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Best Roadside Service is an auto club with all calls answered in the US. Get the best service at the best price with Best Roadside Service, serving consumer and commercial needs in the US and Canada since 1985!

Parents! Protect Your Spring Breaker

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teenage driver

Spring Break is an annual rite of passage for many college students. While many people think of Cancun or cruises when they think of spring break, tens of thousands of spring breakers opt for the classic road trip. Parents have enough to worry about when their kids are on spring break; vehicle issues shouldn’t be one of them, especially when purchasing emergency roadside assistance coverage can protect your college student.

Whether they are hitting the road for Florida or heading to the mountains to ski, spring breakers are just as likely (if not more likely) to run into the same everyday problems as Mom or Dad. Purchasing emergency roadside assistance coverage can protect your child from common road trip issues including flat tires, mechanical breakdowns, running out of gas, and dead batteries. Flat tires and mechanical breakdowns requiring a tow can ruin a road trip in a flash. This is even more true for relatively new drivers who may have never faced these issues before especially far from home.

Purchasing even a low-cost, basic roadside assistance plan provides assistance with changing a flat or towing a vehicle to the nearest repair center. Many times an experienced provider will be able to fix issues on the spot and get your spring breaker back on the road quickly. On a long road trip, drivers with roadside emergency assistance coverage don’t have to worry about running out of gas; enough to get you to the next gas station is just a phone call and less than about a half hour average wait away. This coverage is even more important if you spring breaker is planning on travel overnight or in an area with extreme weather so that they aren’t stranded or putting themselves at risk by hiking to a gas station.

Everyone who’s been on a spring break road trip remembers blasting the radio, and singing at the top of your lungs, with your friends late at night. Extended radio use along with forgetting your lights on at night (common for fairly new drivers) can lead to a dead battery the next day. Most roadside assistance plans will jump your battery free of charge regardless of whether it’s due to the driver’s fault or simply an old battery.

Purchasing an emergency roadside assistance plan through Best Roadside Service covers everything listed above including; towing, lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, dead batteries, flat tires, and all the other things that can go wrong with your vehicle. In addition, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance. Additionally, Best Roadside Service offers concierge travel services which can help save time and money when planning a spring break trip.

Spring break can be a wonderful college experience and a chance to make lifelong memories for your child. For parents it’s just one more thing to worry about. Purchasing emergency roadside assistance coverage is something you can control and it can give you a little peace of mind and allow you to worry all the things you cannot control.

Best Roadside Service vs. Pay As You Go

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As a fleet manager or owner of company vehicles, you may have come across various “pay as you go” fleet /vehicle services. Some are for consumers as well, such as Honk and Hum.

So, here is the skinny on those plans. Do you want to take 100% risk or do you want your roadside company to take 100% of the risk? Do you like to gamble? Suppose your car or home insurance agent asked you if you wanted to self-insure for your home or car and when a catastrophe or accident happens (and they will—look around at the stranded, broken down vehicles you see next time you’re driving) your insurance agency will send help and then you will get a huge bill that you didn’t budget for. Your house burns down—or you have a fender bender with your car. Do you want to get a bill for that? Of course not, that’s why you get a premium. Same with Best Roadside service, we give you a LOW yearly premium to take all the risk and worry away from you.

