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Bowti's avatar
Bowti
Explorer
Dec 21, 2021

Broke down on the road, what's your insurance experience?

Just wondering what your experience has been. I have a RV rider on my policy, but they just say save your receipts and turn them in for reimbursement. I am curious as to how you even know who to call when you are broke down in the middle of no where. It can be even worse if no cell phone service and its after closing time. Not looking for horror stores, just how did you get taken care of. I know many have AAA or Good Sam, is that the best way to go?
  • I preferred the non-insurance co services like AAA or Goodsam because it kept my insurance co from seeing I had any sort of claim.

    AAA worked ok for me a few times.
    Once I was at the end of the year's policy period and had a minor issue on truck so just had it towed the 5 miles home rather than fix it in the store parking lot.

    Once I was out of state and it took 3 days to get a tow truck. They sent 1-ton sized tow trucks (for cars) a few times despite me saying it had to be a big flatbed tow truck. At least I was in a camper. Not the best camping experience either in a noisy parking lot.
    I finally had a family member come to get me and to tow the trailer while the Truck camper and truck was put on the flatbed and towed to the shop.

    Yes, they paid for it all, but towing a big rig or camper or having a trailer attached is still mind boggling for tow companies.

    A lot depends on the willingness of the tow truck driver to do stupid stuff, like tow a truck with a trailer attached to it, or to tow a big class-B using a small tow truck (the tow truck's front wheels were literally coming off the ground that time), or to bring a flatbed tow truck and then tow a trailer at the same time.

    Be careful. Even though I discussed and was assured by AAA that the policy covered both the truck and the trailer it actually did not one time. I had to pay the driver to tow the trailer as he had the camper on a flatbed.

    Maybe Goodsam is a better choice in that they are oriented towards RVs moreso than AAA or your ins co.
    The covdhoax shut me down so I am not traveling non-stop as before so i do not have a road side policy currently.
  • Back in the "old days" before cell phones, you simply raised your hood so others would know you needed help and good samaritans or a police officer would stop and help. Then they would either radio for help or drive to a phone and call for help.

    That 'system' actually worked but I wouldn't count on the samaritans today, since society is not as civil now. As you are then a sitting target on the side of the road, you must also be prepared to protect yourself from the less civil element that shares our roads.
  • I'm currently using the $22/year roadside service I get with my Progressive insurance. The one towing event I've had so far using it was quite positive, and would have been a "sign and go" experience except that the NY Thruway requires that roadside service must be dispatched by their own dispatchers using only providers with special permits. I did have to pay up front that time, but it only took a few days to get a complete reimbursement from Progressive.
  • Your going to get answers all over the board with this one.

    I have National General for insurance Good Sam for Roadside Assistance and have had good luck with them. Twice with my RV and twice with my personal vehicles.
    With Good Sam you contact a call center ( number is on your card ) and give them your situation. They then contact a local tow company to come help you. Wait times may vary based on your location and how busy the tow company is.
    You pay for the tow and submit receipt for reimbursement.

    I know you have an RV Rider on your policy, but double check to make sure it covers your specific vehicle. Good Sam switched up RV plans a few years back and the cheapest plan did not cover Motorhomes but covered tow trailers for roadside coverage. It was all over the forums and I think they finally got it figured out.

    Some RV riders do not include roadside service for RVs, from what I have learned here on the forums that’s why I say to double check your policy.

    If you don’t have cell service, then that’s a whole different problem.
    I always have a tow vehicle with me so I can go get help or cell service if needed.

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