What AAA towing reimbursement actually covers

AAA towing reimbursement is a benefit included in most AAA memberships that pays you back for towing costs when your car breaks down. The membership level you hold determines how far AAA will tow your vehicle and whether they reimburse you or pay the tow truck directly. Most members get between 7 and 100 miles of free towing per year, depending on their membership tier.

The key distinction is that AAA typically pays the towing company directly rather than reimbursing you after you pay out of pocket. This means you usually do not handle the money at all — you call AAA roadside information, they dispatch a tow truck, and the bill goes to AAA. If you do pay the tow truck yourself, you can request reimbursement, but the process takes longer and requires documentation.

Reimbursement amounts and towing distance limits vary significantly by membership level and by state. AAA Plus covers up to 100 miles of towing per incident, while AAA Basic covers 7 miles. AAA Premier covers up to 200 miles. Some states have different benefit structures, so the exact coverage in your area depends on your specific membership agreement.

Key Takeaways

  • AAA pays most towing bills directly to the tow truck company, so you typically do not pay out of pocket.
  • Your membership level (Basic, Plus, or Premier) determines how many miles of towing you receive per incident and per year.
  • If you pay the tow truck yourself, you can request reimbursement by submitting your receipt and membership card to AAA within a set timeframe.
  • Towing coverage is included in your membership dues and does not require a separate claim form in most cases — just call the roadside information number on your card.
  • Coverage limits and reimbursement amounts vary by state and membership tier, so check your membership materials or call AAA to confirm your specific benefits.

How to use your AAA towing benefit when your car breaks down

When your vehicle needs towing, call the roadside information number printed on the back of your AAA membership card. Have your membership number and card ready. Tell the dispatcher where you are, what the problem is, and where you want the car towed. They will dispatch a tow truck from their network and provide you with an estimated arrival time.

When the tow truck arrives, show the driver your AAA membership card. The driver will verify your membership and towing distance limit before hooking up your vehicle. If your destination is within your coverage limit, there is no charge to you. If you want the car towed beyond your coverage distance, you can pay the difference out of pocket, or you can ask the driver to tow you only to the limit and arrange other transportation for the rest of the way.

The tow truck driver will have you sign a work order. Keep a copy for your records. AAA sends the bill directly to their accounting department, and the towing company gets paid through AAA's network agreement. The entire transaction is complete once the vehicle is dropped off at your chosen location.

When you pay the tow truck and need reimbursement

If you call a tow truck directly without going through AAA first, or if you pay the driver before AAA processes the claim, you can request reimbursement. Gather your receipt from the tow truck company, your AAA membership card, and documentation of the breakdown (photos of the disabled vehicle, a mechanic's estimate, or a repair invoice all work). Some members also include a brief written explanation of what happened.

Send these documents to AAA's claims department. You can find the mailing address on your membership card or on the AAA website for your state. Include a note with your membership number, the date of the tow, the towing company name, and the amount you paid. AAA typically processes reimbursement requests within 4 to 6 weeks, though this varies by state and by how complete your submission is.

Reimbursement is limited to the amount covered under your membership tier. If you paid $150 for a 50-mile tow and your membership covers up to 100 miles, AAA will reimburse you based on their standard rate for that distance, which may be less than what you actually paid. Ask the towing company for an itemized receipt so you can see what portion of the bill was for the tow itself versus other charges like fuel surcharges or after-hours fees.

Membership tiers and their towing limits

AAA Basic includes up to 7 miles of towing per incident, with a limit of four tows per year. This tier is the most affordable and covers short-distance tows to a nearby repair shop or your home.

AAA Plus includes up to 100 miles of towing per incident, with a limit of four tows per year. This is the most common membership level and covers most situations where you need to reach a specific repair facility or a destination outside your when ready area.

AAA Premier includes up to 200 miles of towing per incident, with a limit of four tows per year. This tier is designed for members who travel frequently or live far from repair facilities. The annual cost is higher, but the extended distance can save money if you need a long-distance tow.

Some states and regions offer additional membership options or different benefit structures. Check your membership card or contact your local AAA club to confirm which tier you hold and what your specific limits are. If you are unsure whether your membership includes towing, call the roadside information number on your card and ask — they can tell you your coverage in seconds.

What towing situations AAA does and does not cover

AAA covers towing for mechanical breakdowns, flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, and running out of fuel. If your car will not start, will not shift, has a flat tire, or has any other mechanical failure that prevents you from driving it safely, AAA will tow it. They also cover lockouts (getting your keys out of a locked car) and fuel delivery if you run out of gas.

AAA does not cover towing for accidents or collisions. If you have been in a crash, your auto insurance typically covers towing through your roadside information rider or your collision coverage. Some insurance policies include towing automatically; others require you to add it as an optional rider. Check your insurance policy to see what towing coverage you have.

AAA also does not cover towing if your vehicle is impounded by law enforcement, if you are towing another vehicle, or if the tow is related to a traffic violation. Towing for mechanical failure is covered; towing for legal or regulatory reasons is not. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, describe it to the dispatcher when you call, and they will tell you whether coverage applies.

Reimbursement limits and what AAA actually pays

AAA reimburses based on their standard rate for towing in your region, not necessarily what you actually paid. If you paid a premium towing company $200 for a 50-mile tow and AAA's standard rate for that distance is $120, you will be reimbursed $120. The difference is your responsibility. This is why it matters to ask the towing company what their rate is before you authorize the tow, or to call AAA first and let them dispatch a truck from their network.

Reimbursement is also capped at the distance limit for your membership tier. If you have AAA Plus (100 miles) and you pay for a 120-mile tow, AAA will only reimburse for 100 miles of towing. The additional 20 miles is your cost. This is another reason to confirm your coverage limit before authorizing a tow that exceeds it.

Some AAA memberships include a limit on the total number of tows per year (usually four). If you have already used all four tows in a membership year, additional tows are not covered, even if you are within your distance limit. Check your membership materials to see how many tows you are allowed per year and when your membership year resets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use an AAA-approved tow truck, or can I call any towing company?

You can call any towing company, but AAA will only reimburse you if the company is in their network or if you submit a reimbursement request afterward. Calling AAA first ensures the tow truck is in their network and you will not be charged. If you call an independent tow truck, you pay upfront and request reimbursement later, which takes longer and may result in a lower reimbursement than you paid.

What happens if I need to tow my car farther than my membership covers?

You can ask the driver to tow you to the limit of your coverage and then arrange other transportation, or you can pay the difference out of pocket for the additional distance. The driver will tell you the cost for the extra miles before they hook up your car. If you pay the difference, keep your receipt — you cannot get reimbursed for the overage by AAA.

How long does it take to get reimbursed if I pay the tow truck myself?

Reimbursement typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date AAA receives your claim. Processing time varies by state and by how complete your submission is. If you are missing documentation, AAA may contact you to request it, which delays the process further. Submitting a complete claim with your receipt, membership card, and proof of the breakdown speeds up processing.

Can I use my AAA towing benefit if I am not the one driving the car?

Yes, as long as you are present with your membership card. The towing benefit is tied to your membership, not to who is driving. If someone else is driving your car and it breaks down, they can call AAA roadside information and provide your membership number, and AAA will dispatch a tow truck. You do not have to be in the car.

Does AAA towing cover towing to any repair shop, or only to AAA-approved shops?

AAA will tow your car to any repair shop you choose. You can direct the driver to take your vehicle to your preferred mechanic, a dealership, a chain repair facility, or anywhere else. AAA does not require you to use a specific shop, and they do not have a list of "approved" shops for towing purposes.