AAA does not sell car insurance directly, but it negotiates discounts with insurers for its members
AAA (American Automobile Association) is primarily a roadside assistance and membership organization, not an insurance company. However, AAA partners with insurance carriers in each state to offer discounted rates to its members. The actual policy is underwritten by the partner insurer, not AAA itself — AAA acts as a broker connecting you to the carrier and handling the membership discount.
Which insurance company backs your AAA policy depends on your state. For example, in California, AAA members can purchase policies through AAA Insurance, which is underwritten by different carriers depending on the coverage type. In other states, AAA may partner with companies like Infinity Property and Casualty or other regional insurers. You need to check AAA's website or call your local club to see which carriers operate in your state.
The discount itself varies by state and by the insurer involved. AAA members typically receive a percentage off the base rate, but the actual savings depend on your driving record, age, location, and the coverage limits you choose. Some states allow larger discounts than others because of how insurance regulation works in that state.
Key Takeaways
- AAA negotiates discounted insurance rates with partner carriers in your state, but does not underwrite the policies itself.
- The insurance company backing your AAA policy varies by state, so you need to confirm which carrier operates in your area.
- AAA membership discounts are separate from other discounts you may receive for safe driving, bundling, or vehicle safety features.
- You can compare AAA's partner rates against other insurers to confirm whether the membership discount saves you money on your specific situation.
How AAA insurance discounts work in practice
When you buy a car insurance policy through AAA, you are purchasing from the partner insurance company in your state, not from AAA itself. AAA's role is to negotiate a member discount rate with that carrier. The discount is typically applied to the base premium before other adjustments are made.
The discount stacks with other reductions you may earn — for example, a safe driver discount, a bundling discount (combining auto and home insurance), or a discount for vehicle safety features. However, insurers apply discounts in a specific order, and some discounts cannot be combined. Ask the AAA agent or the insurance company directly which discounts can work together in your case.
You do not have to buy through AAA to get a good rate, and you do not have to be an AAA member to purchase from the partner insurer. Some insurers allow you to buy directly without the membership discount. Comparing quotes from AAA and from the same carrier's direct website will show you exactly what the membership discount is worth.
Which states have AAA insurance partnerships
AAA operates in all 50 states, but not all states have active AAA insurance partnerships. Some states have robust AAA insurance programs with multiple carriers to choose from, while others have limited options or no AAA-branded insurance at all.
The easiest way to find out what is available in your state is to visit the AAA website for your region or call your local AAA club. They can tell you which carriers partner with AAA in your area and whether those carriers are currently accepting new customers. Some carriers periodically close to new business in certain states, so availability can change.
If AAA does not offer insurance in your state, or if the available rates are not competitive, you can still use AAA for roadside assistance and other member benefits while buying car insurance elsewhere.
How to get a quote through AAA
Contact your local AAA club directly by phone or visit their website. Have your driver's license, vehicle registration, and current insurance information (if you have it) ready. The AAA agent will ask about your driving history, the vehicles you want to insure, and the coverage limits you need.
AAA will provide a quote based on the partner carrier's rates and the member discount. The quote is usually valid for 30 to 60 days, depending on the carrier. If you decide to purchase, you can often bind coverage the same day by phone or online, though some carriers require a few business days to process the application.
After you buy the policy, AAA typically handles billing and customer service through the partner carrier's system. Some carriers allow you to manage your policy through AAA's website or app; others require you to log into the carrier's portal directly. Ask during the quote process how you will manage your policy after purchase.
Comparing AAA rates to other insurers
The only way to know whether AAA's member discount saves you money is to compare it against quotes from other companies. Get quotes from at least two or three other major insurers — GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, or regional carriers that operate in your state — using the same coverage limits and deductibles for each quote.
When you compare, make sure you are looking at the final price after all discounts, not the base rate. Some insurers offer larger discounts for bundling or safe driving, which can make them cheaper than AAA even without a membership discount. Others may have higher base rates but fewer discounts available.
Price is not the only factor. Consider the insurer's customer service reputation, claims handling speed, and whether you prefer to manage your policy online, by phone, or through an app. AAA members often value the combination of insurance and roadside assistance in one membership, even if the insurance rate is not the absolute lowest available.
What happens if you cancel AAA membership
If you have an AAA insurance policy and you cancel your AAA membership, your insurance policy does not automatically cancel. However, you will lose the member discount on your next renewal. The insurance company will recalculate your premium at the standard rate, which will likely be higher.
You have the option to keep the policy at the new, non-member rate, or to shop for insurance elsewhere before the renewal date. Some people keep the AAA membership specifically to maintain the insurance discount, even if they do not use roadside assistance frequently. Others find that the membership cost is worth it for the combination of benefits.
If you decide to drop the AAA insurance policy, you can cancel it at any time, just as you would with any other insurer. Check your policy documents for the cancellation process, or contact the partner carrier directly.
AAA insurance versus buying directly from the carrier
The partner carrier that backs AAA insurance in your state also sells policies directly to the public, usually at a higher rate than the AAA member price. For example, if Infinity Property and Casualty is AAA's partner in your state, you can buy from Infinity directly without the AAA discount, or you can buy through AAA and receive the member discount.
The policy itself — the coverage, the claims process, the customer service — is identical whether you buy through AAA or directly from the carrier. The only difference is the price. This means you can compare the AAA rate to the direct rate from the same company to see exactly what the membership discount is worth.
Some people prefer buying through AAA because they want one organization handling both insurance and roadside assistance. Others prefer buying directly from the carrier because they want to manage everything in one place and avoid the membership fee. There is no right answer; it depends on what matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AAA insurance cover roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is a separate AAA membership benefit, not part of the car insurance policy itself. However, AAA members receive roadside assistance through their membership, so if you buy insurance through AAA, you have both. If you buy insurance elsewhere, you can still maintain your AAA membership for roadside assistance separately.
Can I use AAA insurance if I do not have an AAA membership?
You can purchase insurance from the partner carrier in your state without being an AAA member, but you will not receive the member discount. The carrier will quote you at the standard rate. In most cases, it is cheaper to join AAA and buy through them than to buy directly at the standard rate, but compare the membership cost plus the discounted insurance rate against the direct rate to be sure.
What if I have an accident — does AAA handle the claim?
The partner insurance carrier handles claims, not AAA. You will file the claim with the carrier's claims department, either online, by phone, or through an app. AAA's role ends at the sale; the carrier manages everything after that. However, AAA's roadside assistance (if you maintain your membership) is available for towing and other roadside help related to the accident.
Does the AAA discount apply to all coverage types?
The member discount typically applies to all coverage types — liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist. However, some carriers may apply the discount only to certain coverages or may have different discount percentages for different types. Ask the AAA agent or the carrier directly which coverages receive the discount in your quote.
Can I switch from another insurer to AAA mid-policy?
Yes. You can cancel your current policy and start a new AAA policy at any time. Most insurers allow you to cancel without penalty if you are switching to another carrier. Check your current policy's cancellation terms, and make sure your new AAA policy is bound before you cancel the old one so you do not have a gap in coverage.