AAA Travel Insurance Review: Is it Worth the Cost?

Don’t let AAA travel insurance plans be your one and only stop when shopping for travel protection coverage.

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Updated Feb 2, 2026 10:16 a.m. PST · 5 min read

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AAA members can get quotes, manage policies and make claims conveniently through their existing account.

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Pros

You don't need to be an AAA member.
Annual or single-trip policies are available.
Can add on a Rental Car Damage protector plan.

Cons

Cheapest option doesn't include medical coverage.
CFAR upgrade is only available for higher-cost plans.

AAA’s lowest-tier travel insurance plan offers the bare minimum in standard coverages at a steep cost. Plus, its third-party review rating was among the lowest of the travel insurance plans we analyzed.

If you’re planning a trip out of town and are in the market for travel insurance that offers peace of mind, here’s what to know about AAA travel insurance.

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AAA travel insurance offerings
What AAA travel insurance covers
AAA detailed policy overview
What AAA plans do not cover
How much is AAA travel insurance?
Which AAA plan is best for me?
Does AAA offer 24/7 travel assistance?
How to file a claim with AAA travel insurance
Is AAA travel insurance worth it?

Is AAA travel insurance worth it?
- How to maximize your rewards

AAA travel insurance offerings

AAA’s travel protection plans are provided by AAA partner Allianz Global Assistance. Although AAA is known for its membership-based roadside assistance program, you don’t have to be a AAA member to purchase AAA travel insurance.

If you’re a member, however, you can unlock exclusive benefits, like rental car discounts and International Driving Permit support, depending on the plan you choose.

AAA offers a handful of travel insurance plans, each tailored to a different kind of traveler. Available plan options are based on your state and trip destination. Generally, AAA offers four plan tiers and a rental car add-on for those who expect to travel by vehicle to, or at, their destination.

TripProtect Basic: Covers essential protection, like trip cancellation or interruption, and emergency medical coverage.
TripProtect Select: Ideal for those who want access to the full range of standard coverages. Includes additional perks for AAA members.
TripProtect Deluxe: Best for travelers who want high-limit medical coverage or have pre-existing conditions.
TripProtect Cancel Anytime: Created for travelers who want trip cancellation protection for reasons that are typically not covered.
Rental Car Damage Protector add-on: Perfect for travelers who only need certain rental car coverages.

What AAA travel insurance covers

AAA single-trip travel insurance plans offer the following types of coverage. Keep in mind that not all plans offer every coverage type and that coverage limits vary based on the plan you choose.

Trip cancellation, trip delay or trip interruption: Qualifying expenses that were prepaid and otherwise nonrefundable are covered if your trip is canceled or disrupted — for example, a missed connection or flight delay. Expenses like food, lodging or transportation as a result of a flight delay are reimbursable.
Emergency medical and evacuation: If you sustain unexpected severe injury or illness, emergency medical and dental coverage can help cover associated costs. Certain AAA plans also offer emergency transportation back home for qualifying medical reasons.
Lost luggage and baggage delays: Get reimbursed for lost, damaged or stolen luggage and costs related to baggage delays.
Rental car insurance: AAA’s add-on rental car coverage provides peace of mind. If your rental car is stolen or damaged, related costs may be covered.
Missed port of call: If your cruise doesn’t dock at a planned port in your original itinerary, you’re covered up to the maximum reimbursement under your AAA travel plan.
Travel vaccinations: The cost of vaccinations required to enter your destination is covered if your trip is canceled or interrupted.
Return vehicle coverage: If you’re unable to drive your vehicle back to your primary residence, certain AAA travel insurance plans will cover this expense.
Lost document replacement: Some plans offer reimbursement for lost or stolen formal documents, such as a passport, during your trip.

AAA detailed policy overview

The available AAA travel insurance plans vary based on several factors, such as the state you live in and where you’re headed for your trip.

To illustrate the differences between plans, we searched available AAA travel insurance options for a 45-year-old traveler who lives in Illinois and planned a one-week trip to Mexico on March 1-7, 2026, for $1,500.

Based on these trip details, AAA’s TripProtect Basic plan wasn’t available. TripProtect Basic generally offers up to 100% of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs when your flight is canceled or interrupted. It also provides primary coverage for necessary, eligible emergency medical visits, treatments and transportation.

The two TripProtect plan options to choose from are the Select and Deluxe plans. Both plans include many of the standard coverages you’d expect with a travel insurance plan, just at different coverage limits.

For example, the Select and Deluxe plans cover up to the amount purchased for trip cancellation protection, but Select has a $50,000 pre-existing medical condition limit vs. $75,000 under Deluxe. The same limits apply for emergency medical and dental coverage while on your trip.

TripProtect Deluxe doubles coverage limits, compared to the Select plan, for emergency transportation, baggage coverage, baggage and trip delay, and vaccination reimbursement.

There’s also an add-on option for rental car damage protection. This extra coverage offers up to a $50,000 coverage limit for car rental damage and theft, as well as up to a $1,000 limit for rental car-specific baggage protection and trip interruption coverage.

