I just a letter from Good Sam saying I have a "complimentary upgrade" to their Platinum roadside assistance for the remainder of my current term. At first I thought "Yippee, they like me", but on further reading I see that maybe they don't like me so much: "Due to the high costs associated with providing roadside assistance to motorhomes, however we can no longer provide coverage for motorhomes under our standard Good Sam roadside assistance program. You are receiving this complimentary upgrade because our records show that you are a motorhome owner. In order to receive benefits for your motorhome, you must have Platinum membership. When it's time to renew your membership, you will receive a renewal notice for your new Platinum membership and fees."
And then to add insult to injury, they sent me a "free" $10 coupon for Camping World SuperCenters. (Even with $10 off, there's nothing there that I cannot get elsewhere for less money.)
So, has anyone else here with Good Sam's roadside assistance got one of these letters? Why I'm asking is that I needed a tow earlier this year when my bus's radiator fan motor burst, and even though the tow was for only a few miles it probably cost Good Sam a lot. Are they sending out these "complimentary upgrade" letters only to members who actually used their services, or to everyone, or what? Evidently they want to preserve their profits, so is it like insurance companies that raise your rates if you have the temerity to actually make a claim, heaven forbid?
I treat everything from Good Sam and their compatriots with a healthy level of scepticism and caution, and this latest attempt to make me a Plutonium member seems very cynical on their part. Maybe it's time to look into CoachNet instead?
John
Reading through their Plutonium coverage limitations, it says that you are SOL if your vehicle is "specifically designed for commercial or business purposes". Wouldn't that pretty much knock all our buses out of contention? It also says that "vehicles licensed commercially or in a business name" are excluded - that may affect those folk whose RVs are registered to their business, like several in the storage yard where I keep my bus. The more I read, the less I like about them. Mind you, they do cover in Mexico: maybe I should drive my bus to Chiapas and then call them for a tow back to USA? No, I would never dream of doing that . . .
John
They will only tow you to a "qualified repair service"....Lots of luck with that.>>>Dan
I have not had to use the service but I got one of the letters also.
TOM
Considering it is Christmas, this makes this use of the term 'Good Samaritan' appear even more of the perversion of the original story. Well maybe not completely
The original Good Samaritan charged his "customer" nothing and asked for nothing in return. The original was looked down upon by most of the "established" society of the time----maybe we should keep that part.
Just saying ;)
Coach Net is your friend.
If companies lose money on this service, they are either going to charge more or discontinue it. Fact of life. Check another provider's service and benefits.
When Good Sam was on it's own, it provided a service for the benefit of members. Now that it has been swallowed by Camping World, all activities are for profit, and any "discounts" still don't bring prices down to reasonable levels. Coach Net is our best resource for road assistance nowadays (people actually answer the phone).
Got one like that last year. Took them up on the free offer, then when I tried to use it note the MH is not covered. TRASH CAN
If there has ever been a company that has totally lost it's focus ,it would be Camping World .High Prices ,shoddy workmanship ,costs exceeding their estimates all seem to be the norm for them anymore .Have a friend who opened up a small RV repair facility .Used to get him to do a lot of small things for me THEN Tom Johnson camping center sold out to CW .Since that happened ,he has hired three people and still stays so slammed that he has no where to Park the units.He is so busy that I don't even try to get him to do anything for me any more.Non the less ,I have used Good Sam road side assistance and have been quiet pleased with their service ,so unless thy really screw me over I guess I will stick with them.By the way,one time I used them was for a flat repair and the other time was for HD wrecker when the Prevost wouldn't go in gear!!
I think Chessie hit the nail on the head. I just renewed my Good Sam's tow after having declined the new program and received an email thanking me for renewing. Of course my bus is only 22.5' long and can be hauled on a medium duty flat bed (more or less) so their exposure is only slightly more than it would be for towing mom's soccer van. Jack
Quote from: oltrunt on December 27, 2017, 06:01:50 PM
I think Chessie hit the nail on the head. I just renewed my Good Sam's tow after having declined the new program and received an email thanking me for renewing. Of course my bus is only 22.5' long and can be hauled on a medium duty flat bed (more or less) so their exposure is only slightly more than it would be for towing mom's soccer van. Jack
Aha, there's the difference! You could (and did) opt out of the new program, but I have no such choice. The extra dollars is not the point - I just don't like their whole approach to customer service. Even if I have to pay more at CoachNet, I may just do so out of principal. Hrumph.
