I got one this year and it's great to text the wife and she enjoys tracking my every move. The gps doesn't get as good of a signal as my Rino but I find as long as I leave it hooked on the top of my pack or on the dash of the truck it works.
As for the extra SAR insurance, I did a little research and from what I can see they do not charge for SAR in the US. It is only necessary if you plan on being out of the US and needing SAR.