A Comprehensive Guide to AAA Insurance Claims
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When you have been involved in an automobile accident, you may rely on your insurance claim or file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurer to help you recover. However, while you may have done everything your company asks, you can still be denied. Filing a successful insurance claim can be a complicated matter, one that a lawyer can simplify.
AAA is a very popular choice for insurance, with over 61 million policies over their various fields. Even then, you may run into trouble securing your compensation claim without the help of a car accident law firm like Text Kevin Accident Lawyers. We can better help you navigate your insurance claim and understand what you can expect after you have suffered a California automobile accident.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Is AAA a Good Insurance Company?
AAA is a unique insurance provider, in that it is available through certain clubs in select locations. According to U.S. News and World Report, AAA’s coverage differs based on where you live, and certain services are not offered in certain places. Their main appeal is the ability to bundle different types of insurance together in potentially discounted packages and their benefits like the following:
- Insurance bundles tailored to specific needs
- Potential access to additional services
- Availability of local agents
Bankrate also recommends AAA if you are part of the club or want to bundle your insurance, but claims it is difficult to accurately evaluate the company due to the range of differences. Your experience with the company will likely be entirely different depending on where you live. J.D. Power gave AAA a below-average ranking, and while this is affected by their regional differences, you can expect certain benefits.
Tip
Before you begin the claim process, be certain you have carefully gathered as much information as possible. Every bit of proof is more help in securing the proper payment you need.
How Do I Contact AAA in California?
There are a few ways to contact AAA if you need their help, either in general or after an accident. Remember, AAA is a club, making it a little different from most other insurance providers. However, they have still made contacting them as simple as possible.
If you have had an accident, you should contact them by phone at 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357). Otherwise, they can be reached by email and offer a robust FAQ on their website. Their coverage ranges far beyond automobiles, but they still offer as much help as they can with them.
How to File a Claim With AAA
After an accident, it is important to file your insurance claim as quickly as possible. You can either call or fill out a form, providing as much information as you can. A representative of AAA will be assigned to review your claim and walk you through the rest of the process.
The assigned representative will begin an investigation, taking all of your provided information into account. They will speak to any witnesses, gathering their own evidence to conclude how much compensation you are due. When they have reached a decision, you will be granted the decided-upon amount.
While it may seem that your policy provider has all the power in this exchange, you do have a chance to level the playing field. A car accident lawyer on your side will do all we can to ensure that your representative does not undervalue your claim or deny it for faulty reasons. Before beginning your claim process, calling upon one of our Text Kevin Accident Attorneys raises your chances of a successful claim.
Note
While some of these elements may sound negative, the perks of club membership may make AAA worth it. Consider looking into the club in your region and decide based on what they offer.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim With AAA?
Fortunately, AAA does not set a limit on how long you have to file a claim. Whether it is moments or years after an accident, you can still seek compensation as long as you already have the account. However, you have a much higher chance of success if you act immediately.
Ideally, you want as much available evidence as possible with your claim. Particularly if a catastrophic injury was involved, you need to be able to prove exactly what happened and how. Recollection and evidence fade over time, so do not waste precious time and come out worse for it.
State laws, unlike AAA, do impose a time limit on filing a car accident claim. California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 312-366 sets a strict 3-year statute of limitations on these claims, with few exceptions. If you intend to file a successful suit, be certain you have spoken with a lawyer before this time period is up.
Is AAA Good at Paying Claims?
It is difficult to precisely determine whether AAA is good at repaying claims because you may be receiving an entirely different experience depending on where you live. It is certainly your best option if you are already part of the club, though that puts you in a position where you essentially must count on them. Unfortunately, specific claims are difficult to prove or disprove.
In many cases, however, the question is whether AAA will pay out for claims for the injured driver. California is a fault state under California Code 1714, meaning the at-fault party is responsible for paying the injury victim’s claim. While you may have had good opportunities to get minor claims paid, you may potentially have difficulties if you are not the policyholder and are seeking compensation when a policyholder injures you.
Overall, AAA is most worthwhile if you bundle several policies together and may be a good choice for paying out for these claims. Otherwise, there are likely much better options for your automobile insurance. However, if you already have this insurance, you can rely on them for your needs.
Pro Tip
Before you agree on any compensation amount, be sure to review your offer with a lawyer. Even the best insurance provider may try to avoid a proper payout without someone looking out for you.
How Long Does AAA Take to Pay a Claim?
