How AAA Tow Reimbursement Works and What You'll Actually Get Back

What AAA tow reimbursement covers

AAA tow reimbursement is a benefit included in most AAA memberships that pays you back for towing costs when your car breaks down and you use a non-AAA tow truck. The amount you get back depends on your membership tier and the actual tow distance — AAA doesn't reimburse the full bill in most cases, and there are distance limits that vary by membership level.

The reimbursement is not automatic. You have to submit a claim with your receipt and proof of membership, and AAA will review it against your specific membership terms. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. If you're towed by an AAA-contracted tower, you don't need to file a claim at all — the tower bills AAA directly and you pay only your membership's copay, if any.

Key Takeaways

AAA membership tiers offer different tow distances per year — typically 7 miles for basic membership, 100 miles for Plus, and unlimited for Premier — and reimbursement caps that don't always cover the full tow bill.
You only get reimbursed if you use a non-AAA tower; AAA-contracted towers bill the membership directly and you pay only a copay.
Reimbursement claims require your receipt, proof of membership, and the tow company's invoice, and take two to four weeks to process.
Most AAA memberships include four free tows per year at the membership's distance limit, then reimbursement for additional tows up to the cap.
Reimbursement amounts vary by state and membership level, so check your membership card or AAA's website for your specific limits before you're stranded.

How many tows you get and how far they go

AAA memberships include a set number of free tows per year — usually four — at the distance limit for your membership tier. After you've used those four, additional tows are reimbursed up to a dollar cap, not a distance cap. The distance limits themselves are: 7 miles for Classic membership, 100 miles for Plus, and unlimited distance for Premier. These limits explore to each individual tow, not the total miles you can tow in a year.

Once you've exhausted your four free tows, the reimbursement amount per tow varies by state and membership level. In most states, Plus members are reimbursed up to $100 to $150 per tow after the four free ones are used, while Premier members typically see higher caps. You'll need to check your membership documents or call AAA directly to learn the exact reimbursement cap for your tier and state, because these amounts are not published uniformly online.

The difference between AAA towers and non-AAA towers

If you call AAA and request a tow, they dispatch one of their contracted towers. That tower bills AAA directly, and you pay only what your membership requires — usually nothing, or a small copay for Premier members. No claim form, no waiting for reimbursement. This is the fastest and most predictable path.

If you call a tow truck directly (a local company, your insurance company's preferred tower, or a random truck that stops to help), you pay the full bill out of pocket. You then submit that receipt to AAA along with your membership card and the tow company's invoice. AAA reviews the claim and sends you a check for the reimbursement amount, which is capped at your membership's limit. This process takes longer and you're out the money until the check arrives.

What you need to file a reimbursement claim

To claim reimbursement for a non-AAA tow, gather three documents: your AAA membership card or membership number, the tow company's itemized invoice showing the tow distance and charges, and your receipt showing what you paid. Some tow companies combine the invoice and receipt into one document; others provide them separately. Make sure the invoice clearly states the distance towed, because AAA will verify it against your membership's distance limit.

Submit these documents to AAA by mail, through their website's claims portal, or by calling your local AAA club. Processing takes two to four weeks. AAA will compare the tow distance to your membership tier's limit and the total charge to your membership's reimbursement cap, then send you a check for the lesser amount. If the tow distance exceeds your membership's limit, you'll be reimbursed only for the distance you're covered for — not the full bill.

Reimbursement limits and what they mean for your bill

A reimbursement cap means AAA will not pay more than that dollar amount per tow, regardless of what the tow truck charged. If you're a Plus member in a state where the reimbursement cap is $125, and your tow bill is $180, you'll get $125 back and you're responsible for the remaining $55. If your tow is only 50 miles and your membership covers 100 miles, you'll be reimbursed for the full 50 miles — but only up to the dollar cap.

Distance limits work differently. If you're a Classic member with a 7-mile limit and your car is towed 15 miles, AAA will reimburse you only for 7 miles' worth of the tow, not the full distance. This is why it matters to know your membership tier before you're stranded — a 15-mile tow on a Classic membership might cost you $80 out of pocket, while the same tow on a Plus membership (100-mile limit) would be fully covered by your four free tows.

When reimbursement doesn't cover the full bill

Tow bills often exceed AAA's reimbursement caps, especially in rural areas or for long-distance tows. A 50-mile tow can easily cost $200 to $300, while a Plus member's reimbursement cap might be $125. You'll pay the difference. Some tow companies will negotiate a lower rate if you tell them you have AAA coverage, but they're not obligated to, and many won't.

Your auto insurance may cover towing separately from AAA. Check your policy's roadside information section — many policies include $50 to $100 in towing coverage per incident. If both AAA and your insurance cover the tow, you can file claims with both, though you can't be reimbursed twice for the same expense. File with your insurance first if their reimbursement is higher, then use AAA for any remaining balance up to AAA's cap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use an AAA tower to get reimbursed?

No. You can use any tow truck and file a reimbursement claim with AAA afterward. However, using an AAA-contracted tower is faster and simpler because they bill AAA directly and you pay only a copay. Non-AAA towers require you to pay the full bill upfront and wait two to four weeks for reimbursement.

What happens if the tow distance exceeds my membership limit?

AAA reimburses you only for the distance your membership covers. If you're a Classic member (7-mile limit) and your car is towed 20 miles, you'll be reimbursed for 7 miles' worth of the charge, not the full tow. You pay the difference out of pocket.

Can I use my four free tows all at once or do they reset each year?

Your four free tows reset on your membership renewal date each year. You can't bank unused tows from one year to the next. After you've used all four in a membership year, additional tows are reimbursed up to your membership's dollar cap.

Will AAA reimburse me if I call a tow truck before calling AAA?

Yes, as long as you submit a claim with your receipt and membership card. However, you'll pay the full bill upfront and wait for reimbursement. If you call AAA first, they dispatch a contracted tower and you avoid the upfront cost and the wait.

What if my tow bill is less than my reimbursement cap?

AAA reimburses the actual amount you paid, up to your membership's cap. If your bill is $85 and your cap is $125, you get $85 back. You're not reimbursed for money you didn't spend.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.