AAA Membership vs Insurance: What’s the Difference?

When most people hear AAA, they think of roadside assistance and travel discounts—for good reason. These popular services made the organization a household name, but there’s much more to AAA than towing and special hotel rates. Did you know AAA offers insurance to protect your car, home, and even your life? In this article, we’ll explore the three main differences between AAA membership and AAA insurance.
A large oak tree on a house after a terrible ice and snow storm! Credit:JasonRWarren

Purpose

AAA Membership primarily focuses on providing roadside assistance, discounts, and other benefits that can enhance your travel experience.
AAA Insurance offers financial protection through various insurance products to safeguard your most valuable assets.

Coverage

AAA Membership covers shorter-term travel needs, like vehicle towing and battery testing.
AAA Insurance protects against longer-term risks related to auto, home, and life.

Cost

AAA Membership fees are charged on an annual basis and range from $50 to $180 per year, depending on the level of membership you choose.
AAA Insurance rates are based on factors like policy type and coverage amounts, location of residence, and individual risk factors.

Caucasian male office worker is expressing anger, dissatisfaction, arguing with an identified person. After driving into collision. car was broken down on the road. While waiting for car insurance Credit:Ekkasit Jokthong

AAA membership tiers & benefits

AAA offers three levels of membership: Classic, Plus, and Premier, with benefits customized to match your individual lifestyle and travel preferences.

AAA classic

AAA’s lowest-cost membership tier covers everyday driving essentials with up to five miles of towing, emergency fuel delivery (at pump price), battery testing and jump starts, flat tire change, and vehicle lock-out services. At the same time, travelers at this tier get discounts at hotels, restaurants, and retail shops nationwide.

AAA plus

Plus gives you all the benefits of Classic and these added extras: 100 miles of towing, emergency fuel delivery (including fuel cost), and increased lock-out service.

AAA premier

Premier has all the benefits of Plus, but it’s designed for road warriors, the Premier level packs all the bells and whistles: Up to 200 miles on a single tow, emergency fuel delivery, and additional home lock-out services (including home lock-out). Premier travelers also get trip interruption coverage, complimentary 1-day car rental.
Young woman taking photos using a smart phone of the inside of her car covered in broken window glass after a break in Credit:AJ_Watt

How does AAA insurance work?

Working as a liaison between policy holders and multiple carriers, a AAA insurance agent can help you choose from a broad range of products to protect your most valuable assets. Here’s a quick look at the most common types of insurance AAA offers and what they cover.

Auto insurance:

Liability: Protects you if you’re responsible for an accident that causes injury or property damage.
Collision and Comprehensive: Covers damage to your vehicle from accidents, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Safeguards you if you're hit by a driver without adequate insurance.
Additional Benefits: Includes rental car coverage, additional roadside assistance, and gap insurance.

Home insurance:

Dwelling: Protects your home from covered events like fire, wind, and theft.
Personal Property: Covers your belongings inside your home.
Liability: Provides protection if someone is injured on your property.
Additional Living Expenses: Covers temporary costs if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.

Life insurance:

Term: Provides financial protections during a specified period of time.
Whole: Permanent coverage with a cash value component that grows over time.
Universal: Flexible coverage with investment opportunities.

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Is AAA right for you?

AAA extends a wide range of services to millions of people worldwide, but only you can decide if it’s the right choice. For example, if you drive frequently, AAA roadside assistance and comprehensive auto insurance may give you valuable peace of mind. On the other hand, an upcoming career change or relocation may impact the level of travel and insurance support you need.

The bottom line is this: Take a close look at what AAA offers and compare it with other benefits available to ensure you’re getting the best value for your situation. Making an informed decision now can help you avoid unnecessary costs down the road.