Whether you drive a new or old vehicle, you will undoubtedly have your share of automotive troubles, including sudden breakdowns, inexplicable sounds, chronic mechanical flaws, and accidents caused by dangerous road conditions or human error. These problems are inconvenient, costly, and may even be dangerous to your health and safety. But for more than a century, the American Automobile Association has been offering important assistance with the automotive troubles.
AAA has established itself as a household brand as a result of its response to more than 32 million roadside assistance calls every year. It not only provides aid to stranded motorists, but also gives discounts on a variety of products and services, including vehicle rentals, vacation packages, cellphone service, and more. It will vary depending on where you reside as well as the degree of coverage you want.
Let’s take a closer look to have a better knowledge of the AAA membership program so that we can analyze whether AAA membership is worth the investment or not.
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What is an AAA Membership?
The American Automobile Association is also known as AAA membership or Triple-A in the market. It is a non profited federation that has an objective to provide a variety of automobile advantages to clients all around the United States of America. With more than 120 years of expertise, it is now one of the most well-known firms for roadside assistance and benefits in the United States.
An AAA membership is an excellent companion for individuals who often travel by car. Customers will be able to get roadside help if they have a problem with their vehicle using this service. The crew will come out to assist you with recovering your vehicle, transporting it to a secure location, and arranging a rental vehicle if your vehicle has to be repaired.
The main aim of the membership has always been directed toward increasing understanding as well as raising awareness regarding distracted driving, transportation and infrastructure safety, environmental responsibilities, and aviation safety, among other topics. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has been in existence since 1902. In 1902, nine motor clubs with over 1500 members joined together to focus on personal mobility, highway improvement, and public safety. Currently, the non-profit federation of automotive clubs comprises over 40 clubs with over 57 million members in the United States and Canada.
How Does it Work?
AAA corporation provides memberships for roadside assistance. For an annual price, members are secured 24/7, if their automobile breaks down on the side of the road. Tire replacements, dead batteries, towing and many more are included in the service. Users are entitled to up to four roadside assistance calls per year as part of their AAA membership. In addition, your AAA membership protects you whether you’re driving a car or riding as a passenger in a vehicle that’s experiencing issues with the engine. It is printed on your AAA membership card where you may get in touch with Triple AAA roadside assistance. AAA membership is divided into three categories, which are as follows:
AAA Classic Membership
The benefits of a AAA Classic membership include free towing up to five miles, a battery starter or boost, mobile battery replacement service, flat tyre adjustments, fuel delivery, car lockout service, extrication and winching with a single service vehicle, as well as bicycle roadside help.
AAA Plus Membership
Members who have a AAA Plus membership get all of the advantages of a AAA Classic membership in addition to the following perks. Let’s start with Triple AAA Roadside Service, which is available to AAA Plus members. These roadside perks include free towing up to 100 miles, free fuel delivery, a car locksmith service, extrication and winching with two service vehicles, and a vehicle locksmith service with two service vehicles. Travel interruption coverage for automobiles and two free passport photographs are among the additional advantages available to AAA Plus members.
AAA Premier Membership
With AAA Premier membership, you get all of the advantages of AAA Plus membership, as well as the following extra perks. For qualifying non-collision towing and car travel interruption, you will receive a free one-day car rental and up to three tows up to 100 miles each, as well as vehicle lockout service, home lockout service, and a free one-day car rental with qualifying non-collision towing and car travel interruption.
You could be able to begin using your AAA membership as soon as your payment for the membership has been completed. It is recommended that you submit your payment as soon as possible to begin receiving the advantages and get roadside assistance anytime you need it.
Cost of AAA Membership
The cost of a AAA membership is dependent on your location as well as the membership package you choose to purchase. If you reside in a different part of the United States, the cost will be different. The cost of membership begins at $37.50 per year and may rise to $170 per year at the highest level. There are now three membership levels, with typical membership prices being as follows:
- Classic annual costs range from $52 to $74 per person.
- Plus membership ranges from, $85 to $124.
- Premiere ranges from $118 to $170 per year depending on the package.
There are certain discounts offered, such as up to 35% off electronics from selected companies. Car & moving truck rentals are discounted by 20% or more. Movie tickets, dining, and flower delivery are also included in the discounts and offers.
