Coach Net or FMCA Roadside assist which on is better for you.
In an ideal scenario, nothing would go wrong while you are taking a vacation in your RV. The trip would simply be fun, relaxing, and a great way to connect with the world around you and your loved ones.
Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to expect a perfect trip every time.
Whenever you find yourself in a jam, you could always call an RV roadside assist program to help you out. Two of the best programs include Coach-Net and FMCA. Both programs can come in handy and can help you get back on the road quickly.
At the same time, both are highly expensive and out of most people’s price range.
To find out which of these roadside assist programs is right for you, keep reading. In this article, we provide a comprehensive comparison between these two programs.
In the end, we also offer alternative RV roadside assist programs and a buying guide to help you select the right service for your needs.
Let us get started.
Table of Contents
Why Do I Need RV Roadside Assist?
Before taking a close look into some of the top RV roadside assist programs, let us talk about why you need one of these programs in the first place.
Many RV owners do not take the time to pay for this feature, and they find themselves in a real jam.
Even though RV roadside assist programs are a bit costly, they can really pay in the case of a worst-case scenario.
“You never know when the worst will happen. Not to mention, basic RV warranties and even extended warranties do not cover all accidents that may happen on the road.”
Even more alarming is the fact that RV insurance does not cover every accident that may happen either.
Since basic warranties and insurance do not cover everything, it is a great idea to select an RV roadside assist program that can help you in every scenario.
These programs can help you in case you lock yourself out, you run out of fuel, or other miscellaneous accidents that can happen on the road.
Not to mention, RV roadside assist programs have specific knowledge about motor homes and RVs. This means that they can quickly address your issue based on the vehicle you are in.
This comes in handy since many programs do not specialize in RVs.
Without specialized RV knowledge, the programs can take longer to address your needs and get you back out on the road.
Read also: RV Accidents Statistics: 19 Facts You Should Know (Explained)
The Benefits of Coach-Net Roadside Assistance
Check out the many benefits of Coach-Net! Have a flat tire? Need someone drive your RV back home during an emergency?
Did you lock your keys out? So many benefits of Coach-Net…it’s a must have for any RV and traveler.
The Benefits of Coach-Net Roadside Assistance >> Check out the video below:
Is Coach-Net Or FMCA Right For You?
| When To Choose Coach-Net | When To Choose FMCA |
|---|---|
| You have a large budget | You have a large budget |
| You ONLY want roadside service | You want roadside service and additional features |
| You are only traveling within certain states in the US | You want a community |
| You are traveling all around the United States, Canada, Mexico, or Great Britain |
So, is Coach-Net or FMCA right for you? The answer to this question depends entirely on what you want out of an RV roadside assistance program. Both of these programs cost about the same and offer very similar features.
On the one hand, you should select Coach-Net if you want a roadside service program that focuses on roadside service.
You will not get many other features out of Coach-Net, but this may not be a drawback if you do not want to fill up your inbox or Mail with newsletters and other items.
On the other hand, FMCA is right for you if you want all the benefits of a roadside assistance program plus more.
As we learned, FMCA offers multiple programs and features, making it the best choice for you if you want a comprehensive organization.
Overall, we would recommend FMCA simply because you get more bang for your buck. Even though both programs are really expensive, FMCA simply offers you more because you can get more from the membership aside from simple roadside assistance.
At the same time, neither program is right for you if you are on a tight budget.
Even though these features are really nice with both of these programs, you can easily find more affordable options that are still highly functional by looking elsewhere.
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About Coach-Net
Coach-Net is a leading roadside assistance company. They have been helping RV owners and members since 1987, making them a longtime trusted roadside assist company.
They provide 24/7 response and over 40,000 assistance providers throughout Canada and the United States.
Of course, this long-trusted history and superior customer service come with a drawback. Coach-Net is easily one of the most expensive options on the market, making it a poor choice for those on a budget.
Leading Features
Coach-Net offers quite a few features. For example, they offer unlimited towing miles. Unlimited towing miles is a great benefit because it means they will reach your RV, no matter where it is located.
Even if you are in the backwoods, they will help you.
