Coach-Net vs Good Sam: What’s the Better Choice?

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Jodie Chiffey

RV Enthusiast at Roaming RV

Jodie Chiffey is a freelance writer that enjoys the outdoors. She goes mountain biking and loves spending time in nature. Her goal at RV Pioneers is to help RVers enjoy their time on the road with their families, so she shares her knowledge about RVs and RV life.

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• Coach-Net vs Good Sam: What’s the Better Choice? -

When it comes to roadside assistance for RVs, there are two top choices: Coach-Net vs Good Sam. Which one is better? More importantly, which one can meet your needs?

Roadside assistance is important if you own or operate a vehicle, especially if it’s an RV since not all companies can accommodate recreational vehicles. Whether it’s a battery issue, engine trouble, a flat tire, or something else, having reliable and professional roadside assistance can make your life a lot easier when something goes wrong with your RV.

And something will go wrong at some point. That’s just how things are. When your RV does break down, you can avoid expensive fees (some companies charge nearly $300 to tow cars) and know who to call for help.

The best time to plan for the inevitable is before it happens.

In this article, I will take a look at what each has to offer, factors you need to consider when choosing between the two, their pros and cons, and more.

Bottom Line Upfront: Overall, Good Sam offers better value and cheaper fees. However, Coach-Net is a reliable alternative if you have the budget for a bit more coverage. For most RVers, it’s probably overkill. 

Main Differences Between Coach-Net vs Good Sam

The Main Differences Between Coach-Net And Good Sam Are:

• Good Sam has multiple membership plans for different needs, whereas Coach-Net only has two.
• Good Sam’s pricing is varied and affordable, whereas Coach-Net has fewer pricing options and is more expensive.
• Coach-Net provides professional guidance over the phone from technicians for common operational issues, whereas Good Sam does not.
• Good Sam offers many additional services, whereas Coach-Net focuses on roadside assistance.

New Member Discount

Good Sam Discount Offer

The folks at Good Sam let us know they are offering a discount for our readers with code "new_member" which is pre-filled using our link here (helps keep this blog running). A 3 year membership costs just $99. We actually USE Good Sam, long before they partnered with us!

Save With Code Here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Factors to Consider When Getting Roadside Assistance

Here are the key things to take a look at when shopping for roadside assistance:

Location Coverage

Check the locations your roadside assistance program covers. Most companies will cover all locations across the United States and Canada with some conditions.

Take a close look at what the off-roading limits are to know how good a coverage plan is.

Vehicle

Think about the age of your vehicle and the type of vehicle you’re getting roadside assistance for.

Towable RVs require less maintenance so repairs are few and roadside assistance costs less. In comparison, motorized RVs are high-maintenance so roadside assistance membership costs more.

Services

The most important factor to consider is the services that come with your membership plan. While most plans look the same, the fine print can hide details that may surprise you.

Putting this into practice in my own life, I’ve scrutinized roadside assistance fine print many times and realized that there are “services” where I end up paying most of the costs.

People Covered

Most roadside assistance programs cover spouses and dependent children, however, few programs charge you an extra fee for each additional member above your limit.

Frequency of Vehicle Use

Vehicles that are used often have more chances of breaking down. These are the types of vehicles that benefit the most from roadside assistance. On the other hand, vehicles that are rarely used are better off paying a one-time roadside assistance fee.

Vehicle/Member-based Coverage

Vehicle-based programs will cover particular vehicles only while member-based programs will cover members regardless of the vehicle.

Price

Price can be tricky to navigate. Most programs will offer multiple services that are never the same across the industry. This means that an affordable plan might not have essential features while an expensive one might cover more features than necessary.

Overall, looking at roadside assistance programs closely is a must especially since you’ll be paying an annual fee.

Coach-Net vs Good Sam Comparison

Let’s see how they stack up against each other.

Coach-Net

Founded in 1987, Coach-Net offers roadside and technical assistance for RVs and other vehicles throughout the United States and Canada.

Types of Vehicles Covered

Coach-Net offers roadside assistance services and membership plans for towable and motorized (drivable) RVs.

Family Members Covered

With a Coach-Net membership, you, your spouse, and dependent children under 24 years of age are all protected.

