Roadside Assistance - Insurance Options

[Divot]

A year ago I switched my Valk insurance from State Farm to Progressive to save a few bucks, but mostly because Progressive offers roadside assistance for motorcycles and State Farm does not. 

Now State Farm informs me that the cost of my personal liablity umbrella policy will increase about $250/year because I do not have all my vehicles insured with them. 

To keep my umbrella policy costs down I may have to switch my motorcycle insurance back to State Farm, but are there some other options out there to get roadside assistance for the motorcycle?  I don't have it on my other vehicles but it seems like a very worthwhile coverage considering the potential complications of a motorcycle breakdown. 

[old2soon]

Others here have said to join the  A M A. Hope this helps. RIDE SAFE.

[six2go #152]

If you join AMA & go for the auto renewal, you get roadside assistance free for any of your vehicles, 2 or 4 wheel. AMA basic membership runs $39 per yr if I remember correctly. Each year they send an email asking if you want to renew. If not just let them know before the renewal takes place.

[PAVALKER]

Tell your insurance company to "pack sand" and take your business to Progressive, or elsewhere.  Any company that claims to raise your coverage because you don't have all your vehicles covered with them is only fishing for more money, regardless if you insure with them or not.   I am sure you will find adequate, equivalent or better coverage elsewhere.   They are supposed to give "discounts" if you have a home/auto policy, but never say "all" your homes/vehicles etc should be covered.

Regarding the Roadside Assistance.... I had that with HRCA and Progressive, and had a rear blow out late one evening and could not get either company to provide a tow.... til the next morning.  By then I plugged the tire myself, and had my own truck and trailer there to bring it back it needed.   I now have AAA Plus RV coverage, so all my vehicles are covered as is my GF.  And if I have my trailer behind my Valk or the Utility trailer loaded with the Valk or otherwise behind my truck... they are all covered.

[97ValkSteve]

I've got AAA with all my cars with the RV/motorcycle addition.  Actually  had to use the motorcycle one once with a flat tire.  Have used AAA numerous times for other problems so it's really paid off for me. 

[Valk1520]

I had State Farm for almost 20 years when I got a quote from Auto Owners Ins.  I saved over $900.00 a year and increased coverage on my house and cars.  When I called my agent with State Farm, he said "I can't believe you're leaving, we've been friends for so long".  Some friend, robing me of $900 a year (wish I would have thought of that while I was talking to him)

[Chiefy]

Have AAA on the cars and bikes.  Haven't needed them for the bikes, but they have been great with the cars.  And the discounts for rentals/tickets etc... really adds up.

[3fan4life]

I used to feel some loyalty to my insurance provider.

Then I figured out that they had no loyalty to me, so I basically said, "Screw 'Em".

So I would say to DROP State Farm like a HOT POTATO and let 'em know why.

I typically don't rate shop @ every renewal but I do check rates at least every couple of years.

Currently my bikes and autos are with Geico, they were cheaper than Progressive.

Next renewal the auto policy will probably go to USAA because they are cheaper.

Too bad that  USAA doesn't insure motorcycles.

[Serk]

Too bad that  USAA doesn't insure motorcycles.

Sorry for the slight threadjack, but:

https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/insurance_motorcycle

It's technically Progressive, but it's administered by USAA... I was on straight Progressive before, and switched to the USAA Administered Progressive for motorcycles, and my rates dropped a decent amount just from that...

On the original topic, yeah, I'd ditch 'em for playing their games and go with someone else, but that's just me, I DEEPLY resent companies that play games like that.

[fudgie]

Tow Busters is what I use. $50 a year and includes any vehicle, not just my bike. Has everything- gas, tow up to 150 miles, I think. I get it through the GWRRA site but they have there own site.

[donaldcc]

  +1 on AMA.  You get the monthly magazine and if you auto renew also roadside coverage.  Even if you screw up your repairs in your garage they will transport it to shop.  don't remember the cost but VERY reasonable.  

I also have moto insurance with progressive and they include roadside assistance.  have had no rate increase.  Auto and home with USAA, after reading posts i better check moto with them also.   they were higher than progressive a year ago.

[Hook#3287]

I'm with Pavalker ,  tell em to "pack sand" .   

