If your vehicle’s factory warranty has expired but you still want to keep the car, you might want to get extended warranty coverage. As your vehicle ages, it’s more likely to break down and require the replacement of major parts, which gets expensive quickly. An extended warranty can help cover these repairs and shield you from significant financial losses.
If you’ve been researching extended warranties for your vehicle, you may have stumbled upon the unique American Automobile Association, or AAA, extended warranty. AAA only offers an extended warranty through your local AAA club. This article covers everything you need to know about a AAA extended warranty, including coverages, exclusions, and how it works.
What Is the AAA Extended Warranty?
Also known as the Vehicle Protection Program, the AAA extended warranty picks up where your vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty leaves off. The coverage can be comprehensive or exclusionary. You’ll need to reach out to your local club to get a AAA extended warranty quote. There are 42 regional AAA clubs across the United States and Canada. Your extended warranty will vary based on your region. It’s also crucial to know that not all clubs offer extended warranty packages.
For instance, the AAA auto Club South, which serves Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia, stopped offering the warranty in 2018, but AAA Carolinas, which serves North and South Carolina, provides comprehensive extended warranty plans. The best way to know if your local AAA club offers the Vehicle Protection Program is to ask. If your club doesn’t provide the AAA extended warranty, find another third-party extended warranty provider near you.
How Does the AAA Extended Warranty Work?
Extended warranty coverage varies from one club to another. For instance, the AAA Northeast warranty, which serves New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey, includes all items covered under the manufacturer’s original warranty, except those listed as “not covered.” In simple terms, the Northeast warranty replicates bumper-to-bumper coverage, meaning you only need to refer to your expired warranty to know what’s covered.
On the other hand, an extended warranty plan from AAA Carolinas can cover your vehicle for up to seven years or 230,000 miles. Most plans have a $100 deductible, or less if you take it to a AAA-authorized repair facility. Other expected benefits include:
- Battery coverage
- Rental car reimbursement
- Trip interruption coverage
What Does the AAA Vehicle Protection Program Cover?
Each club has different coverage plans. The plans you get depend on your region. For instance, AAA mid-Atlantic, which serves Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Southwest Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Oklahoma, Delaware, South Dakota, Washington D.C., and Maryland, features three vehicle protection plans: Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Each level covers specific items, with the highest levels covering most parts. AAA of Carolinas includes four coverage levels: Essential, Essential Plus, Comprehensive, and Exclusionary. The tiered plans feature customizable terms to fit the coverage you want.
AAA Extended Warranty Exclusions
Like all vehicle protection plans, AAA extended warranty comes with exclusions. Examples of items not covered include:
- Damage to parts due to collisions or accidents
- Theft or vandalism
- Environmental damage, such as flooding
- Damage due to modifications and alterations of vehicle parts
- Damage caused by misuse, abuse, neglect, or improper use of the vehicle
- Wear and tear of items like the windshield, tires, brake pads, and wipers
AAA Extended Warranty Cost
To know how much your AAA extended warranty will cost, call the company directly. You can also request quotes online by entering your vehicle details and some personal information. It’s critical to note that you don’t need to be a AAA member to get a quote for an extended warranty. However, you must be a AAA member to purchase an extended warranty plan.
Prices vary based on location, type of car, and the plan selected. The older the vehicle, the higher the mileage, meaning it will be more expensive to cover. Generally, you can expect to pay between $1,300 and $4,600 for three to seven years of coverage. The price will vary based on the following major factors:
- Where you live
- Level of coverage
- Length of coverage
- Miles on your odometer
- Vehicle make, year, and model
How to File a Claim
Customers carrying the AAA extended warranty can file a claim by calling 866-411-3086. Have your membership number ready to help the company get your personal information and to speed up the process. Before completing any repairs, your AAA club must approve them. Some AAA clubs, like the AAA Carolinas, require owners to take their vehicles to an approved shop and let the facility know the car has a AAA warranty.
The facility will contact AAA to verify and determine whether the repair is covered before getting to work. AAA will reimburse the facility directly in full, less your deductible.
AAA Extended Warranty FAQs
Here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions about the AAA extended warranty:
Is the AAA Extended Warranty Reliable?
The AAA extended warranty is an excellent option for many drivers. The plan you choose depends on your local club and coverage level. Conduct enough research before settling on an extended warranty.
Is an Extended Warranty Necessary?
Unlike auto insurance, an extended warranty isn't mandatory in any state. However, an extended warranty helps cushion you from financial losses in case of major repairs or replacements.
Is the AAA Vehicle Protection Plan Transferable?
Most AAA warranties are transferable. This means you can sell the vehicle whenever you want without affecting the purchase or transfer process.
Overall, the AAA warranty is an excellent option, but it may not be suitable for all drivers. To learn more about the available plans in your area, reach out to your local club and provide details about your vehicle. The AAA extended warranty can work for you if you’re a AAA member or wish to become one. Do your research and compare quotes and plans before deciding to buy a specific extended warranty.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
