What is roadside assistance?
RV Roadside assistance and breakdown coverage are services that assist motorists whose vehicles have suffered a mechanical failure that leaves the operator stranded.
Breakdown coverage may include jump-starting an automobile, diagnosing and repairing the problem that caused the breakdown, towing a vehicle, helping to change a flat tire, providing a small amount of fuel when a vehicle runs out of it, pulling out a vehicle that is stuck in snow or helping people who are locked out of their cars.
Services may also be available as part of the service of a vehicle insurance company, or other companies whose primary business is to offer such assistance, such as AAA.
Some automobile manufacturers also offer roadside assistance for their customers, sometimes for free for some period after the purchase of a new vehicle.
Roadside Assistance – what does it cover?
Provides coverage if the insured’s car is disabled due to a covered emergency and is available 24/7 in the United States and Canada.
- Towing Covered vehicles can be towed to the nearest qualified repair facility.
- Winching Service Pulling a covered vehicle out of an area with a motor-powered cable or chain. Usually offered when a vehicle is trapped in mud, snow, water, or sand within 100 feet of a road or highway.
- Battery Jump-Start Battery failure
- Fuel Delivery Fuel is delivered directly to the covered vehicle. The insured is responsible for the cost of fuel.
- Locksmith Service Keys are lost, stolen, or accidentally locked inside the covered vehicle, we will dispatch a qualified service provider. The insured is responsible for the cost to replace the keys.
- Flat Tire Change
- On Scene Labor Related to disablement, up to one hour.
What should I look for in a Roadside Assistance Plan for my RV?
What is covered
When looking for the perfect Roadside Assistance Plan for you and your RV, you need to know what is covered. Does it fit your needs? or your RV travel style?
Roadside assistance plans typically include towing, dead battery jump-start or replacement, flat tire change, and fuel/fluid delivery. Some plans also include winching and additional coverage such as trip interruption. Many plans additionally offer discounts on travel and dining from partner providers.
Allowable Towing Distance
Know what your options will be while waiting on the side of the road for assistance. Have a plan, know if the service will only tow your RV to the nearest repair facility, or if you can choose another farther away. The distance could be as little as three miles to as many as 100 miles.
If you are on the road in an unfamiliar area, this is pretty important information to have.
Cost/Value
Roadside Assistance Insurance is the Russian Roulette of insurance, should I pay or roll the dice? The main thing you are purchasing is peace of mind, but depending on the company it may be a false sense of security.
On one hand, you never use your plan, or you do and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. On the other hand, your luck of the draw forces you to make multiple calls for assistance. Most likely you will fall somewhere in the middle, but will you have a plan in place, or are you feeling lucky.
Most say with the low cost of coverage it is worth it for the peace of mind. It really does not matter if it gets used or not. My guess is, if you travel enough it will come into play one day.
6 Best Roadside Assistance Programs for RVers
Charlotte Insurance Roadside Assistance – Our Choice
The reason behind our choice is their ability to find you the best rate for the coverage you need. Every company has different rates depending on where you live. Let Charlotte RV Insurance do the work for you to find you the best rate. Plus their customer service is second to none and you will have a relationship with an agent. You will not be sitting around waiting like with a large company call center.
Buying and owning an RV is a dream come true for many travelers across the country. An RV opens up the door to America allowing vacationers to see the many splendors our great nation has.
Your new RV comes with a responsibility to protect and secure it from the dangers of America’s roadways. RV insurance coverage with Charlotte Insurance will protect your traveling companions and assets while you are on the road.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance coverage provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and necessary labor at the time and place of disablement when RVs are disabled due to:
- mechanical or electrical breakdown,
- battery failure,
- insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water, or other fluids,
- flat tire,
- lock-out,
- entrapment in snow, mud, water, or sand within 100 feet of the roadway.
