American Automobile Association (AAA) is a group of motor clubs that offer numerous perks to its members. AAA offers services like roadside assistance to different kinds of insurances such as home, vehicle, travel, and more.
In addition to all this, AAA also provides its members’ travel information, discounts on restaurants, hotels, and everyday purchases. With AAA, members can get fuel at significantly lower prices as well. Moreover, AAA also provides its members a remarkable discount on cruise trips and more.
However, to avail of all this, you need to be a member of the American Automobile Association. With so many benefits provided by AAA. One question that is often asked by people is “Does AAA cover rental cars”? If this is the case with you. Then do not worry, as today we will discuss everything about AAA and whether it covers rental cars.
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Does AAA cover rental cars?
No, AAA does not cover rental cars cost. In short, if you want to rent a car, and already have an AAA membership, you would cover the rental cost out of your pocket. However, the good news is that AAA membership can help you get numerous discounts on car rentals. Yes, you heard it right!
Numerous rental companies work in association with AAA and provide you with some of the great discounts on car rentals. Some of the rental car companies that offer car rental discounts on AAA membership include:
- Hertz rental car company
- Thrifty rental car company, and
- Dollar car rental company.
Thus, if you are considering renting a car, you can get an AAA membership near your AAA location. It is worth mentioning that AAA only operates in America and Canada. So, if you are outside both of these countries, you cannot get discounts and different perks that AAA offers.
Moreover, the rates of discounts also vary on the different locations of AAA clubs. For example, if you are in Alaska. Then your local AAA club might provide you with different discounts than the AAA clubs in Michigan.
Does AAA cover rental car insurance?
Yes, your AAA membership covers rental car insurance. In addition to this, AAA clubs only cover rental car insurance up to the cost of your personal insurance. Personal car insurance cost depends on the car that you have, and its repair and maintenance costs.
Hence, if your personal car insurance does not provide you decent coverage. Then you would not be able to get decent rental car insurance from AAA as well.
It is why it is recommended that you make sure to check your personal car insurance limit before renting a car. It is because checking your personal car insurance policy helps you determine whether you need to purchase any additional rental coverages or not.
Remember that buying additional insurance coverage can save you some money if you run into an accident. However, you may need to pay a hefty amount all at once on the rental counter. And this can be inconvenient for some drivers.
You must know that AAA consists of numerous auto insurance providers. So, the damages covered by AAA insurance providers can vary on their location.
For example, if you are in Chicago, your AAA insurance provider might not cover the cost of personal damage. With that said, AAA insurance providers both in Canada, and the USA cover some of the basic rental car coverage. Some of the most popular ones include:
· Collision damage coverage or CDW
This type of coverage covers all the damage costs done to a rental car in case of an accident. An accident can be with an object or a third party (another car). This form of coverage is the most basic one and is offered by almost every AAA insurance provider.
· Comprehensive damage
This includes an AAA insurance provider paying for the damages done to your rental car other than an accident. For example, bad weather, theft, vandalism, and more.
What are the additional Rental Car insurances that AAA provides to its members?
There are several other rental car insurances that AAA provides to its members. Some of the most common ones include:
· Liability insurance or third-party coverage
Third-party insurance covers all the damage done to another vehicle or a person through your rental car by paying the cost. Most AAA insurance providers cover damages done to a third party despite you being at fault.
With that said, we do not recommend rash driving at all. Hence, when driving a rental car, make sure to be conscious at all times. Third-party coverage also includes covering or paying for the damages done to the property of other people during an accident.
· Non-owner insurance
Non-insurance coverage includes a company paying for the damages done to a car rental car during an accident. Non-owner insurance is for drivers that do not have their own car and personal car insurance. With AAA’s non-owner car insurance, you can drive anywhere you want, without having feared the coverages.
Other Car Insurance You May Consider:
· Medical or personal injury coverage
Personal injury coverage, as the name specifies pays the cost for the injuries that happened to you. Or, a third party during a road accident. In case of death during an accident, this type of coverage also bears all the funeral expenses. And provides a fixed amount to the family that has lost its loved one.
· Uninsured motorist coverage
This type of insurance pays for all the damages, whether personal or collision if the third party is at fault. And does not have valid insurance. Sometimes the party at fault does not have sufficient insurance (the insurance provider does not cover all the damages). In this case, uninsured motorist coverage comes in handy.
Although uninsured motorist coverage is provided by almost all AAA insurance providers. You should make sure to know what type of coverages do your local AAA club provides.
