AAA Towing Reimbursement: Paid for a Tow? How to Get Reimbursed
If you paid a tow company yourself because AAA could not send help, the wait was unreasonable, you were outside normal service availability, or another emergency forced you to use a non-AAA provider, you may be able to request reimbursement.
But reimbursement is not automatic. AAA is made up of regional clubs, and each club can set its own claim deadline, reimbursement limits, documentation requirements, and rules about whether you were supposed to contact AAA before hiring another tow company.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: Will AAA Reimburse a Tow You Paid For?
- When AAA Towing Reimbursement May Apply
- Do You Have to Call AAA Before Hiring Your Own Tow Truck?
- How Much Will AAA Reimburse?
- Does Classic, Plus or Premier Affect Reimbursement?
- What Receipts and Documents Do You Need?
- How Long Do You Have to File?
- Can You Use Any Tow Company?
- What If AAA Could Not Find a Tow Truck?
- What If AAA Took Too Long?
- What If You Paid for More Miles Than Your Plan Covers?
- Will AAA Reimburse an Accident Tow?
- Impound, Storage and Stolen-Vehicle Towing
- Can AAA Reimburse Lockout, Battery or Other Roadside Services?
- How to File an AAA Reimbursement Claim
- Why AAA Reimbursement Claims Get Reduced or Denied
- How Long Does AAA Reimbursement Take?
- Official AAA Reimbursement Resources
- Related AAA Roadside Guides
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s
Quick Answer: Will AAA Reimburse a Tow You Paid For?
AAA may reimburse an eligible tow you paid for yourself, especially when AAA service was unavailable or circumstances forced you to use another licensed roadside provider.
Reimbursement is generally based on your membership level and the benefits you had when the breakdown occurred. You may not receive the full amount you paid, particularly if you hired a tow company without first requesting service through AAA.
Best rule: If possible, contact AAA first. If AAA cannot provide service, save the dispatcher information, get an itemized receipt from the tow company, and submit the reimbursement form quickly.
When AAA Towing Reimbursement May Apply
AAA reimbursement is most likely to be considered when you had an eligible roadside breakdown but could not reasonably use AAA's normal dispatch service.
Situations That May Qualify
- AAA could not locate an available tow provider.
- Severe weather disrupted normal roadside service.
- You were in an area where AAA service was unavailable.
- Emergency circumstances required you to obtain service independently.
- You contacted AAA first but were directed or allowed to arrange outside service.
- You paid for another eligible roadside service covered by your membership.
Important: Eligibility is decided by your regional AAA club. A situation reimbursed by one club may be handled differently by another.
Do You Have to Call AAA Before Hiring Your Own Tow Truck?
Usually, you should make every reasonable effort to request roadside assistance through AAA before arranging your own tow.
AAA Club Alliance specifically states that members must make every effort to contact and secure service through AAA before using a non-AAA provider. AAA Washington similarly warns that if AAA roadside service was available but you did not request or use it, reimbursement may be limited to the contracted rate AAA would normally pay its service provider.
Do not assume: Paying a $300 tow bill yourself does not necessarily mean AAA will reimburse $300 if you skipped AAA's dispatch process.
If You Cannot Wait for AAA
- Call AAA first if possible.
- Ask whether service is available.
- Write down the time you called.
- Save any text messages or app updates.
- Ask whether you may arrange your own tow.
- Keep the tow company's complete receipt.
How Much Will AAA Reimburse?
There is no single nationwide reimbursement amount. AAA reimbursement is usually limited by your membership benefits, regional club rules, towing mileage, and the type of roadside service provided.
Some clubs may reimburse up to the benefit you would have received if AAA had dispatched the service. Others may limit reimbursement to AAA's contracted rate when you independently selected a service provider.
| Situation | Possible Reimbursement Result |
|---|---|
| AAA unavailable and you use another tow company | May be considered up to membership limits |
| You contact AAA first and AAA authorizes outside service | Stronger reimbursement case |
| You hire your own tow without contacting AAA | May be reduced to AAA's contracted rate |
| You tow farther than your membership allows | Extra mileage may remain your responsibility |
| You pay for excluded charges | Those charges may not be reimbursed |
Key point: Reimbursement is not necessarily the same as refunding your entire receipt.
