Roadside assistance recommendations?

[AKBEEMER]

has anyone used the towing coverage available as part of the MOA Markel insurance? I'm planning to switch when we take possession of our second bike next week and thought that it is a good thing to add.

From a Markel policy:

"24 HOUR EMERGENCY TOWING SERVICE: When an eligible vehicle cannot be started, it can be towed to within a 35 mile radius. Towing as a result of an accident is included. There is one tow per occurrence, up to five tows per contract period. Member is responsible for charges which result from exceeding the 35 mile tow radius."

[KEPPELJ]

AAA Plus covers 100 miles and includes motorcycles. I've needed and used it happily. In the end, however, you are dependent on the skills and conscientiousness of the tower contracted by your insurer. Anything can happen there!

[LSkrabut]

+1 for Allstate Platinum Elite Plan

Got caught once and that will be the last time with a limited tow factor.

Any private vehicle, mine or not.... as long as I am in it, includes the spouse and I added my kids to it also. Great peace of mind. Sure it co$t, but it cost a heck of a lot less when you needed it and you plan does not do what you thought it would.

Checkout the features of it. I have nothing to do with this service, just a proven member of it.

Other roadside services might offer the same or even for less, but the main point, read your fine print of the one you currently belong to or are thinking of joining, it could hold a very un-welcome surprise.

https://www.allstatemotorclub.com/am...hipplans.faces

[AKBEEMER]

+1 for Allstate Platinum Elite Plan

Got caught once and that will be the last time with a limited tow factor.

Any private vehicle, mine or not.... as long as I am in it, includes the spouse and I added my kids to it also. Great peace of mind. Sure it co$t, but it cost a heck of a lot less when you needed it and you plan does not do what you thought it would.

Checkout the features of it. I have nothing to do with this service, just a proven member of it.

Other roadside services might offer the same or even for less, but the main point, read your fine print of the one you currently belong to or are thinking of joining, it could hold a very un-welcome surprise.

https://www.allstatemotorclub.com/am...hipplans.faces

Larry,

I'm looking at the link you provided and as I read it the towing is limited to $250. That's not much in many areas of the country. Am I reading it incorrectly?

[LSkrabut]

AKBeemer,

Yes you read it right, but the times one can call for a tow per day is unlimited. I can not find it in a link right now, but I called 3 times in the past 5 years verifying this is indeed something Allstate MC honors with the Platinum Elite plan. I been told I can do the towing game all the back across the state or states by Allstate customer service. Here in Utah, there are not many places for local repair of BMW's or many cars, trucks or my RV. At times I can imagine I rather tow 2, 3 or more times to get the vehicle back to my home and then decide the best way to fix it.

Might be a PITA calling everytime the $250 limit is reached, but again better than nothing, or a one time shot. I have use this service three times now in the past 12years. I did not even have to sign anything. just got the tow I wanted and needed. But the 1st time I was shocked, all they did was to tow my car, off the interstated and to a closed tire shop. That was when I found out the hard way, the plan I had was not what I wanted (RV Plan). Updated to the Platinum Elite for what I felt was a more desirable plan for me and family here in Utah, some very lonely stretches of road are located here.

Heck it might even be good toward a new tire or two ($250).
Trip interruption - Stuck far from home $$, mere 100 miles, as we know for most of us, the oil is barely warmed up yet. I just did a 210 mile run around a few mountains between these 2 post.

I would not expect the what I expect from any provider (never to break down or if I do, taken back to my home, hundreds of miles away, but knowing I should be able to get my bike back to the place "I want" means a lot to me.

[AKBEEMER]

Thanks. Better than what I have, but is there a program out there that provides truly unlimited towing..... or at least a long way such as 500-600 miles?

[ksrob]

My Allstate RV program paid for a 350 mile tow when my GSPD blew an oil line a couple of years ago. I signed when they picked it up and climbed into my wifes car to go home.

They have a few plans, make sure it's the RV program.

Rob Lessen
Arma, KS

bikes

[AKBEEMER]

Okay, I checked out the Allstate Motor Club RV plan. It provides an "Unlimited amount for towing to the nearest service facility and/or on-site labor." Seems like a good plan for $99.95 a year. Covers you and your spouse in any non-commercial vehicle.

Thanks Rob.

[rkoreis]

AAA Plus covers 100 miles and includes motorcycles. I've needed and used it happily. In the end, however, you are dependent on the skills and conscientiousness of the tower contracted by your insurer. Anything can happen there!

Don't you have to have the RV upgrade in order to get the service for motorcycles?

[LSkrabut]

I had the Allstate RV plan when they only towed my car off the interstate to a closed tire shop. Maybe I did not discuss this enough with the tow truck driver, but that is where I ended up. That is when I updated to the Allstate Platinum Elite plan. Maybe this was the case since I was in a major town and requested to be towed to my house, 45 miles away. It did not happen. Since then after the update to PE, my other 2 tow's did put the vehicle (once the K100LT) in my driveway.

[SteveAikens]

Don't you have to have the RV upgrade in order to get the service for motorcycles?

No. Additionally, there's a discount for BMW MOA members.

[LSkrabut]

As I understand it, the Platinum Elite plan covers any privately owned RV, offroad, motorcycles, car truck....., which I have all of the above or that I might be in at that time when it needs a tow.

I also understand the RV Plan did too, but for the most part, lacking in the towing feature (unlimited times per day but at $250 per call)or should I state, to the nearest repair facility. Of course the PE plan does offer more but for a cost, which I was not happy about at all. Again, what is the cost of another $80-$100 per year for piece of mind if I ever need it or my spouse/kids need it. $7-$10 more a month (for 4 ppl), pretty cheap looking at the overall picture in my case. Your situation maybe be different.

Again all I am saying, best to look into any roadside assistance plan, there could be, and probably are hidden factors within them.

I do wonder and I should inquire with Allstate Customer Service, what would happen if the 1st call or any other tow request would cost more than $250 due to the nature of location of the tow request?

[SteveAikens]

When I signed up, I called CS and asked a ton of questions. The rep I spoke with gave me more information that I really needed and I got the plan the is best for me and Oldwhatshername, at the best discounted price.

Call them and ask whatever you like. That's why they are there.

[PGlaves]

Thanks. Better than what I have, but is there a program out there that provides truly unlimited towing..... or at least a long way such as 500-600 miles?

Go back to that Allstate link and look at the RV plan - roadside assistance is unlimited by a dollar amount. The fine print in the package says towing to the nearest qualified service facility. That makes perfect sense given the varieties of RV vehicles running around - and equally perfect sense for BMW motorcycles.

It costs more per year than the cut rate urban commuter 35 mile towing plans but makes lots more sense for touring motorcyclists. The higher price is a cost of the hobby - or you can just take your chances. Even the cut rate plans can be beneficial at midnight on a rainy night in Idaho because they can find the tow service for you. But you still will pay the $$$ to finish the tow beyond the limits.

[AKBEEMER]

Signed-up for the RV plan last evening. Thanks for the info everyone.