I recently had Good Sam's Roadside Assistance, but wanted to make a change. Naturally, I went online to Facebook and posted a question about it asking what people preferred. As usual, the most positive responses came from people who have used Coach-Net. I had originally planned to get Coach-Net, but decided against it because it was more expensive.
It's important to note that a lot of insurance companies and extended warranty policies offer roadside assistance. If you're shopping, be sure to check to see if you're covered elsewhere.
After reading various the various comments and experiences of other RVers, I decided to do a little bit of research and compare the four services that are most commonly mentioned: FMCA Roadside Assistance, AAA Plus RV, Good Sam Auto+RV Standard, and the Coach-Net Motorized RV Plan.
Here's what I did:
1. Created a spreadsheet listing features/benefits in column A and the four company's most popular plans across the top.
2. For each feature/benefit, I filled in the corresponding cell for each company's plan based on the information presented on their web sites. If a benefit wasn't mentioned on a company's site, I left that cell blank and highlighted it yellow.
3. After all cells were completed (or incomplete and marked yellow), I called each company and asked for the missing details.
Disclaimer:
Calling FMCA resulted in getting asked to leave a message on a voice mail system. So, missing data for FMCA wasn't recorded. I'm not going to do business with any Roadside Assistance customer service operation that doesn't answer the phone at mid-day on a Friday. Regardless, most other available FMCA data was considered.
Benefit-by-benefit comparison (just the major stuff)
Cost
Cost was evaluated considering first year cost and the year-to-year cost after the first year. FMCA was the least expensive at $109 per year [
Update: on 11/4/2017 I read that FMCA had decreased their rates to $69/year]. AAA was the most expensive, as it was $101 to join + $80 for my motorhome + $24 for my wife + $39 for each additional person (I would have added my daughter). That's $244/year, and it doesn't change. Good Sam's was only $69 for the first year, but it goes up to $118 per year after that. Coach-Net is $249 the first year (they do have discounts), but it drops to $149/year after that. So, in order from least to most expensive: FMCA, Good Sam's, Coach-Net and then AAA.
Coverage for other people in your family
Good Sam and Coach-Net cover your spouse and dependent children under 25 without additional cost. AAA will cover anyone in your family, regardless of age, as long as you pay them (see above). FMCA did not provide data.
Other vehicles you may own
Good Sam's covers cars, boat trailers and motorcycles. Coach-Net and AAA basically cover whatever you're driving, although AAA mentions that motorcycle coverage is available separately. FMCA did not provide data
[Update 11/18/17: FMCA's new web site states they also cover family members and their vehicles. This includes spouse and children under 25 who live with you or are away attending school].
Towing
Good Sam's and Coach-Net will tow your vehicle (RV or cars) to the nearest professional or qualified repair center. Both offer unlimited towing miles and no charges. AAA will only tow up to 100 miles (although there is an upgraded package that will take this to 200 miles for additional cost.). FMCA says only that they will tow to the nearest qualified repair center (no clarification on distance or cost).
Lockouts
All of the services will get you in your locked vehicle. Keys and the cost for making them are extra charges.
Delivery of fuel and other fluids
Good Sam and AAA don't mention this in their information, although I know that AAA will deliver fuel. FMCA will bring gas, oil or coolant. Coach-Net will bring gas, oil, water, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid.
Tire changes
They'll all send someone to replace a tire if you have the spare. If you don't have a tire, the policies are different. Good Sam's and Coach-Net will try to find you a tire and bring it out, paying only for delivery (Coach-Net has a separate policy that totally covers tire expense and replacement if the tire is damaged by road hazards). AAA won't find a tire for you - at least they don't say they will. FMCA will dispatch a "mobile tire service", but it will be towed if a mobile tire service isn't available. And they specifically state that "mobile tire service is not available in all areas".
Technical Assistance
Good Sam's and Coach-Net offer a service where a qualified RV Tech will talk to you and answer questions on the phone. Neither AAA or FMCA offer this service.
[Update 11/18/17: FMCA offers technical assistance on the telephone.]
Battery Boosts (Jumping)
They'll all do this.
Services per year
No information from Good Sam's or FMCA
[Update 11/18/17: FMCA's new web site says that use is "unlimited", but that "if it becomes apparent you are not maintaining your vehicles you could be subject to a rate increase"] AAA says that they'll do four service calls per year, and then charge extra after that. Coach-Net says that their service calls are "unlimited".
Dispatches a mechanic
All but AAA will do this, although FMCA will only do it if you're more than 50 miles from home. You'll have to pay for the mechanic, but they'll find one and dispatch one.
Winch out/extraction
Good Sam's doesn't offer this. Coach-Net will bring winch you out if you're within 100 feet of a roadway. AAA says they'll do it if you're in a ditch or snow and if they can do it safely. They'll also bring in a second unit to help, but will only pay for an hour of their time. FMCA will only winch you out if you're within 50 feet of a roadway and they'll only pay up to $500. FMCA also won't do it if it's the result of an accident or if it's down a hillside or an embankment.
Trip Interruption
If you're sidelined because your vehicle is damaged, they all will cover some of your expenses (like lodging, food, and car rental). Good Sam's will pay you $150 a day up to $1200. You must be more than 100 miles from home, and one per year is allowed. Coach-Net will reimburse up to $2000 and you must be more than 100 miles from your home. AAA will give you only one day of a car rental (if a non-collision tow is needed). AAA will pay up to $1000 if your travel (in your car, NOT your RV) is interrupted because of a breakdown. FMCA will pay $300 per day up to $1200 if you're more than 100 miles from home, and you're limited to one reimbursement in a 12-month period.
Conclusions
There are some benefits, like discounts and concierge services, that aren't shown here. Given all of this information I made the following conclusions. These are obviously my personal conclusions and preferences - you may feel entirely different.
1.
FMCA's coverage lacks in several areas. And I got a voice mail when I called them. I'm sure the voice mail was a customer service line; probably not a line you'd call if you were on the side of the road and needed help. Still, I want better coverage.
Web site:
https://www.fmca.com/benefits/fmca-roadassist.html
Phone: 877-581-8581
2.
Good Sam's has good coverages and a decent price. But I've heard a lot of stories on Facebook about them raising prices unexpectedly during renewals (not verified). And I have other issues with the whole Good Sam/Camping World business in general. They also don't offer technical assistance and, based on my experience with the company in general and what other people have told me, are likely to be more difficult to reach and work with than other companies.
Web site:
https://www.goodsamroadside.com/
Phone: 800-601-2850
3.
AAA is simply too expensive. They also don't offer a couple of the services. Based on price alone, I have to rule them out.
Web site:
https://autoclubsouth.aaa.com/membership/pluspremierrv.aspx
Phone: 855-652-2245
4.
Coach-Net is the second most expensive, at $149 per year after the first year. However, their Facebook recommendations are numerous, their coverages are complete and, for the most part, unlimited, and they will cover just about anything you or your family are driving.
Late note: Someone mentioned on Facebook that Coach-Net may not service all areas of the country, mentioning Maryland in particular. I would imagine that if they can't service that area, then other companies also have some restrictions. I couldn't call them today (they're closed), but will follow up and post here when I get an answer.
Web site:
https://coach-net.com/Products/Compare-Motorized-RV-Roadside-Assistance-Products
Phone: 877-801-0333
The winner? Coach-Net. Great services and often mentioned and recommended by users.
I hope this helps you make your choice for Roadside Assistance. Safe travels!!
