Roadside Assistance As A Vanlifer

Guest Blog by Diana April

We've all been there, stranded on the side of the road with either a mechanical issue or a flat tire, slightly panicking about what to do next. In this post I want to stress the importance of having Roadside Assistance as a nomad, which companies rank high for van lifers and rvers, which Roadside Assistance providers rank lowest, and what we can do to prevent and prepare for when we find ourselves in a situation where Roadside Assistance can't come to our aid.

First, let's discuss which Roadside Assistance providers to choose, specifically for van lifers who cover long distances and live primarily on the road. Better World Club

Not only did the Better Business bureau give this company an A+ rating, but they also ranked number one on wallethub.com's list. Better world club matches AAA prices, includes bicycle Roadside Assistance, they have a carbon neutral fleet and donate to environmental charities which makes them eco-friendly. Their coverage options tend to be above average. Travelers

This Roadside Assistance provider offers two inexpensive plans, which both include winching. The premier option offers a hundred mile towing, trip interruption coverage, and personal property coverage. Keep in mind that you can only purchase roadside assistance through travelers if you have comprehensive or collision auto insurance through them currently. Good Sam

With unlimited tow miles, free tire and fuel delivery, RV techs on staff, and the largest RV dispatch network in the U.S., Good Sam has an excellent track record, specifically for those with RVs, trailers, and fifth wheels. It is a great choice.

Nationwide

Nationwide has two plans, basic and plus. Even basic has above average surface and both have ditch extraction. The plus plan covers 100 miles tow and $500 trip interruption coverage. Next, let's check out the Roadside Assistance providers that rank low on our scale.

AAA

Besides having four of my own personal nightmare stories with this roadside assistance provider (once I was left stranded without food or water with a flat and a dead battery for four days!), they have an F rating with the Better Business bureau and ended way down as number 14 on wallet hubs list. Although they do offer a 200 mi tow with their premier plan option, the website even mentions that service is not guaranteed. If you currently have any plan with AAA, I encourage you to get a backup with one of the providers listed above.

Blink

Blink is a fairly new provider and does have good coverage but they have a fee per mile towing price point ($99/tow plus $5/mile!) which you might as well just pay a tow company for. You can reach blink directly through the Alexa app but the website is very vague on how to reach them outside of the app. Farmers

Because Farmers coverage options differ depending on the state you're in, this Roadside Assistance is not recommended for long distance travelers who often change locations. Plus, they only cover a tow up to $150 worth which, if you've ever paid out of pocket for a tow, this won't get you very far. A couple honorable mentions for Roadside Assistance providers that offer specific services are as follows:

The General This a unique option for high risk drivers, such as those who have SR-22 (an extra insurance for drivers with a DUI), and has affordable options for all. AT&T

If you already have a phone line through AT&T, for $2.99 you can add roadside assistance to your plan. The service pays up to $75 per incident, but keep in mind it is linked to the specific person's phone number and can't be used for any other driver.

It's been more than once that I've found myself in a place without cell service, beyond the range of what my Roadside Assistance plan covers, and in a situation that could have been well prevented. So let's talk about how we can ensure our safety before and after getting into these predicaments.

Know your Roadside Assistance plan. Be aware of the miles away you are from a major hub and how far you can get towed.

Tell a friend. If you think you'll be going off grid, out of service or down a sketchy road be sure to tell a friend in advance who has access to cell service just in case they don't hear from you in a few days. Always scout ahead. If you haven't got four wheel drive, it's always a good idea to stop the vehicle at a safe place you can turn around and scout ahead on the road to make sure it's possible.

How's your spare? Make sure your spare tire is in good shape and always carry it with you. If for some reason that's not possible make sure you've got a can of Fix-A-Flat or a patch kit in the vehicle wherever you go. Carry on non-perishables. I always keep some protein powder on board so if I do get stranded I have a lightweight sufficient nutrition that all I have to do is add water to. If I'm not feeling my body and mind with adequate nutrition, stressful situations don't get handled as easily. Carry a burner phone.

It's always a good idea to have a secondary phone with an alternative service then your primary phone. Often times a different cellular provider will work when one doesn't give you service in a certain area.

Consider your pets. If you have pets prepare for them as well with extra water, any medications, treats, first aid, etc. Consider a GPS device. If for some reason you can't walk to a high enough place to find cell service, or you're just too far away, having a Garmin GPS or similar device can be a lifesaver. Alternative power source. Even if you can't get a big solar setup on your rig, you might run out of gas and not be able to use your engine for power or the battery within the vehicle. You can purchase a small notebook size fold-out panel which includes a USB port already in the kit for under $50 so at least you can charge your phone in any devices that might save your life. Van life and nomadic living can be very intimidating, and even scary, in the beginning. But, if you make sure you've considered possible scenarios and prepare for them as well as get Roadside Assistance for when the inevitable breakdown happens, there really isn't much to fear at all! Diana April

You can find me on Tiktok @bunnyandbeyond

I am on IG as bunny_and_beyond