AA Plus & AA Motorhome Plus Personal Membership terms and conditions

In these Terms and Conditions:

"AA" means The New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated.

"Member" means the individual financial Member in whose name the AA Membership is maintained.

"Associate Member" is a financial Member, eligible for a discounted subscription, living at the same address as their spouse or partner who is a financial Member.

"Membership Year" means the 12 month period covered by the Member's subscription.

"Subscription" means the annual payment required to remain a Member of the AA.

"Membership card" means the card issued by the AA to the Member.

"Vehicle" means a motorised and roadworthy vehicle, which can be legally used on New Zealand public roads; this does not include motorised wheelchairs, ride-on mowers, or segways.

“Motorhome” means a motorised vehicle that is permanently fitted out for accommodation by the inclusion of sleeping and cooking facilities, but does not include a trailer, caravan, or fifth wheeler that is being towed.

“Specialist recovery equipment” includes but is not limited to fifth wheel coupling tow trucks, hydraulic under lift tow trucks, vehicle wheel skates and Hiab-equipped tow trucks.

"Hazardous Materials" means any substance considered explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, irritating or otherwise harmful in the opinion of the attending AA representative.

"On-tow" is any caravan or trailer being towed.

All dollar values stated are GST inclusive.

AA Membership and AA Plus are non-refundable, non-transferable and personal to the Member.

AA Motorhome Plus is non-refundable, and is specific to one nominated motorhome per household at any one time.

Membership entitlements do not cover pre-existing incidents or breakdowns that occurred prior to the Member joining the AA.

The AA reserves the right to deny services to any Member who in the AA's opinion is or has been abusive, threatening or violent toward any AA staff, or who attempts or has attempted to receive service by deception, with no requirement to refund.

Roadservice callouts are restricted to six free callouts per year, however Members with 10 or more years continuous AA Membership are entitled to unlimited callouts. Callouts in excess of the free annual limit will be charged at $60 (including GST) per callout.

In the event of a vehicle breakdown, the Member must phone the AA immediately to request breakdown assistance and be advised of services available to them. The Member must remain with the vehicle and be able to produce their AA Membership card plus another form of identification acceptable to the AA, such as a driver's licence, when the callout is attended.

AA Plus staff will assist the Member in arranging to have the vehicle repaired or recovered and offer advice and assistance to get the Member to their destination or home quickly and conveniently.

If the vehicle the AA Plus/ AA Motorhome Plus Member is in breaks down, regardless of how far from home, and needs to be towed the AA will recover the vehicle to the Member's home address as listed on the AA Membership record or a repairer nominated by the Member anywhere in New Zealand, as long as the distance is no greater than would be incurred in recovering the vehicle to the Member's home. Any further towing, recovery, transportation (including ferry crossings) and collection costs will be at the expense of the Member. Note that recovery of vehicles requiring specialist recovery equipment (including but not limited to fifth wheel coupling tow trucks, hydraulic under lift tow trucks, coach lifting tow trucks) is on a best endeavours basis and subject to availability. Availability of this equipment may not be available in all areas. Any additional charges/costs for specialist recovery equipment will be at the Member’s expense.

Where a Member has lost their car key and requires the services of a locksmith, and the Member has AA Plus or AA Motorhome Plus, the AA's maximum contribution is $150. This applies to labour content only.

If the vehicle the AA Plus Member is in breaks down 100kms or more from home and cannot be reasonably repaired on the same day, or if the Member suffers personal illness or injury resulting in hospitalisation (excluding injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident) which prevents them from continuing their journey, providing all other conditions of AA Plus are met, the AA will offer to provide the following AA Plus Premier Benefits:

Arrangement of, or reimbursement for, a rental car (subject to normal rental criteria, and availability conditions) for up to three days to a maximum $150 per day to enable the Member to continue their journey or return home. This does not include pre-booked rental cars. Please note: running costs, including petrol expenses and collision damage waiver insurance, are not included. Rental car entitlement includes relocation fees and any delivery fees applicable. Rental car hire agreements require the driver to be at least 21 years of age, have held a current driver's licence for a minimum 12 months and hold a valid credit card.

