Towing coverage for breakdowns
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 1,176
From: Southeast MO
Towing coverage for breakdowns
We're starting to take longer trips farther from
home. Started thinking, what if we have a breakdown? I need to call State Farm and see if our 5th wheel would have coverage. Just curious what others use or have experience with?
home. Started thinking, what if we have a breakdown? I need to call State Farm and see if our 5th wheel would have coverage. Just curious what others use or have experience with?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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At least in my home state, insurance works like this - if it's attached to your truck/tow vehicle, it is covered by THAT policy. So when towing, a trailer automatically has basic insurance and collision if you carry that on your tow vehicle (personally I think it's foolish not to).
Some trailers aren't eligible for comprehensive insurance - utility trailers, flatbeds, etc. Others are, if they have living quarters. Comprehensive covers them when they're NOT hooked to the tow vehicle, as they aren't powered and therefore can't (or shouldn't) go anywhere if they're not being towed.
I don't carry roadside assistance, so I'm not totally sure how that would work. However, I know my parents were on a road trip several years ago, had a major blowout on one of the tires of their fifth wheel, and insurance covered the damage (but not replacing the tire). Not sure which policy that fell under, guessing the truck's but I wasn't involved in the details of it.
Some trailers aren't eligible for comprehensive insurance - utility trailers, flatbeds, etc. Others are, if they have living quarters. Comprehensive covers them when they're NOT hooked to the tow vehicle, as they aren't powered and therefore can't (or shouldn't) go anywhere if they're not being towed.
I don't carry roadside assistance, so I'm not totally sure how that would work. However, I know my parents were on a road trip several years ago, had a major blowout on one of the tires of their fifth wheel, and insurance covered the damage (but not replacing the tire). Not sure which policy that fell under, guessing the truck's but I wasn't involved in the details of it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 968
Likes: 576
From: Middle TN
I had Good Sam coverage for a few years, but the price tripled at renewal. Now I have the RV add on coverage with my AAA package, which is cheaper overall. You can find bad reviews on both, but so far I haven't needed to use it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
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I had a problem with my Ford transmission and had to have a tow. They called two trucks. One to tow the truck and the other one to get the 5th wheel. You are at the mercy of the tow service but what I was charged was something I thought was fair. They also stored my RV while I got my truck fixed. They could have, but they did not charge me for storage as long as I got it out of their lot within a week.
It's not hard to call your agent and ask the question. I've had my agent for over 40 years. I think they treat me fairly and would give me the information I need to make my decision. In the end, it's your fault whatever happens.
The transmission rebuilder sucked, but that is a different story.
It's not hard to call your agent and ask the question. I've had my agent for over 40 years. I think they treat me fairly and would give me the information I need to make my decision. In the end, it's your fault whatever happens.
The transmission rebuilder sucked, but that is a different story.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,507
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From: Home Base Nebraska
We have roadside on the truck and trailer through our insurance company. The truck and trailer are separate policies with rental car coverage on the truck. Haven't had to use it so far but there is as always a first time.
Denny
Denny
Last edited by rvpuller; Apr 14, 2026 at 01:06 PM.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2025
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Talk to the guys towing trailers. Most hate warranty and manufacturer 3rd party BS with a passion.
Might be better off paying cash. Towing an RV is easy money. Just keep a smartphone and tablet handy for internet searches.
Im looking soon, into AAA and such, for my Motorcycle adventures. Not sure if its a viable option.
Might be better off paying cash. Towing an RV is easy money. Just keep a smartphone and tablet handy for internet searches.
Im looking soon, into AAA and such, for my Motorcycle adventures. Not sure if its a viable option.
Last edited by Midwest87; Apr 14, 2026 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 1,176
From: Southeast MO
I spoke with my State Farm agent today. They have a pretty good option that includes things like 1 hour of roadside repair, towing due to either the tow vehicle or our 5th wheel breaking down, and a few other things. The system was down to quote it so they are suppose to get back to me tomorrow regarding pricing.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Middle TN
I spoke with my State Farm agent today. They have a pretty good option that includes things like 1 hour of roadside repair, towing due to either the tow vehicle or our 5th wheel breaking down, and a few other things. The system was down to quote it so they are suppose to get back to me tomorrow regarding pricing.
