Choosing the appropriate amount of car insurance coverage can be difficult. While state minimum liability insurance meets the legal requirements, many drivers choose full coverage auto insurance for added protection. If you’re a AAA member or thinking about getting AAA insurance, you might be wondering, “How much is full coverage insurance with AAA?”.
This comprehensive guide examines what full coverage entails, as well as average AAA insurance rates, to help you decide whether it is appropriate for your needs and budget.
Full Coverage Car Insurance
Full coverage car insurance is a combination of various insurance types that provide comprehensive protection above and beyond the state minimums. Full coverage insurance typically consists of the following components:
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if it is damaged in an accident that you caused. It also covers damage caused by hitting an object such as a fence or a tree.
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against damage caused by events other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, fire, floods, hail storms, or animal collisions.
Bodily injury liability coverage pays for injuries caused to others if you are legally responsible for an accident.
Property damage liability insurance covers the damage you cause to another vehicle or property in an accident in which you are at fault.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who has little or no insurance and is unable to pay your medical bills or repair your vehicle.
While full coverage offers superior protection, it is more expensive than minimum liability coverage.
Premiums are determined by several factors, including your driving record, age, location, and vehicle type. Reviewing average insurance rates can provide you with an idea of typical costs.
How Much Is AAA Full Coverage Car Insurance?
AAA, an insurance provider operating in dozens of states, provides highly customizable policies. AAA’s full coverage car insurance rates are highly dependent on your specific situation and desired coverage limits. Even so, AAA membership can result in significant savings on premiums. Here’s an overview of what you can expect.
Factors Affecting AAA Insurance Rates
AAA car insurance pricing is heavily based on:
- Teen and elderly drivers pay higher rates due to increased risk behind the wheel.
- Drivers with a history of accidents, speeding tickets, or DUIs pay a higher premium for coverage.
- AAA insurers use credit-based insurance scores to determine responsibility. Lower scores indicate higher premiums.
- Location: If you live in an urban area or a claim-prone region, your insurance premiums will be higher.
- Vehicle: Insurance for luxury cars or vehicles with higher repair costs results in higher premiums.
- Coverage limits: Increasing coverage in key areas raises overall rates.
- Average cost of full coverage.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average annual cost of full coverage insurance in the United States is approximately $1,548, as of 2021. AAA coverage rates are closely aligned with national averages, with some variation by state.
For example, average annual AAA premiums for full coverage are around $1,937 in California but closer to $1,269 for Florida AAA policies. Costs also fluctuate between cities. A AAA member in Detroit may pay $5,409 per year, whereas one in Charlotte pays around $861 for full coverage.
Again, your individual driving habits, location, and other factors influence actual costs. However, national and state averages offer reasonable rate estimates to help you make AAA coverage decisions.
How AAA Membership Impacts Insurance Costs
AAA offers members a variety of loyalty discounts to help them save money on their insurance. Current membership benefits from AAA insurance providers include:
Multi-policy discounts: Bundle home or life insurance policies and save up to 15%.
Multi-vehicle savings: Including more than one car on your policy can save you up to 30%.
Multiple-year discounts: Sign a longer 6-month or 1-year contract for lower rates.
Payment in full reduction: Pay the full 6- or 12-month premium upfront and save up to 10%.
Safety feature deductions: Save up to 10% on anti-theft devices and adaptive headlights.
Defensive driving discounts: Complete an approved course to reduce premiums by around 10% on average.
Low mileage reduction: Drive fewer than a certain number of miles per year and you could save 5% or more.
The actual AAA insurance discounts and percentages available depend on your state and provider. However, AAA members pay approximately $121 less per year for car insurance than the general market average. This benefit, combined with other member-exclusive savings, strengthens the case for AAA if you require comprehensive coverage.
What Does AAA Full Coverage Auto Insurance Include?
AAA insurance companies provide extensive customization across states. However, a typical AAA full-coverage auto policy includes:
- Bodily injury liability limits range from $100,000 to $500,000.
- Property damage liability caps range between $100,000 and $500,000.
- Collision coverage with options for $500 to $1,500 deductibles.
- Comprehensive insurance with deductibles from $50 to $200.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage between $10,000 and $500,000 limits
- Medical payments coverage from $1,000 to $250,000 is available.
- Roadside assistance options range from basic to premium packages.
AAA representatives work with members to determine the coverage types and limits at each level. Just keep in mind that raising or lowering deductibles raises premium costs.
How to Get the Best AAA Insurance Rate with Full Coverage
If you want complete protection through AAA car insurance without overspending, consider these cost-cutting measures.
- Ask about bundling other policies, such as homeowners or life insurance, to take advantage of multi-policy discounts.
- Additional member benefits include multi-year, paid-in-full, and low mileage discounts.
- Enroll in AAA’s free Safe Driving Course online and save up to 10% on premiums.
- Install safety devices such as car alarms and crash avoidance technology to receive up to a 10% discount.
- Maintain excellent credit and a clean driving record with no accidents or tickets.
- Reduce your comprehensive and collision insurance premiums by driving an older, less expensive vehicle.
- Lower your rates by raising your collision, comprehensive, and medical deductibles.
Obtaining quotes from multiple AAA providers in your state frequently yields the best rate. Regularly reviewing discounts ensures you continue to save as an active member.
Should I get full or minimum coverage auto insurance?
Choosing between minimum liability and full coverage necessitates weighing costs against risks such as accidents and theft. While full coverage is significantly more expensive, it prepares you for worst-case loss scenarios.
Ideal protection levels are determined by factors such as your budget, age, driving needs, and location. For example, full coverage makes sense for newer drivers who commute daily through congested cities. However, if you drive an older car and work remotely on rural back roads, liability may be sufficient.
If you’re still undecided, start with the minimum coverage and get quotes for adding full coverage features such as collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist insurance. Seeing detailed cost breakdowns makes determining value easier, allowing you to avoid over- or underinsuring.
Conclusion
Finding the right amount of coverage is essential for getting maximum protection without overspending on your AAA car insurance policy. While full coverage costs approximately $1,500 per year on average, AAA member discounts can reduce premium costs.
Consider your budget, driving habits, and potential discounts to determine whether expanding beyond liability insurance is appropriate for your needs.
When you compare personalized AAA quotes, you can easily see how much custom coverage costs in your state. However, if you want comprehensive vehicle coverage, taking advantage of AAA’s multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and other member savings unlocks the lowest rates available.