Where AA Plus cannot provide the Member and passengers with a rental car due to location of breakdown or unavailability, alternative land transport will be provided, eg. train, bus. Additional personal expenses and extra expenses such as ferry crossing tickets are not included.

Arrangement of, or reimbursement for, up to three nights' emergency accommodation (subject to availability) to a maximum value of $150 per day should the Member wish to remain with their vehicle whilst it is being repaired. This does not include pre-booked accommodation, meals or personal expenses.

Note: Rental car, ground transport and/or accommodation entitlements are up to a combined maximum of three days and a maximum overall value of $450.

All AA Plus entitlements and benefits must be authorised and arranged by calling the AA, at time of breakdown and prior to any arrangements being made or costs incurred, on 0800 500 222 (or *222 from a mobile phone).

Caravans and trailers on-tow at the time of the vehicle breakdown are covered by AA Plus up to a maximum 7 metres in length (excluding tow-bar), 2.44 metres wide and/or 3 metres high. (Please note: when recovery of a vehicle is required, caravans and trailers on-tow at the time of the breakdown may be towed by an AA Plus contractor if not required to be lifted and carried, provided it can be towed on the same journey). Additional trips will be at the Member's expense.

In the event of an on-tow caravan/trailer requiring breakdown assistance (rather than the vehicle towing it), normal AA Plus benefits and terms and conditions will apply as they would for a motorised vehicle breakdown, within the claim limits of AA Plus. Recovery of an on-tow caravan/trailer on its own where specialist equipment is required will be on a best endeavours basis and may be subject to resource availability.

If a vehicle or trailer on-tow (including horse floats or motorhomes) is carrying livestock, the livestock must be removed or secured before service is provided. In the event that the service required includes recovery of a bogged vehicle, a tyre change or a tow, the livestock must be removed and safely secured away from the vehicle. 

Each AA Plus claim is to a maximum of $800 including GST, with an overall maximum annual subscription claim of $1500 including GST.

Each AA Motorhome Plus claim is to a maximum of $1500 including GST, with an overall maximum annual subscription claim of $1500 including GST.

AA Plus and AA Motorhome Plus entitlements are only available to AA Members and are renewable annually.

AA Motorhome Plus is non-refundable, and is specific to one nominated motorhome per household at any one time.

AA Plus and AA Motorhome Plus subscriptions are valid for a 12 month period and are not refundable or transferable. Where a Member adds AA Plus / AA Motorhome Plus part way through a Membership Year, this will be billed at the full 12 month price. At the date of the next AA Membership renewal, the part year payment will be calculated. Thereafter AA Plus and / or AA Motorhome Plus Membership will be offered each year when the AA Membership is due for renewal.

• the Member joined the AA within the last 24 hours
• the AA Plus vehicle is over 3 1/2 tonnes gross laden weight or more than 2.44 metres wide overall, more than 3 metres high overall and/or more than 7 metres long overall
• the AA Motorhome Plus vehicle is over 12 tonnes gross laden weight
• the vehicle is unattended by the Member at the time that it breaks down and when roadside assistance is provided
• the vehicle is not on a formed public road, or is on a beach, or is trapped/bogged
• the vehicle is involved in or disabled due to a motor vehicle accident, or stolen, or damaged due to theft or vandalism
• the vehicle is unregistered and/or unwarranted
• the vehicle is un-roadworthy/unsafe, or it would be dangerous or illegal for the AA representative to repair, load or transport the vehicle and/or its occupants
• the Member poses a safety risk to other motorists in the opinion of the AA representative
• the vehicle is carrying any form of hazardous materials
• the vehicle is immobilised due to failure to carry a serviceable spare wheel and wheel changing equipment suitable to the vehicle (where the vehicle is designed to carry a spare wheel)
• the vehicle was being used for racing, pacemaking, speed testing, reliability trials, competitions or off-road activities at the time of the breakdown
• the vehicle is carrying a load beyond the legal limit
• The principle use for the vehicle is the transportation of passengers for commercial gain

Note: recovery of vehicles exceeding 5.5 metres overall length may be subject to delays from some locations due to the unavailability of a suitable recovery vehicle.

