Car insurance from The AA is particularly attractive to AA members, as they get discounts on their insurance premiums plus higher cover levels in certain policy areas. However, with its 5-star Defaqto rated comprehensive policy available to to all, including an uninsured driver protection, The AA car insurance is a good option for anyone looking for cover.
It also offers a 4-star Defaqto rated third-party, fire and theft option, but no third-party only. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though, as – surprisingly – third-party cover isn't always cheaper than higher levels of cover.
Some insurers provide a longer period of EU cover as standard than the AA does, but not all include a courtesy car, so it’s best to weigh up your priorities and not just go for the cheapest option. Get a quote from The AA or compare car insurers to find the best one for you.
Best for: Perks for existing AA members
Pros
Comprehensive cover includes uninsured driver protection and courtesy car
Strong customer ratings in Finder survey and on review sites
EU cover up to 90 days as standard
Cons
No third-party only cover available
New for old doesn’t apply to cars over 13 months old
AA is mostly associated with breakdown cover, but it also provides a solid car insurance policy. We’ve looked at what’s included in the cover, the pros and cons of the policy and the benefits of an AA membership.
Who is The AA?
The AA is no stranger to the road – the company has been around since 1905 and even helped originate road signs. Definitely a claim to fame!
Since then, the organisation not only became one of the leading providers of breakdown services in the UK, but also launched The AA car insurance offering, followed by other insurance products.
Who underwrites The AA’s car insurance?
The AA offers customers cover through a range of insurers, a bit like a broker. This means the policies will be underwritten by different companies, depending on the option you choose to go with.
If you’re a young driver with a car that is not worth a whole heap of money, you may be better off going for third party, fire and theft insurance. This might be cheaper than comprehensive, but it’s always worth checking, as there are so many factors involved and comprehensive can actually work out cheaper in some cases.
Motor legal assistance. If you have an accident that wasn’t your fault, this will cover your legal costs (this is dependant on the guilty party being identified and present to take responsibility). By adding this option to your policy, you also get access to a 24/7 legal helpline for advice.
Excess protection. Gives you the option to claim back your excess for certain claims.
Motor accident plan. This is an upgrade to the personal injury cover already included in The AA’s comprehensive car insurance policy. You get additional benefits, such as a £60,000 payout in the event you are injured or killed in a crash.
Membership benefits with The AA
Becoming a member of The AA before you take out car insurance with it can get you a discount on your first policy and every policy you take out with The AA whilst you’re still a member. Members also get the added benefits of higher cover in areas such as personal belongings, added audio equipment, personal accident and more.
What is my excess?
A policy excess is the amount you will have to pay out of the total costs incurred from the claim, and will usually be between £100 and £500. You can volunteer to have a higher excess to get cheaper insurance, or a more expensive policy can mean paying less excess, but this will all be arranged when you take out your policy. Whichever option you choose, make sure you can afford both the premiums and paying the excess in case you have an accident.
What is the claim process for The AA?
The AA has a 24-hour claims hotline that you can call to make a claim: 0800 269 622. You’ll need to have your insurance details with you when you make the call.
On customer review platform Trustpilot, The AA’s insurance gets 4.3 out of 5 stars and a rating of “Excellent”, based on around 23,000 reviews (last updated: February 2024).
Frequently asked questions
The AA only insures people between the ages of 18 and 75.
Yes. If you get your policy by phone, immediate cover is available.
Once you are quoted a price, this will still be available to you for 60 days.
Yes, The AA does offer monthly instalments as long as you can make an initial payment.
Usually you can temporarily add vehicles to your insurance by calling 0800 316 1193 and asking for temporary additional vehicle (TAV) insurance.
Car insurance scores
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
The offers compared on this page are chosen from a range of products we can track; we don't cover every product on the market...yet. Unless we've indicated otherwise, products are shown in no particular order or ranking. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations), aren't product ratings, although we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it; this is subject to our terms of use. When making a big financial decision, it's wise to consider getting independent financial advice, and always consider your own financial circumstances when comparing products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Danny is a publisher at Finder specialising in insurance and investing. He previously worked at the global insurer Aon and has appeared in national media giving advice on insurance. Danny holds a BA in International Business from the University of Plymouth and has undying loyalty to his average-poor football team, Portsmouth FC.
The winners of the Finder Car Insurance Innovation Awards 2024 have been announced, find out who won here.
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