Does Classic, Plus or Premier Affect Reimbursement?
Yes. Your membership level at the time of service can affect how much towing would normally have been covered and therefore how much reimbursement may be available.
Classic generally has shorter towing limits, Plus commonly includes longer towing, and Premier may include additional long-distance towing benefits. Exact mileage varies by regional club.
Why Your Plan Matters
- Classic may cover only short-distance towing.
- Plus commonly provides substantially more towing mileage.
- Premier may include an extended towing benefit.
- Specialty vehicle coverage may require additional membership benefits.
- Your membership level must usually have been active before the breakdown.
For towing limits, read AAA Roadside Assistance Limits: Calls, Towing & Extra Charges.
What Receipts and Documents Do You Need?
Documentation is one of the most important parts of an AAA reimbursement claim.
AAA Mountain West says the receipt should be itemized and show the name of the AAA member receiving service, the service provided, and—when towing is involved—the breakdown location and tow destination.
Keep These Documents
- Original or legible itemized paid receipt
- AAA member name
- Membership number
- Date of service
- Tow company name
- Breakdown location
- Tow destination
- Towing mileage if shown
- Description of service
- Amount paid
- Proof of payment
- Explanation of why AAA service was not used
- Police or insurance paperwork if an accident was involved
Receipt tip: A handwritten receipt that only says “tow — $250” may create problems. Ask for an itemized receipt showing where the vehicle was picked up, where it went, and what you paid for.
How Long Do You Have to File?
The reimbursement deadline varies by AAA club.
AAA Club Alliance and AAA Mountain West currently require many roadside reimbursement claims to be submitted within 60 days of the service date. AAA Washington currently allows up to 90 days for reimbursement consideration.
Do not wait: There is no universal nationwide filing deadline. Submit the claim as soon as possible rather than assuming you have months.
| AAA Club Example | Current Submission Window |
|---|---|
| AAA Club Alliance | Within 60 days |
| AAA Mountain West | Within 60 days |
| AAA Washington | Within 90 days |
Can You Use Any Tow Company?
Not necessarily. AAA reimbursement rules may require that the outside provider be a legitimate or licensed roadside service or towing company.
Using an established tow company that provides a detailed invoice makes reimbursement much easier than paying an individual in cash without proper documentation.
Before Hiring a Tow Company
- Confirm the company is legitimate.
- Ask for an estimated total price.
- Ask the mileage charge.
- Request an itemized invoice.
- Pay in a way that provides proof of payment.
- Save the driver's or company's contact information.
What If AAA Could Not Find a Tow Truck?
This is one of the strongest situations for requesting reimbursement.
AAA Mountain West specifically says reimbursement may be considered when you had to use another provider because of exceptional circumstances such as severe weather or a lack of AAA service availability.
Document the Failed AAA Dispatch
- Time you requested AAA service
- AAA confirmation number if available
- Estimated arrival time
- Messages showing service was unavailable
- Any cancellation notice
- Name of the outside tow provider
- Why you could no longer wait
Best evidence: Showing that you tried to use AAA first makes the reimbursement request much easier to explain.
What If AAA Took Too Long?
A long wait does not automatically guarantee reimbursement. But if the delay became unreasonable or unsafe and you had to arrange another tow, document what happened.
Useful Evidence
- Original ETA
- Updated ETA
- AAA text messages
- App screenshots
- Phone-call times
- Weather conditions
- Highway or roadside safety concerns
- Reason you hired another company
Contact your regional AAA club afterward and explain the circumstances rather than assuming the full outside tow charge will automatically be reimbursed.
What If You Paid for More Miles Than Your Plan Covers?
AAA reimbursement normally does not turn a limited towing benefit into unlimited towing.
