Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

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Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

October 10, 2020, 12:45:22 pm

For years, when traveling around with my camper with our F350, I had and still have an AAA card with RV Plus.
In 20 years I actually needed it only twice.

An acquaintance of mine, after seeing my newly acquired U320, told me I should get Good Sam Roadside assistance, it is much better.
Now it is something to break down in a F350, and an entirely different story in an U320.

Today is a good day!
If you want an example of a bad day, look at the picture of Nov 10, 2019 when I came home and the house looked like this.
After fighting and winning against the insurance company for one year and rebuilding for the next year we are very comfortable now.

Greetings

Klaus

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #1 – October 10, 2020, 12:57:07 pm

My biased opinion is to save your membership fees for the day that you need it. In my opinion, both are deplorable (here have we heard that word before?) and so is FMCA.

When we broke down in our previous coach, about 50 miles east of Winslow AZ, they insisted on towing us to a dilapidated out-of-business gas station where a couple of local yokels tinkered with broken-down pickup trucks older than they were.

We located - and hired - our own towing service and repair service.

Larry

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #2 – October 10, 2020, 01:48:53 pm

Quote from: U295 Owner – October 10, 2020, 12:57:07 pm

My biased opinion is to save your membership fees for the day that you need it. In my opinion, both are deplorable (here have we heard that word before?) and so is FMCA.

When we broke down in our previous coach, about 50 miles east of Winslow AZ, they insisted on towing us to a dilapidated out-of-business gas station where a couple of local yokels tinkered with broken-down pickup trucks older than they were.

We located - and hired - our own towing service and repair service.

Larry

Yup, We have Safco, this sort of service is free with our plan.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #3 – October 10, 2020, 01:52:38 pm

One tows you the closest safe area. One tows to a shop Of your choice. We are changing this week and will have a close look at AAA

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #4 – October 10, 2020, 02:09:53 pm

Using both is an interesting idea, I assume there is nothing in the contracts that prohibits that.

Greeting

Klaus

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #5 – October 10, 2020, 02:17:51 pm

Coach net for us. A lot more than just a tow.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #6 – October 10, 2020, 02:21:56 pm

Coach Net. They have the knowledge and contacts for big rigs and large diesel pushers.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #7 – October 10, 2020, 02:36:59 pm

We have had AAA for 28 years. They put the spare on the U300 without any problems at an event where I had a suit on. But the coverage seems to be less and less as time goes by. Going to look at Coach Net this next year as an addition to AAA.

Nice thing about Mexico. Towing is cheap and they have lots of big rig facilities.

Pierce

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #8 – October 10, 2020, 03:13:35 pm

Another vote for Coach Net.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #9 – October 10, 2020, 03:29:28 pm

I checked Coach Net it out on the internet, sounds promising.
Will read more details.
Unrelated question, what is a "Commercial Member" on the Forum?

Regards

Klaus

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #10 – October 10, 2020, 03:36:10 pm

Coachnet. I avoid anything in the Good Sam family. I think AAA service must depend on where you are at the time. They stranded me on the road years ago.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #11 – October 10, 2020, 04:01:01 pm

Quote from: kepeters – October 10, 2020, 03:29:28 pm

Unrelated question, what is a "Commercial Member" on the Forum?

Commercial Member: A Forum member who wishes to advertise a product or service for sale to Forum members.

Roger, for instance, sells VMSpc kits. He has ads posted in the Commercial Listings sub-forum.

See link below for more info:

Vendor Forum & Posting Standards

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #12 – October 10, 2020, 04:16:30 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – October 10, 2020, 04:01:01 pm

A Forum member who wishes to advertise a product or service for sale to Forum members. Roger, for instance, sells VMSpc kits. He has ads posted in the Commercial Listings sub-forum. See link below:

Vendor Forum & Posting Standards

To clarify - an RV-related product or service. It's entirely free to the commercial member, but they have to abide by certain rules regarding advertising and solicitation and we ask that they be participating members elsewhere in the forum (vs. just joining to place ads). They may only advertise in the Commercial Listings board so that those who don't wish to see these ads can ignore that part of the forum and not see them. It keeps the forum neat and tidy

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #13 – October 10, 2020, 04:37:21 pm

Coachnet for me.
I would not pull out of the driveway with out it.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #14 – October 10, 2020, 05:08:00 pm

Coach net for us. They towed us to where we wanted to go. No questions asked. The tow bill was $1,700. Our dues (sub $200 and cover anything we drive or tow) were well shy of that $1,700.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #15 – October 10, 2020, 06:08:51 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 10, 2020, 05:08:00 pm

Coach net for us. They towed us to where we wanted to go. No questions asked. The tow bill was $1,700. Our dues (sub $200 and cover anything we drive or tow) were well shy of that $1,700.