• vehicle parts/fuel/repairs on garage/repairer premises
• breakdowns which are covered under insurance policies
• problems relating to electrical items within the vehicle e.g. radio/CD players, fridges
• AA Plus and AA Motorhome Plus benefits if AA Plus or AA Motorhome Plus has been purchased within the last 24-hours
• AA Plus and AA Motorhome Plus benefits of rental car and emergency accommodation:
  • when the breakdown occurs less than 100km from home
  • when repairs can be carried out on the same day as the breakdown by a suitably qualified person/facility
  • reimbursement of rental car and/or emergency accommodation costs which were not pre-approved by the AA at the time of breakdown (where the Member was entitled to AA Plus or AA Motorhome Plus benefits
  • reimbursement of vehicle recovery charges which were not pre-approved by the AA at the time of breakdown
• AA Plus and AA Motorhome Plus benefits if there is a pre-existing incident or breakdown prior to AA Plus or AA Motorhome Plus being purchased
• when the registration of the vehicle requiring assistance under AA Motorhome Plus does not match the vehicle registration previously provided by the Member and approved by the AA
• on-tow vehicles under AA Motorhome Plus

Motor vehicles and caravans/trailers that do not meet the vehicle requirements may be covered by AA Plus or AA Motorhome Plus at the discretion of the AA following written application from the Member; however, terms and conditions may change from those stated on this Website.

A written application should include details of the vehicle age, make, model, uses and general condition and should be sent to: AA Plus, AA, Private Bag, Penrose, Auckland. Generally, vehicles applied for in good condition will be accepted although AA may ask to sight the vehicle to briefly inspect it. If required, there may be a charge to the Member.

Only New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of New Zealand and holders of visas in excess of 12 months are eligible for Personal Membership.

Visitors to New Zealand may purchase a six month AA Visitor Membership. Members from affiliated Clubs and Visitor Members may purchase AA Plus and AA Motorhome Plus, for a limited period of six months which is not refundable or transferable.

The AA is a member of the FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile). The AA maintains reciprocal arrangements with many motoring organisations around the world. As part of the agreement between affiliated motoring organisations, the AA provides standard Membership entitlements for a maximum period of six months to most Members of affiliated clubs once their Membership is validated. Overseas affiliated Members must register at an AA Centre prior to requesting services. Refer to Visitors to New Zealand for the most current benefits and restrictions.

The AA endeavours to ensure all sub-contracted providers are registered with the appropriate trade or professional body and have the necessary qualifications to provide products or services to a standard acceptable to the AA and AA Members.

Please contact the AA immediately if you are unhappy in any way with a referral made by the AA to an independent contractor and the AA will endeavour to rectify your dissatisfaction and/or offer the choice of an alternative provider.

The AA endeavours to provide the full range of benefits and services outlined in this brochure in good faith. However, it cannot be held responsible for consequential loss or damage resulting from acts, events and circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the AA, including industrial disputes, strikes, flood conditions, adverse weather conditions, geographic inaccessibility and the absence or unavailability of sub-contractors which may delay, interfere with or prevent the provision of some or all of the services outlined in this brochure.

For more information on AA Services, visit an AA Centre, get online at www.aa.co.nz or call 0800 500 444 during office hours.

Personal information relating to AA Members is held securely and will not be disclosed to any other person or organisation unless authorised by you. Members also have the right to access and correct the information at any time.