Memberships

Coach-Net offers two memberships based on the type of vehicle you have.

Coach-Net Premier Towable Plan

The Premier Towable Plan is for those with towable RVs.

Coach-Net Premier Motorized Plan

The Premier Motorized Plan is for users with motorized RVs.

Coach-Net Features

Both plans include the following features:

• All-inclusive coverage for personal owned, rented, borrowed, and leased vehicles
• Unlimited towing without limits on mileage or cost. Your disabled vehicle is towed to the nearest qualified repair facility without requiring an out-of-pocket expense from you
• Unlimited tire assistance service includes changing your flat tire and the delivery of a comparable tire to tow your vehicle to a repair facility
• Nationwide tire delivery
• 24/7 travel assistance service by AirMed to help hospitalized members within the United States or Canada and those more than 150 miles away from home
• Emergency delivery of fluids and fuels to the location of your vehicle
• Unlimited battery boost for your vehicle’s dead battery or a tow to a repair facility
• Delivery of a locksmith to your locked vehicle and assistance in obtaining a replacement key/opening
• Unlimited mobile mechanic dispatch to the site of the vehicle
• Unlimited appointment locator service for obtaining the first available appointment at the nearest qualified facility
• Extraction or winch out services (covering vehicles 100 feet off of maintained road/commercial campgrounds)
• Maximum reimbursement of $2,000 in case a stranded RV has a collision accident more than 100 miles from home
• Car buying service with Autoland
• 24/7 concierge services for personal assistance, emergency travel assistance, and worldwide travel assistance
• Personalized trip packets for travel across the US and Canada
• Cost-free enrollment and discounts at TicketsatWork
• Caller locator technology to pinpoint your exact location
• US-based call center services
• Coverage for trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, and tow dollies

Discounts

Coach-Net offers a range of discounts to their members. These include:

• Up to 20% discount at 7,000 hotels around the world
• 15% discount on commercial tires
• Discounts on RV products and accessories
• Camping discounts with partner campgrounds across the US and Canada (also read: KOA vs Good Sam membership for campground network comps)
• Vehicle rental discounts from Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget

Certifications

Coach-Net’s RV technicians are factory-trained, RVIA, RVDA, or ASE-certified.

Hotline Assistance

The RV Technical Assistance Hotline is accessible to members 24/7. Through the hotline, users get professional guidance from technicians for common operational issues.

All you need to do to access their assistance is call the Roadside Assistance hotline printed on your member card.

Other Products

Coach-Net also offers additional services for an additional cost. These include:

• Hazard Protect (for tire and wheel protection)
• RV Protect (for a service agreement for new and used RVs)
• Finish Protect (for paint and fabric protection)
• Asset Protect (for guaranteed asset protection or GAP coverage)

Pricing

The Premier Motorized Plan costs $249 for one year while the Premier Towable Plan costs $179 annually.

Based on industry standards, their rates are quite expensive.

Reviews

Coach-Net has great customer reviews for their on-call professional assistance for minor issues. However, there are an equal number of reviews that complain about delayed assistance.

Key Features

• Towable and motorized RV assistance plans
• Covers the United States and Canada
• Nationwide tire delivery
• Travel assistance service
• Caller locator technology
• 24/7 concierge services
• Technical assistance hotline
• RVIA, RVDA, or ASE-certified technicians

Pros

• All-inclusive coverage
• Multiple discounts available
• On-call assistance
• Wide area of coverage

Cons

• Only two membership plans
• Expensive

Good Sam

Founded in 1966, Good Sam is an organization of RV owners that also offers a range of vehicle and travel-related services. They offer services to members from thousands of locations across North America.

Types of Vehicles Covered

Good Sam covers towable RVs such as travel trailers, toy haulers, and pop-up camping trailers. Their policies can also cover owned cars, vans, pickups, SUVs, boat trailers, and motorcycles.

Family Members Covered

Standard plans for RVs offer coverage for you, your spouse, your domestic partner, and dependent children under 25 at no additional cost.

Memberships

Good Sam offers a single Club Membership plan in three options for 1, 2, and 3-year coverage. While this plan is separate from their roadside assistance programs, it’s worth considering because members of the Good Sam membership plan and their roadside assistance plan get extra perks.

