Is AAA’s Tire and Wheel Insurance Worth It? An In-Depth Review

Getting a flat tire or scraping your rims on a pothole can lead to expensive auto repairs. That’s why many drivers opt for tire and wheel protection plans like AAA’s to cover such damage. But is their program worth getting?

In this in-depth review, we’ll provide a close look at AAA’s tire and wheel insurance coverage, costs, reviews, pros and cons, and alternatives. Read on to see if it’s the right choice to protect your vehicle’s tires and wheels.

Overview of AAA Tire and Wheel Insurance

AAA’s tire and wheel insurance program aims to cover repairs when your tires and wheels get damaged from road hazards like potholes, nails, glass, and debris.

Here’s an overview of what’s included:

Tire Repair/Replacement Covers unlimited tire repairs or full replacement if a tire can’t be fixed. Applies to damage from punctures, cuts impact breaks, etc. caused by road hazards. Also includes cosmetic tire damage and sidewall/curb damage.
Wheel Repair/Replacement: Provides unlimited repairs or replacement of damaged wheels (rims). Covers damage from road hazards and curb scraping.
Lost Key Replacement: Replaces lost or stolen keys/key fobs up to $5,000 total benefit.
Paintless Dent Repair Unlimited paintless dent repair of minor dents up to 4 inches wide. For vehicles up to 5 model years old

The coverage is flexible, with term options from 12 to 84 months. You can add it when purchasing a new or used car through AAA, or later if you already own a vehicle.

What Does AAA Tire and Wheel Insurance Cost?

Costs for AAA’s coverage vary primarily based on the term length selected. Here are some sample prices:

12 months: $199
24 months: $345
36 months: $505
48 months: $640
60 months: $885

Other factors impacting your price include:

Vehicle age, make and model
Coverage tier (Basic, Standard, Powertrain)
Whether it’s financed with an auto loan
AAA membership status and multi-policy discounts

You can get an exact quote for your vehicle online or by calling AAA. Premier members save $100 and Plus members save $50 off the standard price.

Reviews of AAA’s Tire and Wheel Insurance

AAA’s tire and wheel insurance gets mixed reviews from members:

Pros Reported By Members:

Smooth claims process with fast tire replacement
Affordable pricing, especially with AAA membership discounts
Convenient one-stop shopping when bundled with other AAA products

Cons Highlighted By Members:

Difficulty getting reimbursement for repairs done at non-AAA shops
Limitations like high deductibles and damage exclusions
Less coverage but similar pricing to options from dealerships

Many say it provides useful peace of mind against expensive tire and wheel repairs. But others feel the limitations make it not worth the cost compared to road hazard warranties from tire shops.

Pros of AAA’s Tire and Wheel Insurance

Here are some of the key benefits of getting AAA’s coverage:

AAA Brand Reputation: Long history and recognition provides confidence. Easy to add when bundling other AAA insurance products.
Flexible Terms: Can get short 12-month plan or extend up to 84 months for lower monthly payment.
Membership Discounts: Premier members get $100 off and Plus members get $50 off the plan cost.
Lost Key Coverage: Provides reimbursement for costly key and fob replacements up to $5,000.
Cosmetic Repairs: Many road hazard warranties exclude cosmetic tire damage, but AAA covers this.
No Mileage Limits: Unlimited claims within the term period. Usage doesn’t impact coverage.

Cons of AAA’s Tire and Wheel Insurance

Here are some potential downsides to consider:

Mixed Claims Experiences: Some challenges getting non-AAA repair reimbursement approved.
Exclusions: Damage from accidents, vandalism, off-road use, etc. isn’t covered.
Deductible: $50 deductible per covered repair claim.
Newer Vehicle Limitation: Paintless dent repair only for vehicles up to 5 years old.
Availability: Coverage not offered in all states or for certain vehicle types.

While the AAA brand provides credibility, reviews suggest claims and exclusions should be reviewed carefully before enrolling.