Best Roadside Service is exactly like insurance. You give a small premium and with thousands of other companies and small business like yours, we spread the risk all over. Same as car and home insurance. But if you decide to try the pay as you go plan, you will get bigger bills for something that should be less expensive.  For example, commercial and fleet plans, you pay for the vehicle roadside protection up front, typically $79-109 per vehicle per year. This covers the vehicle regardless of who is driving.  10 vehicles, your total out of pocket cost would be around $800. Now let’s figure 3 to 4 tows per year. Add a few flat tires, dead batteries. One 50 mile tow could cost you about $350. Flat tires and dead batteries about $100. You can see that you can quickly exceed your upfront cost, if only you had just purchased Best Roadside Service Commercial/Fleet coverage. Plus you get other coverages, like free gas, concierge services, discount cards and $100 towards lost keys! You say you have a newer fleet that won’t break down? Between 2% and 3% of all vehicles break down all the time. Do you want to take that chance? Flat tires are the most common, followed by general mechanical breakdowns—yes even for new cars. Ever ask yourself why they throw in roadside service for free with some new cars? So you don’t have to worry and they know the odds of breaking down. Best Roadside Service will give you a 10% discount if you have newer vehicles to boot! Also you don’t have to worry about getting bills and invoices every month for services you used. How will that affect your budget?  With Pay as you go—you will have to pay on the spot for the service as it’s rendered, even if you think the price is too high or some companies may offer monthly billing and you will get an even bigger bill, left scratching your head about the embedded costs in the bill. The pay as you go companies have to make their profit ON TOP of the actual service provided by the tow truck service provider, so hidden and embedded costs WILL always be cleverly disguised in your bill. Pay as you go companies try to squeeze 20-30% profit margins ON TOP of the actual bill! You don’t think there doing this free do you?

Why not just make one payment for the whole year, let Best Roadside take 100% of the risk, you don’t get any bills throughout the year, no worries, no additional charges, no fuss, no nothing except peace of mind that you have paid for the BEST roadside insurance and you will not have any other bills, invoices or expenses for a total year.

Best Roadside Service gives generous towing limits of up to 75 miles—an easy $500 benefit once your vehicle breaks down and has to be towed. We give 3 gallons of fuel free if you run out of gas. Your drivers and employees will never worry about paying out of pocket while their stranded on the road. Your Accounts Payable Department won’t get bills every month and have to reconcile to what service happened to which driver and then ask why the bills are so high. That alone is a huge benefit.

To be honest, if you go with pay as you go, you would be better off just calling a local tow truck service, supporting your local economy and take all the risk and be prepared to PAY ON THE SPOT.

Or go with a U.S. employee owned and operated company like Best Roadside Service who will take 100% of the risk for a much lower annual cost to your company.

Ride with the Best, Best Roadside Service. Our dispatching network has handled millions of calls since the 1950’s. We have U.S. based call centers with English Speaking, courteous, caring representatives whose only goal is to get you back on the road again! Let us take the risk and worry for you!

Getting Your Money’s Worth from Your Vehicle

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Cars used to be made to last. Nowadays it seems like the second the warranty expires so does the car. While your vehicle won’t last forever, it can still have a good long life if properly maintained. Regular preventative maintenance is crucial to keeping your car in good working order. Following basic service guidelines prevents small issues from turning into big problems over time and ensures that you and your family are safe.

Basic car maintenance starts with regular oil changes according to the intervals recommended in your car manual. Oil lubricates your engine and allows metal to press against metal without causing damage. Without oil, the metal-on-metal friction creates so much heat that eventually the surfaces weld themselves together and the engine seizes. Getting regular oil changes for your car can also serve as a reminder to inspect all the working parts. Certain parts of your car, like the tires and breaks, wear down over time. It is important to keep an eye on them to make sure they are working properly. As parts start to wear down they can affect the way your car runs, and waiting until a part is completely worn out can cause headaches and unnecessary breakdowns. Replacing worn out part regularly will help extend the life of your car significantly.

In addition to regular oil changes, following the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicles owner’s manual will help stretch out the life of your car. While it is easy to discount the need for service when your car is running fine, preventative maintenance can help find small problems before they become big problems.

Typically, vehicles are due for a regular service appointment around every 30,000 miles; however, keep in mind that your vehicle may have a different service schedule from another car (check your vehicles owner’s manual for the recommended service schedule). Actual services vary based on the make/model of your vehicle and mileage on your car but some maintenance services are standard. At the 30,000-mile service appointment the fuel filter will be checked/swapped out and the coolant flushed and replaced. Additionally, the transmission fluid and power steering fluid is replaced; and the chassis and suspension will be inspected and lubricated. At the 60,000-mile mark, the spark plugs and ignition system are inspected, brake fluid is replaced, the wheel bearings are examined, and the battery is changed. The 90,000-mile service appointment usually involves similar services from previous appointments, along with inspection of the steering linkage, accessory drive belts, heat shields and exhaust system.