Coach-Net offers features that do not require towing as well. For example, they will deliver fuel, oil, transmission fluid, water, power steering fluid, and brake fluid.
All of these deliveries come at no extra charge. Coach-Net offers tire replacement, repair, battery boosts, and emergency lockout services too!
“One of the best features about Coach-Net is that they offer a 24/7 technical assistance hotline. This is a completely unique feature that practically only Coach-Net offers.”
It means that you can call someone if there is a small issue you want to fix yourself. Through the phone, they will instruct you on what to do so that you can get on the road quicker.
Pros
The benefit of selecting a service like Coach-Net is that they offer quite a few services.
All of these services are specific to RVs, meaning that you will get back on the road with the help of an assistance program that knows exactly how to fix your problems.
Coach-Net also has superior customer service, which is another benefit. Customer service is an important part of roadside assistance because it helps an already stressful situation feel a bit more manageable.
Cons
Although Coach-Net has a lot of benefits, they have quite a few drawbacks too. The biggest con about this program is how expensive it is.
Their plans start at $180 and go up to $280, which is much more expensive than just about any other RV roadside assistance program. Those on a budget will likely want to find a different option.
Another major drawback of Coach-Net is that they actually do not offer coverage everywhere in the United States.
For example, Maryland is just one state that is not covered by Coach-Net. You will want to check with Coach-Net to ensure the areas you intend to be traveling to is covered by their program.
About FMCA
FMCA, which is an acronym for the Family Motor Coach Association, is another major RV roadside assist program with a longstanding history.
It was started in 1963, meaning it has a longer history than Coach-Net. It was initially developed so house car owners (the original name for RVs) could meet up with one another.
Since 1963, FMCA has over 500,000 members and is currently the world’s largest nonprofit RV group. The organization is run by volunteers.
Plus, FMCA offers quite a few features, such as roadside assistance, lifestyle resources, and more, though these features come at a high price tag.
Leading Features
The FMCA roadside assistance program is titled Roadside Rescue. Whenever you become a member, you can use Roadside Rescue for either $129 for towable vehicles or $159 for motorized vehicles.
This program offers quite a few features, including towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, battery boost, tire change, and technical assistance.
Pros
One of the major benefits of FMCA is that it covers a lot of areas within North America. This includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It even reaches Great Britain. The fact that the service reaches so many locations means that there are more service locations than with Coach-Net.
Another major benefit of FMCA is that you have to have membership in order to purchase Roadside Rescue.
This membership comes with many other notable benefits, such as a magazine, newsletter, tire saving program, campground access, Wi-Fi plans, and more.
Cons
Much like Coach-Net, FMCA comes with major drawbacks. Most importantly, it is highly expensive. Just to have a membership, you have to pay $85.
From there, you then have to pay for the Roadside Rescue service.
Coach-Net vs. FMCA
| . | Coach-Net | FMCA |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Roadside assist ONLY | Roadside assist and access to RVing community |
| Features | Unlimited towing Delivers fuel, oil, transmission fluid, water, power steering fluid, and brake fluid 24/7 customer support Technical support hotline | Unlimited towing 24/7 customer support Access to magazine, newsletter, tire saving program, campground access, etc. |
| Location | Parts of the United States | United States, Canada, Mexico, and Great Britain |
| Price | $180 to $280 | $85 membership fee $129 for towable vehicles ($214 total) $159 for motorized vehicles ($244 total) |
Now that we have looked at both Coach-Net and FMCA individually, let us compare them to one another.
Both of these services are very expensive, making them about the same in terms of price. They also offer really similar features that make them some of the best services in terms of their offerings.
Features
When it comes to features, both Coach-Net and FMCA are two of the top programs. They both offer crucial services, such as unlimited towing, fuel delivery, battery boosts, lockout service, and technical assistance.
These are some of the most important features to look for in any roadside assistance program.
Coach-Net may be better for you if you need individual features, such as oil, water, transmission fluid, brake fluid, or power steering fluid delivery.
These delivery services come at no charge, and FMCA does not offer all of these delivery services. If you are concerned about having access to these items on the road, Coach-Net is the choice for you.
