No More BMW Roadside Assistance

[Shortpower]

Just got a letter in the mail from the company that provides the BMW Motorrad Roadside Assistance program in my area, Cross Country Motor Club. Seems they are no longer offering the plan. They will continue to offer it until my plan expires in January 2010 (I may call them to start my bike in my snowed-in garage for spite). Must have been too many dead batteries and ignition loops for them. It appears that my only other option is AAA. Apparently, my local AAA covers the country, ie. they will reimburse towing in those areas that do not provide service for motorcycles. Any other suggestions?

Shortpower

[cswett]

I have roadside assistance/towing with my Geico insurance policy. Costs an extra $10 a year. I used it once when i got a flat tire on a trip. They loaded my bike up and hauled it to the Beemer dealer about 40 miles away. Didn't cost me a cent. Only caveat is that there seem to be fewer towing companies willing or able to haul motorcycles, so getting someone out to help you might take longer.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Progressive offers it also, for $7 a year? Never had need for it, but they will tow you to the nearest BMW service.

John

[sjbmw]

I did not get my letter yet, my Cross Country expires in August. Thanks for the heads up.

In addition to Rider NJ Insurance, I have the AMA RA plan also.

http://www.ama-cycle.org/joinama/index.asp

The AMA offers Roadside Assistance for all your vehicles in one fee.
I like the AMA Mag, and the 10% off all parts from Bike Bandit.


AMA Roadside Assistance—available FREE with selected memberships--you’ll never ride alone.
Here’s how it works: Just sign up online, and choose to automatically renew your annual membership via your credit card, and we’ll immediately enroll you in the AMA Roadside Assistance program, which includes:
24-hour roadside assistance for your motorcycles and all the rest of your vehicles, including cars, trucks, RVs and trailers. Coverage for your spouse and dependent children living at home or away in college.
Trip-routing, trip-interruption insurance, limited legal services and more.

[mogu83]

IMHO the BMW roadside assistance was a waste of time anyway.
I hit some thing in the road (long story) in Casper,Wy the closest dealers were in Denver and Sturgis both about 300 miles away. After 45 minutes on hold I was told they (BMW Ass) would cover me for 500 miles. I made arrangements with the towing service they suggested in Denver, the charge was going to be $1200. I called the service (BMW) back to confirm, on hold almost an hour, then they told me they would only cover 50 miles. Canceled the tow and went looking for a U-Haul, some friendly truck drivers physically lifted the bike into the back of the van type truck and I was off to Denver. This happened on a Sunday, maybe that explains the time on hold.

I live in Jersey and have Rider Insurance so I'm covered that way, also have AMA with the credit card option so I have that. I now also carry a small book with U-Haul locations in it. A 10 foot box type truck on a van chassis for 350 miles one way and four days cost me $250.

[BigEasy]

Personally I'd be carefuyl using the towing package offered by insurance companies. I'm not sure about how it works with the companies mentioned but back in the day (and it very well may be different today) using the tow coverage offer by Allstate was considered a claim, just as if you totaled your vehicle. I won't go into the gory details but a tow claim helped me get into paying high risk rates for several years. Of course the protracted period that went on was my own fault

I have the AMA plan also and used it to get my truck towed twice a couple of months ago. My water pump went out about 70 miles from home so I called the 800# the guy I talked with was either well trained or had a quality cheat sheet because he knew that my truck with an electronically controled transfer case should not be towed more than 5 miles by being dragged and they sent a flatbed. I had them tow it to the closest dealership for repair. The dealer called me with a BOHICA quote, so I called my perferred indy guy and he was half the price but 50 miles from the truck. I called AMA's provider again and was informed that the number of tows was unlimited, so they dispatched another truck and off we went.

The caveate is that they only cover the first 40 miles, but they have negotiated discount rates for over 40 miles. I think I paid 10 bucks for the difference.

[Dan-A]

After 45 minutes on hold, on hold almost an hour

I broke down in Death Valley in my truck (on the road) and I was on hold for 3 hours with AAA. They SUCK!

Even still, I am not still there so they did get me out, eventually. I won't say how much it cost, truck and trailer to Ridgecrest. They have been better other times.

Maybe the more remote the breakdown is, the harder time they have finding a tow company they don't owe money to that will still respond. I can think of no other reason it should take so long.

I have Progressive (and friends with tow straps) for the bikes.


F800GS Exide Battery Failure in Baja (my R12R did it, why not the GS)

[ka5ysy]

I did not get my letter yet, my Cross Country expires in August. Thanks for the heads up.

In addition to Rider NJ Insurance, I have the AMA RA plan also.

http://www.ama-cycle.org/joinama/index.asp

The AMA offers Roadside Assistance for all your vehicles in one fee.
I like the AMA Mag, and the 10% off all parts from Bike Bandit.


AMA Roadside Assistance—available FREE with selected memberships--you’ll never ride alone.
Here’s how it works: Just sign up online, and choose to automatically renew your annual membership via your credit card, and we’ll immediately enroll you in the AMA Roadside Assistance program, which includes:
24-hour roadside assistance for your motorcycles and all the rest of your vehicles, including cars, trucks, RVs and trailers. Coverage for your spouse and dependent children living at home or away in college.
Trip-routing, trip-interruption insurance, limited legal services and more.

Just renewed for 3 years ! Thanks for the reminder to do that