At all service appointments, service technicians will inspect your vehicle’s oil filter, engine oil, brake pads, tires, and windshield wipers.

Even a well-maintained vehicle can experience an occasional breakdown. Mechanical breakdowns, lock outs, lost keys, and accidents can happen no matter how old, or new, your car is. Emergency roadside assistance plans can eliminate costly tows and cover expenses for lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, and dead batteries. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service includes benefits such as fluid top offs, fuel delivery, flat tire service, and lost key and lockout service. Additionally, with a quick call to an emergency hotline all your service provider needs can be located in one place, and with the right plan fast response times will eliminate wait time. One call to Best Roadside Service will have help on the way quickly with an average response time of just 34 minutes.

In a world where it seems like everything is made to be replaced, a vehicle is still a large investment. Protecting that investment with regularly scheduled preventative maintenance ensures that you keep your family safe, and that get your investment back by extending the life of your car.

When to Use Tire Chains on Your Vehicle

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Winter is officially here, and along with it comes snowstorms, black ice, and other dangerous driving conditions. While experienced drivers in regions that regularly experience winter weather generally know how to deal with winter driving conditions, new drivers and those who live in areas not typically affected with extreme winter weather may not know how to with poor road conditions. Losing traction in the snow can be a driver’s worst nightmare and tire chains can be an effective solution; however, it is important to know when and how tire chains should be used.

The use of tire chains may be regulated by law and different states have different laws regulating their usage. Before purchasing or installing chains on your tires be sure to check whether they are legal in your state. Additionally, some states may require tire chains in order to drive in certain areas. If you are new to a state, or plan on traveling in a state that experiences extreme winter weather, check to see if you will be required to carry/install tire chains to pass checkpoints.

Additionally, when purchasing tire chains for your vehicle, it is important to make sure that they properly fit the tires as well as the vehicle. While tire chains are available for most tire sizes, it is important that there is sufficient clearance for them to fit without damaging the body, brakes, or undercarriage of the vehicle. To find this information check the owner’s manual for specifications and allowances.

It is important that you know how to install and use your tire chains before bad weather hits. Practice putting the chains on and taking them off several times before you actually need them. Getting the hang of this now means you are not stuck fumbling around and trying to get them installed in icy, soggy, or snowy conditions with freezing fingers. Also, remember to keep a safety vest, flares, and safety cones in your vehicle; this way if you have to install or adjust the chains on the side of the road in low visibility conditions you can alert other drivers.

Finally, know what road and weather conditions call for tire chains. You should only use tire chains on your vehicle when there is a layer of snow or ice on the road. Tire chains should not be used on bare pavement as it can damage both your tires and the road itself. If you get to a road that is clearly plowed and salted, pull over and remove the chains. Additionally, when your tires have chains on you should not drive above 30mph.

Make sure tire chains are properly installed. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle chains should be installed on all four tires. If you have a two-wheel drive vehicle, ideally, you should still have chains on all four tires. However, if you only install chains on two tires on a two-wheel drive vehicle, make sure they are installed on the drive axle.

Even with tire chains winter weather accidents and breakdowns can happen. Purchasing roadside assistance coverage protects you in the event of a winter roadside emergency. Emergency roadside assistance plans cover towing, lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, dead batteries, and all the other things that can go wrong with your vehicle. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service will cover you in the event your car slides off the road during a winter storm, you run out of gas, or you look your keys in your running car while warming it up. In addition, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance. Best Roadside Service offer plans for less than $80 a year, much below the average cost of a single tow, which can range from $120 and up.

Tire chains can make a real difference during the winter months. Extreme road conditions can make it almost impossible to drive. When used safely and appropriately, tire chains can help you get where you need to be all winter long.