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I spoke with my State Farm agent today. They have a pretty good option that includes things like 1 hour of roadside repair, towing due to either the tow vehicle or our 5th wheel breaking down, and a few other things. The system was down to quote it so they are suppose to get back to me tomorrow regarding pricing.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,757
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Working on cars for 40 years and owning a shop, many times those insurance companies that handle the tow bill can be a nightmare to deal with.
I was recently with a client and the car broke down in traffic, blocking the entire turn lane. While I was under the car to figure out what happened, the client was calling his insurance company. They told him it was a 90 minute wait. They even knew that he was blocking traffic. I ended up calling a friend and we rope towed his vehicle out of traffic. We were out of there in about 10 minutes.
I was recently with a client and the car broke down in traffic, blocking the entire turn lane. While I was under the car to figure out what happened, the client was calling his insurance company. They told him it was a 90 minute wait. They even knew that he was blocking traffic. I ended up calling a friend and we rope towed his vehicle out of traffic. We were out of there in about 10 minutes.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 1,176
From: Southeast MO
My State Farm Agent called me back today. She told me that I actually already have the emergency roadside assistance coverage, it's part of the coverage I already have. I can't remember everything it covers but the things that stuck out was that it covered the 1st hour of roadside repair, towing if my tow vehicle breaks down, towing if my 5th wheel needs towed due to damage, recovery if I were to get stuck somewhere, and I can either call for help myself and they'll reimburse me or I can call SF and they'll handle the call and pay the company directly. Sounded like a pretty good deal to me especially since I already had the coverage and didn't know it!
I know everyone has their own experiences with places but my experience with State Farm has been great. I recently had my truck towed to the dealer due to a damn CP4 failure at 52k miles, I took the receipt in to the office and they wrote me a check on the spot to cover the tow. I've had a few claims over the years, one with my house and one with my truck and a deer and both times they were great to work with. Hopefully if I ever need this coverage I'll have the same experience.
I know everyone has their own experiences with places but my experience with State Farm has been great. I recently had my truck towed to the dealer due to a damn CP4 failure at 52k miles, I took the receipt in to the office and they wrote me a check on the spot to cover the tow. I've had a few claims over the years, one with my house and one with my truck and a deer and both times they were great to work with. Hopefully if I ever need this coverage I'll have the same experience.
Last edited by cpobst; Apr 15, 2026 at 08:50 PM.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2018
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My vote is for being self insured. My wife and I have carried very little insurance on anything over the years …. even our home is not insured. You’d have to be comfortable with risk, which doesn’t seem to be too difficult for me.
You’ll probably never have a problem towing your trailer …. and if you do, you just deal with it. Why worry about something that’s probably never going to happen?
You’ll probably never have a problem towing your trailer …. and if you do, you just deal with it. Why worry about something that’s probably never going to happen?
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 1,176
From: Southeast MO
My vote is for being self insured. My wife and I have carried very little insurance on anything over the years …. even our home is not insured. You’d have to be comfortable with risk, which doesn’t seem to be too difficult for me.
You’ll probably never have a problem towing your trailer …. and if you do, you just deal with it. Why worry about something that’s probably never going to happen?
You’ll probably never have a problem towing your trailer …. and if you do, you just deal with it. Why worry about something that’s probably never going to happen?
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2018
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 752
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If you have conversations with actuaries, they will show you how insurance and warranties will almost certainly cost you more than self-covering. However, if you end up on the wrong side of the odds, you can pay far, far more.
I carry significant insurance including an umbrella policy. I am buying peace of mind that I can afford. I understand the numbers and why I am doing it.
I carry significant insurance including an umbrella policy. I am buying peace of mind that I can afford. I understand the numbers and why I am doing it.