The National Automobile Club (NMC) is one of the largest independent motor clubs in the US. Compare what they offer.
The TRUTH about Good Sam RV Roadside Assistance
Cost of Roadside Assistance
As RV owners, preparing for a long-haul trip is critical. While you can avoid most problems with planning and preparation, they may not always be possible to prevent. There is a higher chance of a flat tire, mechanical issues, or getting locked out for long-term travelers on the road. Luckily, roadside support like Good Sam is there for RV owners when they need it.
RV problems can affect the entire experience, not to mention cargo and passengers inside may be impacted. Good Sam’s RV Roadside assistance covers a range of services such as jump starts, towing, or fuel delivery. If you want to ensure your trip is as amazing as you envision, your RV needs reliable and timely service to ensure you aren’t stuck anywhere on your trip.
Good Sam has offered roadside help to their customers since 1984. Although they provide services for automobiles, they specialize in assisting RV owners. Their service is well regarded in the RV world, and you can choose from three different coverage options. Check out the information below to find out if Good Sam’s RV Roadside Assistance is right for you.
How Much Does Good Sam RV Roadside Assistance Cost?
Good Sam has three roadside assistance membership tiers. The Standard and Platinum memberships are both around $100 per year, and the Platinum Complete is little more.
New members get decent discounts, but after that, rates increase to the levels listed below. Their service is similar to AAA, and Good Sam’s rates are fully published online for transparency, which is commendable.
Here is a breakdown of their tiers for price and features comparison:
Standard | Platinum | Platinum Complete | |
---|---|---|---|
$129.95 yr | $159.95 yr | $239.95 yr | |
Type of Vehicle | Standard Vehicles, Boat/ RV Trailers | RVs, Standard Vehicles, Utility/ Boat/ RV Trailers | RVs, Standard Vehicles, Utility/ Boat/ RV Trailers |
Rented & Leased Vehicles | √ | √ | |
Towing to Nearest USA & Canada Service Center | Unlimited miles | Unlimited miles | Unlimited miles |
Towing Mexico, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands | $1000 | $1500 | $1500 |
Winching/ Extrication | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
Jump Start | √ | √ | √ |
Flat Tire Service | Change to spare tire | Change to spare tire | Change to spare tire |
Fuel, Spare Tire & Fluids | Free delivery | Free delivery | Free delivery |
Trip Interruption Reimbursement | $1200 max ($150 per day) | $1200 max ($150 per day) | $1200 max ($150 per day) |
Vehicle Lockout Service | √ | √ | √ |
All Household Residents Included | √ | √ | √ |
RV Concierge Services | √ | √ | √ |
AAMCO 10% discount (up to $100) | √ | √ | √ |
Extra Services Discounts | √ | √ | |
Hotel Discounts | Up to 20% discount | Up to 20% discount | |
Rental Car Discounts | Up to 25% discount | Up to 25% discount | |
Vehicle Theft Reward | $5000 | $5000 | |
Home Lockout Service | √ | √ | |
Emergency Medical Benefits | √ | ||
Road Hazard Wheel & Tire Benefits | √ |
What is Covered in the Standard RV plan?
As you can see above, only non-motorized RVs are covered by the Standard plan, therefore if you drive a motorhome, you must have a Platinum plan.
The standard plan covers all owned vehicles plus one travel trailer, including:
- Toy Haulers and Travel Trailers
- Pop-up Trailers
- recreational vehicle campers
- Boat Trailers
- Automobiles
- SUVs, Pick-ups
- 2 Wheel Tow Dollies
- Motorcycles
- Vans
Any family member, even your spouse, domestic partner, and dependent children under the age of 25, is covered at no additional cost when you enroll in this plan.
Features Include:
Towing:
- 24/7 Service
- 100% of the towing fees to the nearest service center covered
- No pre-set mileage restrictions or dollar limits
Flat Tire Repair
Don’t worry about getting a flat tire. Service technicians can change it for you. They will tow your car to the nearest service location if needed.
Spare Tire Change
Good Sam Roadside Assistance will help you buy and transport an RV tire if you don’t have a spare onboard. Since RV’s rarely come with a spare tire when you buy them, this is an appreciated service. You will only be responsible for the cost of the tire.
Battery Maintenance Service
Battery failure need not ruin your journey. Good Sam can help you at the campground or in your driveway.
Delivery of Emergency Fuel and Fluids
They will deliver up to 5 gallons of gas and bring additional necessary fluids. You just pay for fuel/fluids.
Travel Assistance in Case of Mishaps
If you’re stranded more than 100 miles from home, they’ll reimburse you up to $1,200 for eligible expenses, including meals, housing, and car rental.
Lost Key and Lock Out Assistance
They’ll pay for a locksmith to get you back inside your car. Parts and labor, however, will not be covered if the job becomes more than just jimmying your lock open.
Emergency Medical Referral Service
If you have a medical or personal emergency while traveling, Good Sam can provide medical, dental, and legal referrals.
Discounts
Save 10% at AAMCO Transmissions Centers. Any auto repair or service costs up to $100 less when you display your Good Sam Roadside Assistance card. They also offered discounts on oil changes, brakes, non-trans/non-driveline repairs, and more!