Happy New Year: Resolve to Purchase Roadside Assistance Coverage in 2017

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Over 100 million Americans will resolve to make a change in the new year. Common New Year’s resolutions include losing weight, exercising more, and quitting smoking. Most people who resolve to make a change in the new year will fail, often because people set unrealistic, hard to reach, or difficult to maintain goals. A New Year’s resolution that is easy to keep, and that should be on everybody’s list (whether you’re an individual or business owner), is purchasing roadside assistance coverage. Resolving to purchase coverage for your family or your business will protect you throughout the year; and the process is simple and affordable.

Most drivers experience a roadside emergency at some point; whether it’s a vehicle breakdown, flat tire, or empty gas tank roadside assistance coverage can be there to help you or your loved one when it does. Having emergency roadside assistance won’t eliminate unexpected car problems but it can make them less expensive and easier to deal with. Purchasing roadside assistance coverage for your vehicle provides peace of mind with plans that cover towing, lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, dead batteries, and all the other things that can go wrong with your car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle.

For business owners with companies that rely on fleet vehicles, those vehicles are what keep you in business, and your 2017 business plan needs to include roadside assistance coverage. Commercial and fleet roadside service plans provide 24/7 coverage and rapid response times which help get your fleet vehicles to a repair shop and back on the road quickly. Bouncing back quickly after a breakdown or accident minimizes lost productivity, repair and downtime costs, and lost revenues.

In order to get the most out of your coverage you need to choose a company that can meet your needs and offer a variety of plans. Best Roadside Service has more than 45,000 service providers in the United States and Canada and an emergency toll-free hotline, open 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year in order to provide emergency towing service, battery jumpstart service, up to 3 gallons of fuel delivery (gas is free!), lock-out services and a VIP trip planning and routing services. Additionally, depending on your personal or business needs you can choose from vehicles plans which follow the vehicle, regardless of who is driving (the perfect choice for vehicles with multiple drivers), or individual plans which follow the member, no matter what vehicle they’re in (even if they are not driving).

Purchasing roadside assistance coverage is simple and affordable. You can sign-up for coverage through Best Roadside Service with a few simple clicks of the mouse, or if you have questions representatives can answer them 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-480-2812. Additionally, plans start as low as $65/year, making coverage affordable for any budget.

Most of us have made at least one New Year’s resolution in our lives; and most of us have failed to keep our New Year’s resolutions. This year make a resolution that is easy to keep. Purchase roadside assistance coverage and protect your family or your business.

5 Questions to Ask Your Roadside Provider Before You Have an Emergency

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Every driver will likely experience a roadside emergency eventually. Whether it’s a vehicle breakdown, flat tire, empty gas tank, or accident, roadside assistance coverage can be there to help you when it does. However, the time to figure out what services your roadside provider covers is before you need help, and asking the right questions ensures you have the right provider and the right coverage. Asking these 5 basic questions ensures that you will be prepared when you need to use your roadside assistance coverage.

  1. What services do you offer?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. Coverage varies between providers and you need to know whether each roadside assistance provider is able to offer the services that will fit your individual or commercial needs.

  1. What and where is your coverage area?

Whether your purchasing roadside assistance coverage as an individual/family or as a business owner, knowing where you are covered is critical. If your delivery area is nationwide, only local coverage will leave your employees vulnerable. If you are a family that doesn’t travel far from home, nationwide coverage may leave you paying for services you are not likely to use. Assessing your particular needs and the service areas particular providers cover will allow you to choose plans that fit your needs.

  1. What are the charges, and any additional costs, associated with your service?

The charges for roadside assistance plans can vary greatly, depending on a variety of factors.

As a consumer you should determine the total cost of a plan, how you are billed (monthly or annually), as well as any potential hidden fees that might arise. Understanding all of the charges up front ensures that you will not be left with a huge bill from fees contained in the fine print of your agreement.

  1. What are the hours of your service?

The answer to this question should always be 24 hours a day and seven days a week, 365 days a year. As is the case with all unexpected things in life, you never know when you will find yourself stranded and in need of roadside assistance. And after all, what good is roadside assistance if you are not covered when you need the services?

  1. What type of plans do you offer?

Different providers offer different service plans, and it is important to find a provider that offers plans that will fit your particular needs. The most flexible options are companies that offer plans for the individual, regardless of what vehicle he or she is driving, and also offer plans for a particular vehicle, regardless of who is driving.