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Tow Busters is what I use. $50 a year and includes any vehicle, not just my bike. Has everything- gas, tow up to 150 miles, I think. I get it through the GWRRA site but they have there own site.

+1 

[Crazyhorse]

+1 AMA auto renewal $39.00 a year.

[Medic]

GO AMA -

I joined the AMA a coupla years ago just for the Roadside Assistance. Cost to join is like $40 a year and if you use a CC for auto renewal, Roadside is free. Like others have said it covers all of your vehicles and can be used up to 3 times per year. I ended up having to use it twice in the first year...once for the Valk while on a cross-country trip, and once for my truck...both times I was several states away from home and both times I received excellent service...cant beat it for the price and access to the other AMA discounts and member services.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Correct me if I'm wrong but AMA tow is for just up to 35 miles I thought.

[donaldcc]

Correct me if I'm wrong but AMA tow is for just up to 35 miles I thought.

From AMA website:

With AMA Roadside Assistance, you get:
Coverage for bikes, cars, pickups, motorhomes and trailers registered to you, your spouse, and dependent children under the age of 24, living at home or away at college.
Coverage in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.
Towing up to 35 miles.
All dispatch and hook-up fees.
Flat tire assistance.
Mechanical first aid: minor adjustments (excluding parts) to repair the vehicle.
Emergency fuel delivery.
Wheel and tire road hazard coverage for the member's vehicles, including trailers.
No exclusions for older motorcycles.
Up to five dispatched service calls per year.
Towing a disabled motorcycle or other vehicle to a shop or the member's home.
Emergency Trip Interruption Service: Up to $100 a day for three days ($300) in reimbursement for meals and lodging if a member's car or motorcycle is disabled in an accident.
Toll-free assistance available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from two national call centers.
AMA Roadside Assistance pays first. No need to pay and wait for reimbursement.
Free trip-routing service (call 800-338-2680).
Free limited legal services (call 800-338-2680).
Free online rewards mall (call 800-338-2680).

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Correct me if I'm wrong but AMA tow is for just up to 35 miles I thought.

From AMA website:

With AMA Roadside Assistance, you get:
Coverage for bikes, cars, pickups, motorhomes and trailers registered to you, your spouse, and dependent children under the age of 24, living at home or away at college.
Coverage in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.
Towing up to 35 miles.
All dispatch and hook-up fees.
Flat tire assistance.
Mechanical first aid: minor adjustments (excluding parts) to repair the vehicle.
Emergency fuel delivery.
Wheel and tire road hazard coverage for the member's vehicles, including trailers.
No exclusions for older motorcycles.
Up to five dispatched service calls per year.
Towing a disabled motorcycle or other vehicle to a shop or the member's home.
Emergency Trip Interruption Service: Up to $100 a day for three days ($300) in reimbursement for meals and lodging if a member's car or motorcycle is disabled in an accident.
Toll-free assistance available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from two national call centers.
AMA Roadside Assistance pays first. No need to pay and wait for reimbursement.
Free trip-routing service (call 800-338-2680).
Free limited legal services (call 800-338-2680).
Free online rewards mall (call 800-338-2680).

Thats what I thought. I like the 100 + miles I get. 

[MP]

I have it on my Progressive Ins.  Used it on a Sunday when my fuel line collapsed.  They tow to Honda dealer, if you want, unlimited distance.  We were almost 100 miles out.  Great service, no cost.  Pd for the whole years insurance right there.

MP

[R J]

My parents had State Farm back in the 40's 50's till 1953.

They had their agent write a policy for my 49 Ford that I had at the base with me in 1950.

Was headed for Korea, so sold the car and had the agent drop everything on the car so as to keep the policy active till I could get another car.

Got a different car when I got back from Tour # 1 in Korea, and he wrote coverage for it.

Someone with my same name, got a divorce, and apparently these Insurance companies subscribe to some listing of all divorces, bankruptcies, locked up in jail and a whole lot of other BS.

Well, the dirty B*stards canceled me.    No questions asked, they just up and canceled my arse.    Was a registered letter, so when I signed for it I was hung by the boyz.  You know what that did to a persons rates if they were under 25?     Yupper, you went into assigned risk for at least 3 years, and a premium of 100, would shoot to over 1,000 a month.

