Date:         Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:58:48 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Roadside Assistance Plans
Comments: To: DW <dcwilton@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTi=QExL3FVVLQRbMJSCGo0JrvCj+OG78QWD=ADZm@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

We use Geico insurance and have their roadside assistance on our van.  Like
all plans it has limitations but for us there is one major plus, they will
tow to the nearest dealer.  Living in Alaska it means they will tow us home
as the only dealer on the road system is in Anchorage.  We confirmed this
recently when a hose from the LH cyl head failed 30 miles past Tok which is
330 miles from Anchorage.  They would have paid for a tow truck to haul our
Westy Syncro with four passengers and a Great Dane all the way home.  As it
was they got off cheap as we had them tow us to Tok where a friend whom
manages a hotel gave us a deal on a room as it was midnight on a Saturday.
 Sunday morning I got in touch with the owner of Arctic Import Repair here
in Anchorage and he went down to the shop and found a hose to give to a
friend of ours whom then drove it up to us.

Being towed to the nearest dealer may not help everyone but for us it fits
the bill quite nicely.

Mark in AK

On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 8:24 PM, DW <dcwilton@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm not certain that this is pertinent to ask on the list, but it does
> relate to my van so here goes... I just received a renewal for my roadside
> assistance plan. I have used it twice in December of 2008 and have paid
> about $340 for the two years of annual fees. I'm not sure this is
> worthwhile, or currently sustainable. The critical issue for me is the
> ability to tow the vehicle to a reputable mechanic if need be. I'm not
> likely going to run out of gas, lock my keys in the van or require hotel
> discounts -- I am really just interested in the possibility of a long tow
> if
> the scenario ever arose. I guess my question is what do you folks use and
> why? Incidently, I have used the Allstate Platinum Elite Plan because I
> thought it was the best side-by-side comparison of plans, though it should
> be for the price they charge...
>
> Thanks for any thoughts, DW
>
> PS: I need coverage in the US & Canada
>