Alternatives to AAA’s Tire and Wheel Insurance

Beyond AAA, you have other options for protection against tire and wheel repairs, including:

Road Hazard Warranties: Many tire shops like Discount Tire offer these warranties covering damage from potholes, debris, etc. Prices start around $10-15 per tire.
Rental Car Insurance: AAA’s daily rental car insurance covers tire/wheel damage and other losses.
Auto Insurance: Comprehensive coverage on auto policies covers non-collision damage events.
Extended Car Warranties: Wheels may be included under powertrain warranties from the manufacturer or third parties.
Credit Cards: Some premium cards provide rental coverage or protection when new tire/wheel purchases are charged to the card.

Compare coverage terms, costs, convenience, reviews and other benefits like roadside assistance.

Is AAA’s Tire and Wheel Insurance Worth It?

AAA’s tire and wheel insurance provides affordable peace of mind against pothole damage and road hazards. It offers flexible terms and can bundle nicely with other AAA products. However, some limitations exist and experiences vary on claims reimbursement.

Carefully weigh the pros and cons versus alternatives like road hazard warranties. Check what tire and wheel damage may already be covered under your comprehensive auto insurance too.

For AAA members wanting the convenience of one-stop shopping, the program is worth considering. But review the details closely to ensure it meets your needs. Protecting your tires and wheels from road hazards can save you money in the long run.

What is Covered by the AAA Vehicle Protection Program?

Car Talk asked AAA Northeast for policy price examples for a Ford F-150, Toyota RAV4, and Honda Accord. All from model year 2016, and all with 65,000 miles. We also asked how much a policy would cost for a 2007 Toyota Highlander with 120,000 miles on it so we could compare prices. We were only given one policy choice for the three cars from the 2016 model year, and the older Highlander wasn’t covered. Our conversation with an AAA Northeast customer service rep about the extended warranty taught us that AAA Northeast does cover motorcycles in our area, but not RVs. AAA’s PR team told Car Talk that what types of vehicles AAA will cover varies by club location.

We were happy to see how AAA Northeast terms what is covered. As the policy says, it covers everything that is covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty, minus the things that are listed under “Not covered.” ” In other words, AAA Northeast just replicates the new car bumper to bumper coverage your automaker offers. So, you need only refer to your original warranty for what is and what is not covered.

After that, AAA Northeast adds some more language that clearly states that regular maintenance like oil changes and timing belt replacements are not covered. Nor should you expect wear items like tires and wiper blades to be included. In the contract, there is a short list of things that are specifically not included, such as the clock, lighting, airbag systems, and shocks and struts. One such excluded system is a manual transmission clutch, which is arguably a wear item. We also noticed that the keyfobs are singled out for special limitations. Last but not least, this policy does not cover any kind of damage. However, your car insurance should help out. Check out your policy for exact details as it may vary from local club to local club.

In addition to the repair policy coverage, the contract includes emergency roadside assistance and also rental car reimbursement. This coverage obviously overlaps a AAA membership, however, it is limited to the vehicle. Your AAA membership has value that goes well beyond that.

AAA Northeast also offers optional tire and wheel damage insurance with its policies. These can help if you rub a curb or damage your wheel and tire in a monster pothole. Here is chart showing how our example pricing looked:

Year/Make/Model	Warranty Term	Price	Tire & Wheel Option

How Long Does Coverage Last?

AAA Northeast’s policy would last for five years or until the car had 100,000 miles on it, whichever came first. That was true for both the full policy and also the added tire and wheel policy. Be certain to look closely at the plan you are offered as it may be different.

Is Tire and Wheel Protection/Warranty Worth It?

FAQ

How does tire insurance work?

Tire and Wheel Coverage Provides coverage on new and used vehicles in the event of damage due to road hazards such as glass, metal, potholes, debris, nails, blowouts, etc. 100% coverage on approved tire and wheel damages due to a road hazard. Up to $100 of towing expenses included in the event of road hazard.