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Old 03-30-2018, 12:45 AM   #1
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Roadside Assistance - Good Sam vs Insurance Co

Sorry if this noob question is answered elsewhere, but didn't see a thread which specifically addressed the comparison.

"Roadside Assistance" is like insurance - something we hope we never need, but we get it for that situation where we DO need it. Interested in hearing about fellow traveler's experience actually using roadside assistance from either Good Sam or through their RV insurance policy. Maybe more interested in hearing from any unlucky souls who have had the misfortune of using both at some point for comparison.

Bottom line? Who's normally better at servicing a break-down with a Class-A coach? Who's contractors are best prepared to respond to a fender bender, blown tire, stuck in sand/snow, screwed up and ran out of fuel? Tow to repair facility? Have basic parts available (like a tire that fits) to get you back on and down the road?

thanks for your advice

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Old 03-30-2018, 01:33 AM   #2
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I had good sam. They raised their price $40 from last year to $129 (if j renember correctly.) Decided to go with my ins co Progresive, $16 for the year. My mh is still covered by Ford so i figured id save the money

Jerry
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Old 03-30-2018, 01:45 AM   #3
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I just finished reading the Sam reviews...nightmares!! So CW sold me my ACE 30.2 last Aug. CW included a SAM Roadside Policy...very nice, it's time to renew and I read that the Standard Coverage doesn't cover powered motorcoaches. Nice work CW! I need to upgrade to a Premium Coverage for $125 and the reviews are crap. So thats not happening. And, AAA in the Northeast won't cover RV's, seems the repair and towing are just way too expensive. Hopefully Progressive has additions I can add to supliment my lack of roadside service.
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Old 03-30-2018, 09:10 AM   #4
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I have had, and still do have GS Roadside Asst. Over the years I have used it 4 times. All times it was for tires either on my rig or tow vechile when I had a 5th wheel. I have not had to use it for a major tow job. Most any company will come out and fix a flat, its the towing you need to look at.

There is a lot of bad press at RV.Net about GSR, but most post only bad never good. Remember there are only so many tow companies around so all the insurance people most likely will use the same tow place.
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Old 03-30-2018, 11:03 AM   #5
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I think there are a lot of RVers that are paying for roadside assistance and wasting their money. It really depends on your situation.

If you are still under a engine/tranny warranty from manufacturer then you probably have it for 80% of your break downs.

Most add-ons with your RV insurance would only be for accidents.

The main issue is who would respond if you blew a tire.
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Old 03-30-2018, 12:11 PM   #6
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Coach-net

Although not the cheapest roadside assistance out there the reviews on other forums (irv2) had rave reviews. I've had CN (Coach-net) for 2 years now and had to use them once a few years ago to get a tow to Ford from where my coach was in storage. A wrecker arrived in a little over 1 hr. from my initial call. CN had a list of recomended repair facilities for my no start no power and i wanted my local Ford who serviced motorhomes, nice to have options. They followed up with several more calls saying it was on its way and then again when it was 10 min out. The wrecker operator was knowledagable about RVs, disconnected the drive shaft and never went over 25mph taking back roads to the Ford dealer 15 miles away. Another call from CN soon after the tow to see if all went well. That one tow paid for many years of the yearly subscription.
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Old 03-30-2018, 12:26 PM   #7
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After several years of no claims with Good Sam, we had a flat tire call, a dead battery call, and a car towing call in one year. Good Sam sent us a renewal notice for $219.95. We are switching to FMCA.
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Old 03-30-2018, 12:35 PM   #8
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We've got Good Sam, FMCA and our insurance carrier...
Who you gonna call?

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Old 03-30-2018, 02:50 PM   #9
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Coach Net hands down. They are a no brainer.
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Old 03-30-2018, 03:04 PM   #10
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We also have roadside assistance through Progressive, Good Sam and FMCA. We will probably drop Good Sam as the last two times we called concerning flat tires, they couldn't/wouldn't help us saying they didn't have any service centers nearby. Fortunately Google saved the day as we found a tire shop only 10 minutes away that could handle trucks. We haven't had the opportunity to call FMCA's roadside assistance yet.
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Old 03-30-2018, 03:11 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by cpmath View Post
Coach Net hands down. They are a no brainer.
Do you have a link for them?
(Can't have too many arrows in the quiver! )
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Old 03-30-2018, 04:04 PM   #12
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We had CoachNet for one year when we purchased our motorhome new. After the first year, they wanted $249 to renew (for all Class A, B or C.) It was $179 for all towables. That seemed a bit expensive.
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Old 03-30-2018, 04:05 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Do you have a link for them?
(Can't have too many arrows in the quiver! )
http://www.coach-net.com
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Old 03-30-2018, 04:13 PM   #14
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Old 03-30-2018, 04:46 PM   #15
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You may want to read the Ford owner's manual that came with your coach. If I remember correctly they also provide roadside assistance (forget for how long, however).
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Old 03-30-2018, 05:10 PM   #16
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As I said: "More arrows in the quiver!"
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Old 03-30-2018, 05:59 PM   #17
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You may want to read the Ford owner's manual that came with your coach. If I remember correctly they also provide roadside assistance (forget for how long, however).
3 year 36ooo mile
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Old 03-30-2018, 06:00 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jpmihalk View Post
We had CoachNet for one year when we purchased our motorhome new. After the first year, they wanted $249 to renew (for all Class A, B or C.) It was $179 for all towables. That seemed a bit expensive.
Very expensive
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Old 03-30-2018, 06:51 PM   #19
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I have a real world comparison of Good Sams and StateFarm roadside assistance. Our previous RV was a Sprinter based Itasca Reyo. It started having engine issues. We were able to drive it (barely) to the nearest Mercedes specialty mechanic. It was 90 miles from the second house (yes, we do live it the boonies ).

Once they had a look at it, the mechanic didn't have the equipment to fix the fuel rail and told us that we pretty much had to take it to a Mercedes dealership to fix it. It was over 200 miles away. There was no way we were going to be able to drive it that far. So, I got on the phone with Good Sams roadside assistance.

They kept trying to take it to places that couldn't fix it. I know, I called the places they wanted to take it to and asked if they could diagnose a fuel rail problem. Apparently, Good Sams just asked can you fix a Sprinter and stopped at that.

After struggling with Good Sams to say that they would have it towed to Mercedes dealership for 4 days (!!!!), I called my State Farm agent. They said, sure it's covered. I found someone who would tow it from Grand Junction, CO to Lindon, Ut and paid them $1400. I got a check from State Farm about a week later for the entire amount.

Needless to say, when my Good Sams roadside assistance came due, I didn't renew it.
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Old 03-30-2018, 07:57 PM   #20
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Sorry to hear that they put you through the wringer like that!
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