Best Roadside Service offers a range of emergency roadside assistance plans to fit your individual, family, or commercial needs. Plans provide 24/7/365 coverage anywhere in the USA and Canada. Coverage includes emergency towing service, battery jumpstart service, up to 3 gallons of fuel delivery (gas is free!), lock-put services and emergency personal assistance such as access to trip and routing services and a 24-Hour 800 hotline. Depending on your needs you can choose from vehicles plans which follow the vehicle, regardless of who is driving (the perfect choice for vehicles with multiple drivers), or individual plans which follow the member, no matter what vehicle they’re in (even if they are not driving).

Emergency roadside coverage is a coverage no one wants to use but everyone will likely need to use sooner or later. Asking your roadside assistance service provider these basic questions before you have a breakdown ensures you have the services you need when and where you need them.

 

Don’t Purchase Roadside Assistance Through Your Car Insurance

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The Insider Tip That Car Insurance Companies Don’t Want You To Know

Don’t let the convenience of purchasing roadside assistance coverage through your car insurance company fool you – you could be putting yourself at risk for increased premiums if you ever have to use your roadside assistance plan.

It doesn’t matter what you call in to use your roadside assistance plan for – whether you simply locked your keys in your car, left the light on all night and needed a jump-start, ended up with a flat or blown tire and need a tow, or need your car winched out of a muddy spot – if your roadside assistance plan was purchased through your car insurance provider, your roadside service calls will likely be reported to a centralized data aggregation company.

What does that mean? It means those calls could be used against you in the future in order to charge you higher premiums or as claims against your insurability. Not only will your current insurance provider know about them, but so will potentially any insurance company (or other company that requires risk assessment) you apply with in the future.

The reality of the technological age we live in is that big companies try and track everything they can, and our personal data is gold to them. Some companies may say they use our data to provide us with a better customer experience, or to improve their product or service, but at the end of the day, they ultimately want to track our data for one reason: to make more money.

So, if you have even one or two roadside service claims in a year, it’s possible they could add up to higher fees and premiums for you in the future. Three or more? The possibility becomes much more likely. To an insurance company, multiple claims in a short period could indicate a vehicle or driver with higher financial risk.

No one wants to have to call for roadside service (who was ever glad they got a flat tire?) but you buy coverage so you can use it when you need it, however often you need it, without worrying about it effecting your finances negatively. After all, isn’t the whole point to be covered in the event you do need help and save you money in the long-run?

Another trending issue that might make you think twice before buying your roadside policy through your insurance company, is the recent surge in UBI (usage based insurance) since 2010. The draw of UBI is that consumers may be able to save some money – 10%-15% over their current premiums – and feel they are getting a fairer value, by having their premiums be determined by their real-world usage and driving information. According to a report by LexisNexis Risk Solutions, they seem to expect the upward trend towards usage based insurance to continue in the coming years. But if every roadside service call becomes part of your “usage”, that might not be so much of a benefit.

This trend in user based insurance is another good reason to keep your roadside assistance claims off the books. Having your roadside assistance service calls be reported through your insurance company today, could cost you in the future as the insurance market continues to change.

So how can you make sure you and your loved ones are covered in the event of a flat tire, dead battery, or other roadside breakdown? It’s simple: keep your roadside service separate from your car insurance company.

Since 1950, Best Roadside Service and its service providers have been helping motorists across the United States and Canada with emergency roadside issues like vehicle breakdowns, dead batteries, flat tires, lost keys and running out of fuel.

For as little as $65 a year, you can have your vehicle covered for all minor and major roadside emergencies, no matter who is driving it. You can have the peace of mind knowing you are covered in any roadside emergency and that your service calls will not be tracked by your car insurance company. So, next time your plan comes up for renewal, say you’re going with Best Roadside Service and say no to the insurance company’s roadside plan.

