The American Automobile Association, also known as “Triple A”, is a federation of 51 independent motoring clubs that operate in North America. AAA is a member service organization that is not-for-profit, and there are currently about 51 million members in Canada and the United States. One of the main services Triple A provides clients is automotive roadside assistance along with insurance.

One of the main reasons why many choose to become paying members of AAA is the locksmith services they provide. In many membership policies, members who require a locksmith to open their car door simply call the AAA who will in turn send a locksmith. Depending on the policy, the member will either not have to pay for the service, or will pay and have a pre-determined amount reimbursed later. Some people have described the service as a “life-saver” and AAA locksmiths enjoy a good reputation for being honest and prompt.

But who are the locksmiths? Are they in-house locksmiths? The answer is no. What happens when you call AAA in an emergency situation when you need your car door opened is that they will immediately call a locksmith for you. You avoid the hassle and panic of trying to find a trustworthy, prompt locksmith in the middle of the night.

However, Triple A will not call any old locksmith who happens to be in the area; they will only call a locksmith who has previously been given Triple A approval and is currently in good standing with the automobile association. If the locksmith shows up late, charges too much or causes unnecessary damage while opening a car door, he will lose his AAA certification. For many small businesses and independent locksmiths, losing AAA accreditation is the kiss of death; even clients who are not AAA members feel a locksmith without an AAA approval is untrustworthy.

If you’re in the United States or Canada and want to be prepared with the phone number of a reliable, trustworthy automotive locksmith, do a bit of research and ask if the locksmith is AAA accredited. If you’re not a member, you won’t enjoy some of the benefits such as free emergency locksmith services, but you’ll at least know that in your moment of vulnerability, you won’t be taken for a ride.