yechave Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I've been reading up on having additional road side insurance for the bike. The BMW dealer offered a contact for BMW Motorrad, Cross Country motor club. I have not had time to call yet for a quote. One other company, was over $300/yr, if I am not mistaken, just for roadside assistance. That just did not sound right. I got a reply from our AAA rep, stating their additional coverage was $35/yr, but I am still not clear as to what exactly that covers the bike for. Does anyone have or used any supplementary roadside assistance bike insurance? How much does it cost and what is recommended? Thank you!
tallman Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 Yes. RV's, motorcycles, vehicles of greater weight/length, in addition to cars. Up to two tow vehicles to extract you, plus other goodies, trip interruption etc... some fine print but I already have 4 famly member w/AAA and it was very cheap to add this to all of our accounts.
smiller Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 A commonly-recommended service is RV Roadhelp, at $89/year (covers all cars, RVs, and motorcycles in a single household.) This is the only service I know of that provides unlimited towing mileage to the nearest appropriate repair center, which in my view is the only way to go for BMW riders.
Bob Palin Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 KOA (Allstate) RV Roadhelp - 85-100 a year, covers all vehicles, much better coverage than AAA who you won't need any more.
Aluminum_Butt Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I carry AAA RV. I've had to use it once for my bike. In my case, I called them and asked for a tow to my dealer as the bike wouldn't start. I asked whether they could provide equipment specific to a motorcycle, and she said they couldn't guarantee it - all she could tell me is that it would be a flatbed. There was no guarantee of an operator qualified to tow a motorcycle, soft ties, etc. Since it wasn't stranded on the side of the road, I opted to have the dealer tow it instead, then I submitted the bill to AAA along with an explanation of my concerns, and they reimbursed the whole thing. It was a 20 mile tow, and cost $100. I like AAA because of the hotel and other discounts I get - in my case, it pays for itself. I understand that the Allstate coverage is better - it will pay for an unlimited tow distance where AAA is limited (100 miles, I think?). If you're in the middle of nowhere, this could make a difference.
Bob Palin Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I always wonder about this AAA discount at hotels, every time I book online there is an "internet rate" or somesuch which is the same as the AAA/AARP/etc rates. When I just walk into a hotel I ask for their best rate and there is almost always a "managers special" which is the same as the AAA rate.
SageRider Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I always wonder about this AAA discount at hotels, every time I book online there is an "internet rate" or somesuch which is the same as the AAA/AARP/etc rates. When I just walk into a hotel I ask for their best rate and there is almost always a "managers special" which is the same as the AAA rate. At least at Best Westerns, AAA rate (and AARP rate) is better than their "best rate" or any other published rate.
Deadboy Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 If you are an AMA member you may want to consider: http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/motow.asp ($25.00) Covers your cars also ($59.99).......
Paco Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 According to their website, MoTow only covers towing up to 35 miles, which in my opinion is hardly adequate to get my BMW scoot to a dealer when I am outside a major metropolitan area that happens to have a BMW dealer.
Bob Palin Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 If you are an AMA member you may want to consider: http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/motow.asp ($25.00) Covers your cars also ($59.99)....... Since you are an AMA rep (I think?) why don't you push them to match the Allstate program? I'd much rather give my money to the AMA than to Allstate/KOA.
glockster Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I like AAA because of the hotel and other discounts I get - in my case, it pays for itself. I understand that the Allstate coverage is better - it will pay for an unlimited tow distance where AAA is limited (100 miles, I think?). If you're in the middle of nowhere, this could make a difference. This is not correct. Do not confuse automobile coverage with your bike coverage. You have $100 worth of towing NOT 100 miles. Read your agreement. On the premium upgrade you have $200 not 200 miles. On a 62 mile tow from Amboy to 29 Palms the first 20 miles were covered by AAA.(20 miles @ $5 per mile= $100) The remaining 42 miles were going to cost ME $210. Get the KOA, I did. I decided to ride my Harley W/O a clutch back to the H-D dealer instead of towing it!
