Ken,
I went to my "Towing" folder and found these examples - NOTE the dates on the emails!
Regards,
Rob
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Henderson"
To: "gmclist"
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2008 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: [gmclist] Confusion about Roadside service
Ken,
Another consideration is that, at least around here, nobody carries insurance to go out of state. Way too expensive. When we huffed a motor in Charlotte, N.C., we called the State Patrol and told them to send us an adequate wrecker that could go to Ohio. When he got us home, we paid him for the tow. On Monday morning My wife took the receipt into the State Farm agent and got a check for the full amount. No questions, no argument, no BS. So I like State Farm, period.
Gary Kosier
77EII & 77PB
Newark, Ohio
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-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces On Behalf Of Dan Gregg
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 5:29 PM
To: Life is good in South California. Went to LA today and got some great pictures for the blog.
Subject: [GMCnet] Progressive Paid the Bill
The adjuster I was dealing with put me in touch with road side assistance. That is where I should have been to start with. He must have been sensing the fact that I was fed up with his questions. I got a call this morning from a very nice lady, Vickie. She said because the GMC has a special drive train that they were paying the 1086.00 tow bill in full. The check went in the mail today. I think it is time to say goodbye to Good Sam and save my 100.00. I am very thankful to get the tow bill paid as we are in need of a new transmission now. I really appreciate Miguel and Manny discussing my situation and then having Jim K. send us a tranny that should get here tomorrow. These 3 guys have really gone out of their way to help Teri and me.
Dan
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-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Kosier
Sent: Thursday, February 4, 2010 9:27 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Towing service experience
Rob,
Twenty-some years ago, we broke down in Cincinnati, Ohio. Called Good Sam, got that number about "nearest service provider". I said No, I want to go home. They said No. So I hung up. Called Our's Garage, a local truck place out by the interstate. They came and got us and brought us home and even backed the coach into the garage. Not an easy task at our place. Distance was 150 miles. Bill was $455.00. Wife took the bill down to the State Farm office in the morning and brought back a check. A few years later, we broke down just north of Charlotte, N.C. Called Our's Garage. No good. Can't cross state lines. Insurance! Told a highway patrolman to get us a big wrecker that could go to Ohio. Big boy came out and brought us home 500 miles. Cost $1230.00 Wife took the bill down to State Farm office the next day and asked if they could do anything. They wrote us a check for the full amount. I think I'll stick with State Farm.
Gary Kosier
77EII & 77PB
Newark, Ohio
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-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Mueller [mailto:robmueller]
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 9:16 PM
To: 'gmclist'
Subject: Summary of Towing Sservice Experience
G'day,
There have been a number of discussions under with different subject lines. Below I have summarized what was said. As you can see I have not drawn any conclusions from the information I have merely provided a summary along with some observations and suggestions.
1) Dan G. noted the following regarding Progressive: "The adjuster I was dealing with put me in touch with road side assistance. That is where I should have been to start with. I got a call this morning from a very nice lady, Vickie. She said because the GMC has a special drive train that they were paying the 1086.00 tow bill in full."
2) Ken H. noted: "I've been very happy with Allstate Motor Club's RV Road Help plan for many years."
He contacted them recently regarding their tow service and they advised; "As stated in your membership handbook 'Towing to the nearest service facility and/or minor on-site labor.' However we would like to assure you that your vehicle would be towed to a capable place of repair.
When calling for emergency roadside assistance we would request you to inform the customer service representative of any special equipment that your eligible vehicle or RV requires when it has to be towed and / or repaired."
3) Ken B. noted: "If you do not get satisfaction from Progressive, file a complaint with your home state Insurance commission."
4) Steve F. noted: "Not on your freaking life would I ever go back to Allstate." He detailed his reasons for making this statement.
5) Bill B. noted that the Good Sam contractor towed his GMC from the rear which caused problems which "will likely end up in court." State Farm reimbursed him for the extra charges he paid to get it towed to Tom Hampton's shop.
6) Andy M. noted that he has Allstate RV Road Help and the three times he's used it the services were satisfactory.
7) Wesley C. noted that he has AAA RV Towing and despite some difficulties that he "Will still stay with them."
8) Gary K. noted that on two occasions State Farm Insurance has reimbursed him for two expensive tows, $455 & $1230.
9) John S. noted: Be sure the tow provider rep knows that the vehicle to be towed GMC is a front wheel drive GMC Motorhome with an Oldsmobile engine. Even though I told them I needed a wheel lift wrecker capable of lifting 4000# and towing 12000# or a low boy trailer, they did not relay that information to the wrecker company. The first two wreckers they sent could only use a sling so I sent them packing.
10) A number of people noted that if you are ex US Military USAA insurance is a good option. They provide insurance through Progressive.