Coach Net for us as well. I think I helped pay for Bigdog's tow because in over twenty years with Coach Net I have only had to call on them twice. I had a blow-out on the tag axle of my previous SOB coach, and a jump start on my Foretravel. Financially I would have been far better off going without but for peace of mind I agree with Lon (reply #13) I don't leave home without my Coach Net.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #16 – October 10, 2020, 07:15:03 pm

Quote from: Jan & Richard – October 10, 2020, 06:08:51 pm

Coach Net for us as well. I think I helped pay for Bigdog's tow because in over twenty years with Coach Net I have only had to call on them twice. I had a blow-out on the tag axle of my previous SOB coach, and a jump start on my Foretravel. Financially I would have been far better off going without but for peace of mind I agree with Lon (reply #13) I don't leave home without my Coach Net.

Thanks for the Tow Jan & Richard

Peace of mind or just in case is no small thing. I don't have health or life insurance hoping to "cash in" But should you need it, It's awfully nice to have the coverage.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #17 – October 10, 2020, 08:46:42 pm

We had good Sams long story short-- I would not recommend them and I currently have AAA "BUT" they have changed their policy and I'm not sure of exactly what they will do-- Plan to look at coach net
. Was going to look at FMCA but apparently they are not up to par either from above post
Chris

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #18 – October 10, 2020, 08:56:43 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – October 10, 2020, 08:46:42 pm

. Was going to look at FMCA but apparently they are not up to par either from above post

FYI both FMCA and Escapees plans is SafeRide Motor Club.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #19 – October 10, 2020, 09:52:10 pm

Can you get Coach Net over the internet? I looked at their website and it seemed like you had to go through a local distributor.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #20 – October 10, 2020, 10:37:13 pm

Quote from: pugmom – October 10, 2020, 09:52:10 pm

Can you get Coach Net over the internet? I looked at their website and it seemed like you had to go through a local distributor.

See first question in the FAQ:

Frequently Asked Questions | Coach-Net

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #21 – October 10, 2020, 11:23:47 pm

I am convinced.

Before my first longer trip I will join Coach Net.

Not because I think I will come out financially ahead, but the peace of mind I can buy to help me in a stressful situation.

Regards

Klaus

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #22 – October 10, 2020, 11:34:00 pm

Base cost is 249$ ?
I saw sub 200 $

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #23 – October 11, 2020, 12:43:52 am

AAA was $129 a year for rv plus that I just signed up for this year. Never had tow insurance in 54 years of driving.

Fast forward ECU dies and it's a 92 mile tow on a 100 mile limit. $1121 covered.

My progressive policy has $750 road hazard coverage separately. Not needed.

A week and a half ago I drove off with the tow car in park. Ruined 2 front tires. Smoke.

75 miles from Taos canyon to Santa Fe big O tires where they had the correct Michelin's.

New policies on renewal have a $500 limit

AAA again. $400+ tow.

$1,500 for $129. Good deal this year.

I had to find the commercial flat bed and pay, .AAA wrote a check to me to cover it.

Re: Advice solicited on Good Sam vs AAA assistance plans

Reply #24 – October 11, 2020, 10:08:27 am

Quote from: Protech Racing – October 10, 2020, 11:34:00 pm

Base cost is 249$ ?

For those considering signing up (for the first time) with Coach-Net, I would recommend calling them on the phone rather than doing it online. I say this because my personal experience with them demonstrates that they have some degree of flexibility in their policy premiums.

The first time we signed up with Coach-Net (2013) it was through Overland Insurance in conjunction with our coach liability insurance policy. We paid whatever was the going rate at that time. A few years later we switched to another source for our liability policy, and I took over personally dealing with Coach-Net. Around that same time one of our helpful Forum members mentioned the fact that Coach-Net would write a BASIC policy which covers only the coach for a lower price. I got on the phone, talked to a real English speaking person (in the USA) who confirmed this fact, and they helped me convert our policy to BASIC coverage.

Since that time, we have paid under $100 each year for our Coach-Net policy. My last renewal, for a 3 year period, cost $279. They gave me a small additional credit for the 3-year policy period. I will include a .pdf copy of my renewal receipt below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although I believe my coverage under the BASIC policy is exactly the same (for our coach only) as the fancy $249 bells & whistles policy that covers all the vehicles in your family, I have not actually tested this theory. Never had any reason to call them. So I can't say for sure...I may get a rude surprise if I ever need a tow. We'll see...

But anyway, my point is it won't hurt to call them and ask about a "reduced coverage" version of the regular policy. Explain that you only want the "basic" tow and roadside assistance coverage for just your coach. Say you don't want all the extra value crap. If you are not full-time you might also mention that. Cry about not being able to use your coach due to Covid-19. If you get a sympathetic agent, you might get a discount on the price. If they say "NO" hang up and try again a few days later with (hopefully) a more flexible agent. Be persistent. It could save you some cash!

Once you are locked in to the lower price policy, as long as you renew on time (even online), you should continue to get the good price.

Hope this helps. Cheers

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