Auto Club members who insure their vehicles through the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club will receive additional premium refunds totaling approximately $46 million. This latest COVID-19 financial relief is in addition to almost $92 million in refunds provided in May and $58 million in July, bringing the total amount returned to auto insurance policyholders to approximately $196 million.
Prior refunds were issued for the period of March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020, and then May 16, 2020 through July 31, 2020. Under this new relief package, every policyholder with auto insurance in effect from August 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020 will receive a refund for 10% of the earned premium for this period. Refunds will be applied as a credit to the member’s policy.. Checks will only be issued for policies that were canceled or paid in full. Members do not need to take any action to receive their refund.
For more than 20 years, the Interinsurance Exchange has paid annual dividends to auto insurance policyholders in California. Combined with this new and prior premium refunds, the Auto Club anticipates that the amount returned to California policyholders in 2020 will total over $462 million.
The new relief package is due to less driving and fewer claims because of the ongoing pandemic.
“While certain aspects of the economy have improved with more people returning to work, the pandemic’s ongoing impact on many Californians, including AAA members, is still being deeply felt,” President and Chief Executive Officer John Boyle said. “We hope this refund can provide additional assistance to members.”
Free Roadside Assistance continues for first responders & medical personnel
Also, the Auto Club will continue to provide free Roadside Assistance services to medical personnel and front-line first responders. The program helps these critical workers if they have a vehicle breakdown, battery problem, or flat tire. Medical personnel and first responders who need service during this crisis call 1-800-400-4222. Since this program was announced in May, the Auto Club has served more than 5,000 first responders and medical personnel.
$1 million United Way donation helping communities
The Auto Club’s extra $1 million donation to United Way in April is being used to bolster COVID-19 relief efforts nationally, including in communities across Southern California. These funds have provided rental/utility payment assistance to families; personal protective equipment to healthcare workers; financial support for homeless services; hygiene and food kits for students and their families; and thousands of books for low-income students. With other corporate contributions, and contributions from our employees, we donated more than $2.5 million to United Way this year to respond to community needs.
Your safety is always our top priority:
AAA travel agents can assist you in navigating the numerous travel changes occurring daily that may impact your travel plans. Access information under Find my reservations.
AAA roadside and battery services are still available, and our drivers are taking extra care to be safe. Members can request Roadside Assistance by calling the number on their AAA membership card, by making an online request, or through the Auto Club App.
If you are exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please inform our dispatcher when you place your call so that we can take the necessary precautions for employee and member safety.
Many of our Approved Auto Repair locations are still available for drop-off service. Find a location. Before taking your vehicle in for service, please call ahead to confirm hours.
Online teen driving courses are still available.
AAA members who insure their vehicles through the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club or its affiliate insurers (Auto Club Enterprises Insurance Group) will receive premium refunds totaling approximately $139 million. Every policyholder with auto insurance in effect from May 16, 2020 to September 30, 2020 will receive a 10% refund for this policy paid through this period. We expect to mail refund checks by the end of November. Members do not need to take any action to receive their refund.
This latest COVID-19 financial relief is in addition to almost $125 million in refunds provided in May, bringing the total amount returned to auto insurance policyholders to approximately $264 million.
Refunds either will be applied as a credit to the member’s policy or mailed as a check, depending on the region. Also, checks will be issued for policies that were canceled or that were paid in full. Members do not need to take any action to receive their refund.
The new relief package is due to reduced driving and claims because of stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders and recommendations. Auto Club Enterprises Insurance Group provides insurance for over 3.5 million vehicles through AAA clubs in 21 states.
“While certain aspects of the economy have improved with more people returning to work, the pandemic’s ongoing impact on many people, including AAA members, is still being deeply felt,” President and Chief Executive Officer John Boyle said. “We hope this refund can provide additional assistance to members.”