There is no timeline for how long AAA will take to fulfill your claim. The case’s complexity, investigation speed, and several other factors determine the length of time you could be waiting. If they are unwilling to negotiate fairly, you may have a much longer period.
You can rest easy knowing they cannot unfairly or in bad faith drag out the process. If you feel they are wasting time unduly, you should consult a car accident lawyer. This could be a tactic to avoid paying out your claim, calling for legal help to overcome.
It can also take longer if you have a complex case. For example, if you suffered serious injuries or if someone was killed in the accident, it can take much longer for your claim to be settled. We can provide more detailed information about the specifics of your case in these situations.
How Much Does AAA Pay for Bodily Injury?
AAA bodily injury cover varies by state, like most other aspects. It is based on California state requirements, which are $30,000 for bodily injury. You can expect a different amount in a different state.
If you have experienced a severe injury in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the one responsible. A car accident injury attorney can help you when filing your claim in the courtroom. This is unconnected to your insurance, though it could have a larger potential payout.
How Do I Dispute a Claim With AAA?
You may still be denied your claim even though you have done everything right. In these instances, there are options available to dispute their decision. This is a process made much simpler by the aid of a lawyer, but the basic steps are:
- Review the denial to understand why your claim was refused fully
- Seek out further evidence that refutes their claim
- Contact AAA with your lawyer
- File an appeal if you cannot sort the issue out
The important thing is that you do not give up, no matter what. As long as you have a skilled attorney by your side, there are plenty of opportunities to receive your benefits still. We will do everything within our power to help, and we offer a free consultation to begin.
Frequently Asked Questions About AAA Insurance
While insurance claims are a vital part of recovering after an accident, but they can be complicated to follow through with. It is easy to feel lost or confused, putting you at risk of receiving a reduced payout or even none at all. Thankfully, we are here to help you through some common misconceptions about the insurance claim process.
What is an insurance claim?
An insurance claim is essentially notifying your insurance provider that you have had an accident and need financial assistance through your coverage. Ideally, all of the damages in your claim will be covered, though this is not always the case. The provider will have to review your claim before it is approved or denied.
Can you file an insurance claim without a police report?
The CA Department of Motor Vehicles requires that you file a police report if there have been any injuries or deaths or if property damage exceeds $1,000. However, even if this is not the case, a police report is a valuable piece of evidence for a car accident attorney to use. You can usually file your insurance claim without one, but it is smarter to get one first.
How soon can you file a claim after getting insurance?
No matter when you begin your insurance policy, you should receive a payout as agreed upon. If you sign up for an insurance policy in the morning and get in an accident at noon, you are still entitled to coverage. The only situation where you would not be entitled to compensation is if the damage occurred before you got the insurance.
Does insurance go up after a claim?
Unfortunately, your insurance price often increases when you are in a car accident. Sometimes, you may even lose your coverage entirely if considered a risky driver. Fortunately, the California Department of Insurance guarantees that if you did not cause the accident, your premium cannot increase.
Can insurance deny a claim?
Yes, in certain situations, AAA may deny your claim. You may have a lapse in coverage, not have enough evidence to support your settlement, or have policy exclusions. They may also accuse you of fraud, making a car accident lawyer a helpful step in securing your settlement.
Does AAA cover rental cars?
Yes, AAA does cover rental cars. This applies to rentals while your car is unusable, but there is also an option for non-owner insurance if you have a vehicle you use but do not own. Of course, your personal policy may not apply.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today for Legal Help with Your AAA Insurance Claim
While you may hope to rely only on your AAA insurance policy for smooth, efficient help after an accident, this is not always true. An insurance policy can be confusing, frustrating, and leave you feeling hopeless. AAA’s regional differences mean that you may not even have access to some services you took for granted.
In truth, all insurance companies are ultimately in it for profit. This means they may do everything possible to minimize your payout or even outright deny you. A car accident attorney in California may be your only hope of fighting back for the settlement you deserve.
Before you file your claim with AAA, rely on the services of a car accident lawyer like us at Text Kevin Accident Lawyers. We will do all we can to ensure you are served by your insurance policy, fighting against any tactics they may employ. You can trust the words of our satisfied clients, and when you are ready to reach out, you can do so by phone or by filling out our contact form for a free consultation.
Kevin received both his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of California, Irvine. He is the managing partner of Text Kevin Accident Attorneys and is recognized as a standout in plaintiffs’ litigation for personal injury law by Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected legal peer-review publisher. Kevin has written for several law magazines and is an award-winning car accident lawyer in California.
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