How AAA Towing Reimbursement Works and When You Can Claim It

AAA covers towing costs through your membership, but the reimbursement process depends on whether you call AAA directly or pay out of pocket first

If you are an AAA member and need a tow, you have two paths: call AAA roadside information and they dispatch a tow truck at no cost to you, or pay a tow company yourself and submit a receipt to AAA for reimbursement later. Most members use the first route because it is simpler — AAA handles the entire transaction and you pay nothing at the scene. The second route exists if you cannot reach AAA, use a non-AAA tower, or need to file a claim after the fact.

The amount AAA reimburses and the process for claiming it varies by membership tier and region. Your membership card or the AAA mobile app shows your towing limit — typically 7 miles for basic membership, up to 100 miles for premium tiers. Reimbursement claims must be filed within a set window (usually 30 to 90 days), and you will need the original receipt, proof of AAA membership at the time of the tow, and documentation of the tow service provided.

Key Takeaways

Calling AAA roadside information directly means the tow is covered on the spot with no out-of-pocket cost or paperwork required.
If you pay a tow company yourself, you can submit the receipt to AAA for reimbursement, but only within the timeframe your membership agreement specifies.
Your membership tier determines how far AAA will tow you — basic plans cover shorter distances, while premium plans cover 100 miles or more.
Reimbursement claims require your original receipt, proof of active membership on the tow date, and documentation of what the tow service included.

Calling AAA roadside information versus paying out of pocket

When you call AAA roadside information, the dispatcher sends a tow truck to your location and coordinates directly with the driver. You show your membership card or provide your membership number, and the tow is covered under your plan. You do not pay the tow company — AAA settles the bill with them. This is the fastest and simplest route because there is no reimbursement process; the transaction is complete when the tow is finished.

If you pay a tow company yourself — because you could not reach AAA, the wait time was too long, or you used a local tower before realizing AAA could have covered it — you become responsible for filing a reimbursement claim. You will need to contact AAA with your receipt and membership information and request reimbursement for the amount you paid. AAA will review the claim and send you a check or credit to your account if it falls within your coverage limits.

The key difference is timing: direct AAA dispatch means no payment from you at all. Out-of-pocket payment means you cover the cost upfront and wait for AAA to reimburse you, which typically takes one to two weeks after approval.

Membership tiers and towing distance limits

AAA offers several membership levels, and each includes a different towing distance. Basic membership typically covers tows up to 7 miles at no cost. Plus membership usually covers up to 100 miles. Premier membership often covers up to 200 miles. These distances reset each membership year, and you can use your full allowance multiple times — the limit applies per tow, not as an annual total.

If your tow exceeds your membership limit, AAA will still dispatch the tow truck, but you will pay the difference out of pocket. For example, if you have basic membership (7 miles) and need a 20-mile tow, AAA covers the first 7 miles and you pay for the remaining 13 miles. When you call AAA, the dispatcher will tell you your coverage limit and estimate the out-of-pocket cost before the tow begins.

Your membership card or the AAA mobile app displays your current tier and towing limit. If you are unsure which tier you have, you can log into your AAA account online or call your local AAA club directly.

How to file a reimbursement claim

To file a reimbursement claim, gather your original receipt from the tow company, your AAA membership card or membership number, and any documentation showing the tow service (such as an invoice or work order). Contact AAA through your preferred method: online through your account portal, by phone to your local AAA club, or by mail if your membership agreement specifies a mailing address for claims.

When you submit the claim, include the date of the tow, the location where you were towed from, the destination, the tow company name, and the amount you paid. AAA will verify that you were an active member on the tow date and that the tow distance falls within your coverage limit. If everything checks out, they will process the reimbursement.

The reimbursement window is typically 30 to 90 days from the date of the tow, depending on your membership agreement. Check your membership documents or contact AAA directly to confirm the important date for your specific plan. Submitting your claim as soon as possible after the tow reduces the risk of missing the important date.

What happens if the tow exceeds your coverage limit

If you are towed beyond your membership distance limit, AAA covers only the portion within your limit. You are responsible for the overage cost. For instance, if your membership covers 7 miles and you are towed 15 miles, AAA pays for 7 miles and you pay for 8 miles. The tow company will bill you for the full amount, and when you submit a reimbursement claim to AAA, they will reimburse only the portion covered by your membership.

Some tow companies will separate the AAA-covered portion from the out-of-pocket portion on your receipt, making the claim process clearer. Others will bill you for the full tow and leave it to you to explain the AAA coverage to them. Either way, your receipt should show the total tow distance and the total cost, which AAA will use to calculate the reimbursable amount.

Reimbursement timelines and payment methods

After you submit a reimbursement claim, AAA typically processes it within one to two weeks. You will receive notification once the claim is approved or denied. If approved, AAA will send the reimbursement by check, direct deposit to your bank account, or credit to your AAA account, depending on your membership agreement and the method you selected when filing the claim.

If your claim is denied, AAA will explain why — common reasons include submitting the claim after the important date, not being an active member on the tow date, or the tow distance exceeding your coverage limit by a large margin. You can contact AAA to discuss a denied claim, but the decision is usually final if the reason is a policy violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use an AAA-approved tow company to get reimbursed?

No. You can use any tow company and still file a reimbursement claim with AAA, as long as you were an active member on the tow date and the tow distance falls within your coverage limit. AAA will reimburse you based on the receipt you provide, regardless of which company performed the tow.

What if I call AAA but they take too long to arrive and I call another tow company instead?

You can still file a reimbursement claim with AAA for the tow you paid for. When you contact AAA, explain that you called for roadside information but decided to use another company due to wait time. Provide your receipt and membership information, and AAA will process the claim according to your coverage limits.

Can I get reimbursed if my membership expired the day before I was towed?

No. AAA reimburses only tows that occur while your membership is active. If your membership expired before the tow date, you are not covered. You can renew your membership at any time, but the renewal does not cover tows that happened while you were not a member.

How do I know if my tow claim was approved?

AAA will send you a notification by email, mail, or phone, depending on your account settings and the method you used to file the claim. You can also log into your AAA account online to check the status of your claim. If you do not receive notification within two weeks of submitting your claim, contact your local AAA club to follow up.

What if the tow company charged more than I expected?

AAA reimburses based on the receipt you submit, up to your coverage limit. If you believe the tow company overcharged, you can dispute the charge with the tow company directly before filing a claim with AAA. Once you submit a receipt to AAA, they will reimburse the amount shown on that receipt, assuming it falls within your membership coverage.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.