My transmission blew in the middle of the Nevada desert, 300 miles from home. The tow truck took my rig to a shop that couldn’t touch it for a week. I was stranded. I pulled out my insurance card, expecting them to book me a hotel. instead, the agent said, “I see you have Roadside Assistance, but you didn’t select the ‘Emergency Expense’ endorsement. We cover the tow, but the hotel is on you.”
Key Takeaways
- Roadside ≠ Emergency Expense: “Roadside Assistance” pays for the tow truck. “Emergency Expense” (or Trip Interruption) pays for YOU (hotel, food, rental car). They are separate line items.
- Distance Triggers: Most policies have a “100-mile rule.” You must be more than 50 or 100 miles from your listed home address for this coverage to kick in.
- Mechanical Breakdown Limits: Standard auto policies often only pay for hotels if the car is damaged in a crash (Collision/Comp). Specialized RV policies will pay for hotels even for a mechanical breakdown (like a blown engine), but you have to check the fine print.
- Reimbursement, Not Upfront: You almost always have to pay out of pocket and submit receipts.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Covered Peril” Requirement.
In a standard auto policy, “Loss of Use” (Rental/Hotel) is only triggered if the vehicle is damaged by a “Covered Peril” (Accident, Fire, Theft). If your engine simply dies of old age or bad luck, that is not a covered peril. Therefore, the hotel reimbursement is denied.
However, specialized RV policies (like Good Sam or Progressive RV) have specific language that triggers Emergency Expense even for “Mechanical Breakdown,” provided you are far from home. Many people buy a standard auto policy for their van and miss this crucial distinction.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
I stress-tested the “mechanical breakdown” scenario with three providers.
Progressive (RV Policy)
- The Verdict: Strong.
- The Detail: If you have the “Emergency Expense” coverage (usually $750, $2,000, or higher), it explicitly applies to mechanical breakdowns if you are >50 miles from home.
- My Experience: I’ve used this. They reimbursed $1,200 for 5 days of hotels and meals while a fuel pump was replaced.
AAA (Premier RV)
- The Verdict: Decent, but limited.
- The Detail: The Premier RV membership includes “Trip Interruption” up to $1,500.
- The Catch: It’s a reimbursement process that takes weeks, and they are strict about the “100 miles from home” rule.
State Farm (Standard Auto)
- The Verdict: Fail for mechanical issues.
- The Detail: On a standard auto policy, they cover travel expenses only if I hit something. Transmission failure? Zero dollars for hotels.
[IMAGE: A photo of a stack of hotel and restaurant receipts on a dashboard with a calculator]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Standard Auto Policy | Specialized RV Policy | Premium Roadside (AAA/Good Sam) |
| Trigger | Crash/Theft Only | Crash OR Mechanical | Crash OR Mechanical |
| Distance Rule | N/A | >50 Miles from Home | >100 Miles from Home |
| Pays For | Rental Car only (usually) | Hotel, Food, Transport | Hotel, Food, Car |
| Limit | Low ($30/day) | High ($750 – $2,000 total) | Medium ($1,000 – $1,500 total) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Your Endorsements: Look for “Emergency Expense” or “Trip Interruption.” If you don’t see it, add it. It is one of the cheapest riders ($15/year).
- Verify “Mechanical Breakdown” Trigger: Ask your agent: “If my engine blows up and I am not in a crash, does this pay for a hotel?” If they say no, find a new carrier.
- Keep a “Go Bag”: When the tow truck comes, you can’t stay in the RV. Have a bag ready with meds, clothes, and laptop. You might be at a Best Western for 3 days.
- Save Itemized Receipts: A credit card slip showing “$40 at Denny’s” isn’t enough. You need the receipt listing the eggs and bacon. No alcohol is reimbursed.
FAQ
Does this cover my pets?
Some policies (like Progressive) cover pet boarding fees if the hotel doesn’t allow dogs. Check the “Pet Injury/Boarding” limits.
Can I use the money to fly home?
Yes. Emergency Expense usually covers “transportation to get you home or to your destination.” If the RV is stuck for 2 weeks, you can fly home and fly back to get it.
Is there a deductible?
Usually no. Emergency Expense is a “first dollar” coverage, meaning you don’t pay a deductible to use it, you just get reimbursed up to the limit.