I realize I am demonstrating an acute grasp on the obvious with what I have written below but I intend to print a copy of it out and have it onboard when we travel. I KNOW that I will be upset if and when I need a tow and it will help me keep my head on straight!
I will have a hard copy of:
http://www.bdub.net/GMCServiceComments.pdf on hand also.
When you call the tow service provider representative:
1) CALM DOWN, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, SPEAK SOFTLY, BE POLITE AND PATIENT!
2) Get the name and direct telephone number of the representative you are speaking to so you can call back "in case we get cut off."
3) Write down their name, date and time of your conversation, and ask for a case reference number.
4) Ask / confirm that your conversation is being recorded.
5) Take lots of notes as to what is said! Repeat what the rep says to you to confirm it after you write it down.
6) Have a hard copy of the TOWING VEHICLE section out of Maintenance Manual X-7525 Page 0-4 & 0-5 in your hand when you call the tow service provider.
7) Advise them that the GMC MUST be towed from the front or put on a vehicle long enough to accommodate it; read them the sentence under TOWING AT REAR on page 0-5.
8) Ask for the name, phone number, and contact at the shop where your GMC is to be towed and to confirm they have experience working on GMC's.
9) Most likely they won't be able to tell you if the shop has experience on a GMC so if it is during normal business hours call the shop yourself while you're waiting for the tow truck. Ask if they have any experience working on 1973-78 GMC Motorhomes. Most likely they will not have any experience so call the tow service provider rep back and pass that information on to them. Ask them how a shop with no experience working on a GMC could be qualified to do so?
10) When the tow vehicle arrives ask the driver if they have ever towed a GMC before. The answer will most likely be no so give him the copy of the TOWING VEHICLE section out of the MM and ask him to please take a minute to read it.
11) Confirm that the tow vehicle has sufficient capacity to tow a 12,000 pound GMC.
12) Confirm that the tow company is insured and is responsible for any damage suffered while the vehicle is under tow.
13) When you arrive at the shop ask again if they have experience working on a GMC.
14) Ask the shop if they have the Maintenance Manual, Parts Book, and special tools for working on a GMC.
15) Ask the shop how long it will be before they can look at your GMC.
16) If you are unhappy with responses from the shop call the tow service provider and advise them. Ask if you can be taken to shop that does have experience, manuals, and tools!
All the above may sound pedantic but if "something happens" and you wind up in court you can easily demonstrate that you did your best to inform the tow service provider, the tow company, and the repair shop of any special requirements for towing a GMC and repairing it.
At the end of the day it may all come to naught but at least you won't kick yourself for not doing something you could/should have!
If anybody has any additional thoughts regarding this subject please feel free to comment.
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Ken Henderson
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2017 7:14 AM
To: GMC Mail List
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] $69 per Year FMCA Roadside Assistance
John,
The tow insurance situation is sort of a nightmare. I've had too much
experience with it over the past 19 years of GMC ownership. Until last
July, I always depended on "RV Roadhelp" -- the RV branch of Allstate.
I've had excellent service from them, getting towed up to 384 miles
(Tupelo, MC to Americus, GA). Getting that kind of service has required a
LOT of patient telephone discussion with their representatives, and their
supervisors. The gist of all my arguments has been that "QUALIFIED repair
facility", means someone who has worked on a GMC motorhome within the past
few years, and is willing to do so now. I've challenged them to find
someone who meets that definition and offer to give them the addresses
those I consider qualified, usually Applied GMC in Newark, CA or Sirum GMC
in Okeechobee, FL. They've never yet failed to take me to my chosen
destination. During the Tupelo incident, they had me towed to an overnight
location and then on to a local garage beyond my home. They would not tow
me to my home, even though I called it "Henderson's Garage". The driver
did agree to drop me off 3 miles short of his assigned destination. That I
was successful with my argument that time was a bit of a surprise since
their policy and advertising no longer include "qualified" in the
destination definition.
When the final drive failed in Valparaiso, FL, in July, I made the mistake
of having the coach towed just a few miles to a friend's home in Niceville,
FL. When it turned out that the failure required so much time, effort, and
equipment, I'd already exercised my RV Roadhelp service, so I fell back on
my USAA auto insurance policy. It turned out that their policy includes a
mileage limit (100 miles, IIRC). Since I was being towed, by a service I
arranged, 264 miles, USAA agree to pay me their "maximum coverage" of
$250. That at least helped with the $750 bill.
I've heard many tales of woe about Camping World, Good Sam, and other
services, with a FEW good reports. It's my understanding that State Farm
is usually good about reimbursement, and that AAA, in some states, is
good. Seems to me, the important things to remember are: 1. Know your
policy's provisions. 2. Patiently insist that the service comply with
those provisions, including that the sort of definition I described above.
Good luck, but don't depend on always having it -- NEVER DRIVE A GMC
WITHOUT ROADSIDE SERVICE.
Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, Troy-Bilt APU, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com
