Ridecamp: [RC] cell phone help

I'm wading thru some websites trying to find if I can get a better deal on our phones. Seems some "national" plans have very spotty coverage and you end up paying roam anyway. Has anyone had a good experience with getting coverage at rides and other isolated areas? I'm in the mid atlantic, and we now use verizon wireless. They do not appear to have a truly national plan. I also want good coverage, so I don't have to drag my broken body around after I fall off the horse to try and get a signal. Maybe I should get rid of the phones and buy signal flares instead...

                                                      Shelly in DE