I am asking for comments from people that have their roadside assistance as part of their State Farm insurance policy. Any input both good and bad would be appreciated.We have had AAA for years but the cost difference keeps getting greater and it is time to look around.Thanks

I don't know anything about State Farm but. Check your policy to see exactly what is covered. Lots of folks have been unhappily surprised.

June 2018 on a rural 2 lane road S. of Troy, IL blew LF tire. It took several calls to State Farm and about 3 hrs for them to get a service truck with the correct tire out of St. Louis. The service guy took wheel off and mounted new tire on the shoulder of the road. Got me back underway about 2:30 am. Total out of pocket cost to me $100. I was, as they say, a happy camper.

Read the policy or the prospective policy first before buying anything. Roadside assistance through vehicle insurance may not be sufficient or appropriate for RVs. Some roadside assistance might even exclude RVs, so reading the fine print is required.I think the high points are that you will want to make sure that whatever policy you get provides the services you think are necessary should you get stranded someplace with the RV. The roadside assistance needs to not just provide a tow to the nearest mechanic, but to one that can actually deal with your vehicle type, this is especially important for folks with DP coaches and gas class As.

If you are full-time, they do not write coverage for full-time rv's. The policies state they will pay for towing to the "nearest" facility. This is common with most auto tow policies. I would suggest that you purchase your coverage with rv specific towing, such as Coachnet or Good Sam. If you have a motorized unit vs a tow, make sure you choose the appropriate plan as it will make a difference. We ourselves have a motorhome and have coachnet.

countrykids wrote:I am asking for comments from people that have their roadside assistance as part of their State Farm insurance policy. Any input both good and bad would be appreciated.We have had AAA for years but the cost difference keeps getting greater and it is time to look around.ThanksWe have State Farm Mutual on home and all vehicles.In August headed our of Kingman the brakes on the toad burned up ruined rotors and melted the calipers. The Outfit the Dealer sent it to have the tow equipment installed did not adjust the air brake at all. Returned to Kingman and RV Repair shop there fixed the cylidner adjustment. Thinking everything was ok we rolled out again. About 40 miles east we stopped along side the road to use the facilities. Looked at the toad and everything looked fine. A few minutes alter observed through the camera all four tires smoking. Checked and found the electronic shifter had went into auto park!Put it back in neutral and very slowly eased off on an overpass about 200 yards away. A couple of nice young men came along, in the middle of nowhere and helped us unhook. We called State Farm and they found a flat bed to pick up our car and take it back to the Dealer.next day we found all that happened. Thought we face a legal battle with Dealer and outfit that installed our tow equipment on front of car....It took three weeks. Dealer was in no rush State Farm paid for all the damage and 500.00 of the rental at a discounted rate!Turns out you get anywhere near the car with it stopped after being in motion the key fob send it into auto park. Dealer insatlled a batter y disconnect at no charge and not mentioned in the manual we took loose cover and it took two men, at the Dealer to pull the emergency tow cable and lock it back!Also on the way back out to pick up the motor home, we left in Az, because of Covid and appts back home, we had a rock hit the passenger side windshield up high in Texas. Arizona Dark Glass package and all the bells and whistles safety electronic accident advoidance, cruise distance etc it had to be replaced. They had Safelite come for Havasu and replace it, ad do the electronic adjsutments. Don't Quote me but $2300.00, i think. right now, if we had to pay it. State Farm paid Over $4,000.00 to the Dealer to replace ties and braking system.As to Roadside Assistance for the Coach and other vehicles we carried the old Coachnet and had excellent service. Not so much now as they would not come to our aid on labor Day weekend 2019, Their office was closed. Neithr would Good Sam. We were at a rest area west of Russleville, Arkansas. We had both!i would gve a good luck at FMCA's prodcut but..I understand they all will now only tow to the nearest facility that can handle the coach. Many fo these facilities do not service coaches, and many are only holes in the road, but...they have the label. Perhaps I am wrong?

Roadside assistance | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

jeromep
Explorer II
Jan 06, 2021
Seon wrote:
I never have used GS in the many years I've been a member. But today I couldn't get my tow vehicle started so I called to schedule a tow for January 7th, 2021 which is the soonest my garage can squeeze me in.

The recorded message had me to go thru a series of questions.. punching numbers/letters as what I needed, what type vehicle, yada, yada so I did and added a note that I want to schedule a tow for January 7th.

Shortly later I get a text to call 800-xxx-xxxx and use my phone number as reference which I called. That call then transfer me to dispatch..HUH?? So I explain that I need a tow for January 7th but was told they can't schedule that far out and to call on Sunday to schedule. "Okay, I'll call Sunday" says I.

Shortly after I get a call asking what type vehicle and when and where do I want the tow. HUH again???

I explained again that I need a tow..."Oh never mind" I said, "I don't need a tow".

End of conversation but wait...I get a text asking if I still need a tow and what type of vehicle.

I didn't reply and now have a head ache.