What are the Extra Benefits Included in The Platinum Plan?
The maintenance and protection coverage in the standard plan are included in this plan, plus:
- Home locksmith services
- Multiple utility and sport trailers
- Multiple motorized RV and Fifth Wheelers
- Car coverage for both rented and leased automobiles, and even borrowed ones
- One-on-one technical and operational assistance from RV technician experts
- Extra Service Discounts such as hotel and car rental discounts
What are the Extra Services Discounts Good For?
With Good Sam, it pays to go platinum. As a Platinum Member, you’ll get:
- Hotel discounts up to 20% off at partnering Wyndham Hotel Group brands.
- Rental car discounts of 25% if you require a car for while awaiting repairs.
- RV Concierge Services to help you search for RV Service, Repair, and Parts Locations.
- Access to pre-screened automobile dealers for great deals on new and used cars.
What is the Difference Between RV Platinum and Platinum Complete?
Platinum customers who want more insurance protection can purchase the platinum complete package, which includes everything in the platinum plan above, plus the following two additional features:
- Tire and Wheel Protection to cover the cost of fixing and replacing damaged tires and wheels.
- Assistance that covers emergency medical transport.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance in Your Area
How do I Contact Good Sam Roadside Service?
24 HOUR ROADSIDE DISPATCH (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands)
1-800-586-7400
24 HOUR ROADSIDE DISPATCH (Mexico)
1-866-456-0969
FOR GENERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE:
1-800-865-6899
RV TECH SUPPORT HOTLINE:
1-800-445-4457
MEDICAL URGENCY REFERRAL SERVICES:
1-877-565-2542
Is Good Sam Roadside Assistance Reliable?
Good Sam prominently displays their plan details, pricing, and contact numbers for assistance. This type of transparency is a great way to earn their customer’s trust. However, based on reviews, customers seem to voice a lot of complaints about the time it takes for service representatives to arrive.
Even though they have resolved 50% of their complaints, many of the settlements do not appear to address the underlying root causes of the problems. Even though all organizations receive negative feedback, the significant length of wait times, no-shows, and canceled claims stated in so many reviews raise serious concerns about the dependability of the most fundamental components of service.
How Does Good Sam Basic RV Roadside Assistance Compare to AAA?
People consider AAA to be one of the most economical ways to get roadside assistance, but how does it stack up against Good Sam RV Roadside Coverage?
Good Sam Platinum | AAA RV Plus | |
---|---|---|
$159.95 yr | $143 yr* | |
Rented & Leased Vehicles | √ | |
Towing to Nearest Service Center | Unlimited miles | 100 miles |
Winching/ Extrication | 2 hours | Covers a 2nd truck and operator for 1 hour |
Fuel, Fluids & Spare Tire | Free delivery | Free fuel & delivery |
Flat Tire Change | √ | √ |
Jump Start | √ | √ |
Vehicle Lockout Service | √ | √ |
Locksmith Services | $100 | |
Trip Interruption Reimbursement | $1200 max ($150 per day) | |
RV Concierge Services | √ | |
AAMCO 10% discount (up to $100) | √ | |
Extra Services Discounts | √ | √ |
Hotel Discounts | Up to 20% discount | √ |
Rental Car Discounts | Up to 25% discount | Discounts + free upgrade |
Vehicle Theft Reward | $5000 | |
Home Lockout Service | √ | |
Id Theft Protection | √ |
When choosing between AAA and Good Sam, there are a few key things to consider…
Pricing
As you can see, AAA’s yearly price for RV roadside service is a bit lower than Good Sam. That, along with their superior customer service make them an attractive option.
Who’s Covered
ALL family members are included with Good Sam while AAA charges $85 per year for each additional family member added.
Vehicle Type
Good Sam is primarily for RVs, whereas AAA is mostly an auto insurer that offers RV service as an add-on. This is important if you value specialized coverage.
Customer Service
AAA customer complaints are far less than Good Sam, and good customer service is important for peace of mind when you need it most.
Plan Features
- AAA provides some of the most reliable towing and winching services in the industry, but Good Sam offers more features overall.
- AAA will reimburse $100 for locksmith labor if your key is lost or broken.
- Good Sam offers unlimited miles vs. being able to choose where you are towed with AAA, such as home or to your favorite mechanic.
Which RV Roadside Assistance Should You Choose?
Good Sam roadside assistance offers well-priced benefits, detailed coverage in each of their packages, and limitless towing services. Overall, Good Sam is less expensive, offers coverage for more vehicles, and has higher basic coverage limits than AAA. However, as with any insurance, there will always be limitations and fine print. Good Sam’s various issues surrounding the company’s customer service response can be a deal breaker if you don’t like the idea of being stranded too long.
Like AAA, there are other competitors who rival Good Sam; each offering advantages and disadvantages, as described previously. Despite not being around for as long as some other companies, Good Sam stands out by catering to RV owners and offering specialized service should you run into a mishap. However, the final decision would be up to you, based on your individual preferences, including those associated with your long-term travel goals.