Well. for 4 years I never had a car in my name.    I spent close to $10,000 back then trying to clear my name with the Insurance Department in those 4 years.

We had the house, life insurance and a few other policies with them, they only canceled the auto portion.    Their main office was in Bloomington, IL.   I was sent on a prisoner pickup in Indianapolis, so I stopped off in UNIFORM and had a talk with one of the big wigs.         I walked out of there with no more policies from them and close to $4,000  in my pocket to cover my problems, was the best I could squeeze out of them.     Here in the past 6 months I have been getting brochures from State Farm asking me to contact them for coverage.

On days I have nothing better to do, I call them, talk to a agent, let them get all excited about selling a few new policies, and have him write up apps and etc.  Usually 3/4 to an 1 hours time, When we go for the CC #, I say, have a question for ya.  They say OK, fire away.    I ask if they are so all fired up to sell me now, why did they cancel me on July 23, 1953?      Dead silence usually, then they say, oh, excuse me, we will tear up all this documentation and you have a nice day.

[donaldcc]

I have it on my Progressive Ins.  Used it on a Sunday when my fuel line collapsed.  They tow to Honda dealer, if you want, unlimited distance.  We were almost 100 miles out.  Great service, no cost.  Pd for the whole years insurance right there.

MP

In addition to AMA I have Progressive coverage for bike and this includes their roadside assistance for $6 per year.  i like the towing to "nearest qualified repair facility."  Here is what it covers (from their web site):

Roadside Assistance Progressive Insurance

   
Roadside Assistance coverage provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and necessary labor at the place of breakdown when your motorcycle or off-road vehicle is disabled due to any of the following:

Mechanical or electrical breakdown
Dead battery
Flat tire
Lockout
Insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water or other fluids
Entrapment in snow, mud, water or sand within 100 feet of the roadway

This coverage extends to trailers being towed by a motorcycle. Immediate sign and drive assistance means you have no out-of-pocket expenses — just sign the receipt and you're back on your way. Roadside Assistance is available 24/7.

Roadside Assistance can be purchased for less than $1 a month.

[22Dasher]

I believe farm bureau has towing assistance and I've yet to find a insurance carrier to beat there prices and service.

[Grumpy]

I have Geico, used the towing a couple of times, for $10 on the policy, good coverage.
Towing coverage pays for the following:

• Up to one hour of mechanical labor, if the tow truck driver provides this service.
• Towing of a disabled vehicle to the nearest repair facility, not to exceed 75 miles. This portion of the policy covers towing because the vehicle is mechanically broken down, has a flat tire, needs a jump start, or is out of gas.

Towing coverage does not pay for parts or subsequent repairs. The vehicle must be within 10 feet of a public roadway to be towed.

[Valkahuna]

Actually that's not quite true. In the case of an Umbrella liability policy, which is what the case here is all about, the company it is written by has the right not to extend it to vehicles or properties covered by other insurance companies. They can also make you raise the limits on all your policies to the maximum to lessen the "gap" between the limits of the one policy to the limit of the umbrella policy.

They can't make you insure the motorcycle through them, but if you don't they can (and always do) exclude that policy from the umbrella liability policy. So, it's up to the insured.

As for roadside, the best bet is to join AMA, they have a great program, plus fight for your rights and have a good magazine.

Tell your insurance company to "pack sand" and take your business to Progressive, or elsewhere.  Any company that claims to raise your coverage because you don't have all your vehicles covered with them is only fishing for more money, regardless if you insure with them or not.   I am sure you will find adequate, equivalent or better coverage elsewhere.   They are supposed to give "discounts" if you have a home/auto policy, but never say "all" your homes/vehicles etc should be covered.

Regarding the Roadside Assistance.... I had that with HRCA and Progressive, and had a rear blow out late one evening and could not get either company to provide a tow.... til the next morning.  By then I plugged the tire myself, and had my own truck and trailer there to bring it back it needed.   I now have AAA Plus RV coverage, so all my vehicles are covered as is my GF.  And if I have my trailer behind my Valk or the Utility trailer loaded with the Valk or otherwise behind my truck... they are all covered.

[B]

Join GWRRA. Comes with roadside assistance.

