So, bought my '14 FLSTC less than two years ago from one of my local Harley dealerships. Got a 2 year extended service plan with it, which (as I understood it) included roadside assistance.

My insurance through State Farm offers roadside assistance at a ridiculously low rate. But I didn't add it onto the bike, because, well, I had it through Harley (as I understood it).

Yesterday morning, setting out on a 3 day ride from the Phoenix area up to Kanab, mostly to explore the North Rim, I got a flat tire (rear wheel). I was about 20 minutes into the trip. Hey, no worries, I thought... I've got roadside assistance.

Called up and found out that I do not, as it turns out, have roadside assistance. Under my two year extended service plan, I have roadside assistance specifically for those items that are covered by the extended service plan. The tires are not covered by the plan, so I did not qualify for anything.

Called my insurance company to get a tow. They let me know that because I didn't have roadside assistance through them, it was going to cost $250. Had no choice but to pay it.

Not trying to buck any sort of responsibility here. It's on me to understand exactly what coverages I have, as well as what I don't. I didn't, and it cost me $250.

Just a heads up for folks out there who are possibly in a similar situation. If you think you have a particular coverage, take a few minutes to make sure that you do. It could end up saving you a bunch down the road.

As a side note... never did get to Kanab. Took 90 minutes for the tow truck to get there. Another hour to get to the closest Harley dealership (which was back the way we came). Dealership couldn't salvage the tire, so ended up just getting a new set put on. We obviously didn't have any sort of appointment booked, so we were at the bottom of the list ("we" being wife and myself... she was riding pillion). We were at the dealership until 4:15pm (flat originally happened at 8:30am).

Cancelled the reservations in Kanab and headed home and just crashed. It was a long and expensive day. On the bright side, shiny new whitewalls on the Softail.

 

I'm curious about this roadside assistance you have specifically for those items that are covered by the warranty. I've never heard of that warranty and the warranty stated in my owner's manual mentions nothing about roadside assistance.

 

Sorry, not warranty but "Extended Service Plan" (I just updated my post to reflect that).

Under "Section 4: Coverage", item "B: Coverage Details":

3. Expense Reimbursement Coverage: Your ESP coverage includes the following:


Item "c" actually talks about lodging reimbursement, which I'd forgotten about and is kind of cool.

But yeah, this is only if the "breakdown event" is something for which you're covered. When I called the HD number, they told me that since I don't have tire coverage (I don't), they can't do anything for me.

The service guy at the dealership that fixed her up told me that if I had the tire coverage, they would have reimbursed me $200 of the $250 that I spent on towing. In hindsight (always 20/20), it would be a good thing to have. I asked him specifically if it still would have been covered since this was clearly a road hazard (the tires were less than 6 months old), he said yes. I would have expected to have heard that road hazards wouldn't be covered. Guess I should have added in the optional tire coverage.

Either way... calling State Farm on Monday to add the roadside assistance to the bike.

 

Ahh, gotcha!

 

The best way to do roadside assistance is AAA Auto Club. It is far superior to any coverage offered by your insurance agent, does not give you a claim on your record, and offers discounts on other goods and services.

 

bummer about the tire and the trip. Unfortunately **** happens. Look at the bright side though, and you weren't about an hour or two further north where there isn't **** for services. As for checking coverages, I don't have a warranty on mine, and roadside is through HOG. It may only cover the first hundo of towing, but last time I needed it, it was enough (ironically also a cut down rear tire, too much crap here in the roads of Phoenix). My insurance is just what is mandatory, as the bike is a 2000, and the extra coverages would outweigh the value of the bike.

 

I have zero doubt that the coverage is better thru AAA. I mean, that's what they do.

But thru State Farm it's less than $10 a year. At least, that's what it is on our cars. I'll have to check to see if it's the same for the bike.

For me, it might not be as good as AAA, but for the $, it might be good enough.

Like everything else, YMMV. That's why there are options

 

Hm. I should have checked with HOG. I believe I still have the membership that I got when I bought the bike. It's either expired or close to it tho, because I keep getting "urgent" letters telling me to renew

My bike's a '14, and I have a lien holder, so I'm obligated to carry some decent insurance. Shouldn't cost too much to add the roadside assistance thru State Farm.

Agreed about good thing we weren't too far out of town (about 15-20 minutes up 87 past the casino). All in all, definitely could've been a lot worse.

 

cant hurt to at least check, $100 back as a reimbursement would take a bit of the sting out im sure

 

Thanks OP for the post. Good information. I just purchased a 5 year, 3 additional year extended warranty on our soon to be two year old bike. I did NOT opt for the wheel and tire package. So like you I guess and am not covered if I have a flat? But I would presume it would be covered if you have the wheel and tire policy?

I have AAA, Good Sams and HOG. Biggest concern I have is just getting a good safe tow that does not damage the bike.