American Automobile Association and Insurance
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is well recognised for providing roadside assistance. However, when it comes to our automobiles on the road, insurance is a crucial consideration to keep in mind. Members of the program may also make use of insurance and a diverse selection of policy alternatives. Safety inspections and the ability to pay in full are among the benefits of AAA membership insurance reductions. The savings available to AAA members vary from state to state, which is one of the primary drawbacks of having membership insurance via the organisation. The following forms of coverage are available via the AAA membership insurance program:
- New car coverage
- Medical payment coverage
- Homeowner’s insurance
- Personal injury protection
- Dental insurance
- Small business insurance
Advantages of AAA Membership
Members of AAA get the following benefits:
- The members can get services in a variety of situations as 24-hour roadside assistance is offered by AAA. On a rural route at night or on a city expressway during rush hour, AAA will quickly respond to your distress call and send in-network help.
- Lower cost for the older car owners. A costly emergency tow might exceed $100. A single free tow per year generally covers the Classic membership fee, whereas the free or low-cost services include locksmithing, automobile rentals, jump-starts, and battery repair.
- AAA has its insurance. AAA offers car, home, life, and excess liability insurance. However, AAA claims these plans are cheaper for members than equivalent products provided by other insurers.
- It has a reliable auto repair network. AAA offers a reputable network of vehicle repair shops that provide members with 10% off repairs.
- The AAA membership applies to any car you use. AAA has a no-ask, no-tell policy when it comes to non-member car service. You can become a member owning any old or new car.
- They provide valuable travel perks or merchant discounts. Travel insurance, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, and worldwide emergency support are available to AAA Premier members.
Disadvantages of AAA Membership
- Infrequent users are unable to save money. You’re not getting your money’s worth if you don’t utilise AAA’s value-added services like vacation booking, insurance, merchant discounts, or home lockout assistance. Even if you join AAA for the merchant discounts, getting the most out of them takes some effort. You save nothing if you don’t shop from AAA merchants.
- Prices vary from club to club. AAA groups may establish their dues. As a result, expenses vary greatly by area. Because fees vary widely and aren’t often connected to local living expenses, the only way to know exactly how much you’ll spend each year is to visit your local club’s website.
- Comparable insurance company services could be cheaper. Several vehicle insurance providers offer higher value-added services. For example, Allstate Motor Club costs $79 or more for the first year and contains more free or discounted services and coverages than AAA.
- No more membership perks. It provides four free roadside assistance calls every year, but other bonuses are restricted. For example, their auto lockout service is just $50 per visit, so it won’t cover complicated calls. It also lacks a free $100 battery replacement. Classic members who utilise the towing benefit must generally pay for repairs at the responder’s facility.
Is AAA Membership Worth the Money?
People who often travel by car will benefit the most from a AAA membership. AAA membership offers many benefits and discounts such as a 20 per cent discount on Hertz rentals, a free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, a comprehensive range of roadside assistance services, and other incentives like reduced movies and Disney tickets are all included. Also, car & moving truck rentals are discounted by 20% or more. AAA’s free car towing service could be a better choice than other options, such as your insurance provider, which normally offers such services only as part of a policy claim.
Although technically speaking, the AAA is not a single corporation, but rather a federation of automobile clubs. This implies that each AAA club will provide the same membership levels and membership perks, but membership rates will vary depending on where you live and how much time you spend travelling.
The bottom line is that both insurance and the AAA are critical. If your car has been broken into or if you have a breakdown, the firm can come out and assist you 24/7 and bring you to safety. Likewise, the additional savings and benefits that come with being a member of AAA are quite beneficial. You may save money on your travel expenses by taking advantage of hotel discounts, vehicle rentals, and cruises. So when you go on vacation, you may get more for your money and save a significant amount of money.
There are plenty of alternatives available for roadside help, but before deciding on whether or not to join AAA, it is important to explore the whole range of services offered by the organisation to know its worth for you. The advantages, discounts, and expenses connected with each membership category vary by region, so spend some time on the membership website of your local AAA to learn more about your options. It is best for those who travel a lot but if you believe that you are not one of them, AAA may not be the best option for you.
Conclusion
Members of the American Automobile Association may get assistance with any issue relating to their automobiles while they are on the road. Users who want to get the maximum out of the programs and save the most money should make use of the membership to the fullest extent that it is available.
However, to make the greatest use of the program, it is essential to obtain all the information possible before making a choice, since the cost and advantages of the program differ depending on where you live. Those who travel often might get the most value out of their AAA membership.
