AAA is not a single insurance company but a federation of regional clubs, each underwriting its own policies with its own rates, discounts and satisfaction scores. That structure makes AAA genuinely difficult to evaluate as a single entity. What’s consistent across the federation: You must be a paying AAA member to buy a policy, rates tend to run above the national average and the quality of your experience will depend heavily on which regional club serves your area..
- Strong J.D. Power shopping and claims scores for several regional clubs.
- Roadside assistance included with AAA membership.
- Coverage available in all 50 states.
- Multiple add-on options including new car replacement and OEM parts coverage.
- Telematics programs available through most major clubs.
- AM Best ratings of A to A+ across the major clubs.
- AAA membership required to purchase insurance, which adds annual cost.
- Rates generally above the national average.
- Coverage options, discounts and satisfaction scores vary significantly by region.
- CRASH Network grades vary by club, with some graded below average.
- No single phone number or unified claims process across all clubs.
- Policy and pricing details difficult to compare without going through your local club.
AAA car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
AAA’s name recognition and roadside assistance reputation precede its insurance product, and that context shapes how most drivers evaluate it. Whether that reputation holds up depends almost entirely on where you live.
Founded in 1902 and headquartered across a network of regional clubs, AAA is one of the oldest automotive organizations in the United States, serving more than 50 million members across the U.S. and Canada. What most drivers don’t realize is that AAA insurance is not sold by a single national entity. It is underwritten by a network of independent regional clubs, the three largest being the Auto Club Group (ACG), which serves the Midwest and Southeast; CSAA Insurance Group, which serves much of the West and Mid-Atlantic; and the Auto Club of Southern California (ACE), which serves California and parts of the Southwest. Each club files its own rates, offers its own discounts and generates its own satisfaction scores. A glowing review from a driver in California may not reflect the experience of a driver in Michigan.
The case for AAA is a good one, in the right regions. ACG ranked 2nd of 18 companies in JD Power’s 2025 Insurance Shopping Study with a score of 707, just behind Erie. Auto Club of SoCal and CSAA both scored above the study average in JD Power’s 2025 Claims Satisfaction Study, with SoCal ranking number one in California. CRASH Network grades for AAA clubs that were rated came in above C, with SoCal earning a B in 2026. For drivers in regions where a strong AAA club operates, these are genuinely good numbers.
The case against AAA is the membership requirement and price. You cannot buy AAA insurance without first paying for an annual AAA membership, which starts around $65 per year for the Classic tier and rises with higher membership levels. That cost is on top of your premium, which already trends above the national average for most profiles. And because the club system creates real variability, the AAA experience for a driver in one region may be materially different from another driver’s.
Before committing to AAA, use Jerry to compare its pricing against competing carriers for your specific profile. The membership perks — roadside assistance, travel discounts, hotel deals, etc. — have real value for some drivers but might not be as much of a selling point for others.
Who AAA is best and worst for
A current AAA member who already pays for membership. If you’re already paying the annual membership fee for roadside assistance or other perks, adding AAA insurance eliminates the membership cost as an incremental expense and may make the overall value more competitive.
A driver in a region served by a high-performing AAA club. Auto Club of SoCal and CSAA have strong JD Power shopping and claims scores. ACG ranks well in the shopping study. Drivers in California, the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Southwest are most likely to encounter a club with above-average independent ratings.
Someone who values OEM parts and specialty coverage options. AAA clubs offer original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts coverage, enhanced exterior repair, and new car replacement options that many standard carriers don’t provide or don’t make easy to add.
A driver who wants to compare quotes without joining first. AAA requires an annual membership to purchase a policy. You cannot get a final, binding quote without knowing your club and entering a membership number. This adds friction and cost that other carriers don’t require.
A driver prioritizing the lowest possible rate. AAA’s premiums trend above the national average across most clubs and driver profiles. Drivers focused primarily on price will almost certainly find better rates at other carriers through Jerry.
A driver who wants a consistent national experience. Because each regional club operates independently, coverage options, discount availability, claims processes and satisfaction scores all vary by location. What’s true of AAA in one state may not be true in another.
Compare 100+ insurers through Jerry in less than 5 minutes
Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does AAA car insurance cost?
The average cost for car insurance coverage through AAA is $206 per month among Jerry drivers, about 14% more than the national average.Your premium is determined by a number of factors, including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you want.
Based on our analysis of 12,115 real AAA customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level:
Minimum
$137 – $348/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$196 – $391/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$217 – $429/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$198 – $420/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of AAA car insurance
Because AAA is a federation of regional clubs, industry ratings vary by club. For instance, AAA as a whole received a C rating in the latest CRASH Network report while Auto Club Group (AAA of Northern California) got a B.
