Should You Join Automobile Association in the UK? 

Having a car in the UK often entails the possibility of an occasional breakdown that requires repair, sudden flat tyre, or even a completely out of fuel scenario in the middle of a lonely road. And that’s where automobile associations come to life, providing roadside assistance, recovery, and other facilities to ensure that the drivers are always on the move. 

But is joining one necessary? How can someone make use of AAA benefits without being a member? What is the cost of full AA membership? And when it comes to reliability, who comes better in the RAC or AA debate? Let’s debate towards the answers of these questions. 

What does an Automobile Association do? 

Associations like the AA, (Automobile Association) and RAC, (Royal Automobile Club) provide breakdown cover which means whenever your vehicle stops in the middle of the road and isn’t moving, they will send a patrol to help you out. Depending on your membership level, they might also provide services like home start assistance and vehicle recovery and if you have to pause your journey mid-way, then they might even cover your hotel stay. 

These are not just for breakdowns but many other associations cover additional perks like discounted fuel, insurance deals, bonus points, registration, and legal assistance for drivers.

Can I Use AA Without Being a Member? 

One of the common queries asked by UK drivers is if they are able to contact AA for help without actually possessing a membership with them. The answer is positive, but that does not come without some trade-offs. 

The AA offers something referred to as “Pay as You Go” breakdown support, meaning you can ask for assistance without being a member of AA. Unfortunately, this pay as you go service uses a higher fee than the basic one-off pay system. 

Depending on what type of issue has to be solved and where it has to be done, the one-time call out fee can range from £100 through to £200. 

If you wish to register for a membership after utilizing the service, you could still be liable for the charge in addition to the membership charges. 

This means, in principle, while it is possible to utilize the benefits of AA without a membership, subscription is usually more reasonable economically than paying for the service upfront.

How Much Does Full AA Membership Cost? 

Remember that the price of an AA membership is based on the cover you select, so here are some estimates on pricing: 

Membership Type Cost (Approx.) Services Included 

Basic £7-£10/month Only Roadside Assistance 

Standard £12-£15/month Roadside and National Recovery 

Premium £16-£20/month Full breakdown cover including home start and onward travel 

Other Considerations: 

With some plans, you are charged an excess fee, which means more money per call-out. 

Promotional offers and loyalty discounts, payments made on monthly versus annual subscriptions, and many other things can affect price. 

Do check if breakdown cover is in your bank account insurance or in your car insurance as these services are often bundled from sellers in the UK. 

Who Is Better, RAC or AA? 

Comparing both groups, AA and RAC, who are the biggest automobile associations in the UK. A lot of drivers struggle to choose between them. I hope this comparison helps you out: 

1. Response Time 

AA: Average call-out time per car is about 45 minutes. 

RAC: Respond quicker than AA, usually 30-40 minutes. 

2. Coverage And Services 

AA: More patrols on UK roads and supports autogarage services.

RAC is likely to work more efficiently with larger vehicles like vans and motorhomes since they appear to have larger tow trucks.

3. Price & Membership Benefits

AA: Membership has extra benefits like some discounts on fuel purchases at Shell and Esso stations.

RAC: Generally tends to be more affordable because they charge a lot less on average and there are not a lot of hidden fees.

4. Customer Reviews

AA: They received good marks when it comes to reliability but mixed to negative reviews with regard to the expenses incurred during the renewal of the membership.

RAC: Customers are generally satisfied with the business and were positive about the customer service, but there were still complaints such as lack of service support in remote regions.

Final Verdict:

Best for Regular Car Owners: AA tilts towards better coverage and discounts on fuel.

Best for Large Vehicles: RAC has better towing capacity.

Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers: RAC has an upper hand because of simpler pricing.

Both companies guarantee respectable service, but the one you select should be based around your type of vehicle, how often you drive, and your desired perks.

Can I Join AA and Use It Immediately?

You can, but there are conditions. The AA requires no waiting period when applying, thus members are free to use services as soon as they join. However, there are some things to consider: If you break down before joining, it is likely you will have to pay a fee for the call out in addition to the membership fee.

Some benefits such as Home Start will take 24 hours to be ready after registration, so please be informed.  

If assistance is needed urgently, it would be advisable to make a phone inquiry to know the exact pricing and minimum waiting time prior to making any commitment.  

What Needs to be Taken in Account When Joining an Automobile Association  

Once you decide to acquire breakdown cover, here are some items you need to check before selecting a provider.  

1. How often you drive and where you operate a vehicle from.  

If you drive only short distances within cities, a basic membership may be enough.  

Long distance traveling or frequent motorway driving? Upgrading to nationwide recovery and onward travel is worth it.  

2. How old is your vehicle and its reliability.  

It is far more likely that older vehicles (beyond ten years) will break down, which makes a higher tier membership sensible.  

If you own a newer vehicle that is still under manufacturer warranty, look out for complimentary breakdown cover.  

3. Multi-Car or Family Cover  

If there are other licensed drivers residing in your household with different vehicles, consider family membership plans in which you can cover all cars under one account.  

4. Offers and Novelties  

As with many associations, there are discounts for new members, NHS staff and customers who bundle with insurance policies.

Seek out seasonal offers as joining at the right moment can help you reduce costs. 

Is an Automobile Association Membership Right For You? 

For people who drive frequently, an automobile association membership is definitely an option worth considering. It might feel like an additional burden at first, but it may save you a much greater expense for emergency breakdown services in the long run.  

AA membership is great for frequent drivers who seek broader cover from other benefits.  

RAC membership is best for vans and those people who like fixed rates.  

If you are an infrequent driver but would like some cover, try pay-as-you-go options but be careful of the cost.