“The Dispatch”

E-Newsletter Date:   April 3, 2007

First Quarter, 2007


In This Issue

  • Motorcycle Riding Season
  • Road America Sponsors Safety Class
  • TRAA Safety Video
  • Upcoming Tow Shows

Upcoming Events & Shows

Industry Links

Helpful Links

Contact Us

Provider Relations
Phone (888) 293-6672
Fax (305) 392-3121
e-mail: vendors@road-america.com

Provider Payables
Phone (800) 226-6210
Fax (877) 377-8441
e-mail: vdrpay@road-america.com
Hours of Operation: 9:00am to 5:00pm (EST)

Motorcycle Riding Season – Just around the corner…

As the warm weather returns so will the motorcycle riders to our streets and highways. Naturally the need to provide roadside assistance to our valued motorcycle customers will increase as well.

Many motorcycles have been stored all winter and will be seeing operation for the first time in months. Together, you, the service provider, and Road America can prepare for the additional business of the up coming motorcycle season by making certain your account with Road America is updated to include your most current information and service offered.

If you offer motorcycle towing and are uncertain if your account includes this service, please refer to www.Road-America.com web portal to view all account information. If you would like to add motorcycle towing/services to your current account, please contact the Network Management department at 888-293-6672.

Road America proudly represents Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Vespa roadside assistance programs. We look forward in partnering with the best tow/service companies in the industry in delivering quality service to our valued customers.

Road America Sponsors Traffic Safety Class

Do you know our responsibilities when you’re out on the roadway?  As a responder, and as recognized in Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) you, as tow truck driver professionals, have a responsibility when working out on the highway or any public road traveled.

Whether you are at a major heavy duty accident with hazmat or fatalities, or a simple light duty break down, you need to make sure you and your drivers are safe out there and know the proper procedures and what is required of you on the public roadways.

I would like to offer to each and every owner, driver, and manager to attend one of these seminars.  If you are not satisfied and do not take away one thing from my class, I will refund your money. 

Get signed up now for this four-hour PowerPoint class with hands-on demonstrations. You will learn about safety and awareness on the road way and the proper way to use cones, flares, and be able to set up a work zone for protection while you work.

At the end of this course you will all be registered as a flagger. 

Where: PWOF Tow Show, Orlando, FL
When: Saturday, May 12th – 1pm to 5pm
Why: Safety First and Discount for Road America Providers

To pre-register for the class contact Angela Roper @ (512) 863-7300 or e-mail  tiptow04@yahoo.com

Towing & Recovery Association of America

At its 10th Annual Legislative and Leadership Conference, the TRAA Education Foundation held its premiere showing of the Roadside Safety Video, Everyone Goes Home. Conference attendees gave well deserved rave reviews and kudos to the committee that received its assignment just six months ago. In that short time the committee raised the necessary funds for the production, created the script, filmed, edited and put together the final production in time for the March conference.

Filmed in Chattanooga with the superb guidance and support of Miller Industries, this safety video is as professional a production as you will find anywhere. With the dedication of the Wall of the Fallen last year, and the creation of the Survivor Fund, this video was long overdue as the towing industry is losing tow truck operators at roadside in growing numbers.

If this video saves one life it will have served its purpose, but if used as the education tool it was designed to be, it will save many lives. Entry level and experienced tow truck operators alike can learn from the demonstrated safety practices shown in this production. It is a must for all tow truck businesses that have a sincere interest in educating their drivers to be safe responders, not only for themselves, but also for their customers and fellow responders.

Based on the positive reception of this video the Education Foundation will be producing a series of safety related videos in the near future.

To order please contact:
2121 Eisenhower Avenue, Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314
800-728-0136  Local: 703-684-7713 Fax: 703-684-6720 
e-mail: towserver@aol.com

Road America Renews Contract with Ameriprise Auto & Home

For almost 30 years, Road America has strived to build and maintain-long lasting relationships with its clients.  We were recently awarded the renewal of our contract with Ameriprise Auto & Home (formerly American Express Assurance Company), overcoming our key competitors in the bidding process.  Since 2001, we’ve been providing roadside assistance services to its 400,000+ policyholders. Our commitment to excellence and customer care has shown Ameriprise that Road America is indeed Tested, Proven, and Trusted ™.

Road America Partners with GMAC Insurance for
Automotive Dealer Program

Road America recently launched its customized Dent Restore Plus program for GMAC Insurance through all of the GMAC Platinum and Gold Dealerships nationwide.  Partnering with Road America for the Dent Restore Plus program are Sonsio and Dent Zone for tire and wheel hazard and Paintless Dent Repair services provided as part of this motor club membership program. Additional services include:  emergency roadside assistance, windshield repair protection, emergency travel expense services and rental car savings.  Paintless Dent Repair services are a featured benefit of the Dent Restore Plus program customized specifically for this GMAC launch.  Customers may also select an optional tire and wheel service coverage in most states nationwide.  After two years of product research and development, Road America, GMAC and our service partners were very excited for the January 2007 launch of Dent Restore Plus and look forward to a very successful and well received product for GMAC customers at GMAC’s highest production dealerships nationwide.

Upcoming Tow Shows

Road America will be attending the upcoming events listed on this e-newsletter.  Please take a few minutes to visit our booth and speak with your Regional Network Manager.  We value your feedback obtained at the various trade shows as this helps us identify positive trends and areas for improvement.  We look forward to speaking with you soon!