[TearlessTom]

I have to agree with everyone else.  Drop State Farm and like said , tell em why.  

I recently changed my auto insurance to 21 Century from USAA. I had never had anyone bet USAA price but I am saving $500 a year on my 2 vehicles.

Alfa my home owners is trying the same stunt as state farm saying if I want to keep them I have to have my autos insured with them also.

Plus they will no longer provide wind and hail coverage but they could sub it out for a cost of $6500. PER YEAR!!!!  Almost 3 times what I am paying for coverage now. and I still have to pay the first 10% of damage and not of the damage but of the value of the house so if I have a claim I will be out about $10,000 for the year before they pay a dime.........

I DONT THINK SO ALFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I  checked around and got a quote from USAA, they were $4500, and another quote from a local insurance company. for $2,600. for home owners, wind and hail.  Deductible is the same but that is the nature of wind and hail insurance but I will only be out half or $5000. rather than $10,000


I REFUSE TO BE STRONG ARMED INTO WHO I HAVE INSURANCE WITH....THEY CAN BITE ME!!!!!!!


ps:  I will be checking into the AMA myself now. My wife and I were discussing this very topic a few days ago. We have two very long trips planned this year.

[MP]

I have it on my Progressive Ins.  Used it on a Sunday when my fuel line collapsed.  They tow to Honda dealer, if you want, unlimited distance.  We were almost 100 miles out.  Great service, no cost.  Pd for the whole years insurance right there.

MP

In addition to AMA I have Progressive coverage for bike and this includes their roadside assistance for $6 per year.  i like the towing to "nearest qualified repair facility."  Here is what it covers (from their web site):

Roadside Assistance Progressive Insurance

   
Roadside Assistance coverage provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and necessary labor at the place of breakdown when your motorcycle or off-road vehicle is disabled due to any of the following:

Mechanical or electrical breakdown
Dead battery
Flat tire
Lockout
Insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water or other fluids
Entrapment in snow, mud, water or sand within 100 feet of the roadway

This coverage extends to trailers being towed by a motorcycle. Immediate sign and drive assistance means you have no out-of-pocket expenses — just sign the receipt and you're back on your way. Roadside Assistance is available 24/7.

Roadside Assistance can be purchased for less than $1 a month.

Yep, all I did was sign my name to the receipt.  Great coverage, for almost nothing. Have not received my bill in the mail yet, but I just got a email notification from Progressive that my rate was dropping this year.  Good news!

They were the best price I could find last year.  I had carried Dairyland, but the price kept going up, with NO claims.  My agent suggested Progressive, much cheaper, and I believe better coverage.  If my towing experience is any indication, their claims process is great.

MP

[VALKIFIED]

I have it on my Progressive Ins.  Used it on a Sunday when my fuel line collapsed.  They tow to Honda dealer, if you want, unlimited distance.  We were almost 100 miles out.  Great service, no cost.  Pd for the whole years insurance right there.

MP

In addition to AMA I have Progressive coverage for bike and this includes their roadside assistance for $6 per year.  i like the towing to "nearest qualified repair facility."  Here is what it covers (from their web site):

Roadside Assistance Progressive Insurance

   
Roadside Assistance coverage provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and necessary labor at the place of breakdown when your motorcycle or off-road vehicle is disabled due to any of the following:

Mechanical or electrical breakdown
Dead battery
Flat tire
Lockout
Insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water or other fluids
Entrapment in snow, mud, water or sand within 100 feet of the roadway

This coverage extends to trailers being towed by a motorcycle. Immediate sign and drive assistance means you have no out-of-pocket expenses — just sign the receipt and you're back on your way. Roadside Assistance is available 24/7.

Roadside Assistance can be purchased for less than $1 a month.

Yep, all I did was sign my name to the receipt.  Great coverage, for almost nothing. Have not received my bill in the mail yet, but I just got a email notification from Progressive that my rate was dropping this year.  Good news!

They were the best price I could find last year.  I had carried Dairyland, but the price kept going up, with NO claims.  My agent suggested Progressive, much cheaper, and I believe better coverage.  If my towing experience is any indication, their claims process is great.

MP

Going to pick up my Valk in 14 days and 6 hrs. Just added progssive's roadside for the trip but will compare it to AMA when I get home.