If your membership would have covered only part of the trip, AAA may reimburse only the eligible portion while leaving the additional mileage as your responsibility.
Example
If your membership would have covered 5 miles but you independently towed the vehicle 40 miles to your preferred repair shop, AAA may not reimburse the entire 40-mile charge.
Before arranging a long tow: Ask whether AAA will reimburse only the mileage included in your membership.
See AAA Towing Cost: Is Free Towing Really Free? for more on towing-mile limits.
Will AAA Reimburse an Accident Tow?
Accident-related towing can be more complicated because auto insurance may be responsible for the charge.
AAA Mountain West states that for accident-related tows that are not reimbursed through insurance, a signed statement from the member or a statement from the insurance claims adjuster may be required.
If the Tow Followed an Accident
- Contact your insurer.
- Ask whether towing is covered under the claim.
- Save the tow receipt.
- Save the claim number.
- Ask the adjuster whether the tow was reimbursed.
- Get written documentation if insurance does not cover it.
- Then check whether AAA reimbursement applies.
No double reimbursement: AAA generally will not reimburse a service already paid by another insurance policy or benefit program.
Impound, Storage and Stolen-Vehicle Towing
Not every charge on a towing invoice is an eligible roadside-assistance expense.
AAA Mountain West currently states that reimbursement is not provided for charges related to impound or stolen-vehicle recovery towing or vehicle storage.
| Charge | Likely Treatment |
|---|---|
| Eligible roadside tow | May qualify |
| Storage fees | Often excluded |
| Impound fees | Often excluded |
| Stolen-vehicle recovery tow | May be excluded depending on club |
| Repair bill | Not roadside towing reimbursement |
| Insurance-paid towing | Generally not reimbursed again |
Can AAA Reimburse Lockout, Battery or Other Roadside Services?
Possibly. Reimbursement programs can cover more than towing depending on your club and membership.
AAA Club Alliance's reimbursement form covers eligible roadside assistance or locksmith services paid out of pocket. AAA Mountain West has reimbursement processes covering emergency road service and locksmith situations, while some clubs also have separate battery reimbursement forms.
Possible Reimbursement Categories
- Towing
- Vehicle lockout service
- Emergency roadside service
- Battery-related service in eligible circumstances
- Other covered roadside services under your membership
For lockout alternatives, read Car Lockout Help: AAA vs Insurance vs Locksmith.
How to File an AAA Reimbursement Claim
Step 1: Find Your Regional AAA Club
Use the AAA website associated with your membership. Do not use a reimbursement form for a different regional club.
Step 2: Download or Open the Reimbursement Form
Many clubs allow online submission, while others accept email or mail.
Step 3: Gather Your Receipt
Make sure the receipt is itemized and clearly shows that payment was made.
Step 4: Explain Why You Used an Outside Provider
State whether AAA was unavailable, delayed, unable to dispatch service, or whether another emergency circumstance applied.
Step 5: Include Tow Details
Provide the breakdown location, destination, provider, service date, and amount paid.
Step 6: Include Supporting Documents
Add insurance documents, police information, screenshots, or AAA dispatch records when relevant.
Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
Do not assume every AAA club gives you the same amount of time.
Step 8: Keep Copies
Save the claim form, receipts, screenshots, and confirmation number until reimbursement is complete.
Best claim strategy: A short explanation plus a clean, itemized receipt is much better than sending a vague request with no proof of what happened.
Why AAA Reimbursement Claims Get Reduced or Denied
- You never contacted AAA. Some clubs may reduce reimbursement when AAA service was available but not requested.
- You missed the deadline. Regional deadlines can be 60 or 90 days.
- The receipt is incomplete. Missing service details can delay or weaken the claim.
- The charge exceeded your membership benefit. Extra towing mileage may remain your responsibility.
- The tow was already reimbursed by insurance. Double recovery is generally not allowed.
- The bill includes storage or impound fees. Those may be excluded.
- The service provider was not eligible. Some clubs require a legitimate licensed provider.
- The service was outside AAA membership coverage. Reimbursement cannot create coverage you did not have.
