Find the Best Auto Insurance for You: Compare AAA Car Insurance Rates

In the same way that different cars require different amounts of gas and maintenance, they also each have different auto insurance rates. The type of vehicle you own and how you use it can determine how much you pay for auto insurance, so it’s important to consider your specific needs and shopping around to get the best deal possible.

AAA offers competitive rates compared to other car insurance companies like Geico, State Farm and Progressive, but keep in mind that there are dozens of independent AAA clubs across the country, so your rates will vary depending on where you live.

What Is AAA Car Insurance?

AAA car insurance is a type of car insurance offered by the auto club, AAA. The company offers coverage in 50 states and D.C., and it's considered to be one of the largest automobile clubs in America. It was founded in 1902 and provides roadside assistance, travel trailers, insurance products and other services.

There are dozens of separate auto clubs that cover different geographic areas within the United States with some variation in rates. So if you live in a city like Las Vegas or Philadelphia, you can get competitive rates on your automotive coverage without moving to a small town or rural area.

What Does AAA Offer?

There are over fifty affiliates of AAA across the country and they offer a variety of different products that vary by location. The map below can help you figure out if your state has an affiliate. If your state doesn't have an AAA auto club, you might be able to save some money by joining one in a neighboring state.

Regardless of which affiliate is located in your area, AAA's rates tend to be competitive with other insurers like Geico, State Farm and Progressive. Here are some things that you can expect from any local or national affiliate of the American Automobile Association *You'll be entitled to coverage anywhere in the United States (with restrictions).

*Any vehicle, including RVs and motorcycles, can qualify for coverage.

*Premiums will not increase because of claims history (within limits).

*The following discounts may apply based on your age: veteran status, graduated driver license/provisional license (age 16-19), being an organ donor, paying through payroll deduction.

The Importance of Perks

In addition to competitive rates, customers receive perks when they sign up with an auto club. Some of these benefits include vacation planning and exclusive discounts on hotels, rental cars and car rentals. Some AAA clubs also provide access to exclusive events like networking receptions or happy hours.

The level of membership you have determines what perks are available, but most clubs offer their members discounts on dining and entertainment options around town. Most AAA clubs also offer roadside assistance, which is a great peace of mind perk in case something happens while you're out driving. As you can see, there are many reasons why people choose AAA's car insurance policies.

Get a Quote From Other Companies

It's easy to compare car insurance rates and see which company offers the best price. Fill out one quick form, and you'll get quotes from multiple companies who can get you insured in minutes. The quotes are personalized, so they tell you exactly what your coverage will cost each month. There's no obligation to buy, and there's never a sales call or pressure when comparing quotes from dozens of companies at once.

After completing your quote comparison, it's just a matter of choosing which company suits your needs best - whether that be better rates, more benefits or convenience - based on what matters most to you. After all, this is about giving yourself options.

Understanding Deductibles

It's important to know what your deductible is and how it factors into your auto insurance rates. Understanding deductibles and coverage limits can help you figure out whether or not you want to lower your monthly premium by raising them, but be careful. If you do choose to raise your deductible, make sure you can afford that amount if an accident were to happen.

If you don't, then your savings from choosing a higher deductible could quickly turn into a substantial out-of-pocket expense. Just keep in mind that every driver's risk of being in an accident is different, so insurance companies take those odds into account when they charge rates based on deductibles and coverage limits. For example, drivers who are young with little driving experience might find cheaper rates with higher deductibles because their risk of being in an accident is lower than someone who has been driving for years.

Do You Need Auto or Home Coverage?

Auto insurance pays to repair or replace your car, whether you are at fault or not. If you have a home, it may also pay to fix damages from storm surges and earthquakes caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. But what if the car is stolen? Or what if your vehicle has been in an accident with an uninsured driver?

If you need to cover anything that's not covered by your auto insurance, there are other options available to provide protection for these unfortunate events. One option is Homeowners Insurance, which will protect you and your family in case of theft or damage to your house. It can also protect against losses due to storms, fires, earthquakes and floods – so no matter what disaster strikes your area, it'll be insured!

How Much Coverage Do I Need?

The best answer to this question is usually, it depends. What matters is that you consider what type of car you drive, where you live and what coverage you want. After all, it's your hard-earned money that could be at stake in a serious accident. But these are some general guidelines when shopping for auto insurance.

-In most states, the minimum car insurance requirement is liability coverage; which provides compensation if you cause damage to other people's property or someone else's person. Some states have additional requirements such as collision coverage, personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage.

How Much Will My Premium Cost?

You can typically find out how much your insurance will cost by calling your local club and talking to a representative. The types of coverage you choose and the following discounts could also affect what you pay.

Discounts for driving a safe car
Discounts for taking a defensive driving course
Discounts for getting a good student grade in school
Discounts for installing an anti-theft device on your car

Discounts offered by specific auto clubs may vary, so it's important to call your local club and talk with a representative. In addition, some providers offer bundled packages that include discounts if you take advantage of other services, like home or life insurance policies. It may be worth it to look into these bundles if they are available because they often offer rates that are more competitive than buying standalone car insurance policies from different providers.

Calculate Your Savings With Multiple Policies

If you're a member of more than one auto club, shop around and see if it makes sense to add AAA as a secondary or tertiary carrier. That way, if you are involved in an accident where your insurance is used up and there's still enough time left on your other policies, you'll have another place to turn.

To calculate how much you'll save by shopping around, plug your zip code into each of the carriers' websites and look at the quoted price. If Geico offers a plan with no deductible but that's not available from AAA, for example, then we can discount the Geico quote because it's outside of our criteria. A quick google search should tell us how much that type of coverage usually costs. In this case, State Farm charges $100 a year for Comprehensive Coverage with $500 Deductible.

Geico charges $116.94 per year for Comprehensive Coverage with 0 Deductible.

AAA also has Comprehensive Coverage with 0 Deductible, but it will cost us $120 annually.

And Progressive only has Comprehensive Coverage with $500 Deductible at $136 per year - so this would be our cheapest option if we decide to go with them instead of AAA.

Is There an Age Discount for AAA Car Insurance?

Depending on which state you live in, there may be an age discount available if you join your local AAA club. In California, rates are discounted from 10% to 15% as long as you're 60 years old or older. In Oregon, a senior citizen discount of 5% is available if you sign up with the Oregon State Highway Patrol. There's no set maximum age requirement or annual mileage limit--simply enrolling in the program and qualifying according to those terms means savings will follow automatically. For more information about how AAA car insurance works in specific states, click here.

Can I Pay By Credit Card?

AAA's website accepts major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and American Express. As a courtesy to their members, they offer the convenience of paying by phone via an automated system with a four-digit pin code. Members can also send in their payments by mail. They accept payments by check or money order. In most states, there is no fee for payment by mail; however, if you use this option, be sure to allow at least two weeks for your payment to reach them. Once your payment has been processed you will receive confirmation from AAA that it has been received and credited to your account.