Does AAA offer mechanical breakdown insurance?

Yes, AAA insurance rates are competitive for some drivers, including seniors, teens, and college students. AAA car insurance costs an average of $529 per year, or $44 per month.

AAA’s car insurance rates are based on your driving record and experience, along with factors like the type of car you drive, your ZIP code, your insurance history, and more. Your coverage and deductible choices also impact your final quote, as do your eligibility for discounts.... read full answer

Sample AAA Car Insurance Rates

Note: These rates are approximations based on sample quotes from AAA. Actual rates will vary.

To learn more about how we obtained these sample quotes, check out the methodology section of our complete AAA car insurance review.

No, traditional car insurance does not cover ordinary repairs or maintenance to your car. If your car is covered by comprehensive insurance, your insurance company will cover mechanical repairs caused by a car accident, natural disasters, or other unforeseeable events.

Insurance companies do offer a type of coverage that policy holders can use for repairs. This coverage is called ... read full answermechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), or repair insurance. MBI is offered by some insurance companies and comes with a deductible. MBI deductibles tend to be low, and in the event your car needs major mechanical repairs, this type of coverage could save you thousands of dollars. It usually covers repairs to your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, transmission, brakes, exhaust and power system.

With many policies, MBI coverage cannot be used for car maintenance, or for tire replacement, coolant replacement or other minor repairs. It’s also important to keep in mind that some insurance companies that offer MBI only do so for newer models and vehicles under a certain mileage.

If you’re considering purchasing MBI coverage, it’s a good idea to carefully read the provider’s policy in order to understand required qualifications for and limitations of the offered coverage.

No, you cannot get mechanical breakdown insurance for high mileage cars from most insurance companies, which generally require drivers to purchase coverage before a car has 15,000 miles on it. One major exception to this is USAA, which insures cars with up to 250,000 miles as long as they are less than 10 years old.... read full answer

If a driver with a high mileage vehicle does not qualify for mechanical breakdown insurance, they should consider getting an extended warranty instead. An extended warranty is similar to mechanical breakdown insurance in that both pay for repairs to a car’s major systems when they stop functioning properly. But many extended warranty providers offer plans for vehicles with over 100,000 miles.

Extended warranties usually require a full upfront payment of $1,500 to $3,000, and they can be purchased from auto manufacturers or third-party companies. Drivers can choose between different levels of coverage, some of which offer additional perks such as rental car reimbursement and 24/7 emergency roadside service.