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Good Sam
“Whether you can use your roadside assistance plan for others depends your plan's structure. The majority of plans are either person-based or vehicle-based. Person-based covers you, even if you're a passenger. Vehicle-based plans only cover the enrolled vehicle.”
A friend calls from the side of the road. Their battery is dead, they’re out of options, and they ask if you can use your roadside assistance to help.
Whether you can step in depends on your specific plan type and coverage structure. Some plans cover the individual, regardless of the vehicle. Others are tied to a specific car, RV, or location.
The rules can vary by provider, plan type, and whether you’re physically present during the breakdown. Knowing how your plan works, before an emergency strikes, can save time, stress, and confusion when someone is counting on you.
Whether you can use your roadside assistance membership for someone else depends on how your plan is structured. Most plans fall into one of two categories: person-based or vehicle-based.
a. Who It Helps: You, even when riding in someone else’s car
b. How It Works: Roadside assistance follows the member
a. Who It Helps: The enrolled vehicle only
b. How It Works: Coverage applies only when the enrolled vehicle needs assistance
Choosing the right type of coverage helps ensure you are prepared, whether you’re behind the wheel or just along for the ride.
When you’re trying to help someone during a breakdown, the type of roadside assistance you have makes all the difference. Since vehicle problems rarely come with a warning, it’s important to understand how your coverage works before the need arises.
This plan follows the member, not the vehicle. You’re covered whether you are the driver or a passenger. So, if your friend’s car breaks down and you are with them, you can usually call for help under your plan.
These plans are great for people who drive multiple vehicles, share cars, or often travel as passengers.
Vehicle-based coverage applies only to the enrolled car or RV. It doesn’t matter who’s driving. So, if your friend’s vehicle breaks down, your coverage likely won’t apply.
This type of plan is common with auto manufacturers and RV-specific roadside assistance. For example, RV owners may prefer a plan that protects the RV no matter who is driving. It brings peace of mind for families that loan out their RV or switch drivers on long trips.
Let’s look at two common situations to see when roadside assistance may – or may not – apply.
Scenario 1: You’re riding in a friend’s car when it stalls.
You’re not the driver, but you’re present when the vehicle breaks down. You have a person-based roadside assistance plan.
Outcome: You’re covered. You can call your provider and get help, even though the car is not yours.
Scenario 2: Your cousin’s RV breaks down in another state, and they call you for help.
You are not with them, and your plan is vehicle-based.
Outcome: You’re not covered. Most vehicle-based plans do not extend to vehicles not listed on your policy.
These situations highlight why knowing the limits of your plan is important. Most roadside assistance plans – especially vehicle-based ones – won’t allow you to help someone remotely. And if your friend owns an RV, chances are they’ll need more specialized support. That’s where services like Good Sam’s roadside assistance can make a real difference. They dispatch trained RV technicians directly to the breakdown location – whether a campground, storage facility, or a roadside location across state lines.
Many people aren’t sure if their plan allows them to help others. Here are a few steps to help you find out:
Even if your roadside assistance doesn’t cover someone else’s emergency, there are still meaningful ways you can help.
Here are a few options to consider:
Good Sam Roadside Assistance auto plan covers spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children (under 25 years old) in the same membership at no extra cost. You’ll also get 24/7 support and access to over 40,000 providers across North America – so you’re never far from help when it’s needed most.
A little planning goes a long way, especially when you want to be ready to help someone in a tough spot. Here are a few smart steps to consider:
Pro Tip: Good Sam Roadside Assistance offers 24/7 support, unlimited towing to the nearest service center, and RV-specific services like mobile repair, fuel delivery, and battery jump-starts. Its coverage is designed to move with your life – wherever the road takes you.
Breakdowns can happen to anyone. Knowing how your roadside assistance plan works can make a tough situation easier to handle.
Whether you’re helping someone else or need coverage for your own vehicle, Good Sam offers plans built for all types of drivers. With 24/7 support, unlimited towing to the nearest qualified service center, and RV-specific services, reliable help is never far away.
A: Yes. Good Sam membership is person-based. So, if you’re present during the breakdown, you can call for help on their behalf. You will be required to be at the scene, so make sure to confirm your plan type before calling for help. This ensures your service request is valid and avoids delays.
A: Generally, no. Most roadside assistance plans typically require either the member or the covered vehicle to be present to authorize and receive services. This is a standard industry practice designed to prevent unauthorized use of the service.
A: If their RV is not covered under your plan and you’re not with them, your coverage may not apply. In that case, they may need to rely on a pay-per-use option or request mobile RV repair through a provider like Good Sam RV ProCare.
A: With Good Sam, yes. Spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children under 25 are included at no extra cost on all plans. Just make sure all eligible family members are properly registered on your account.
A: Some providers allow you to switch from vehicle-based to person-based coverage. This flexibility can be useful if your travel habits change. Contact customer support to learn more about eligibility, timing, and associated fees.