Insurance and Road Service choices- decisions, decisions.

[yellowroses]

I have been looking into insurance and road service for rvs. I currently have Safeco and used their road service, but they don't seem to know what an rv is. They have sent out tow service for a van conversion twice when I made sure they understood that I have a class A. I had the work needed done on the spot but the road service was useless. So now I am looking for a new insurer for the class A and the toad and a reliable road service that knows what an rv is.

Readings have urged Coach Net for road service. Others say Good Sam can't be beat. I think both have an affiliated insurance companies. What is the experience of the members of this forum?

Thank you,
Kate

[MelissaD]

Had God Sam but it got expensive like $189 to renew. Since we are not moving I dropped it. Coachnet I've heard happier customers on the other RV boards but you need to compare services.

I also think people have unrealistic ideas on how fast it should be. Remember they have to call a local company to come out to you. Then that guy has to travel to you. When you have a larger RV or a Class A for example you need a Semi repair crew or a Heavy Lift wrecker. It's also $300 for a heavy tow to show up so their services are not cheap. I normally figure if I call for help it will be at leastb1-2 hours before I see anyone. Once in GA I waited 6 hours for the guy to come 3 miles since I had to wait my turn in line. Calling someone out to change a tire on a class A is like a semi, around $300 for the tire and another $2-300 for the guy to come see you. That's if they can find the right tire to bring.

Good customer service is as important as what is actually covered.

I will probably look into Coachnet when I start traveling again.

SO if you are going to call for help try and be somewhere safe for you to wait and safe for them to service you. I look for exit ramps, parking lots or rest area if I can make it to one.

Melissa

[Acadianmom]

I had Good Sam Road Service for quite a few years. There was usually some issue with the service I got. I had a blow out on a bridge once and the service they called sent a kid in a pickup truck that didn't have the equipment to get my tire off. I'm lucky someone didn't run into me before the got some one there that could change the tire.

I changed to Coach-Net a few years ago. I have used them twice and have been happy so far. I think in some places Good Sam and Coach Net use the same companies but Coach Net seems to care more that you are satisfied with the service you received. I have recently heard that the Coach Net Road Service has gone up a lot. I don't know because I don't think mine expires until next summer. I might better check on that but I'm sure if it was expiring I would be hearing from them.

Martha

[Bethers]

I had excellent service from Good Sam - but will only say, make sure whatever service you get or use knows it's about an rv. I know have a specific roadside rv service through my rv insurance (Hartford through AARP). Sometimes the people on the phone don't understand rv insurance, but they have an rv specific policy for full-time rvers and I've had two claims that have been handled fantastically (fast, quick with appraisers, and quick to pay). I haven't had to use their roadside assistance - but like Melissa says - I don't expect someone to appear magically - especially as I take back roads, etc. Several years ago, Good Sam had to find a new company to respond to a friends call - we were in the middle of nowhere - and these guys came out and really took good care of her. When I had my blowout, they asked if I was safe - I was on an interstate during rush hour. Told them that and they also called the local police to try to get to me until service could. The police could use lights and sirens that the service guys couldn't ... I was impressed.

As to insurance - make sure your company understands what they are insuring. And what it covers. The policies are so different from one to another. But more and more are now covering rv's and even full-time rvers. But the policies aren't all equal.

[longdog2]

I couldn't agree with Beth more. Make sure that you are comparing apples to apples when you get insurance on your RV whether it is a motorhome or 5th wheel or trailer. I am in the process of getting new insurance and it is taking a lot of persistant questioning to make sure we are talking about the same thing. MANY companies will insure RVs (particularily 5th wheels or trailers) BUT what you are actually getting is your RV insured just like a car and we all know it is not a car. If you persist in questioning, you will finally get down to the fact that it is insured like your car and does not cover contents or roadside assistance/towing for an RV. They will tell you the contents would be covered under your house insurance (so you would probably have to pay another deductible there!). You really want to know what your insurance covers in terms of roadside assistance when you decide whether you need Good Sam or Coachnet too.

