How Your Roadside Assistance Plan Can Help You Get Back on the Road
Your roadside assistance plan can help you get back on the road if you’re ever in trouble. Just call a roadside assistance provider will be dispatched to your location.
Be prepared for a roadside emergency by keeping a well-stocked roadside emergency kit in your vehicle. Be sure to include a charged spare tire, duct tape, jumper cables and basic tools. Read on for further insights into Emergency Roadside.
1. Tires
Tires are the only part of your car that contact the road directly, making them an important component in your vehicle’s safety. However, tires are also vulnerable to road hazards, and many vehicles end up with a flat tire at one time or another. This is why it’s crucial to keep a properly stocked emergency breakdown kit that includes a spare, a portable air compressor, a tire repair kit, and a flashlight.
If your tire is flat, it’s essential to find a safe place to pull off the road and turn on your hazard lights. Generally, this will be a quiet, flat spot away from traffic, such as a parking lot or wide shoulder. Once you’re in a safe position, locate the tools in your emergency roadside kit and prepare to replace your flat tire. This will likely require a lug wrench, jack, and wheel wedges.
Depending on the type of flat tire, you may need a tire repair kit to fix the punctured area and re-inflate it. The best type of kit for this is a compact, portable air compressor that operates on its own and can be easily stored in your vehicle’s trunk.
You should also keep a tire pressure gauge in your emergency roadside kit to make sure your tires are always properly inflated. This can help prevent flat tires and save you the hassle of having to constantly pump them up on your own.
2. Locks
Whether you lock your keys in the car or forget to shut your trunk lid, locking yourself out of your vehicle is a frustrating roadside emergency. But it’s also one of the most easily avoidable. A few simple preventive tips and leveraging professional services can help you get back into your vehicle quickly.
First and foremost, remember to stay calm. This will not only keep you safe but will also help you think clearly and find a solution. Pull over to a safe location, if possible, and assess the situation. If you are stuck on a highway, be sure to use your signal, slow down and find a spot to pull over far enough away from the edge of the roadway to avoid getting struck by passing vehicles. Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers that you are stopped and to alert any potential thieves.
If you have roadside assistance coverage through your auto insurance or a third-party provider, contact them immediately to request their services. They will connect you with a locksmith or towing service and send someone to your location as soon as possible. While you wait, be sure to stay inside the vehicle and stay away from overhead power lines, if at all possible, as these can cause electrical shock.
If you have a spare key, consider leaving it with a friend or family member. Or, invest in a small lockbox that you can keep in the car for emergencies. If you do need to break a window, use the claw end of a hammer rather than the blunt side so that force is absorbed. By following these preventive measures, you can avoid getting locked out of your vehicle and redefine your relationship with your vehicle as a partnership built on knowledge, preparedness, and empowerment.
3. Fuel
One of the most common roadside emergencies is running out of gas. It can happen to anyone at any time, and can compound a stressful situation into an overwhelming nightmare. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent the problem and to handle it efficiently in the event that it does occur.
First, remain calm and assess your surroundings. If you can, try to locate a gas station in the vicinity of your car. This will help you determine the most effective plan of action going forward. If you can’t find a gas station, consider asking someone in your personal network to come and top off your tank, especially if it’s late at night or during poor Maryland weather. This will limit your expenses to the cost of the fuel, and save you from putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations.
When your roadside assistance provider arrives, be sure to communicate clearly and concisely about your situation. Provide your ID and membership or policy number so that they can quickly and accurately evaluate your needs. Ask them to refill your tank and check if any other issues with your vehicle are present.
Whether it’s a flat tire or a drained battery, an emergency roadside can catch even the most experienced drivers off guard. But if you have a little bit of knowledge and preparation, it’s easy to handle any roadside situation like a pro. So, before your next drive, be sure to check out these tips for a stress-free ride. Good luck on the road! — Written by Jason McDaniel, co-founder and CEO at Curbside SOS, an open marketplace for motorists who require roadside assistance & towing services.
4. Towing
Whether due to an accident or mechanical failure, a vehicle break down is a frustrating and inconvenient experience. However, if the car is disabled on a busy highway, the situation becomes potentially dangerous for drivers as well as passers-by. Thankfully, emergency towing services provide peace of mind for drivers by providing timely assistance in these challenging situations.
Equipped with specialized tools, tow trucks handle a wide range of roadside emergencies, from tire changes and jump-starts to lockout services. They help ensure driver safety and minimize damage to vehicles while also supporting law enforcement and emergency medical services at accident scenes. Furthermore, by removing disabled vehicles promptly, tow trucks help maintain traffic flow, reduce congestion, and prevent secondary accidents.
When it comes to roadside assistance, many insurance providers offer towing coverage as part of their policies. To determine if you’re covered, call your insurance provider’s customer service number, which can usually be found on your vehicle insurance card or policy documents. Be prepared to provide your name, contact information, and a brief description of the breakdown.
Depending on the type of breakdown, some towing companies may only be able to provide a temporary fix for your vehicle until a repair shop can come and take a look at it. In this case, they’ll tow your car to the nearest shop or garage and leave you with a rental car until the repairs are complete. Towing is also often included in auto club and membership program roadside assistance packages. However, some cars can only be towed up to a certain maximum load capacity, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s guidelines before trying to tow your car.
5. Electrical
A dead battery is one of the most common reasons for being stranded on the side of the road. A set of jumper cables or a portable lithium-ion battery with jumper cable connections can help you get back on the road quickly. These batteries can also recharge electronics, like phones and tablets.
Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods can cause power outages. An emergency crank radio is a smart addition to any roadside kit and can be used to listen for critical weather-related updates.
Remember to never drive through flooded areas. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or stall and a foot of water can float many vehicles. If a wire falls on your vehicle, stay inside the car until a trained person removes it. If you have to exit your car, stay clear of overhead power lines, bridges, signs and other obstacles that could fall onto the roadway.