This coverage extends to trailers and vehicles being towed by a motor home and vehicles towing travel trailers even if the tow vehicle is insured with another insurance company. This service is “Sign and Drive,” meaning there are no out-of-pocket expenses; all the insured has to do is sign the receipt and they’re back on their way. Roadside Assistance can be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. Coverage is limited to three covered emergencies for any single covered vehicle in a 12-month period.
Escapees Roadside Assistance
We’ve all been there at one time or another—sitting on the side of the road with a blowout, a malfunctioning part, or we’ve simply run out of gas. Not all roadside assistance companies are up for the task of helping with your RV. To be there in your time of need, Escapees has partnered with Saferide Motor Club to bring you the Escapees Roadside Assistance program (ERA). Available in the US and Canada for as little as $109/year, you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing we have your back.
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
With Good Sam Platinum Roadside Assistance, you and your family are protected while driving all vehicles-multiple RVs and autos, even if they are rented, leased, or borrowed. Your utility and sport utility trailers are also covered.
Your comprehensive Good Sam RV Platinum plan includes
- Standard coverage benefits
- Motorized RVs and Fifth Wheel Coverage
- Multiple RVs
- Coverage for utility and sport trailers
- Coverage for leased, rented, and even borrowed vehicles and RVs
- Operational and Technical Assistance by Certified RV Technicians
Coach-Net Roadside Assistance
Whether you need advice from an RV technician who can guide you through many common technical and operational issues or roadside and campsite assistance when you’re on the road away from home, our extensive provider network throughout the United States and Canada is available whenever and wherever you need it.
As an RV owner, you owe it to yourself to have the protection you need when you need it most. You can rest easy knowing that Coach-Net has you covered.
Coach-Net’s Premier Coach plan not only includes 24/7, all-inclusive roadside assistance but also other valuable benefits such as Concierge Services, Global Emergency Travel Services, Tire Discounts, Camping Discounts, and so much more.
AAA Plus RV
Your RV is your home away from home, and it represents a significant investment that you’ll want to protect with the right insurance at the right rate. That’s why AAA Insurance Agency offers a specialty insurance policy designed just for RVs that can save you money.
A separate RV policy from AAA can cover several types of vehicles including:
- Motor Homes
- Travel Trailers
- Campers
It can give you far more protection than simply adding your RV as an endorsement to your auto policy. If an accident occurs or a repair is needed, it can help you avoid paying a lot out of your own pocket. And, a specialty RV policy might also include coverage for these extras:
- Lodging and transportation if the RV is damaged during a trip
- Personal effects such as laptops, camping gear, electronics, etc.
- And more…
Progressive Roadside Assistance
Whether you use your recreational vehicle for fun or as a full-time residence—the best RV insurance coverage protects your unique needs. Quote RV insurance online and, in as little as three minutes, we’ll help you build a custom policy that covers your motorhome or travel trailer in almost any situation. Get started now and hit the road with confidence.
Roadside assistance covers the same events whether you drive a car, motorcycle, boat, or RV. However, there are some unique aspects to each type. Whether you’re in your own driveway or on the road, you can get help if your vehicle has stopped running due to non-accident-related events (e.g., mechanical or electrical breakdown).
Along with roadside assistance for your RV, your coverage also extends to any vehicle being used to tow/haul your travel trailer, camper, fifth wheel, etc. even if it’s not insured by us.
Do You Need an RV Roadside Assistance Plan?
The real question is, how lucky do you feel? Peace of mind means a lot to me when I am on the road traveling with my family. Peace of mind is also the reason I chose Charlotte RV Roadside Assistance for my coverage. Their RV team does the leg work and if I need anything I can talk to a specialized agent at any time. Customer service is a lost art, but they are always there for me when I need them. With that said, I have rarely used my roadside assistance plan from them, but the peace of mind it offers and the services we have at our fingertips should we need them to make our annual fee well worth paying for sure.
Always take into account that if you do break down, depending on where you’re located, what type of tow truck has to be sent to rescue you, and how far it needs to tow your rig, you could very quickly find your wallet will take a beating. Quite often you will find yourself paying more than the annual fee for any one of these excellent RV roadside assistance plans quickly.
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