Question: My car battery died and I’m wondering if I should wait for another car to come by or if I should call AAA. How much will a AAA jump start cost?
Answer:
If you’re a member of AAA, you won’t have to pay anything for a jump start, as long as you’re within your allowed number of service calls for that membership year.
AAA jump start service
If your car won’t start, call the number on your AAA card, and a service technician will come out and attempt to jump start your vehicle. If your car won’t crank after the jump, AAA will tow it for you. The distance of your eligible tow will depend on your membership level.
Should I tip AAA for a jump start? While you can tip the AAA technician if you want to, it’s not required.
AAA Mobile Battery Service
You can also use AAA’s Mobile Battery Service if it’s available in your area. A service technician will come to your location and test your battery. If it’s not holding a charge, you can purchase a new one from the technician and they’ll install it for you.
AAA’s Mobile Battery Service is included in all membership tiers, but it’s not available in all areas or for all vehicles. The basic jump start service is available for all members.
Note: Your AAA battery replacement cost may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
How many times will AAA jump start my car?
AAA members are allowed four free service calls per membership year, including jump starts and battery service. Beyond that, you’ll have to pay a $100 service charge for each roadside assistance call.
You do not get additional free service calls with upgraded AAA membership tiers.
Can you call AAA for a jump start if you’re not a member?
If you’re not a member of AAA but you need roadside assistance, you can purchase a membership and request a jump start immediately. Just be aware that you’ll have to pay an additional service fee for using your new membership within the first 48 hours, and this fee can vary depending on where you live.
AAA memberships vary across the country depending which AAA region you live in. Your best bet is to visit the AAA website and enter in your home zip code to get specific pricing and benefits available on their three tiers:
- AAA Classic
- AAA Plus
- AAA Premier
Keep in mind: Even if you don’t have AAA, you may have roadside assistance through your own car insurance provider or as a perk through your credit card or cell phone provider. Be sure to check the fine print on each of your policies to find out what coverage you have.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Kevin Berry is the Senior Director of Content at Jerry and has been working in the digital content space since 2011 across the car insurance/repair, personal finance, travel and sports industries. Prior to Jerry, Kevin was a content team lead at NerdWallet overseeing the Multimedia Production and Travel Rewards teams. Previously, he worked for NBC Sports, Comcast Cable and Nike. He has a Master`s Degree from Arkansas State and a Bachelor`s from Oregon State University.
