Last Updated on October 31, 2024 by Rachel
Do you belong to the AAA? Don’t forget to leverage your membership the next time you rent a car.
The American Automobile Association, better known as Triple A or AAA, was founded in 1902. It has grown to be a vast network of motor clubs with over 58 million members in the United States and Canada.
AAA membership is not the same as AAA auto insurance. However, AAA does offer insurance that members can purchase separately. The auto association is best known as an emergency service provider of roadside assistance. Members also get access to discounts and can buy insurance and vacation packages through the organization’s travel services.
AAA Membership Does Not Include Car Rental Insurance
Different membership levels in the AAA provide different levels of services. Membership may cost between $60 and $100 with a sliding scale of inclusions.
AAA members can receive discounts on rental cars at:
Other perks include:
- 24/7 roadside assistance including towing, winching, fuel delivery, and lockout service
- free child safety seat
- no additional driver fee
- no young driver fee
- discounts on flights, hotels, cruises and more
When you ask AutoSlash for a quote, we factor in the AAA discount when comparing thousands of publicly available coupon codes to get you the very best rate.
Does AAA Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars?
AAA auto insurance is only available to AAA members. Coverage includes collision coverage, liability insurance (up to minimum mandatory per state), uninsured motorist coverage, medical coverage, and rental car reimbursement (if your own car is out of service).
With AAA auto insurance, you are typically covered for rental cars up to your same coverage limits in the United States. If you drive an old beater at home but rent a brand, new luxury car, you may not have sufficient coverage. It is always best practice to review your policy and contact AAA to check your coverage limits before you get to the rental counter. There may be instances where you want to purchase supplemental coverage from the rental car company.
Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops
AAA also offers a Visa Signature credit card with rental car coverage. If you charge your car rental to your AAA credit card and decline the rental car company’s collision damage waiver, this credit card will provide supplemental collision damage coverage up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. Other credit cards in your wallet may offer similar benefits. It’s best to check the fine print of those benefits before you get to the rental counter.
5 Reasons to Buy Car Rental Insurance
Even when you have a level of coverage, there are times when it’s better to purchase additional rental car insurance anyway. These include:
You don’t want to pay the deductible in the event of an accident. If the deductible on your auto insurance is high, it would apply to your rental car, too. It may give you peace of mind to just fork up for car rental insurance and know you won’t pay end up on the hook for more than that amount.
You don’t want to make a claim on your personal insurance. Maybe you recently had a claim and don’t want your premium to explode. Two claims in one year can raise your insurance rates significantly, so you may want to err on the side of caution and buy insurance.
Your coverage limits are low. If you’ll be driving in an unfamiliar area or bad weather and nervous about possible damage to the vehicle, you might consider either raising your coverage levels or picking up additional coverage from the rental car company or a third-party provider.
You’re renting an expensive vehicle. Remember, your AAA auto insurance will only cover up to the limit of your own vehicle’s policy. You may want to beef up coverage for a luxury SUV. Always be sure to check your coverage limits.
You’re renting in another country. With AAA, you’re covered for rental cars in the US. If you’re traveling outside the country, you’ll need to purchase supplemental insurance. (Mexican rentals require extra insurance anyway.)
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