Purchasing RV roadside assistance coverage for an RV is essential. RV owners who do not have roadside assistance coverage may face loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars for emergency towing and other roadside services.
RV owners have a number of options when purchasing coverage for RV roadside assistance. This article provides recommendations that will help zero in on preferred coverage choices.
Don't assume your existing RV insurance covers roadside assistance
Most auto insurance companies provide liability and collision coverage for RVs. However, in most cases roadside assistance coverage is an additional cost. Moreover, some auto insurance companies limit or exclude roadside assistance coverage for RVs. Geico, for instance, only provides roadside assistance coverage for RVs that are:
- Less than 20 years old, and
- Insured with Geico for both liability and collision coverage.
Obtain coverage that includes unlimited towing miles and towing trips
Some companies that provide RV roadside assistance coverage limit the number of towing miles and towing trips per year -- for example a limit of 100 miles per trip and 4 trips per year. Although towing coverage limits might be adequate for many RV outings, even a single outing that exceeds towing limits carries the threat of added cost. Moreover, the price of a plan for unlimited towing coverage can be less than the cost of a plan that limits towing coverage. For instance AAA's RV road assistance coverage limits towing and is somewhat more expensive than the unlimited towing plans of either Good Sam or Allstate.
Decide what additional coverage is preferred
In addition to towing, virtually all plans for RV roadside assistance coverage include flat tire service, 24/7 emergency response, lost key/lock-out service and fuel replacement. Coverage in addition to this can vary from one company to another. The following list of additional coverage provided by Good Sam and Allstate can help RV owners decide what additional coverage is preferable, and provides a starting point for comparing additional coverage plans provided by other companies.
Good Sam - Basic
- $79.95/year, first year
- Covers U.S., Canada and Mexico
- Covers RV and all other family vehicles
- Covers 2 adults and children ages16 - 18 (also children under 25 who are in college full-time)
- Provides free pet transportation
- Provides trip interruption allowance
- Coordinates medical care
- Provides travel and service discounts
Good Sam - Platinum
- $109.95/year, first year
- Covers all of the above
- Covers all vehicles driven
- Provides free access to certified mechanics for self-help repair
- Provides $5,000 award for stolen vehicle recovery
Allstate RV RoadHelp
- $75.96/year, first year
- Covers U.S. and Canada
- Covers RV and all vehicles driven
- Covers two adults
- Provides Arrest Bond Benefit
- Provides Legal Defense Benefit
- Provides trip interruption allowance
- Provides travel and service discounts
The above prices were in effect as of the writing of this article. Although prices following the first year are projected to be approximately 25% higher, it is important that RV owners inquire regarding the exact amount of those increases.
Charles Lund - My writing background is extensive, including editing and reporting, personal and business articles, fiction, poetry and personal ...
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