SPOT Satellite Vehicle Recovery Service

[Melensdad]

I never realized it before today, maybe because my SPOT R.A.P. (Roadside Assistance Plan) renewed today, but from what I can see, there is no comparable service available thru Garmin, Somewhere, Zoleo or ACR BivyStick. There is zero indication that this is a remote recovery plan. There is a modest added fee, I believe it is $29 a year for the service. It is different than the remote SOS life saving rescue service, the R.A.P. is basically the auto club. The SOS is a full blown life saving Search & Rescue operation that mobilizes.

SPOT's R.A.P. is basically a clone of the AAA's roadside assistance program. The advantage is it lets me notify them via the SPOT satellite system when outside of cellular coverage. When inside cellular range I can call them on my cellphone for the same assistance.

The SPOT R.A.P. is not assigned to a specific vehicle, but rather to me, so as long as I read off my ID info to them, they will dispatch an appropriate aid to rescue my vehicle, get me gas, unlock my car, etc, etc, etc.

PDF of their offering: https://www.findmespot.com/SPOT/media/Downloads/General/SPOT_SOV_TermsConditions.pdf

 

[Melensdad]

Interesting thing happened over the weekend.

I pulled into 'rest area' along Interstate 69 in Michigan, hit a preset message to let the lovely Mrs_Bob know I was off the roadway for a short delay but was close to my destination. I selected her name to send the message to. My fat fingers apparently also selected the SPOT Roadside Assistance Program too. Realizing my mistake, I hit the "cancel messages", but it was too late.

The SPOT had already communicated with the satellite and I had an incoming call asking what assistance was needed for the vehicle.

I guess the system works faster/better than I anticipated. After a pleasant chat with the RAP representative, I sent a cancellation requisition to negate the prior assistance message. All went quickly and smoothly.