Another way AAA is helping our communities in these challenging times is by providing free Roadside Assistance services to medical personnel and front-line first responders. The program will help these critical workers if they have a vehicle breakdown, battery problem, or flat tire. Medical personnel and first responders who need a service during this crisis can callcall 1-800-400-4222. Since this program was announced in May, the Auto Club has served more than 6,000 first responders and medical personnel.
AAA is also announcing a $1 million donation to United Way to bolster their COVID-19 relief efforts across the country. With other corporate contributions, and contributions from our employees, we will contribute over $2.5 million to United Way this year to respond to community needs.
Your safety is always our top priority:
AAA travel agents can assist you in navigating the numerous travel changes occurring daily that may impact your travel plans. Access information under Find my reservations.
AAA roadside and battery services are still available, and our drivers are taking extra care to be safe. Members can request Roadside Assistance by calling the number on their AAA membership card, by making an online request, or through the Auto Club App.
If you are exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please inform our dispatcher when you place your call so that we can take the necessary precautions for employee and member safety.
Many of our Approved Auto Repair locations are still available for drop-off service. Find a location. Before taking your vehicle in for service, please call ahead to confirm hours.
Online teen driving courses are still available.
How are you able to give this premium refund back?
Due to COVID-19, members have been staying home and driving less. As a result, we have been seeing a reduction in auto insurance claims based on data from the last few months.
Which policyholders will receive the refund?
All auto policies active during the period of March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020 will receive a refund based on 20% of their earned premium. In addition, all auto policyholders with active policies during the period of May 16, 2020 through September 30, 2020 will receive a refund based on 10% of their earned premium.
When will the refund checks be sent out?
The first refund checks were mailed out to policyholders at the end of May. The second will be applied as a credit in early November. If the policy is paid in full, a refund will be issued in November.
Can the refund be applied to my outstanding balance?
For the first refund, we have issued a refund based on 20% of the earned premium for the period of March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020.
For the second refund, a credit will be applied to the policy in early November based on 10% of the premium for the period of May 16, 2020 through September 30, 2020. If the policy is paid in full, a refund will be issued in November.
If I had a policy for only part of the time during the period of March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020 or May 16, 2020 through September 30, 2020, will I receive a refund?
Yes. All policyholders will receive a refund based on 20% of earned premium the time period their policy was active from March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020. In addition, policyholders will receive a refund based on 10% of earned premium for the time period their policy was active from May 16, 2020 through September 30, 2020.
If I purchased a new auto policy which was written on or after March 16, 2020 or May 16, 2020, will it qualify for the refund?
Yes. All auto policies that are in force during the periods of March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020 or May 16, 2020 through September 30, 2020 will receive a refund. For policies in force during the first period, the refund is based on 20% of their earned premium for the period of time the policy was active. For policies in force during the second period, the refund is based on 10% of their earned premium for the period of time the policy was active. New policies written within these time frames are also included.
Are billing fees/finance charges included in the refund?
No. The discount is on earned premium, not billing fees or finance charges.
What is earned premium?
The “earned premium” is essentially a portion of the total premium, pro-rated to reflect the amount of time the policy was active from March 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020 and from May 16, 2020 through September 30, 2020.
What’s included in the free Roadside Assistance services to medical personnel and front-line first responders?
For a limited time, non-member medical personnel and first responders (hospital workers, physicians, nurses, pharmacy technicians, EMTs, police, firefighters) will receive free Roadside Assistance at the Classic level of benefits, including flat tire changes, battery jump starts, or towing up to [XX] miles from the point of breakdown. Medical personnel and first responders who need service can call 1-800-400-4222 and have their occupational photo ID ready. AAA members who are medical personnel and first responders can also receive free Roadside Assistance at the Classic level of benefits by showing their occupational photo ID, and the call will not be counted against their membership. AAA Plus® and AAA Premier® members who need additional service beyond the Classic level (e.g., up to 100-mile tow, vehicle locksmith service) can use service calls available under their membership benefit level, but such calls will count against their membership. Service is subject to our regular terms and conditions of Roadside Assistance found in our Member Guide.