what roadside assistance program do you use

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:27 pm

Or I should say, pay for, and what do they provide; have you used them; delays in arrival, etc--any pointers appreciated.

Or do you NOT use one and why?

tia

John

Post by **Biff's R** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:01 pm

AAA

I have a plus membership, and take advantage of the free maps. I have used them a couple of times, but never had to with the bike. They tow cars up to 100 miles for no charge.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:17 pm

Thanks, but specifically roadside assistance for motorcycles

Post by **sjbmw** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:20 pm

Cross country, the BMW plan. $35 bucks a year, and they pay my dealer directly.

One dead battery pickup from my house paid for almost 3 years of fees.

Post by **Caol** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:04 pm

CAA Premier or CAA Plus cover both my pickup and my bike. I've used them once for the bike (starter relay fizzled on my old K75T). CAA sent a skid with a guy that knew bikes, so getting it loaded and tied down was a snap.

Premier service extends the tow radius to 320kms (200mi).

And, of course, the free maps etc.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:15 pm

sjbmw wrote:Cross country, the BMW plan. $35 bucks a year, and they pay my dealer directly.

One dead battery pickup from my house paid for almost 3 years of fees.

do you have a link for it?

did you shop around?

thanks

John

Post by **sjbmw** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:35 pm

I got 3 years of it with my bike purchase. It's through the Cross Country Motor Club. I would contact your BMW dealer for info in your state.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:10 pm

I am a member of the BMWMOA, which includes roadside assistance and towing. Plus it comes with a decent magazine, and the anonymous book (a great resoucre for the traveller).

Last summer I was 'testing' my fuel range and lost. I ran out of gas about four miles from a gas station. I wasn't rushed so I fugred I would give them a try to see how responsive they were. I think it took about 40 minutes for someone to come with a few gallons of gas. I offered to pay him for the gas he put in but he refused to accept anything.

Sunbeemer · Post by **Sunbeemer** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:19 pm

For $8.00/year added to your premium, Progressive Insurance will provide 24-hour nationwide motorcycle towing/assistance for you.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:30 am

R4R&R wrote:I am a member of the BMWMOA, which includes roadside assistance and towing. Plus it comes with a decent magazine, and the anonymous book (a great resoucre for the traveller).

The website does not state that, it says that for the annual membership you are eligible for "discounts" on such service

"5. Discounts and upgrades on motorcycle insurance, hotels, roadside assistance programs and even rental cars."

sounds like what you have may be different? Is this mistated?

And Sunbeemer--bingo!
I have Progressive, I will check with them.

John

Post by **VintageDirt** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:01 am

Anybody have experience with the AMA's MoTow program? I signed up last year but have never had to use it, yet. It's $25/year but of course you also have to be an AMA member.

Post by **MikeCam** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:28 am

AAA RV Plus includes motorcycles. Same services and recovery as cars, trucks, RV's. Used it once when BMW Roadside (Cross Country) could not even find where I was on their maps.

BMW Roadside Assistance = sucks. You get a telephone answered overseas by a script reading drone who cannot offer anything except the written words provided.

AAA RV Plus = A+ You get a local, regional telephone operator who actually knows the area, the available towing companies and the roads where you are and where you need to go.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:18 am

The AAA is a little more than the others, but you may get what you pay for.
this link
http://www.ouraaa.com/memberserv/premier.html
shows the differences in coverage. Note that, I think, you have to go up to the RV level to get motorcycle coverage.

But, I will check out the progressive coverage, because it may be the most cost effective since I am already paying them for my insurance.

John

Post by **boxermania** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:22 am

Had BMW Roadside and never had the opportunity to use it.

Today, if ridding single I will use the tried and true thumb a ride, if ridding double with a lady I will ask her to show some leg.....easier to get a ride......

As a matter of fact, I guess that I have been very lucky since I've never encountered a failure while on the road. All of them have happened before beginning the ride.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:22 am

Dr. Strangelove wrote:
R4R&R wrote:I am a member of the BMWMOA, which includes roadside assistance and towing. Plus it comes with a decent magazine, and the anonymous book (a great resoucre for the traveller).
The website does not state that, it says that for the annual membership you are eligible for "discounts" on such service

"5. Discounts and upgrades on motorcycle insurance, hotels, roadside assistance programs and even rental cars."

sounds like what you have may be different? Is this mistated?

And Sunbeemer--bingo!
I have Progressive, I will check with them.

John

Sorry - I have the platinum level - it cost a little more for the membership, but I think it may be worthwhile.

Post by **Boxer** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:59 am

Allstate/KOA RV Roadhelp. I got it last year because I thought I was going to be riding my rather high-mileage bike out to some distant places. It never happened, unless you consider Iowa a distant place.
So I have not had to use it, but I got it based on good reviews at other forums.

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:34 am

Well, I went with the Progressive add-on to my policy.
Itis $8/year and the towing is:

http://www.progressiveagent.com/claims/roadside.aspx

Towing Ã¢â‚¬â€ Whenever your vehicle requires more than at-the-scene service, you can use your Roadside Assistance coverage to have it towed anywhere within a 15-mile radius, or to the nearest qualified repair facility if one doesn't exist within 15 miles

I asked if the "nearest qualified repair facility" meant a certified BMW motorcycle dealer and the answer was yes.
I went on to ask (and this was verified by a supervisor) if I were 300 miles from a dealer, would Progressive do the tow and it would result in no extra charges, correct? Again, the answer was yes.

The mileage for the tows for AAA RV and PLatinum BMWMOA appeared to max out at <= 200 miles.

My nearest dealer is 75 miles away.

So, thanks to all for the cyber assistance on roadside assistance. IMHO, if you have Progressive insurance their policy is the way to go.

John

Sunbeemer · Post by **Sunbeemer** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:13 pm

Good, I wondered what they meant by "qualified repair facility"! Let me know how it works if you ever have to use it!

And do you know about their accessories coverage? INsures up to $1000 worth of farkles if they get damaged in a crash. Don't remember the annual cost, but I got it and I'm cheap, so it must be worth it!

Post by **Dr. Strangelove** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:45 am

Thanks for the tip, Sunbeemer...I'll look it up

Post by **OU812** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 5:04 pm

R4R&R wrote:I am a member of the BMWMOA, which includes roadside assistance and towing. Plus it comes with a decent magazine, and the anonymous book (a great resoucre for the traveller).

Last summer I was 'testing' my fuel range and lost. I ran out of gas about four miles from a gas station. I wasn't rushed so I fugred I would give them a try to see how responsive they were. I think it took about 40 minutes for someone to come with a few gallons of gas. I offered to pay him for the gas he put in but he refused to accept anything.

I have this and Progressive Ins roadside. Plus my rate for my R was $157 per year. Lucky for me, I have never needed them. B M W !