· Pet insurance
This type of insurance involves an AAA insurer paying for the damages done to your pet during an accident. This is not the most common type of coverage that most AAA insurance providers offer. So, make sure to check out your local AAA club’s coverage options.
· Accident forgiveness coverage
Accident forgiveness coverage includes your local AAA club paying for the damages done to your car in an accident. It is similar to collision damage waiver, or comprehensive damage. But the real catch here is that after your first accident, the insurance premiums do not increase. As a result, you save a lot of money.
Does AAA Cover Rental Cars After an Accident?
Yes, as specified above, AAA does cover rental cars after an accident. However, for this, you should be a member of the AAA and should buy a AAA car insurance policy. It is because the AAA car insurance policy includes CDW and theft protection.
However, what is not covered by the AAA car insurance policy, is the reimbursement costs. If your car is damaged in an accident, you might want to rent one. With that said, renting a car and getting your own repaired at the same time is not pocket-friendly. Doing this without taking a precautionary step can you to lose your money.
To avoid spending too much money on a rental car, while your personal one is getting repaired. You can try getting AAA’s rental reimbursement coverage.
However, for this, you need to purchase reimbursement rental car coverage separately from your local AAA club. And have it added to your existing AAA car insurance policy. As specified above, AAA rental car insurance policy primarily provides two coverages, which are CDW, and comprehensive damage.
It is worth mentioning that if you rent a car through AAA rental companies, such as Hertz. Then you will pay for the AAA car insurance if you don’t have a car insurance policy. Moreover, if you would rent a car from Hertz, you would be directly reimbursed. It means that the company would pay you the rental cost through which you can rent the car.
On the other hand, if you would rent a car from another AAA rental company. Then, you would rent a car using your own money. And show the proof (receipts) to your local AAA club to get the reimbursement. Hence, renting a car from Hertz is more convenient as it would allow you to save money.
What does the AAA reimbursement rental coverage cover?
The AAA car rental reimbursement covers daily rental costs, which vary between $40-80$ dollars per day. You should know that the AAA car rental reimbursement policy only covers the daily rental cost of up to 75$. So, if you have rented a car that costs $80 per day. Then, you would pay $5 out of your pocket until you return the car.
In what conditions is AAA reimbursement rental coverage applicable?
Do not think that the AAA reimbursement policy is applicable to all including those that do not have their own vehicles. There are specific conditions in which AAA car rental reimbursement would cover your rental costs. Some of the most popular ones include:
- If you have got a car, but it has been totaled in an accident with a third party. Or, an object. And is getting repaired.
- If you had a car, but now it is stolen.
- Suppose you have a car, but it is vandalized.
- If you have a car, but it cannot be moved.
These are some scenarios in which you can avail the benefits offered by the AAA car rental reimbursement coverage. Those include:
What is the price of AAA car rental reimbursement coverage?
The average price of AAA car rental reimbursement insurance is $10-$15 per month.
What does the AAA car rental reimbursement not cover?
AAA car rental reimbursement insurance only covers the daily rental cost of a car and not more than that. In short, AAA does car rental reimbursement insurance does not cover:
- Fuel costs – If you are traveling somewhere in your rented car, you would pay for the fuel cost. And, not the company.
- Security deposit – An amount you have to submit at the rental counter of a company from where you are considering renting.
- Daily maintenance costs – If you are considering your rented car washed from a car wash, you would pay for that too. AAA is not responsible for any maintenance, and repair costs.
How long does the AAA car rental reimbursement remain in effect?
Typically, AAA car rental reimbursement insurance covers daily car rental costs between 14-3 days. So, if your own car is taking more than 30 days to be repaired. Then, you would not have AAA car rental reimbursement in effect until your car is repaired.
What are the reasons you should become a member of AAA and rent from AAA?
Below-specified is the reasons you should consider becoming a member of AAA. And buy car rental reimbursement insurance.
- To save money – As AAA rental car policy includes CDW, theft policy, you can save a lot of money. Particularly if you ever have an accident.
- To protect the rented vehicle.
- To have peace of mind – Driving an uninsured rented car can cause you not to drive it too much on the streets. It is because back in your mind you are scared what will you do if it gets scratched, etc. However, with AAA this is no longer an issue.
Does AAA credit card have some rental car benefits?
Yes, if you pay the rental company through your AAA credit card. And do not accept the CDW offered by it. Then, AAA will provide you with the bolstered version of collision damage coverage present in the rental contract.
Conclusion
We have covered all the details you need to know about does AAA covers rental cars. Always make sure to read the rental contract before considering renting a car from your local AAA club.
