for over a century. It operates through more than 50 independent branches across the country, each offering car insurance and other services. While AAA is primarily known for its roadside assistance, its car insurance products are also highly regarded. To access AAA car insurance, you must be a member of your regional AAA club, which requires a membership fee but provides numerous benefits and discounts.

Coverage Options

AAA offers a comprehensive suite of car insurance coverages designed to meet the needs of different drivers. Coverage options can vary by location but generally include:

• Bodily Injury Liability: Covers injuries to a person in the other car if you’re at fault in an accident.
• Property Damage Liability: Covers repair costs to the other person’s car or property when you’re at fault.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Provides financial protection if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance.
• Collision Coverage: Covers repair costs if you’re involved in an accident, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Provides financial protection if your car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by events such as fire, floods, or falling objects.
• Medical Payments (MedPay): Covers medical costs for you and your passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of fault.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Covers medical expenses and, in some cases, lost wages and other costs resulting from an accident.

Additional Options

AAA offers several optional coverages that can be added to your policy for more comprehensive protection. These options include:

• Accident Forgiveness: Your first at-fault accident won’t result in an increased premium.
• Loan/Lease Payoff (Gap Insurance): Covers the difference between your auto policy payout if your car is totaled or stolen and the amount you still owe a lender or lessor.
• New Vehicle Replacement: Pays for the value of a new vehicle if your car is declared a total loss.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: Reimburses you for rental costs while your car is being repaired.
• Roadside Assistance: Access to AAA’s renowned 24/7 roadside assistance, including towing, battery jump-starts, tire changes, and lockout services.

Pricing and Discounts

Membership Fee

AAA membership starts as low as $50 per year and increases depending on your location and selected services. While this fee is an added cost, the discounts and benefits provided to members can offset it.

Insurance Rates

Insurance rates vary greatly depending on factors such as age, location, driving history, and credit score. AAA offers competitive rates, especially for those who take advantage of bundling options and other discounts.

Available Discounts

AAA offers a variety of discounts to help lower your insurance premiums. These discounts can vary by location but generally include:

• Driver Training: Discount for completing a driver training course.
• Good Student: Discount for students with good grades.
• Loyalty: Discount for long-term policyholders.
• Multipolicy: Discount for bundling multiple types of insurance.
• Multivehicle: Discount for insuring multiple vehicles.
• Paid-in-Full: Discount for paying your premium in full.
• Safe Driver: Discount for maintaining a good driving record.

Customer Satisfaction and Claims Handling

AAA is highly regarded for its excellent customer service and efficient claims handling. According to consumer complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), AAA generally receives fewer complaints than expected for auto insurance. In J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, AAA’s regional branches, such as Auto Club of SoCal, were ranked highly for overall customer satisfaction.

AAA Car Insurance Reviews

Survey Data and Rankings

Jerry’s research team conducted one of the most extensive car insurance reviews nationwide, collecting data over 18 months from over 120 insurance providers. AAA was ranked 9th overall compared to companies of similar size and popularity. Here’s how verified AAA policyholders ranked AAA:

• Overall Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
• 5 Stars: 59.03%
• 4 Stars: 17.17%
• 3 Stars: 16.28%
• 2 Stars: 4.11%
• 1 Star: 3.4%

Sample Rates

Here are some recent insurance quotes from AAA to help you understand how your driver profile might affect the cost of a policy through AAA:

Data Source: Jerry’s research on car insurance providers and policyholder surveys

Will AAA Raise Your Rates?

Like all insurance carriers, AAA can only increase your premium upon renewal. Some of the reasons your rate might go up with AAA include:

• New violations or tickets
• New accidents
• New location
• New vehicle on a policy
• New driver on a policy
• Inflation
• Age

According to our survey, 36% of drivers with an AAA auto insurance policy chose to renew at the end of the policy term.

Does AAA Resolve Claims Quickly?

AAA doesn’t specify how long it takes to resolve a car insurance claim—but they don’t have a limit on how long after an incident you can file. Many factors influence how long it will take to receive a payout, but in general, AAA received good reviews for claims processing.

Submitting an AAA claim is a seven-step process that can be done online or by phone. During this process, here is what you can expect:

1. Report your claim: You can do this online or by calling their customer service line.
2. Adjuster assignment: An adjuster will answer your questions and schedule a vehicle inspection.
3. Vehicle inspection: After the inspection, you will receive an estimate for repair costs.
4. Arrange repairs: AAA will help you arrange vehicle repair service and towing if needed.
5. Rental car arrangement: AAA will help you arrange a rental car if necessary.
6. Status updates: AAA will keep you informed about your claim by updating you on the status of your vehicle repairs and when you can expect them to be completed.
7. Settlement: The settlement process with AAA is intended to be quick, fair, and accurate to minimize disruption in your life

Claims Satisfaction

In our survey, 36% of respondents with an AAA policy reported having filed a claim. AAA ranked 5th for claims processing compared to other insurance companies of similar size and earned a 4.2/5.0 for claims and resolutions, suggesting that most AAA customers are satisfied with AAA’s claims processing. Compared to the national average score of 3.54/5.0, AAA ranked higher than most other companies in our survey.

Conclusion

AAA car insurance is a reliable and comprehensive option for drivers seeking extensive coverage and excellent customer service. With its broad range of coverage options, competitive pricing, and additional benefits like roadside assistance, AAA provides significant value to its members. However, it’s essential to consider the membership requirement and potential regional limitations when evaluating AAA car insurance.

For those already holding a AAA membership or considering joining, the benefits and discounts offered can make AAA car insurance an excellent choice. By choosing AAA car insurance, you are investing in comprehensive coverage backed by a legacy of trust and service. Whether you’re looking to protect your vehicle, home, or both, AAA offers the security and peace of mind that comes with a name you can trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of car insurance coverage does AAA offer?

AAA provides a comprehensive range of car insurance coverages, including Bodily Injury Liability, Property Damage Liability, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist, Collision Coverage, Comprehensive Coverage, Medical Payments (MedPay), and Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Additionally, they offer optional coverages like Accident Forgiveness, Loan/Lease Payoff (Gap Insurance), New Vehicle Replacement, Rental Car Reimbursement, and Roadside Assistance.

What discounts are available with AAA car insurance?

AAA offers various discounts to help lower your premiums, including Driver Training, Good Student, Loyalty, Multipolicy, Multivehicle, Paid-in-Full, and Safe Driver discounts. The availability and specifics of these discounts can vary by location.

Do I need a AAA membership to get car insurance from AAA?

Yes, to access AAA car insurance, you must be a member of your regional AAA club. Membership comes with a fee, starting as low as $50 per year, but provides numerous benefits and discounts beyond just car insurance.

How is AAA rated in terms of customer satisfaction and claims handling?

AAA is highly regarded for its customer service and efficient claims handling. According to consumer complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, AAA’s regional branches receive fewer complaints than expected and rank highly for overall customer satisfaction.

Will AAA raise my car insurance rates?

Like all insurance carriers, AAA can increase your premium upon renewal for various reasons, such as new violations, accidents, changes in location, adding a new vehicle or driver to the policy, inflation, and age. However, AAA is known for offering competitive rates and various discounts that can help mitigate potential increases.