John
got my letter.
Good Sam claims that CoachNet is $249 annually. That is $100 more than Good Sam. Is that true?
David
$249 is for the Premier RV plan but it covers a lot of stuff that Good Sam doesn't I can tell you CoachNet has a far superior network than Good Sams.
The FMCA deal is not bad for $69.00 but it just covers 1 vehicle and you don't get ripped for a tire buying it through FMCA lol Good Sam wanted me to pay Camping World $425.00 for a $200.00 8x19.5 tire that didn't happen
I just renewed my Premier Coach CoachNet coverage a couple of weeks ago for $149, minus $10 on their renew early deal= $139 for a year.
JC
Quote from: lostagain on December 30, 2017, 09:01:17 AM
I just renewed my Premier Coach CoachNet coverage a couple of weeks ago for $149, minus $10 on their renew early deal= $139 for a year.
JC
It is $249.00 now JC keep your old Coachnet they are good about honoring the old prices,mine is still $99.00 a year
Whatever Coachnet charges, I can pay for a long time. My allison 748 acted up on the Oregon coast. I called Coachnet and we agreed on a repair shop about a 100 miles away. Towing company called and we discussed how to get the bus out of the RV park I had limped to and they showed up with a semi rated tow truck and a lowboy. Feached the bus to the shop. Never said a thing about money, didn't even sign paper work. That one tow will pay the annual cost for a long time.
That's also why the others are not covering our coaches anymore. They never expected towing our rigs was going be that expensive to them and especially need to be towed to specific locations for repairs. Just took them awhile till they caught on. I wonder how much trouble it would be to tow an articulated bus conversion or one of those huge ones down in FLA space center.
We just paid this year Coach-net renewal 3 years for 109.00 per year 1year is 129.00 our original price with FMCA affiliate. "Platinum Plus Plan". Covers all our vehicles plus any we are borrowing or driving or riding in up to 250 miles unless the repair facility can not handle the repair or won't then they will take you to one that will. Bring you tires, fuel, Tech assistance,Newsletter, video's of how to's and recipes of Camp type foods, and More LOL
so, Coach Net honors pricing when joined, that's the reason for the great variety of annual memberships? $99, $109, $129, $249?? If so, I'd sure like to figure a way to take over someone's old membership.
LOL Good Sam is at it again,I just got a notice it says "To receive benefits for a motorhome or Van camper you must renew at the Platinum membership level $149.95 per year here we go rising fuel cost and labor they say 12% rise last year alone.
So much for Good Sam's honoring the enrolling price of the past that is more than double the price I paid for ours 2 years ago ??? Lemonis must think we are stupid the cost going up 12% and my renewal costing 128% more geez
I think they all finally wised up that buses break down and cost a lot to tow. Good thing they still cover bus conversions; could be a sad they if they start excluding them. Sure more than years prior but that was basically a free ride. Let's keep the bitching amongst ourselves and certainly not call attention to us and get kicked out.
FWIW - the Progressive insurance policy has some roadside assistance and tow benefit. Not felt the need to add more yet.
https://www.progressive.com/rv/rv-insurance-coverages-roadside/ (https://www.progressive.com/rv/rv-insurance-coverages-roadside/)
Only bad thing about Progressive is some times you have to up front the towing fee and wait for reimbursement lol I have had to pay it before for customers and one ripped me off for the fee he never paid when Progressive paid him the 900 bucks
Clifford, you got me wondering about the fine print loopholes. Seems pretty standard except for Exclusion #4. Can they hook up the bus and on tow in an hour? #14 could catch you on a repeat service call. And it seems if you elect to use an unauthorized tow shop you will likely need to pay and sort out some reimbursement later.