- The member was not the person receiving service. Some clubs require the receipt to be in the member's name.
Common mistake: Do not throw away the original tow receipt after taking a photo. Some AAA clubs specifically request the original or a clear copy of the itemized paid receipt.
How Long Does AAA Reimbursement Take?
Processing time also varies by club.
AAA Mountain West currently advises members to allow about 6 to 8 weeks for reimbursement processing. Another AAA regional reimbursement form advises allowing about three weeks, with possible delays during severe weather or other major events.
Do not count on immediate repayment: If the tow bill was large, assume you may have to carry that expense for several weeks while AAA reviews the claim.
Official AAA Reimbursement Resources
- AAA Club Alliance Roadside Reimbursement Form
- AAA Club Alliance Reimbursement Information
- AAA Mountain West Reimbursement Forms
- AAA Mountain West: Emergency Roadside Reimbursement FAQ
- AAA Washington Roadside Reimbursement FAQ
Related AAA Roadside Guides
- AAA Roadside Assistance Limits: Calls, Towing & Extra Charges
- AAA Towing Cost: Is Free Towing Really Free?
- AAA Flat Tire Service: Does AAA Patch Tires or Tow You?
- AAA Jump Start Service: Is a Dead Battery Free?
- AAA Fuel Delivery: How Much Gas Do They Bring?
- AAA Roadside Assistance for Rental Cars
- AAA Motorcycle Roadside Assistance: What Is Covered?
- Car Lockout Help: AAA vs Insurance vs Locksmith
- Is AAA Battery Service Expensive? Compare Before You Buy
- Is AAA Membership Worth It? Roadside Costs vs Paying Out of Pocket
- Best AAA Alternatives: Roadside Assistance Plans That May Cost Less
Bottom Line
If you paid for a tow yourself, AAA may reimburse some or all of an eligible roadside-service expense—but only within your regional club's rules and your membership benefits.
Your strongest claim is usually one where you contacted AAA first, AAA could not provide service, you used a legitimate tow company, and you kept a detailed paid receipt.
Best move: Submit the reimbursement request immediately, include the itemized receipt, explain why AAA was not used, and do not assume the full tow bill will automatically be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ’s
Will AAA reimburse me if I paid for a tow?
AAA may reimburse an eligible tow you paid for yourself, particularly if AAA service was unavailable or another qualifying circumstance required you to use an outside provider. Regional club rules apply.
Do I need to call AAA before using another tow company?
You should make every reasonable effort to contact AAA first. Some clubs may reduce reimbursement if AAA service was available but you independently hired another provider.
How much does AAA reimburse for towing?
There is no single nationwide amount. Reimbursement depends on your membership level, towing benefits, local club rules, and whether AAA was contacted before the outside tow.
What receipt do I need for AAA reimbursement?
Use an itemized paid receipt showing the member's name, service provider, type of service, amount paid, date, breakdown location, and tow destination when applicable.
How long do I have to submit an AAA reimbursement claim?
Deadlines vary by regional club. Some AAA clubs currently require submission within 60 days, while AAA Washington currently allows 90 days. File as soon as possible.
Will AAA reimburse me if I never called them first?
Possibly, but reimbursement may be reduced. Some clubs limit payment to the rate AAA would have paid its contracted provider when the member obtains outside service without first requesting AAA assistance.
Will AAA reimburse accident towing?
It may be considered if insurance does not reimburse the tow. Some clubs may require a signed statement or documentation from your insurance claims adjuster.
Does AAA reimburse storage fees?
Not necessarily. Some AAA clubs specifically exclude vehicle storage, impound fees, and stolen-vehicle recovery towing from reimbursement.
Can AAA reimburse locksmith service?
Some AAA clubs allow reimbursement for eligible vehicle lockout or locksmith services, subject to membership limits and documentation requirements.
How long does AAA reimbursement take?
Processing varies by club. Some AAA reimbursement programs advise allowing several weeks, and AAA Mountain West currently advises approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
