Does AAA Jump-Start a Car for Free?
A jump start is included with an AAA membership, so it is "free" in the sense that you have already paid for it with your dues. If you are not a member, it is not free. Here is how it works, with numbers from AAA's own site.
Prices below come from AAA's websites when this was written (October 2026). AAA updates prices and terms, so check AAA Colorado's plan comparison before you decide.
If you are a AAA member
Battery jump starts are part of AAA roadside service, and AAA Colorado lists jump start and battery service on all of its membership levels (Basic, Plus and Premier). Each member gets four service events per membership year. A jump counts as one of them. So, if you are already a member, a jump is covered and you don't pay per call, as long as you are within your four events.
If you are not a member
You can call AAA (800-222-4357) and join over the phone to get immediate service. AAA says that for immediate roadside help you pay a $75 fee on top of the membership price. If you buy a membership online instead, roadside benefits become available 48 hours after purchase. On AAA Colorado's page, Basic is $79.50 a year, Plus is $130 and Premier is $170. So, for a non-member with a dead battery today, a "free" jump can cost around $150 or more once you join (the fee plus Basic dues, at the prices above).
What AAA membership covers that others don't
AAA is a full roadside plan, and it includes towing. On Basic, you get a free tow to a service provider's shop, and Plus and Premier give longer tow distances (up to 100 miles per tow on Plus, with Premier extendable to 200 miles). If towing is your main worry, AAA is the more complete product. That is not what ShoulderCrew is for.
Other places you may already have a free jump
- Your car insurance. Many insurers offer a roadside add-on for a few dollars a month, and a jump is usually included. Check your policy or app.
- Your credit card. Some cards include roadside dispatch, though often as pay-per-use.
- Your car's manufacturer. New and certified pre-owned cars often come with free roadside assistance for a period of time. Check your owner's manual or the maker's app.
- Your phone plan or employer. Some include roadside perks.
- A friend, neighbor, or a jump pack. A $60 to $100 portable jump pack in your trunk pays for itself the first time you use it.
Where ShoulderCrew fits in
ShoulderCrew is a lower-cost roadside help membership for the Denver area. Plans start at $5.49 a month or $39 a year, with Founding Member rates (Basic $29/yr, Plus $59/yr) locked in for the first 100 members. Basic covers 3 calls a year for jump starts, lockouts, flat changes and fuel delivery from local helpers. It is help on the spot, not reimbursement, and towing is not included. We are launching in Denver first, and helper booking turns on as local helpers are verified. If you may need a tow, keep a plan that includes it, such as AAA or an insurer add-on.
| AAA Colorado Basic | ShoulderCrew Basic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.50/yr (per AAA Colorado) | $39/yr or $5.49/mo |
| Jump start | Included | Included |
| Calls per year | 4 service events | 3 covered calls |
| Towing | Included (free tow to a service provider's shop) | Not included |
| Coverage area | Nationwide | Denver area, launching now |
| Style | Dispatched contractors | Nearby local helpers, live tracking |
The two are not the same product. If you want one plan for everything including towing, AAA is a solid choice. If you mostly want a cheap way to get a jump, a flat change or a lockout handled in the metro area, take a look at our plans. We also explain more in how to jump-start a car yourself.
Want roadside help on your side before you need it?
ShoulderCrew is a membership for roadside help in the Denver area: jump starts, lockouts, flat changes and fuel delivery from local helpers, from $5.49/mo or $39/yr. It is help on the spot, not reimbursement, and towing is not included. We are launching in Denver first, and helper booking turns on as local helpers are verified, so join now to be first in line.
See membership plansSign up freeCommon questions
Is a AAA jump start free?
It is included with AAA membership, so members do not pay per call within their four service events a year. Non-members can join by phone for immediate service, and AAA says a $75 fee applies on top of the membership price.
How much does AAA cost in Colorado?
AAA Colorado lists Basic at $79.50 a year, Plus at $130 and Premier at $170 for the first member. Prices change, so check AAA's site.
Is there a cheaper way to get a jump start in Denver?
Options include a roadside add-on from your insurer, a benefit from your car's manufacturer or credit card, a portable jump pack, or a local membership such as ShoulderCrew from $5.49 a month, which does not include towing.
Sources: AAA Colorado: Compare membership levels · AAA: Roadside assistance and non-member fee