AAA Membership Plus gives you roadside help and some discounts, but it is not the same as insurance

AAA Membership Plus is a roadside information plan you pay for annually. It covers towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, and battery service when you break down. It does not cover collision damage, medical bills from an accident, or liability if you hit someone else — that is what car insurance does. The plan works only if you call AAA directly; it does not pay you back later if you use another service.

AAA offers several membership tiers. Membership Plus is the middle option in most states, sitting between Basic (fewer towing miles, fewer service calls) and Premier (more towing miles, more service calls per year). The exact coverage and cost vary by state and by your local AAA club, so the dollar amount you pay and the miles you get towed depend on where you live.

You do not need to own a car to join AAA, and you do not need to be a member to call for roadside help — you can pay per incident. But members pay less per call and get a set number of calls included each year, which makes membership worth it if you break down more than once or twice annually.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA Membership Plus covers towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, and battery service, but you must call AAA directly to use it.
  • Coverage limits vary by state and by your local AAA club, so towing distance and the number of free service calls per year differ depending on where you live.
  • This plan is roadside information only and does not cover damage to your car, medical expenses, or liability — you need car insurance for those.
  • Non-members can call AAA for roadside help but pay per incident; members get a set number of calls included in their annual fee.
  • You can use Membership Plus on any car you are driving, not just one registered to you, as long as you call AAA and give them the vehicle details.

What Membership Plus actually covers

Towing is the main benefit. AAA will tow your car to a repair shop or your home if it breaks down. With Membership Plus, you typically get 100 miles of free towing per service call in most states, though some states offer different distances. If you need to go farther, you pay the extra cost. You get a certain number of towing calls per year — often four — included in your membership fee.

Lockout service means AAA will send someone to unlock your car if you lock your keys inside. This is usually free and counts as one of your included service calls. Battery service covers jump-starts if your battery dies; AAA brings a charger to you. Fuel delivery means if you run out of gas, AAA delivers a small amount of fuel to get you to a station. Lock-out, battery, and fuel service typically do not count against your towing call limit — they are separate.

Winch-out service (pulling your car out of a ditch or off the road) is sometimes included and sometimes costs extra, depending on your state and membership level. Flat tire changes are not always covered; some states include it and some do not. Check your membership documents or call your local AAA club to confirm what your specific plan includes.

How to use your membership when you break down

Call AAA directly using the number on your membership card or the AAA app. Tell them your location, what is wrong with your car, and where you want it towed. They will dispatch a tow truck or service provider to you. The whole process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, though wait times are longer in bad weather or during peak hours.

Have your membership card or account number ready. Give the dispatcher your vehicle details — make, model, color, license plate — and your exact location. If you are on a highway, tell them which direction you are facing and what mile marker or landmark you are near. The clearer your location, the faster help arrives.

You do not pay the service provider directly if you are using your included benefits. AAA handles the payment. If you go over your towing distance or use more service calls than your plan includes, you will be charged for the overage at that time or billed later, depending on AAA's process in your state.

Membership Plus versus Basic and Premier tiers

The three main tiers differ in towing distance and the number of service calls included per year. Basic typically covers 7 miles of towing and fewer calls. Membership Plus covers more miles (often 100) and more calls. Premier covers the most miles (often 200) and the most calls. The exact numbers vary by state.

If you rarely break down and live close to a repair shop, Basic may be enough. If you drive an older car, drive long distances, or live far from town, Membership Plus or Premier makes more sense. Premier is worth it if you want the peace of mind of longer towing distance and more calls per year, but it costs more annually.

All tiers include lockout, battery, and fuel service. The difference is really in how far AAA will tow you and how many times per year you can use the service before paying extra.

What Membership Plus does not cover

This plan does not pay for repairs or parts. If your engine fails or your transmission breaks, AAA tows you to a shop, but you pay the repair bill. It does not cover damage from an accident, weather, or theft. It does not cover medical bills if you are injured. It does not cover liability if you hit another car or property.

Roadside information and car insurance are separate. You need both. Insurance covers the damage and the legal responsibility; roadside information covers getting your car to a repair shop when it stops running. Some car insurance policies include roadside information as an add-on, so check your policy before buying AAA separately.

Membership Plus also does not cover towing if your car is impounded by police, if you run out of gas more than once per year (some states limit fuel delivery), or if you need a tow because of a mechanical problem you knew about and ignored. Read your membership agreement to understand the limits in your state.

Cost and how membership works

AAA Membership Plus costs vary by state and by your local AAA club. Annual membership typically ranges from around $50 to $150 per year, though some clubs charge more. The price depends on where you live, whether you are renewing or joining for the first time, and whether you bundle it with other AAA services like travel discounts or insurance products.

You renew your membership once a year. If you do not renew, your coverage ends and you lose the benefit of included service calls. Some people pay monthly instead of annually, which costs more overall but spreads the cost out.

AAA membership also gives you discounts at hotels, restaurants, and retail stores, though these vary by location. Some AAA clubs offer travel planning services, insurance products, and other benefits bundled with membership. Check what your local club includes.

When to call AAA versus paying out of pocket

If you are a member and break down, always call AAA first. You have already paid for the service, so using it costs you nothing (up to your included calls). If you call a private tow truck instead, you pay the full price, which is often $75 to $150 or more depending on distance.

If you are not a member and break down, you can call AAA and pay per incident — usually $50 to $100 for a basic tow, depending on distance and your location. Or you can call a private tow company. Non-member AAA rates are often competitive with private companies, so it is worth calling to compare.

If you break down frequently or drive an older car, membership pays for itself in one or two service calls. If you rarely break down and drive a new, reliable car, you might never use it enough to justify the annual cost. Think about how often you have needed roadside help in the past few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AAA Membership Plus on a car that is not registered to me?

Yes. You can use your membership on any car you are driving, whether it is yours, a rental, or a friend's car. Just tell the dispatcher the vehicle details and your location. Some states limit how often you can use the service on different vehicles, so check your membership agreement.

What happens if I use all my towing calls before the year ends?

You can still call AAA, but you will be charged for each additional tow. The cost varies by state and distance but is usually $50 to $150 per tow. You can renew your membership early if you want to reset your call count, though most people just pay the overage.

Does AAA Membership Plus cover towing if my car breaks down out of state?

Yes. Your membership works anywhere in the United States and Canada. Call the AAA number on your card and tell them your location. They will dispatch a local service provider to help you, even if you are far from home.

Is AAA roadside information the same as roadside information from my car insurance?

No, they are separate services. Some car insurance policies include roadside information as an add-on, which covers towing and lockouts. If your insurance already includes it, you may not need AAA. Check your insurance policy first before buying a separate membership.

What if I call AAA but they cannot reach me or I cancel the service call?

If you call and then cancel before the service provider arrives, most AAA clubs do not charge you. But if the service provider arrives and you refuse service, you may be charged a dispatch fee. Avoid canceling after the truck is on the way.