Roadside assistance info needed

[cowchip]

My warranty will be coming to a close while I take a ten day trip through Utah and Arizona next week. I was thinking of getting an insurance policy for piece of mind while traveling. The auto club ( AAA) offers a motorcycle package for $37/year and 100 mile towing. The MOA offers the Platinum package but is a refund after the service rendered. Has anyone used this and were you satisfied? Any issues? My battery is now from a new bike three years old but always on a battery tender when not in use. Previous BMW's I have owned went through batteries every two to three years. Should I be concerned? I am not, but this is my first new BMW in over 20 years.

PLATINUM CYCLE CLUB MOTORCYCLE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. Yes or no?
Thanks,

Don
Mar Vista, CA
2011 R1200RT

 

[pffog]

All I can tell you is the Factory roadside assistance isn't worth a flip if you don't ride around major cities. A couple weeks ago I was riding with a friend and he had a minor accident, that destroyed the front rim. Bike was un-rideable, in fact would not even roll. We were on Rt16 in VA, 16 miles N of Marion, it was 4 pm and a front was rolling in.

I called BMW RA and got an operator, I told here that he had it was the result of an accident, she said she could not send the tow truck until we had called police because it was an accident. So I called the police and they said they would send a car. I call back a roadside assistance and let them know that the police were on the way. I told her we work exactly 16 miles north of Marion on route 16 in Virginia. She fumbled around for several minutes and said she was trying to figure out where we were. I told her we work at the far western end of Virginia, north of Marion, which was on I 81. She then asked what the house number or the nearest cross road was, I again repeated that we were 16 miles north of Marion on route 16, and that there were no houses, no telephone poles, and no cross streets. She couldn't seem to understand that concept of a rural road.

She said she would find something and call me back. When she called back she said a tow truck had been dispatched from Roanoke, over 2 hours away, by then it will be dark and pouring rain. I called again and got another representative, and explained our location and the situation. He seemed to have the concept of our rural road, but the best he could do was find a tow company over 90 miles away.

Needless to say I called into play the magic of the Internet and called a friend in Buffalo that was good friends with some people about 25 miles away. They came to our rescue and got us off the mountain before dark.

And as I have found over the years it is better to be prepared and have a lot of tools in your tool box, so you can just fix it yourself.

 

[Firenailer]

It's included in an AMA membership, and the extra cost for the road service rider with AAA will be more than recouped in hotel or store discounts if you go that way. You may even have it included on your motorcycle ins policy, check with your agent.

MOA is just a straight cost with no additional discounts for you.

 

[lee]

PLATINUM CYCLE CLUB MOTORCYCLE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. Yes or no?
Thanks,

I signed up for the Platnium MOA plan this spring and when I recieved my card and information there was one piece of information that was not mentioned on the web site. Besides the 100 mile limit, there's a $250 limit on the tow reimbursement.
I'm guessing a flatbed tow truck will charge more than $2.50/mile, so the number of miles you get reimbursed for may be less than 100 miles.

Here's the info from the MOA home page.
PLATINUM CYCLE CLUB MOTORCYCLE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE will reimburse you for each of the following 24-hour emergency services: Towing (up to 100 miles), Delivery of Essential Fluids & Supplies, Flat Tire Assistance, and Battery Service. You will also receive up to $500 for emergency trip interruption. Other benefits are Trip Routing, RV Rentals and Rental Car Discounts as well as Lost Key & Lockout Service. All supporting towing companies use flatbed trucks with straps or a cycle carrier - no hooks! The cost to a MOA member is only $26.00 per year and covers up to three motorcycles. Coverage is available throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Call the BMW MOA office at (636)-394-7277 to sign up.

 

[themayer]

The Roadside Assistance/Towing on my Progressive Insurance costs $6. Last fall they took me and my bike from Tonopah, NV to the nearest BMW dealer - 200 miles away in Las Vegas. No questions asked, just signed the bill. Driver said the ride was costing Progressive around $1000.

 

[JamesInCA]

Read the fine print on your AAA. When I looked at it, the motorcycle towing was "as available."

I've used the MOA towing twice. Once was 50 miles from the boonies to my house. The driver groused he'd only get $120 for the job, but he did it without question.

Edit: With the MOA, neither time was I asked to pay. The tow billed the plan directly. No reimbursement involved.

 

[195153]

AAA additional coverage $60

I just called AAA 800 number. My current membership is $49/year. I can add motorcycle coverage for an additional $60/yr.

I have the BMWMOA coverage and the AMA coverage. Now to decide.......