Deadboy Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 Typically the hook up (and even the dispatch) fee is the killer....35 miles may not be enough but I believe it is still a good deal for $25 a year, plus they will send a bike specific tow vehicle....then again my bike insurance includes towing....
russell_bynum Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 Another vote for the KOA/Allstate plan.
tallman Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I like AAA because of the hotel and other discounts I get - in my case, it pays for itself. I understand that the Allstate coverage is better - it will pay for an unlimited tow distance where AAA is limited (100 miles, I think?). If you're in the middle of nowhere, this could make a difference. This is not correct. Do not confuse automobile coverage with your bike coverage. You have $100 worth of towing NOT 100 miles. Read your agreement. On the premium upgrade you have $200 not 200 miles. On a 62 mile tow from Amboy to 29 Palms the first 20 miles were covered by AAA.(20 miles @ $5 per mile= $100) The remaining 42 miles were going to cost ME $210. Get the KOA, I did. I decided to ride my Harley W/O a clutch back to the H-D dealer instead of towing it! glockster that may depend on where you are, different AAA. over here it's 100 miles. AAA Plus Membership – Get all the basic AAA membership benefits plus: Towing up to 100 miles of extended distance towing Free fuel delivery – to get you to the nearest service station Up to $300,000 Travel Accident Insurance Up to $2,000 Car Theft Reward protection Up to $100 in vehicle locksmith services Up to $700 in Trip Interruption protection Off Road Rescue - two trucks and two drivers, if needed Reimbursement for pre-approved non-AAA roadside services AAA Plus RV – all the benefits of AAA Plus, extended to cover your motor home, boat trailer and other qualifying vehicles.
smiller Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 that may depend on where you are, different AAA.And that's one of the problems with AAA recommendations... coverage varies based on region. When comparing towing services be sure to read the fine print (and often the restrictions are in pretty fine print) on your own local AAA coverage. You pay for the farkles in AAA coverage in both price and service restrictions (mileage limitations, etc.) If you need/want this stuff then AAA may be an option, but for pure towing coverage you can often get more coverage for less money elsewhere.
glockster Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 glockster that may depend on where you are, different AAA. over here it's 100 miles. AAA Plus Membership – Get all the basic AAA membership benefits plus: Towing up to 100 miles of extended distance towing Free fuel delivery – to get you to the nearest service station Up to $300,000 Travel Accident Insurance Up to $2,000 Car Theft Reward protection Up to $100 in vehicle locksmith services Up to $700 in Trip Interruption protection Off Road Rescue - two trucks and two drivers, if needed Reimbursement for pre-approved non-AAA roadside services AAA Plus RV – all the benefits of AAA Plus, extended to cover your motor home, boat trailer and other qualifying vehicles. Tallman, I will not dispute this as a geographical issue. However, I would warn everyone that has AAA, in California or not, to check this policy. I have many biker friends in So Cal that have changed to KOA after hearing my story and calling AAA for clarification. It is strictly a dollar issue not a mileage one.. When your stuck on the side of the road in Amboy, CA. is not the time to find out you only have 20 miles worth of towing.
tobyzusa Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 Dang. I have AAA Plus in TX and I would have bet anyone that it was 100 miles. Based on this thread, I just called them and for AAA Plus it's $200 per occurrence for motorcycles. I will not renew with them. They misrepresented the product to me when it was sold.
ShovelStrokeEd Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 I live in Florida and have AAA RV+ coverage, as Tim stated, we are covered for 100 miles of free towing. I have used it twice and both times the tow amounted to about 75 miles, no cost to me and both trucks had adequate tie downs. One call was in Indiana and the tow was to Illinois, the other was within Florida. My company picks up the tab anyway as, with a couple hundred hotel nights a year, the discount amounts to more than the $115 fee.
smiller Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 RV Roadhelp also includes hotel discounts, and KOA discount. They will also take 25% of of your renewal if service ever arrives more than 30 minutes later than the ETA given when you call... who else does that? And of course there's the unlimited mileage factor... I buy towing coverage so I won't have to worry about towing, not so I can worry about how much I'll have to pay past some mileage limit. They just seem to be a much better deal.
glockster Posted October 15, 2007 Posted October 15, 2007 Dang. I have AAA Plus in TX and I would have bet anyone that it was 100 miles. Based on this thread, I just called them and for AAA Plus it's $200 per occurrence for motorcycles. I will not renew with them. They misrepresented the product to me when it was sold. Sorry! Don't shoot the messenger.
yechave Posted October 15, 2007 Author Posted October 15, 2007 I am still waiting to hear more details from AAA on this. We already have the AAA+ package, so if nothing else, I will add the additional $35 and at least have something before we leave in a couple weeks for our journey. I've been with AAA for more than 20 yrs, and they have been outstanding to deal with. Always there when I need them, never had one complaint about any of their services. Just never gave a thought to having motorcycle coverage with them. Greatly appreciate all the input. Thanks!