The 2-year membership plan comes with a $15 merchandise certificate while the 3-year membership plan comes with a $30 merchandise certificate and other exclusive Elite benefits. You can exchange the corresponding merchandise certificates for $15 and $30 discounts at Camping World.

Here are some of the benefits that come with Good Sam’s programs:

• Free shipping if you meet a minimum online purchase amount at Camping World, Gander RV, and Overton’s
• Free RV and boat dump station privileges (at select locations of Camping World and Gander RV)
• Annual multi-point RV inspection at any Camping World retail location
• Free online Good Sam Trip Planning tool

Roadside Assistance Plans (for RV)

Standard Roadside Assistance

The standard plan provides 24/7 assistance. All towing fees are covered without any mileage or cost limits. A mobile mechanic is also available for minor repairs (you pay for labor and parts).

This roadside assistance service covers North America, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Other features of the Standard Roadside Assistance plan include:

• Changing a flat tire or towing service to the nearest service center
• Spare tire purchase and delivery (you pay for the tire, parts, and labor)
• Battery jumpstart at campgrounds or in your driveway
• Emergency delivery of fluids and fuels (up to 5 gallons of fuel)
• Lockout assistance (you pay for labor and parts)
• Emergency medical referrals while traveling
• Up to $1,200 reimbursement on accidents when 100 miles from home
• 10% discount (up to $100 in total car repairs and services) at AAMCO Transmission Centers

Platinum Roadside Assistance

The Platinum Roadside Assistance plan covers everything from the Standard plan and more. It covers multiple motorized RVs, Fifth Wheels, utility, and sport trailers.

Some of the exclusive benefits of this plan include:

• 25% discount on rental services from Avis and Budget
• 20% discount on more than 7,300 hotels worldwide
• Purchase assistance for new/used cars
• Concierge services
• 24/7 service and access to certified RV technicians
• Priority access to their RV tech helpline

Platinum Complete Roadside Assistance

The Platinum Complete covers all vehicles regardless of whether they’re leased, rented, or borrowed. This plan can cover RVs, autos, as well as utility and sports utility trailers.

This program includes all the perks from the Platinum Roadside Assistance plan (for RV) with exclusive features such as:

• Tire and wheel road hazard
• Emergency travel assistance
• Emergency medical assistance
• Up to $1,500 reimbursement on accidents when 100 miles from home

Roadside Assistance Plans (for Auto)

Platinum Auto Roadside Assistance

The Platinum Auto plan covers owned cars, vans, trucks, pick-ups, and SUVs.

Its features include:

• 24/7 assistance
• Coverage for 100% of towing costs
• Access to Good Sam’s network of towing services and roadside experts
• Emergency roadside assistance across North America, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands
• Changing of flat tire and towing to nearest service center
• Battery jumpstart at campgrounds or in your driveway
• Emergency delivery of fluids and fuels (up to 5 gallons of fuel)
• Lockout assistance (you pay for labor and parts)
• 10% discount on AAMCO Transmission Centers (up to $100 in total car repairs and services)

Platinum+ Auto Roadside Assistance

The Platinum+ includes all features of the Platinum Auto with additional benefits like:

• Coverage for motorcycles and sport trailers (including boat, ATV/motorcycle, PWC, snowmobile trailers)
• Emergency travel and medical assistance
• $1,500 reimbursement on accidents when 100 miles from home
• 25% discount on rentals from Avis and Budget
• 20% discount on more than 7,300 hotels worldwide

Platinum Complete Auto Roadside Assistance

This plan includes and covers all features and vehicles from the Platinum Auto Roadside Assistance. Some of its exclusive features include:

• Tire and wheel road hazard coverage
• Emergency assistance for medical and travel services

Discounts

Roadside Assistance Memberships offer different discounts based on the plan. Some of these include:

• 10% discount (up to $100 in total car repairs and services) at AAMCO Transmission Centers
• $1,500 reimbursement on accidents when 100 miles from home
• 25% discount on rentals from Avis and Budget
• 20% discount on more than 7,300 hotels worldwide

Good Sam also provides regular discounts on membership plans.