Why not just have the tow done now and leave the car with your mechanic or ask for the tow to be completed the night before it is needed at the mechanic? I can understand why they can't schedule a tow way out, they are roadside assistance, their job is to send help immediately, or get your vehicle someplace that can fix it, also immediately.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jan 06, 2021
Seon wrote:
I never have used GS in the many years I've been a member. But today I couldn't get my tow vehicle started so I called to schedule a tow for January 7th, 2021 which is the soonest my garage can squeeze me in.

The recorded message had me to go thru a series of questions.. punching numbers/letters as what I needed, what type vehicle, yada, yada so I did and added a note that I want to schedule a tow for January 7th.

Shortly later I get a text to call 800-xxx-xxxx and use my phone number as reference which I called. That call then transfer me to dispatch..HUH?? So I explain that I need a tow for January 7th but was told they can't schedule that far out and to call on Sunday to schedule. "Okay, I'll call Sunday" says I.

Shortly after I get a call asking what type vehicle and when and where do I want the tow. HUH again???

I explained again that I need a tow..."Oh never mind" I said, "I don't need a tow".

End of conversation but wait...I get a text asking if I still need a tow and what type of vehicle.

I didn't reply and now have a head ache.

I would not necessary base your overall evaluation of the GS Emergency Road Service based on your recent call but rather an incompetent service dispatch person.
mr__ed
Explorer
Jan 06, 2021
Seon wrote:
Re-reading the Platinum Roadside Assistance membership includes Operational and Technical Assistance by Certified RV Technicians. So will a tech come out to get my vehicle started?

I needed a jump start on my Toyota minivan (I'm RV-less right now) Good Sam tech arrived promptly and, using a small device, got me going quickly. Purchased a new battery later that day at Walmart and was good to go. If you have any questions about your roadside assistance, just give them a call. They're a good outfit, IMHO. :)
Seon
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2020
Re-reading the Platinum Roadside Assistance membership includes Operational and Technical Assistance by Certified RV Technicians. So will a tech come out to get my vehicle started?
mr__ed
Explorer
Dec 31, 2020
MarkTwain wrote:
State Farm and AAA are not your best choice for RV towing service. Go with Good Sam or Coachnet.

X2. I’ve had Good Sam roadside assistance ever since I was RVing, and was never disappointed.
Seon
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2020
I never have used GS in the many years I've been a member. But today I couldn't get my tow vehicle started so I called to schedule a tow for January 7th, 2021 which is the soonest my garage can squeeze me in.

The recorded message had me to go thru a series of questions.. punching numbers/letters as what I needed, what type vehicle, yada, yada so I did and added a note that I want to schedule a tow for January 7th.

Shortly later I get a text to call 800-xxx-xxxx and use my phone number as reference which I called. That call then transfer me to dispatch..HUH?? So I explain that I need a tow for January 7th but was told they can't schedule that far out and to call on Sunday to schedule. "Okay, I'll call Sunday" says I.

Shortly after I get a call asking what type vehicle and when and where do I want the tow. HUH again???

I explained again that I need a tow..."Oh never mind" I said, "I don't need a tow".

End of conversation but wait...I get a text asking if I still need a tow and what type of vehicle.

I didn't reply and now have a head ache.
bikendan
Explorer
Dec 31, 2020
Thermoguy wrote:
I have AAA Plus RV - towed my 5th wheel this summer after the shackles broke. Had to tie up the rear axel to tow. It took him a while to get to me, but we were far from any services, actually very lucky to have cell coverage 1 mile either way and would not have had service. The guy was great, even called a shop to see if they could take us. In the end, towed us to Les Schwab who did the service for under $200. The tow was no charge. They would have towed us from Wallace ID to Spokane WA is that is where we needed to go, fortunately we only needed to go to Kellogg. Would not have wanted to go further set up that way.

are you aware that AAA lowered their RV Plus benefits, back in November?
MarkTwain
Explorer
Dec 31, 2020
NamMedevac 70 wrote:
agesilaus wrote:
I don't know anything about State Farm but. Check your policy to see exactly what is covered. Lots of folks have been unhappily surprised.

Triple AAA has provided me with excellent roadside service at very cheap price. No complaints so far. Cheers

Some told me that AAA RV services are not universally available in all states and cities????
Thermoguy
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2020
I have AAA Plus RV - towed my 5th wheel this summer after the shackles broke. Had to tie up the rear axel to tow. It took him a while to get to me, but we were far from any services, actually very lucky to have cell coverage 1 mile either way and would not have had service. The guy was great, even called a shop to see if they could take us. In the end, towed us to Les Schwab who did the service for under $200. The tow was no charge. They would have towed us from Wallace ID to Spokane WA is that is where we needed to go, fortunately we only needed to go to Kellogg. Would not have wanted to go further set up that way.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Dec 26, 2020
To get a real comparison of Roadside Assistance plans you should do a complete side by side list of services and limitations that each plan offers. You also have to remember that you will read evaluations from people about a particular Road Assistance Plan based on a negative experience they personally had on a specific incident. The world is not %100 perfect all the time nor are all RA plans. Pick the one that meets the greatest number of your RV needs.