Had the same situation this week. I had let my AAA lapse for a couple of months, just never got around to paying it I guess and totally forgot about it. Had a car issue Friday and when I called AAA about renewing my membership they said it would probably be in effect the next day if I needed a tow. Mine was technially a renewal since they still had me in the system. Thankfully BIL got my car working and I didn't need a tow but I'm not going to let it lapse again.