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How to Access AAA Services and Find Helpful Resources Right Now

How to get emergency roadside assistance, reschedule travel plans, renew car registration, and other helpful information.

By Via Staff Published July 23, 2020
A AAA Member and her son use a laptop on the floor.
Get access to AAA and motor vehicle department services from home.
LightField Studios / Shutterstock

Difficult and uncertain times call for extraordinary measures. AAA has been caring for Members for over 100 years, and we are here for you now. The health and safety of everyone—our Members, employees, and communities—continues to be our priority.

Here are a few simple answers to frequently asked questions about AAA services, including which ones are currently available and how to access them, as well as links to a few other helpful resources across the West.

What do I do if my car breaks down or just won’t start?

We are here for you in the event of an emergency. Our roadside assistance team and mobile battery service continue to operate throughout Alaska, Arizona, Northern California, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah. To request assistance, use the AAA Mobile App, call 1-800-222-4357 (AAA-HELP), or go to AAA.com/membership.

AAA owned and operated Auto Repair Centers—located in Northern California and Arizona—also remain open at this time. 

Will I get a premium refund on my AAA Auto Insurance?

AAA Auto Insurance policyholders that had an active policy as of April 30, 2020 should have received a 20 percent refund for two months of auto premiums (refunds are available everywhere, except where prohibited by law).

On June 3, CSAA Insurance Group announced that their premium refund program was being extended through June 30, 2020. Policyholders with an active policy as of June 30 will receive an additional 10 percent premium refund. You do not need to do anything to receive your refund, and you can expect to receive it by August 31.

  • If you pay in installments, you will receive a credit on your next bill.
  • If your policy renewed in May or June, you should have received a credit on your renewal bill.
  • If your account is paid in full, you will receive your refund via the method in which you made your last payment (check, credit card, or electronic funds transfer).

These refunds reflect fewer claims as a result of people driving less due to widespread shelter-in-place orders. AAA Insurance will continue to evaluate the refund program based on the length of shelter-in-place orders.

Getting ready to plan travel again?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to caution against travel, both internationally and within the United States. Many states currently require visitors to undergo mandatory testing or quarantine. Before booking, check to see if local authorities, airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, and restaurants at your intended travel destination have issued health and safety-related alerts, entry requirements, or other restrictions. The CDC recommends that people wear a face mask in public, wash hands frequently, and keep six feet from others.

Preparing for a drive? TripTik shows current travel restrictions caused by Covid-19, including closures, checkpoints, and mask requirements. With the number of coronavirus cases rising across the country, check the areas you plan to visit before you go.

It may not be today or tomorrow, but when you're ready, our trusted (and complimentary) Travel Agents will be ready to help you plan your next trip. Please note that travel vendors may modify their trip cancellation and refund policies in response to Covid-19. You can review our travel partners’ alerts online for the latest details on cancellation policies, travel restrictions, and waivers. Carefully read through the scope of coverage provided by travel insurance before purchasing as many do not cover losses related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

If you need assistance with a previously booked trip, please submit a Member travel service request or contact your travel agent directly. 

AAA customer service representative assists a Member at a local AAA branch.

AAA branch locations have reopened to serve your needs.

James Bueti

Can I visit my local AAA branch?

We’re happy to report that we’ve reopened our AAA branch locations to serve your needs, including most Insurance and Membership services, plus limited motor vehicle department transactions. Our branches are open Monday through Friday—please call or check our branch locator for current hours. We have new and improved protocols and procedures in place to maintain the well-being of our Members, employees, and communities. Read more about what to expect before your visit.

How do I make a payment for my AAA Membership, get answers to billing questions, or request a map?

If you need assistance with your Membership, have questions about billing, or are looking for advice, answers, or tips on using one of our products, you can connect with a AAA representative by phone at 800-922-8228 or via email. AAA Members can also order maps and TourBook Guides online, and get them delivered to their home.

How do I renew my car registration or driver’s license, get a REAL ID, or transfer a vehicle title right now?

AAA branch locations are open and most are offering limited motor vehicle department services. Arizona branches are unable to process MVD services at this time. Please contact your local branch to find out what services are currently available near you.

State motor vehicle and transportation offices are also providing many services online. Some are offering extensions for renewing documents that expire in the near future. 

California

  • The California Department of Motor Vehicles has reopened all offices with social distancing practices in place to assist with limited transactions that require an in-person visit, but new appointments are not currently available.
  • You can access many DMV services online, including title transfers, vehicle registration, and duplicate driver license requests.
  • The DMV announced it is automatically extending driver licenses. For drivers who are younger than 70, licenses that expire anytime March through July are valid through July 31, 2020. Drivers 70 and older with licenses that expire between March 1 and December 31, 2020 automatically receive a one-year extension.

Nevada

  • Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles offices are now open.
  • Nevada residents can renew vehicle registrations online.
  • The State of Nevada has granted an automatic extension to September 13 on all DMV-issued documents, including driver's licenses, ID cards, and vehicle registrations, that have an expiration date from March 12 and July 15, 2020. Drivers are encouraged to carry the extension letter at all times as proof of eligibility.

Arizona

  • The Arizona Department of Transportation’s MVD offices are open by appointment only for conducting very restricted essential business. Many other services—such as vehicle registration renewal, address change, and voter registration—are available online.
  • Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order to extend license and driving permits that expire between March 1 and September 1, 2020, by six months.

Utah

  • Some Utah Division of Motor Vehicles office lobbies are closed, but many locations have opened drive-through services or are available to county residents for appointments or walk-ins.
  • Drivers are being asked to renew their vehicle registration online.

Montana

  • Montana residents can renew vehicle registrations online.
  • Gov. Steve Bullock extended the renewal deadline by 90 days for driver licenses that expired in March, April, and May 2020.

Wyoming

  • The Wyoming Department of Transportation offers many services online.
  • Gov. Mark Gordon issued a 90-day grace period for driver licenses and vehicle registrations that expired between March 15 and June 1, 2020. Drivers are encouraged to carry the extension letter at all times as proof of eligibility.

Alaska

  • The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles offers many services online.
  • Services that require an office visit, such as commercial driver’s license transactions and the original issuance of driver’s licenses and identification cards, must be scheduled in advance.

What other AAA Member benefits can I use today?

  • Our mobile app allows you to request roadside assistance and track our technician’s route to you in real time, get an instant battery quote, manage your Membership, get directions and maps with TripTik®, find exclusive Member discounts, and more.
  • Many people are concerned about phishing scams and other types of fraud at this particularly vulnerable time. AAA Members can sign up for free identity theft protection with AAA Identity Champion.
  • Save up to 85 percent on prescriptions for people and pets at participating pharmacies with GoodRx coupons (exclusive AAA Member savings). Check with your local pharmacy for pick-up and drive-thru options.

Additional Resources

How do I apply for unemployment?

Many states have waived the one-week waiting period to allow workers who were recently laid off or had their hours reduced due to the novel coronavirus to begin receiving unemployment benefits immediately. 

Here is how to find more information and apply in your state:

Where can I find food assistance?

The USDA announced it would change some of the rules for school lunches so eligible children could receive free meals through the program even with schools closed. Contact your local school district for information about operating meal pick-up programs near you. Children under five and their mothers may also be eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Meals on Wheels continues to deliver meals to seniors who have been advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay home.

More resources by state:

What grocery stores are currently offering special hours for seniors and people who are at high-risk for severe illness from Covid-19?

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AAA is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving Covid-19 situation. Please check back frequently (both here and at all links) for updates. This article was first published on April 2, 2020 and last updated on July 23, 2020.