New Member Discount

Good Sam Discount Offer

The folks at Good Sam let us know they are offering a discount for our readers with code "new_member" which is pre-filled using our link here (helps keep this blog running). A 3 year membership costs just $99. We actually USE Good Sam, long before they partnered with us!

Save With Code Here

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

The Good Sam Membership plan comes with discounts such as:

• 10% discount on over 2,000 Good Sam-affiliated parks and campgrounds
• Retail discount at Camping World and Gander RV
• Up to 8 cents fuel discount at Pilot Flying J

(Fuel discounts are higher for members of the Good Sam Life/Elite Club)

• 40% or up to $19.99 discount on annual HearHere subscription
• Up to 60% off with Good Sam Campgrounds and Coupon Guide
• 15% off on propane (40-gallon limit) at Camping World and Gander RV retail locations
• Installation discounts at Camping World locations
• 10% off on Good Sam Product Protection and coverage against untimely and expensive repairs
• 25% discounts for up to two adult admission tickets on Good Sam-sponsored RV shows
• Member-exclusive rate of $12.97 on RV magazine subscription

Hotline Assistance

Good Sam’s RV Tech Hotline lets you receive guidance from their certified RV experts. They help you solve technical RV problems and can help you make appointments with local repair shops and manufacturers.

Certifications

RV experts from Good Sam are RVIA, RVDA, or ASE-certified.

Other Products

Good Sam also offers related facilities, products, and services such as:

• Good Sam RV Parks
• Good Sam RV Rentals
• Insurance
• RV loans
• Sell Your RV
• Good Sam Credit Card
• Good Sam Travel Assist
• Good Sam Extended Service Plan

Pricing

Good Sam’s Roadside Assistance memberships are much more affordable than those of Coach-Net’s.

The starting range for their cheapest roadside assistance plan for RV is the Platinum Auto priced at $99.95. The most expensive plan within the same range is their Platinum Complete Auto priced at $179.95.

The most affordable Auto Roadside Assistance plan is the Standard Plan priced at $129.95 while the most expensive one is Platinum Complete priced at $239.95.

The Good Sam Membership, however, is much cheaper starting at only $29 per year. They also have a 2-year membership plan priced at $55 and a 3-year membership plan priced at $79.

The memberships are set for auto-renewal and must be canceled by the member by visiting the official website.

Reviews

Good Sam’s Roadside Assistance program has mixed reviews from customers.

While most customers received prompt assistance for their vehicles, there were also a few that didn’t like how they were charged for extra parts and labor.

Key Features

• RV and Auto Roadside Assistance plans
• Concierge services
• Travel and medical assistance service
• 24/7 assistance
• Covers North America, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands
• RV Tech Hotline
•  RVIA, RVDA, or ASE-certified RV experts

Pros

• Large coverage area
• Multiple membership plans
• Multiple discounts
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• No caller locator technology

Are There Any Alternatives?

If you’re looking for road assistance for your cars or other vehicles, consider AAA (American Automobile Association).

With AAA, you get services for cars with RV add-ons at cheaper rates. Check out how AAA fares against Good Sam in this Good Sam vs AAA comparison guide.

If you need an RV roadside assistance program that’s suited for frequent campers, check out affordable roadside assistance programs from Allstate.

You can also read this guide about the Best RV Roadside Assistance Programs if you want more options.

Frequently Asked Questions

CoachNet vs Good Sam: What’s the Verdict?

Nobody wants their RV to break down when they’ve been looking forward to a holiday road trip. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict when this may happen.

What you can predict and prepare for is having roadside assistance.

If you’re a frequent RVer with some budget to spare, looking for the complete roadside assistance package, I recommend you go for Coach-Net. While they’re a lot more expensive than Good Sam, some of their features are worth it.

They also provide better reimbursement services, extraction service, and a few other add-ons that aren’t common with basic roadside assistance plans.

For most folks, however, this is overkill and you may not get enough value relative to the annual premiums.

Good Sam has also been my favorite because of their various plans that offer something for everyone. It’s a good place to start if this is your first time purchasing roadside RV coverage. Their programs are also more affordable if add-ons aren’t important to you.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re looking for value and affordable rates, go for Good Sam. If you’re after reliability and additional services, Coach-Net is what you need.