Speaking of Good Sam Insurance (which is National General Insurance through Good Sam), I'm pretty unhappy with them right now. We have had our two vehicles and our 5th wheel covered through them for 10 years. Last June, we had a rental car while our vehicle was being fixed. On the way home, my DH was pulling onto the access road from a side road. The car in front of him pulled out, as he took one quick look over his shoulder to make sure it was still clear, she slammed on her brakes for no reason....no traffic coming and she was already on the access road. Still his fault since he hit her bumper. No damage to her car but rental hood crumpled like tin foil as we were going 5 mph. Good Sam/Nat Gen started out great handling the rental company giving us static about placing a $5000 hold on our credit card (that is illegal in Texas) but after that it was all downhill. The claims adjuster left the company while our claim was in process, our calls were not returned, and we started getting dunning calls from the rental company because they had not yet been paid. It took some serious effort and time on my part to get elevated up two supervisors before we got some action. She found that the check had been written but no one ever mailed it out.

That whole ordeal was bad enough but then I got the renewal notice from Good Sam. Our insurance for the 2008 F250 truck, 2008 Rav 4, and 2009 Jayco 5th wheel went from $1909 to $3694. No tickets and one claim in 10 years of coverage and our cost nearly doubled. They won't be getting our business.

[OregonLuvr]

Well I just went thru this last month.

I had Coach Net and was happy with them but never needed a claim. Well now unless you buy the most expensive plan ($179 I think) your toad or tow car is not covered. So switched to Good Sam Roadside half the cost.

I also had Good Sam Insurance (National) my bill went from $800 to $1085 what???? So started shopping around to compare apples to apples. Finally settled on Progressive for $715 a year with increased coverage, less deductible, and contents $20,000 up from $5000. They have a website you can pick and choose your coverage then get the quote. I spent a considerable amount of time changing the numbers around but finally decided it was a better deal. I have some friends with Progressive that are very happy so thought I would give them a try.

karen

[JudyJB]

I have my motorhome and belongings inside insured through National General. They used to be GMAC, which is an old insurance company. I pay only $94 per month, as of my recent renewal and that includes full-timers insurance and $15,000 worth of belongings. I think they are very reasonable, but I only have a motorhome, no tow vehicle.

I also have CoachNet, and have called them twice for blown tires and once for a locked-in key. (Don't ask.) One thing that is a big advantage for buying their most expensive plan is the technical advice over the phone. I once did not understand my electrical system and had a brown-out because I had pulled the fuse on my inverter--duh. They diagnosed it over the phone and walked me through process of putting fuse back in and making sure everything worked. Also, called them once with a dead battery and they spent 15 minutes walking me through using my generator to try to charge vehicle battery and emergency-start my vehicle. It did not work because battery was really, really dead, but at least I knew where to go next, which was a FIrestone dealer a few hundred feet away to get them to put in a new battery. Overall, I think I have really gotten my money's worth from them, especially for the dumb things I did as a newcomer.

FYI - I now have a second key hidden where no one will every find it.

[yellowroses]

Thanks for your help. Progressive told me that they did not cover motor home rvs and they insured me for four months before dropping me. They got paid, but I was left with no insurance in the event of an accident during that time. Other people said that Progressive does cover MHs, but it doesn't matter if they themselves don't know that. I haven't decided on Good Sam or Coach Net. There is no point in asking my agent because she only understands car and home insurance. She is the one who signed me up for Progressive. I need to come to some conclusion in the next two months.
Thank you all again for your input.
Kate

[monik7]

I have both my RV and car insured with Geico. Haven't had to use it though.
Sandi

[MandysMom]

That is strange what you were told about ProgRessive because I have several friends who insure their bus conversions with Progressive. Guess I'll have to ask to see if there have been changes.my bus and van RV are with National. My cars with USAA.
Velda

[OregonLuvr]

I just signed my Motorhome up with Progressive. I didn't go thru an agent (they only know cars LOL) I went to their website and plugged in my numbers for the RV and got a quote right then, so played around with the numbers and finally settled on a good quote so they do indeedy insure Motorhomes and RV's

karen