On the other hand, FMCA is the choice for you if you want a roadside assistance program that offers features not related to the Roadside Rescue.
For example, FMCA is the best option if you want an organization that unites you with other RVers and provides numerous resources, such as flyers and newsletters.
With this in mind, Coach-Net and FMCA are both great services in terms of their features. Coach-Net is the best option for users who want a lot of features specific to the roadside assistance program.
At the same time, FMCA is a great program because it offers features not directly related to roadside assistance.
Location
When it comes to location, FMCA hands down wins. As we learned above, Coach-Net is really only suitable for use in the United States.
Even then, not all areas in the United States are covered by Coach-Net. This makes Coach-Net a much less suitable option if you like traveling all around the continent or even the globe.
On the other hand, FMCA is superior for more intense travels. They cover multiple countries, including Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
They even cover Great Britain. Since FMCA covers so many countries, it is the superior option in terms of location.
Price
When it comes to price, Coach-Net and FMCA are about the same, though you can get more from FMCA. Both of these programs are not suited for those on a tight budget.
You will want to opt for a completely different roadside assist program if you do not have a lot of money to spend.
On the one hand, you will pay between $180 and $280 for the Coach-Net services. This is a rather expensive service, especially considering the fact it does not cover all locations, including within the United States.
At the same time, FMCA is expensive as well. To begin, you will have to pay $85 annually for membership to FMCA. Without paying for this membership, you will not have access to their Roadside Rescue program.
After you pay for the general membership, you will have to pay even more for the Roadside Rescue program. Towable vehicles cost $129, whereas motorized vehicles cost $159.
This means that you can pay either $214 or $244.
It should be mentioned that FMCA can save you money if you expect to change your tires. The many features that come with FMCA can save you money if you use them, but this will not be used every year.
With these facts in mind, you can pay less with Coach-Net, but you could also pay more with it. It entirely depends on what program you select with FMCA.
You also have to keep in mind that FMCA comes with other benefits that may make the cost more worth it.
Read also: Travel Expense Statistics: 19 Facts, Trends To Consider (Explained)
Other RV Roadside Assist Companies
If you are not sold on either Coach-Net or FMCA, there are other roadside assistance programs you can consider.
Just like Coach-Net and FMCA, there are both pros and cons to these programs. Let us take a look at the top alternatives to consider.
Good Sam
Good Sam tends to rate really highly as an RV roadside assistance program. It is much like AAA, but it is designed specifically for RVs.
Many RV owners who have tried out different roadside assistance programs claim that Good Sam offers the most comprehensive features, and they have the most responsive customer service at a much lower price.
Good Sam also has some pretty affordable plans. All of their plans include unlimited towing. Their prices range from $64.95 to $119.95.
Good Sam is not the option for you if you plan to be traveling to Mexico, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands. Although they do cover these locations, they only offer support if it is worth $1000. It also is not a great idea for leased, rented, or borrowed RVs.
Still, Good Sam is a great option if you are traveling within the United States in an owned RV.
AAA (American Automobile Association)
Many people have heard of AAA since it is most commonly used for vehicles and regular roadside assistance. AAA offers RV roadside assistance too, but they do not specialize in RVs.
AAA is a great option if you have multiple vehicles and want to save a couple of extra bucks.
AAA offers multiple plans, ranging from $50 to over $200. This means that you can select a plan that is perfect for you and your vehicle with ease. The RV plans can be a little bit more expensive than Good Sam, but they include good features and some plans are cheaper.
One drawback of AAA is that there is a strict limit on towing services. Depending on the plan you select, the limit may either be only 5 miles or up to 100 miles.
Given that RVs travel a lot more, this can be a major issue if you want coverage for RVs specifically.
If you want to cover other family members, the price can get really expensive too. With the exception of covering multiple family members, AAA is a cost-effective option for RV roadside assistance.
Better World Club
The last alternative we recommend looking into is Better World Club. Better World Club offers great roadside assistance, but it has an eco-friendly focus.
This makes Better World Club a great option if you are an eco-friendly RV owner.
This program offers a variety of features and services, including tire changes, battery jumpstart, lockout services, and winching.