PART V - ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COVERAGE
INSURING AGREEMENT
If you pay the premium for this coverage, we will pay for our authorized service representative to provide the following services when necessary due to a covered emergency:
1. towing of a covered disabled vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility; and
2. labor on a covered disabled vehicle at the place of disablement. If a covered disabled vehicle is towed to any place other than the nearest qualified repair facility, you will be responsible for any additional charges incurred.
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS
When used in this Part V:
1. "Covered disabled vehicle" means:
a. a covered vehicle for which this coverage has been purchased that sustains a covered emergency;
b. any trailer or motor vehicle while being towed by a covered vehicle for which this coverage has been purchased that sustains a covered emergency; or
c. any motor vehicle that is customarily towed by a covered vehicle for which this coverage has been purchased, that sustains a covered emergency while such covered vehicle is parked and being used as your residence.
2. "Covered emergency" means a disablement that is a result of:
a. mechanical or electrical breakdown;
b. battery failure;
c. insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water, or other fluid;
d. flat tire;
e. lock-out; or
f. entrapment in snow, mud, water, or sand, within 100 feet of a road or highway.
EXCLUSIONS - READ THE FOLLOWING EXCLUSIONS CAREFULLY. IF AN
EXCLUSION APPLIES, COVERAGE WILL NOT BE AFFORDED UNDER THIS
PART V.
Coverage under this Part V will not apply to:
1. the cost of purchasing parts, fluid, lubricants, fuel, or replacement keys, or the labor to make replacement keys;
2. installation of products or materials not related to the disablement;
3. labor not related to the disablement;
4. labor on a covered disabled vehicle for any time period in excess of 60 minutes per disablement;
5. towing or storage related to impoundment, abandonment, illegal parking, or other violations of law;
6. assistance with jacks, levelers, airbags, or awnings;
7. towing from a service station, garage, or repair shop;
8. labor or repair work performed at a service station, garage, or repair shop;
9. vehicle storage charges;
10. a second service call or tow for a single disablement;
11. disablement that occurs on roads not regularly maintained, sand beaches, open fields, or areas designated as not passable due to construction, weather, or earth movement;
12. mounting or removing of snow tires or chains;
13. tire repair;
14. repeated service calls for a covered disabled vehicle in need of routine maintenance or repair; or
15. disablement that results from an intentional or willful act or action by you, a relative, or the operator of a covered disabled vehicle.
UNAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDER
When service is rendered by a provider in the business of providing roadside assistance and towing services, other than one of our authorized service representatives, we will pay only reasonable charges, as determined by us, for:
1. towing of a covered disabled vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility; and
2. labor on a covered disabled vehicle at the place of disablement; which is necessary due to a covered emergency.
OTHER INSURANCE
Any coverage provided under this Part V for service rendered by an unauthorized service provider will be excess over any other collectible insurance or towing protection coverage.
QuoteMind you, they do cover in Mexico:
In your dreams. When I had problems with a water pump in a major city in Mexico, they refused to provide any direct help and all they would do is give me a list of 5 phone numbers who might be able to help. 4 did not answer and the other one was some tiny little spare parts store. "Good" Sam my @$#. Cancelled my subscription next day.
As a comparison, in Europe I belong to a REAL roadside assist group called ADAC in Germany. We had problems in Morocco - which is two countries away - and with one phone call back to Germany, they had a truck drive 100 miles, pick us up and take us to the service agent 100 miles away. Cost zero. If we needed major medical care, they would send a private jet, and if the MH was totaled, they would arrange transport out of Morocco to avoid customs duty problems
Quote from: Tony LEE on December 31, 2017, 04:43:19 PM
In your dreams. When I had problems with a water pump in a major city in Mexico, they refused to provide any direct help and all they would do is give me a list of 5 phone numbers who might be able to help. 4 did not answer and the other one was some tiny little spare parts store. "Good" Sam my @$#. Cancelled my subscription next day.
As a comparison, in Europe I belong to a REAL roadside assist group called ADAC in Germany. We had problems in Morocco - which is two countries away - and with one phone call back to Germany, they had a truck drive 100 miles, pick us up and take us to the service agent 100 miles away. Cost zero. If we needed major medical care, they would send a private jet, and if the MH was totaled, they would arrange transport out of Morocco to avoid customs duty problems
what will they do for you in the US ?