TEDZ Posted October 16, 2007 Posted October 16, 2007 I used the AAA+ RV coverage when my 1200LT final drive failed 100 miles west of Salt Lake City, on Interstate 80 crossing the Salt Flats. The service was good. I hate to think how complicated my day could have gotten without it.
rogera Posted October 16, 2007 Posted October 16, 2007 I have the AAA + Rv also. Saved me in Baton Rouge La. Flat front tire. Guy came with a flat bed with some straps. It wasn't much fun getting it loaded. Still, beat's pushing it.
yechave Posted October 16, 2007 Author Posted October 16, 2007 All the positive comments for AAA left me confident that was the choice for us. I contacted AAA, and was told the policy would go in effect, on Nov 7th, which would have been three days after we are scheduled to return! Having been a member for well over twenty years and getting to know at least one person pretty well at AAA, she made a few calls and got us signed up and set for Oct 22nd. I feel a whole lot better knowing we have this extra protection for $35. The coverage in this area anyway, is for 100 miles of towing, plus battery, fuel etc. Greatly appreciate all the feedback!
Big D Posted October 17, 2007 Posted October 17, 2007 Used the AAA RV+ service on my way to the RA rally in Asheville and had prompt, capable service. The RT died in the GA mountains in the middle of nowhere and they were there in 45 minutes. I always carry loops to connect the bike to tiedowns so there was no problem. Took the bike to a Honda dealer in Blairesville and they would have taken the bike all the way to Atlanta if needed. I ended up with a short that drained the battery but I got a full charge overnight and made it the next day to the dealer in Atlanta who tooked me right in and fixed the bike. I would strongly reommend the service. D
Kris Posted October 17, 2007 Posted October 17, 2007 Each state's insurance offerings are different - but if you can get a Foremost policy - they're towing is $8/year and it's contracted through Cross Country Roadside. It's "Reasonable Expense" coverage - which means they'll get you to a place that can solve your problem... whether it's 10 miles or 200 miles (or more). Foremost is owned by Farmers Ins, which is owned by Zurich Financial Svcs. I love our Foremost business - they think from the motorcyclist's perspective and offer great coverages on items that other mainstream companies do not. (Gear, farkles, towing, 24-month complete replacement, no lay-up for you mid-westerners, etc.) Check them out. kris
motoguy128 Posted October 17, 2007 Posted October 17, 2007 Yes, I have AAA+ RV. It's also nice because AAA can book hotels for you and get you travel guides and maps for free. So you're getting a free travel agent... except a small $5 fee for booking air travel. You can call from the road during normal business hours too. Off hours there's some assistance, but it's limited to what's in the guidebook itself. They need 24hour travel assitance too IMO. I've used regular AAA 3 times when I was in college after locking keys in my car. Once was nowhere West Virginia, the other was nowhere Wisconsin. 20-30 minutes, I had a tow truck with the approriate tools to get into my car. I've never needed it for my motorcycle. But since i trailer my bike sometimes, I figured it was worth it for piece of mind. The hotel discounts have almost made it worth it.
dwillie Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 KOA/Allstate. Read the fine print, you'll like it. dwillie.
Mark R Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Does anyone have any experience with Motorcycle Towing Service, inc? MTS-Towing
smiller Posted October 18, 2007 Posted October 18, 2007 Does anyone have any experience with Motorcycle Towing Service, inc? MTS-Towing Looks interesting but not sure why you would choose it over KOA/Roadhelp. MTS covers only motorcycles and has dollar limits, KOA covers all your vehicles and has no limits for essentially the same price (assuming the MTS Premier plan, the only one with a worthwhile dollar cap.)
elkroeger Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 The one thin I like about aaa is that you've got one number to call, regardless of where you are. Maybe they all have that. But they'll send out a flatbed post haste. Car, bike, your buddy's car, it doesn't matter. lots of locations, free maps, yadda yadda. The reality is you can get a good tow into town once every 5 or 10 years for a lot less money.
woodnfly Posted October 19, 2007 Posted October 19, 2007 Whatever you get from AAA make sure you have motorcycle all over the paper work,I paid the extra and when I tried to collect because a AAA station refused to tow motorcycles and I had to use another company they told me I had motorhome coverage,I dont even own a motohome.Wouldnt recommend AAA to anyone.
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