Roadside Assistance

[SpeakEasy]

We'll be setting out on a 6-week road trip soon, and I've been looking at all the options for different roadside assistance plans. I priced out Good Sam, AAA, and Coachnet. While prices varied, they all seemed to me to be overpriced for what they offered. Also, I've read numerous complaints here on the boards about shortcomings from all three of them. (Coachnet seems to get the fewest complaints, but that's just a feeling - not a data analysis.)

I was all set to forget the whole thing, when it occurred to me to see what my auto insurance (Erie) had to offer. I have full coverage on the truck and liability coverage on the trailer. Turns out my coverage includes roadside assistance. When I pressed them on what was actually covered, it turns out I can get towing, flat tire repair, and battery jumping. It's on a reimbursement basis, so I'm responsible for finding a service center that will help me out if I have trouble on the road, paying them, and then submitting paperwork.

My point in sharing this is to point anyone in the same boat to a solution that I found. Check with your auto insurer before you write that check to one of the big three. I'm sure some forum members here are going to jump in with all the reasons I'm not as well covered as I would be with one of the big three, but I'm happy with the way things stand.

Peace

-Speak

[Cummins12V98]

Gulfcoast wrote:
Just reading the website.

Yup

[Gulfcoast]

Just reading the website.

[Cummins12V98]

Gulfcoast wrote:
Farmers Insurance...

From their website:

Emergency tow – covering up to $150

Towing

Must be different options because I have turned in MUCH higher towing bills than $150.

[MDKMDK]

Looks like the only sure thing about getting ERS from insurance companies is, "it depends". :C

I looked into it a few years back and the ERS addition to our vehicles insurance coverage was more expensive and covered less than GS ERS for a year. I think that was through Aviva. I'm with another insurer now and it was the same deal. I'm due to renew soon, so I'll have to remember to ask again. Things change.

[Gulfcoast]

Farmers Insurance...

From their website:

Emergency tow – covering up to $150

Towing

[Gulfcoast]

My Insurance company includes roadside assistance.... but only pays $100 of the bill.

Read the fine print...

[MDKMDK]

One more issue to consider if using your insurance company for roadside assistance is will a tow/battery/fuel incident be assessed as an insurance claim?
Best to ask your insurer if they keep roadside assistance claims separate from your main policy claims list. Some people reported in other threads that they used the ERS from their insurance company, and their premiums were raised on renewal, because it was treated like an insurance claim.

[rightlaneonly]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Response from my Farmers Agent

"Our towing and roadside covers what is considered a "reasonable cost". In other words, you have a choice of the nearest repair facility or home. There aren't any mileage restrictions.

You are paying $8.30 every six months for the truck towing and roadside and $8.30 every six months for the travel trailer."


IMHO, dirt cheap!

I was shopping insurance awhile back and got a quote from Farmers. It was exactly double for six months what I was paying my current insurance for one years coverage. Stayed with 3A for insurance and use GS for RS. Apples and oranges.

[ppine]

A lot of the good places in the West, no one is coming to help you out. You are on your own.

[Cummins12V98]

Response from my Farmers Agent

"Our towing and roadside covers what is considered a "reasonable cost". In other words, you have a choice of the nearest repair facility or home. There aren't any mileage restrictions.

You are paying $8.30 every six months for the truck towing and roadside and $8.30 every six months for the travel trailer."


IMHO, dirt cheap!

[fj12ryder]

Just make sure you've actually found in your policy that your trailer is covered too. They may tell you that it is, but even agents can be misinformed so make sure it's in writing.