Progressive Insurance Roadside Assistance - worked for me

ChopperFred

Member
I took the chopper out for a ride in 64 degree weather today. After a short ride I stopped for gas and filled up. When I hit the "start" button, nothing happened i.e. it didn't even try to turn over. I was surprised because the bike has been very reliable since I installed the Wire Plus a few years ago. I did some quick trouble-shooting but no luck. The sun was on the way down so I decided to take advantage of the Roadside Assistance I got through my bike insurance policy with Progressive. It was only an additional $10 a year and I thought the peace of mind would be worth it.

I called them and quickly got to a human on the phone. I gave him my location, but he said he knew it approximately through the cell phone network. A few minutes after I hung up I got a text saying a tow service was on the way. The message gave the name and number of the tow service. It also said the ETA was about 45 minutes. They actually arrived a little over 15 minutes after the call. I was home before sunset and it didn't cost me anything except a tip for the driver. I'm sold.

Once home I tried charging the (3 year old Yuasa) battery but the Tender still showed a red light after an hour or so. So I used a portable battery and the bike cranked right up. It's nice to know that it appears to be the battery and not the Wire Plus.
 

JeffM

Active Member
Good news all round.
I have road side assist as an extra. Have not had to use it YET, but it is good piece of mind. The distances between towns here in Australia can be 150 - 200 miles in some places.
The only issue is the cell signal................same as the towns a lot of gaps in between.
 

Viking

Biker
Impressive. In the Tampa area we have a guy with pick up truck that he equipped with a special lift in the back for bikes. We call him directly and he deals with the insurance company. Good to hear that it actually works for some….
 

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
I have insurance through progressive with towing for the bikes but have never had to use it. Good to know. Thanks for sharing.:2thumbs:
 

pknowles

RETIRED
You don't ever want to rely on AARP, I tried once and it was a disaster. Called the toll free number and got what appeared to be an "Indian lady" and the first thing she asked for was my current zipcode?? Needless to say after about five minutes of virtually nothing, I hung up the phone and got the number for the nearest Harley shop and within 30 minutes, they had my wifes bike in the trailer and on the way to their shop( bolts came out of the rear pulley). Now have AAA.
 

TimNY

Well-Known Member
Fred
Great read . I have progressive for the bikes.
Will have to ask the wife if we have the towing package.
Thanks for the heads up .
 
I have Good Sams Roadside Assistance. It covers my RV, Truck, and Motorcycle. I've never had to use it, so I don't know if there any good are not. I also have Progressive Ins, not sure if I have towing are not.
 

kickstart

Well-Known Member
Fred, I just dug out my Progressive policy and it has
" Roadside Assistance with Trip Interruption" for $15, $500 limit for each occurrence.

Is this about the same as what is listed on your policy?

Also what type of truck was sent out to pick you up?

Thanks
 

ChopperFred

Member
Fred, I just dug out my Progressive policy and it has
" Roadside Assistance with Trip Interruption" for $15, $500 limit for each occurrence.

Is this about the same as what is listed on your policy?

Also what type of truck was sent out to pick you up?

Thanks
Kickstart,

My policy says "Roadside Assistance" but does not include "Trip Interruption" which I believe pays for food and lodging if needed during the assistance. Maybe that's why mine was $10 and not $15. I looked at my policy and could not find the $500 limit, but I do remember that there was some kind of reasonable constraint.

I'm not sure what they call the type of truck that arrived, but it had a long flat bed that tilted so that the bike could be pushed onto it. Then they leveled the bed and ratcheted the bike down with straps. I suspect that Progressive has a database of tow services with various venders. So the arriving tow truck might be one of several possible configurations.

Hope you don't need to use, but it does give peace-of-mind.
 

Viking

Biker
Another method, and one I used on my way home from Daytona last year, is Uhaul. The bike broke down (thrust bearing) about 100 miles out so we spent the night in a hotel since it was sunday, and the next morning we were on our way with the Uhaul. Made me also think about using it as an option to get to Sturgis....
 

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
Fred, I just dug out my Progressive policy and it has
" Roadside Assistance with Trip Interruption" for $15, $500 limit for each occurrence.

Is this about the same as what is listed on your policy?

Also what type of truck was sent out to pick you up?

Thanks
X2 I looked at mine and it is the same - Trip Interruption for $15 and $500 each time
 

MN K9

Well-Known Member
Another method, and one I used on my way home from Daytona last year, is Uhaul. The bike broke down (thrust bearing) about 100 miles out so we spent the night in a hotel since it was sunday, and the next morning we were on our way with the Uhaul. Made me also think about using it as an option to get to Sturgis....
A few years ago my clutch hub nut came off on a trip. The first place I called was U-Haul. They wouldn't let me haul my bike in one of their trucks because of the gas in the tank and the oil in the engine. Next time I'll tell them I need to haul a couch.:rolleyes:
 

Viking

Biker
A few years ago my clutch hub nut came off on a trip. The first place I called was U-Haul. They wouldn't let me haul my bike in one of their trucks because of the gas in the tank and the oil in the engine. Next time I'll tell them I need to haul a couch.:rolleyes:
Weird, didn't realize it was any of their concern or business. The one I rented from had a HD brake down in Massachusetts the year prior and did the same thing. Might save some hassle not to tell them in the future though...
 
A few years ago my clutch hub nut came off on a trip. The first place I called was U-Haul. They wouldn't let me haul my bike in one of their trucks because of the gas in the tank and the oil in the engine. Next time I'll tell them I need to haul a couch.:rolleyes:
Wow that's hard to believe...? When I got my 05 Ridgeback I went over to U-Haul at Grand Rapids Michigan and they knew I was hauling my motorcycle back to Nebraska cuz it was a one-way trip one of those 12 foot enclosed tandem axle trailer.
 
Wow that's hard to believe...? When I got my 05 Ridgeback I went over to U-Haul at Grand Rapids Michigan and they knew I was hauling my motorcycle back to Nebraska cuz it was a one-way trip one of those 12 foot enclosed tandem axle trailer.
I guess I should have read it better you said trucks maybe that's a difference
 
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