HOG membership towing?

[Scooterfish]

Wouldn`t it be likely that with HOG, Ins Co, or AAA that they would contacting the same tow Co for pick up depending on where you were? The problems seem to be more with the luck of who shows up.

I have HOG basic and tow for $8 a yr. on my Foremost Ins. Foremost will only say they will pay a "reasonable amount". They said they would not up premium for use of towing. Knock on wood haven`t used either yet.

[bogiediver]

For my less than stellar experience - it was the basic HOG plan that come with annual membership...

-bogie

[Desperado]

Yes, they should be the same companies, but as Mike pointed out, if there is a HOG contact for approval needed with the "standard" HOG free towing (to make certain that the tow qualifies in distance, number of useages or whatever) and no approvals necessary with the $20 plan because payment is guaranteed, the delays/problems/quality of service could be the result.  It is possible that some tow companies have had problems getting paid with one system and not the other and therefore refuse to go out under one system and not the other.  The net result would be that it is possible to have different tow companies responding in the same area depending upon which coverage you carry.  That could affect the type of service received and even how prepared the tow company is to handle a motorcycle.

I once had to get a tire for a state vehicle that I was driving when away from my "base".  I had to locate a dealer that was on the state's approved list of vendors.  The name brand tire dealer had the proper tire in stock and was ready to install it until he saw the state signs on the side of the car.  He refused to sell the tire to me.  He told me he was a small business and he simply could not afford to "carry the state" for up to 180 days that it took for the state to pay him.  He said that he was sorry and I told him that I understood completely.

I thought having more complete knowledge of which type of coverage the riders had might give us a better picture of whether it is just luck of the draw in the area you are in and the tow company who responds or whether type of coverage was a factor.  Except for the smallest population areas, I suspect that there are multiple tow companies that can be called.

My concern is not when I'm local.  The dealerships know which tow companies to call if they don't tow themselves - or I'd just get home and use my trailer.  My concern is when I'm 1000 to 3000 miles from home or in Canada.  Do I have the security I thought I had?  I've never had to use it, so I don't know.  I've always understood - from talking with Roadside America - that they will have a qualified tow company pick me up anywhere in the US or Canada and tow me to the closest H-D dealership no matter how far at no cost to me (I have the $30 dollar plan that covers room stay with warranty or collision repairs and extended warrany so most things that would cause a tow will be covered). 

I've never been a fan of GPS units.  I've often stated that I've been all over the US and Canada with maps, but the point of having a GPS to be able to pin point where you are to the tow company is an excellent idea that had never ocurred to me.  I suspect that most tow companies have GPS in their trucks.  I'll bet that if you could just give your coordinates from your GPS and they could place you easily.  If fact, if Roadside America doesn't have that capability so that they can know who to call, they should look into it.  I'm getting a cheap GPS to carry when I travel - not attached to the bike, but to have with me.