Christmas Comes Early
By Chris Smith
FMCA Executive Director/CFO
FMCA Executive Director/CFO
Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday I was writing about how the weather was warming up and the FMCA family would be out there enjoying it. Now the chill is in the air here in Cincinnati! And by the time you read this column, winter will be on its way, and some of you will be lucky enough to be making your way down South to continue enjoying the nice weather. And the holidays will be upon us. Whatever you celebrate during the month of December, enjoy the season.
I have been saying for months now that we at headquarters have been working on some exciting new member benefits. It is with great pleasure that I get to unwrap two of them in this article, just in time for the holidays.
The first one I want to discuss is a new roadside assistance deal that we were able to work out with SafeRide RV Motor Club. As many of you know, we have had a great partnership with SafeRide RV Motor Club (the motor club entity of Vehicle Administrative Services/VAS) since 2014. They have been providing exceptional service to our members, and now I have some great news. FMCA and SafeRide RV Motor Club have agreed to provide the same fantastic program for only $69 per year. That’s a savings of $40 per year over the former annual price of $109. And it gets even better: This pricing can be locked in for one, two, or three years. If you sign up for only one year, you could be subject to a price increase the following year. If you want to guarantee this amazing $69-per-year rate, I suggest you consider signing up for two or three years. Your FMCA membership dues will need to be paid in advance for the corresponding two or three years also. We always seek to provide member benefits you cannot find anywhere else, and this qualifies as one of those.
As stated before, the plan offers the same great benefits and service, just with a lower price. Included with this column is a comparison chart that shows how this policy stacks up against others out in the marketplace.
Not only does this plan provide coverage for your RV, but you also can have all of the cars in your household covered under the program, as well as all household members, and it still costs only $69 per year. And it’s available to members in the U.S. and Canada. Surveys have indicated that at least 85 percent of FMCA members have some form of RV roadside assistance plan. We see this as an important member benefit to help keep our members safe while traveling and to offer peace of mind.
Do you currently have another policy but want to take advantage of this amazing deal? Contact your current provider and ask whether they allow for cancellations with prorated refunds. Once that is complete, you can sign up for FMCA Roadside Rescue powered by SafeRide RV Motor Club and start saving money. Do you currently have a policy with SafeRide RV Motor Club (VAS) at our old rate of $109? No worries. Send an email to membership@fmca.com or call FMCA’s Membership Department at (800) 543-3622 and they can give you instructions on how to cancel that policy and sign up at the new rate.
For more information about FMCA Roadside Rescue powered by SafeRide RV Motor Club, please visit FMCA.com/roadsiderescue, or call the office at (800) 543-3622. To sign up, you’ll need to visit the above website address or call VAS directly at (877) 581-8581.
FMCA also has chosen to partner with Your Best Address for mail forwarding. The company is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you have been to any of our events, this might be a familiar name to you. Company representatives frequently attend, and the company has been a very valuable commercial member that provides an amazing service.
Your Best Address, which has served those with a mobile lifestyle since 2005, was family owned and operated by Larry and Rose Sroufe until they retired earlier this year. Bill Linsenmeyer took over the business; however, Larry and Rose’s daughter and granddaughter continue to manage the mail operation.
With a total of 10 years’ experience in the mail forwarding industry, eight as a client and two in management, Bill has experience on both sides of the table. He is the proud owner of a 2001 Tiffin Allegro and is a family member of FMCA. He assures me that Your Best Address is looking forward to providing excellent customer care to the FMCA family.
FMCA members can contact Your Best Address using a dedicated telephone line — (866) 217-5606 — or visit the website at FMCA.com/mailforward.
Your Best Address has put together a special offer just for FMCA members. For example, they are offering 14 months of service for the price of 12 — or $10.29 per month. They also will handle your first vehicle registration at no cost. We know the latter is an important service that many of our members need. You also can try out “Anytime Mail,” the company’s virtual mail option, for $9.99 per month — half off the normal $19.99 per month rate — if you sign up between now and October 31, 2018. This digital option allows you to see and manage your mail via computer and smartphone.
We feel we have found a great partner that will take excellent care of our members.
I really hope you will sign up for both programs. These are top-notch partners, and we are excited to work with them.
I have another new membership benefit to talk about next month. In the meantime, see the ad on page 27 in this issue for introductory details about the new technology benefit.
Enjoy the journey!
FMCA National Office Holiday Closure
The FMCA national office will be closed Monday, December 25, through Monday, January 1, in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays. It will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.