The table below reflects the three major clubs most frequently rated in national studies.
| Rating | Auto Club Group (ACG) | CSAA | Auto Club of SoCal |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | N/A | Moderately low (0.73). | Average (0.99). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | B. | B. | N/A. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | N/A. | No. 10 of 18. | No. 6 of 18. |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | No. 13 of 20. | No. 6 of 20. | No. 5 of 20. |
| AM Best (2025) | A (Excellent). | A (Excellent). | A+ (Superior). |
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NAIC details
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CRASH Network details
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JD Power details
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AM Best details
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
AAA car insurance coverage options
Coverage options vary by region and club, but most AAA clubs offer the standard suite: collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. There are typically several notable add-ons available, as well, though they may vary by club and state:
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Roadside assistance is included with your AAA membership and available as a separate add-on for non-members in some clubs.
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Rental car reimbursement covers a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired after a covered claim.
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OEM parts coverage requires repairs to use original equipment manufacturer parts rather than aftermarket alternatives, excluding glass and mechanical parts.
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New car replacement replaces a totaled new vehicle with the current model year rather than the depreciated actual cash value (ACV).
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Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a financed or leased vehicle and its actual cash value if it’s totaled.
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Rideshare insurance is extended coverage for drivers working for rideshare or delivery platforms.
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Enhanced total loss replacement pays more than the standard ACV settlement for a totaled vehicle.
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Full glass coverage extends to windshield and window damage with no deductible.
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Accident forgiveness prevents your rate from increasing after a qualifying at-fault accident.
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Coverage Definitions
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Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
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Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
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How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
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What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
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How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
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Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
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Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
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What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
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Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
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AAA car insurance discounts
Allstate offers a solid range of. You may qualify for the following savings:
Discounts vary by regional club. Common discounts across most major clubs include:
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Multi-policy — Bundle auto with home, renters or other qualifying policies
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Multi-vehicle — Insure more than one vehicle on the same policy
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AAA membership — Discount for being a AAA member; may increase with membership tenure
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Telematics — Discount for enrolling in your club’s usage-based program
🎓
Good student — Full-time student with qualifying grades
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Student away at school — Student attending school at least 100 miles from home without a vehicle
💳
Pay in full — Pay the full premium upfront
📄
Paperless — Enroll in electronic billing
🔒
Anti-theft — Vehicle equipped with qualifying theft prevention or recovery devices
🛡️
Vehicle safety features — Factory-installed safety equipment
🕐
Advance purchase — Purchase a new policy at least seven days before your current policy expires or renews
🔁
Prior insurance tenure — History of continuous coverage with a previous carrier
Does AAA offer insurance based on driving behavior?
Yes, though the telematics program name and availability vary by club. The Auto Club Group uses AAADrive, Auto Club Enterprises uses AAA OnBoard and CSAA uses AAA MyPolicy. All programs are designed to track driving behavior via smartphone app and adjust rates based on performance.
Safe drivers can earn savings at renewal, while risky driving behavior can actually increase your rate.
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
Filing a claim with AAA
Here’s a look at what filing a claim looks like with AAA and how to manage it once filed.
File through your regional club
Because AAA operates through regional clubs, there is no single national claims number. You’ll file your claim through your specific club, either online, via the mobile app or by phone. Most clubs offer 24/7 claims reporting.
Work with your adjuster
After filing, your club will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and determine coverage. The process varies somewhat by club, but most offer online claim tracking and document upload.
Repair and rental
Most AAA clubs have preferred repair networks and will authorize a rental vehicle or reimburse transportation costs if you have rental coverage. OEM parts coverage, where added, ensures repairs use manufacturer-original components.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, settlement is based on actual cash value (ACV) unless you have new car replacement or enhanced total loss coverage. Payment is typically by check or direct deposit.
Customer reviews of AAA
Hundreds of Jerry customers have reviewed AAA’s auto insurance, giving the company a solid overall score.
Is AAA a good insurance company?
For some drivers, in some regions, AAA is genuinely one of the better options available. Auto Club of SoCal and CSAA have the JD Power scores to back that up, and most AAA clubs have average or better NAIC scores. For drivers in those areas who are already paying for AAA membership, the insurance product is worth a serious look.
For everyone else, the answer is less clear. AAA rates trend above average, the membership requirement adds to your cost before that first premium even hits and your experience will depend on a regional club you may know little about. Before committing to AAA, compare its full cost — premium plus membership fee — against competing carriers through Jerry. In some cases, you can find comparable or better coverage at a lower total cost without a membership requirement.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact AAA
Because AAA operates through regional clubs, there is no single national contact number for insurance. Visit aaa.com and enter your ZIP code to identify the club serving your area, then contact that club directly for quotes, policy management, and claims support.
- Claims: Contact your regional club directly (available 24/7 for most clubs)
- Find your regional club: aaa.com
- General membership and service: 1-877-288-4546
Related guides
FAQ
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Do you have to be a AAA member to get AAA car insurance?
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Is AAA car insurance the same everywhere?
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How does AAA compare to other insurers on claims satisfaction?
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Does AAA offer usage-based insurance?
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Does AAA cover high-risk drivers?
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How do I file a claim with AAA?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