	Coverage limits
Trip cancellation	TripProtect Select: Up to amount purchased, $50,000 pre-existing medical condition limit. TripProtect Deluxe: Up to amount purchased, $75,000 pre-existing medical condition limit. Rental Car Damage Protector: N/A.
Trip interruption	TripProtect Select: Up to 150% of amount purchased, $50,000 pre-existing medical condition limit. TripProtect Deluxe: Up to 150% of amount purchased, $75,000 pre-existing medical condition limit. Rental Car Damage Protector: N/A.
Emergency medical	TripProtect Select: Up to $50,000. TripProtect Deluxe: Up to $75,000. Rental Car Damage Protector: N/A.
Baggage and personal belongings	TripProtect Select: Up to $1,000 (no rental car). TripProtect Deluxe: Up to $2,000 (no rental car). Rental Car Damage Protector: $1,000 (rental car only).
Rental car damage and theft	TripProtect Select: N/A. TripProtect Deluxe: N/A. Rental Car Damage Protector: Up to $50,000
Vehicle return	TripProtect Select: Up to $750. TripProtect Deluxe: Up to $750. Rental Car Damage Protector: N/A.
24-hour assistance	TripProtect Select: Included. TripProtect Deluxe: Included. Rental Car Damage Protector: Included.

What AAA plans do not cover

AAA travel protection plans reimburse you for the policy’s specified coverages only if the reason for the claim is a “covered reason.” If, for example, you spontaneously decide to change your travel plans either before or during your trip, TripProtect Basic, Select and Deluxe tiers won’t reimburse you for canceling for any reason (CFAR).

They also won’t cover you for being required to appear in court if your profession necessitates your attendance (e.g., law enforcement, attorney, judge, etc.).

Below are some additional examples of non-coverage:

Normal pregnancy.
Pre-existing conditions that aren’t covered under the waiver.
Intentional actions meant to result in loss.
Participation in extreme sports or high-risk activities.
Criminal activities.
Natural disasters that are otherwise not covered in the policy.
Political or cyber unrest or acts of war.

For exclusions specific to your trip, see your plan’s policy details.

How much is AAA travel insurance?

In the Mexico vacation example we used, the cost difference between the two offered plans was significant. The TripProtect Deluxe plan costs approximately 54% more than the TripProtect Select plan at $123 vs. $80, respectively.

The traveler also has the option of getting a car rental policy add-on to a base policy. For this trip, the cost was $77. If purchasing the TripProtect Deluxe plan and the rental car add-on, that’s $200 for travel insurance — approximately 13% of the trip’s overall cost.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Which AAA plan is best for me?

The AAA travel insurance plan that’s best for you depends on the level of risk you’re willing to take while on your trip. In the example above, if you want the flexibility and freedom to drop your vacation plan and cancel for any reason, the provided AAA policy options won’t cover your costs simply because you changed your mind.

Does AAA offer 24/7 travel assistance?

Yes, all AAA travel insurance tiers include access to valuable 24-hour hotline assistance. Being able to reach a travel insurance expert at any time of day is vital when the unexpected hits.

Agents can assist you with filing a lost baggage claim or with emergency medical treatment while abroad. Within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, call 800-654-1908 (toll-free). Travelers in other areas of the world can call 1-804-281-5700.

How to file a claim with AAA travel insurance

Initiating a claim can be done via mail, email, fax or online. The most convenient and quickest option is submitting a claim through Allianz’s online claims center.

If you enable SmartBenefits through Allianz’s Allyz app, simple claims can be submitted without a receipt for automatic payouts.

Is AAA travel insurance worth it?

Whether AAA travel insurance is the right fit for your upcoming trip depends on your state and expected destination.

AAA generally offers a few plans to pick from, but depending on your specific trip details, your choices might be limited. Plus, if you want rental car-specific protections, you might need to tack on the cost of the Rental Car Damage Protector add-on plan.

Before shopping for a policy, check whether you already have coverage. Some premium credit cards provide travel insurance. If you hold one of these credit cards and the coverage limits are adequate, you may need only a standalone emergency medical insurance policy. However, if your credit card doesn’t cover you sufficiently, a comprehensive travel insurance plan might be the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AAA cover flight cancellation?

Yes, AAA’s TripProtect Select and TripProtect Deluxe plans cover up to 100% flight cancellation reimbursement (up to the plan’s maximum). Other terms and conditions apply.

How long does a AAA refund take?

Any benefits from a filed and processed AAA travel insurance claim are paid within 30 days after you’ve provided proof of your loss, such as proof of a purchase or a trip change or other supporting documentation.

Is AAA travel insurance primary or secondary?

Medical emergency coverage under AAA travel insurance plans is primary coverage. However, if you have other insurance protection elsewhere, AAA assumes shared proportional coverage with third-party entities.

Does AAA cover COVID?

Yes, AAA travel insurance plans cover trip cancellation due to COVID-19. This includes if you or a travel companion become ill with COVID or must quarantine due to a pandemic like COVID, or if another non-traveling family member becomes ill with COVID.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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