It's time for me to renew or not and I can't decide. I'm insured with Foremost and they said I'm covered with roadside assistance and towing but I'm not confident that it means I'm really covered. For example, I'm told that i'm too big/heavy to be towed and would have to be flat towed. The agent couldn't answer whether flat towing was covered. He just said that he doesn't read anything that it isnt. Also, I've heard where they send out mechanics but they don't know anything about diesels.
I'm looking at the renewal page right now and it says $55 for 6 months and then charged the "then current renewal rate" I hate auto renewal in these situations b/c it will fall off my radar and won't think about it and next thing I know, they are charging me an insane amount.
I guess i'm going to renew and can always cancel later. I'd hate to be in a bind and then not covered.
ahh i just learned that my brakes wont' release unless i got the PSI around 65 or so plus towing it from the front will bend the frame so it's basically only flat bed towing for me.
Quote from: Branderson on January 03, 2018, 12:40:54 PM
ahh i just learned that my brakes wont' release unless i got the PSI around 65 or so plus towing it from the front will bend the frame so it's basically only flat bed towing for me.
LOL not so towing co's supply the air from their wrecker to the supply fitting on the bus to release the brakes they will pick that sucker up and off they go and if it has a automatic they pull the axles or drive line
Quote from: luvrbus on January 03, 2018, 01:11:08 PM
LOL not so towing co's supply the air from their wrecker to the supply fitting on the bus to release the brakes they will pick that sucker up and off they go and if it has a automatic they pull the axles or drive line
After I had to be towed last January when my fan motor burst, I quickly realized a few things:
1. Have an air inlet near the front of the bus for the tow truck to connect to. If it's way back towards the rear it will be very difficult for the truck's air hose to reach it, and to keep the hose off the ground.
2. Make sure that this air inlet feeds the wet tank, not just the accessories tank.
3. Make yourself an adapter for your air inlet, so if the truck's air hose is an Automotive fitting and you have an Industrial fitting then you can still connect easily.
4. Buy some spare gaskets for the rear axle shaft (Ryder has them for a few bucks each), because the axle shaft will have to come out if the bus is towed, and the old gasket cannot be reused. Tow truck drivers prefer to not disconnect driveshafts if they can instead easily take an axle shaft out. Also get yourself a quart or two of the gear oil that your differential and axle uses.
5. If you have any reversing lights under the rear bumper, there's a good chance they will get torn off when the bus is towed over a speed bump or up a slight ramp. That's also why a radiator should never hang lower than the bumper itself.
John
Quote from: windtrader on December 31, 2017, 03:44:27 PM
Clifford, you got me wondering about the fine print loopholes. Seems pretty standard except for Exclusion #4. Can they hook up the bus and on tow in an hour? #14 could catch you on a repeat service call. And it seems if you elect to use an unauthorized tow shop you will likely need to pay and sort out some reimbursement later.
10. a second service call or tow for a single disablement;
14. repeated service calls for a covered disabled vehicle in need of routine maintenance or repair; or
During last January's request for service from Good Sam I had great difficulty persuading them to cover the second half of my tow. Because it took Good Sam several hours to get the tow truck to my bus, by the time we were ready to go my RV storage yard had closed for the night (it closes at 5.00 PM on weekends), so we had to leave the bus in the adjacent Home Depot parking lot overnight until the yard opened again at 8.00 AM the next day. Good Sam did not want to cover this second tow, even though it was obviously related to the first tow, and I would not have needed it had Good Sam got a tow truck to my bus quicker. It took a lot of phone time to get Good Sam to cover it. That pissed me off royally. Maybe that's why they want me to pay the Plutonium level from now on!
Wriggle-out no.14 relates to breakdowns caused by poor maintenance or insufficient upkeep, not unanticipated emergencies due to no fault of one's own. Mind you, how would some Good Sam phone dude know what was caused by what? The tow company obviously won't tell them because they want the work from Good Sam! Unless you're calling Good Sam every week for a tow, it shouldn't be a problem.
John