Once again, they tend to perform all of these services with an emphasis on the environment.
The one drawback of Better World Club is that it is a bit more expensive than the other options. You must select their $97 plan for RV coverage.
Then, you have to pay an additional $45. In order to cover family members, expect to pay $51 per person in addition.
There are some other drawbacks to this option as well. For example, they have limited fuel delivery and towing restrictions. These facts make it a less suitable option for those traveling long-distance and wanting to save money.
If you want an option that is much more environmentally friendly, though, you will not find a better option than Better World Club.
Factors To Consider
Before purchasing any RV roadside assistance service, there are several factors you need to consider. These factors can help you find the best service for your needs and budget.
They apply whether you are looking at Coach-Net, FMCA, or some other service. Let us take a look at each one of these factors.
Services
The first thing you need to consider is the services offered by the roadside assistance company. Some of the most common services you need to look for include towing services, jumpstart services, fuel delivery, and emergency lockout services.
Not all plans will come with all of these services, and the ones that do will be more expensive. The four services we mentioned are the most important, and they should be the ones you look for.
There are other services too, but they are less needed.
Make sure that the roadside assistance company you select offers plans that include all the most basic services.
If the plans do not include these services, roadside assistance will not be very much help in the most common RV troubles.
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Locations
Another factor you need to consider is the locations for roadside assistance. The last thing you want is to pay for roadside assistance only to find out that they do not cover the area you are traveling to.
“The most common RV roadside assistance companies have quite a few locations, meaning they cover just about everywhere in the United States and Canada.”
While you are looking at how many locations are available, check the distance limits. Certain roadside assistance providers offer larger limits than others, whereas smaller providers can only stay within a more limited radius.
If you know that you travel to obscure locations often, it is best to select a bigger company simply because they have a larger reach.
If you only travel to certain regions, you can look for local providers in that area.
Timeliness
Whenever you are purchasing RV roadside assistance, you absolutely must consider the timeliness. Timeliness refers to how quickly the company can get to your vehicle and assist with whatever trouble you may need.
Obviously, the exact time will depend on where you are located, but you can generally estimate the timeliness of a company based on reviews and their guarantees.
It is best to select a company that offers 24/7 customer service. When you are on the road, you never know when something could go wrong.
Companies that do not offer 24/7 customer service may not be helpful when an emergency strikes.
An important part of timeliness is customer service. Not only do you want a company to be quick, but you want them to be friendly and helpful at the same time.
Make sure the company you select has great customer service to ensure your emergency gets fixed and does not cause any more stress than needed.
Theft Protection
One issue that RV owners face on the road is theft. This includes theft of the RV or the valuables inside. Certain RV roadside assistance programs will offer theft protection. This offers extra reassurance in a worst-case scenario.
Depending on the plan you select, some providers will offer theft protection at a flat rate, whereas others charge based on the items stolen.
Theft protection is not necessary, but it may be something you want to consider.
Read also: RV Theft Statistics – 11 Facts You Should Know (Explained)
Price
Finally, the last factor to consider is price. Any good RV roadside assistance program will be expensive, but they are programs that can really come in handy if there is an emergency.
Opt for a program that has a good price while still offering all the services you need.
Pay attention to hidden fees. Certain companies will charge extra fees for items you do not need. Make sure to only get the services that you know might come in handy.
There is no point in paying extra premiums if you know you will never need the services that cost more.
Final Thoughts
Both Coach-Net and FMCA are leading RV roadside assistance programs. Both of these programs are highly expensive but come with superior features and services that not all programs offer.
With that in mind, these programs are great if you do not care much about how much you spend.
Between these two services, we prefer FMCA simply because you get more out of your purchase.
You can get lifestyle tips, newsletters, tire savings, and roadside assistance all for about the same price as Coach-Net, which only offers roadside assistance. Plus, FMCA offers more coverage.
If both Coach-Net and FMCA are out of your budget, you can easily select another great option, such as Good Sam.
No matter which RV roadside assistance program you select, remember to keep the buying guide factors in mind. These factors can help you pick out the right program based on your needs and budget.
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