 

How To Ensure Your Vehicle Is Ready For Winter

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prepare vehicle for winter

 

Getting your vehicle ready for winter is very important as there are certain situations that you can face that are not a concern during most of the year. Being prepared can literally mean the difference between life and death if the worst of scenarios were to occur. Use the steps below to ensure that you are prepared for whatever may come your way.

The first step is to ensure that your vehicle is in the best possible shape. It is ideal to fill all fluids and change those that are due to be replaced. This will lower the chances that your vehicle will face mechanical issues when it is put through the stresses of low temperatures.

One of the most important fluids to fill is the anti-freeze. If your reservoir is empty you will want to fill through the main line. To do this make sure your vehicle is completely cool to avoid the danger of being seriously burned. Open the cap and fill the reservoir with anti-freeze as high as it allows you to. Leaving the hood open and the cap off the line you can then start your vehicle. You will notice that the fluid is bubbling. This is because of air escaping that was in the line. When the bubbling has stopped you can then turn off your vehicle and add additional fluid up to the appropriate fill line. Additionally, you should always use de-icing windshield wiper fluid in the winter. This greatly improves your visibility during inclement weather.

There are also a number of things that are ideal to have on hand inside your vehicle in case of an emergency during the winter. A snow scraper is important to remove ice and snow during and after a storm to allow for better visibility while driving. Having a shovel on hand is ideal. You can find ones that fold up in a compact fashion to save space. This is great in case you get pulled off the road into deep snow drifts. You can then try to dig yourself out so that you can continue to your destination. If you can not dig out completely you will want to at least dig out the snow near your tail pipe so that you can run your heat without worrying about carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, you should keep a kit in your vehicle that includes road flares and cones. In the event of a breakdown or accident this will allow you to signal other motorists of your presence in the event of inclement weather. Also keep blankets, extra outerwear, and other snow gear are also a good idea to have on hand so that you do not end up stranded in the cold with no way to keep warm.

Finally, make sure to purchasing roadside assistance coverage to protect you in the event of a breakdown or other winter roadside emergency. Emergency roadside assistance plans cover towing, lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, dead batteries, and all the other things that can go wrong with your vehicle. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service will cover you in the event your car slides off the road during a winter storm, you run out of gas, or you look your keys in your running car while warming it up. In addition, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance. Best Roadside Service offer plans for less than $80 a year, much below the average cost of a single tow, which can range from $120 and up.

People do not think much about weather concerns during the warmer months, but between the harsh temperatures and the higher risk of losing control of your vehicle it is crucial to prepare for the winter months. Use the tips above to ensure that no matter what comes your way you will be as prepared as possible.

Eight Steps to Take When Winterizing Your Fleet

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An important part of avoiding emergency repairs as well as reducing downtime to a minimum is winterizing your fleet. Whether your service fleet consists of a single vehicle or a few hundred, following these seven steps ensures that your vehicles are properly prepared for winter.

Tires:

Make sure that all tires are full and at their accurate pressure. Maintaining the correct tire pressure not only assists with safety, it also reduces the costs of fuel. Additionally, make sure the tires you are using are the right ones for the road and weather conditions, as well as your geography. Make sure there is sufficient tread on the tires, this is especially important since you may need to navigate through rain, sleet, or snow.

Gas:

If your fleet is comprised of larger trucks, make sure that the gas tanks are at least half full. If you don’t, there is a chance that water vapor can collect at the bottom of the gas tank, this can then be drawn into your fuel line; if there are extremely cold temperatures, it can freeze and your engines will not be able to start.

Fluids Must Be Topped Off:

Before the harsh winter weather hits is the best time to check and if necessary, top of the fluids in your vehicles. The engine coolants, brake, power steering, windshield washer and other fluids should be checked and topped off.

Oil:

It is important to make sure that the correct viscosity of motor oil is being used when you drive in cold weather. If the oil is too thick when the engine is turned on and cold, it won’t be able to flow and protect the components, resulting in greater wear on the engine. Look over the owner’s manual for the viscosity that is recommended to be used in freezing temperatures.

Battery:

There is also a negative impact that could be had on your vehicle’s batteries due to low temperatures. When a situation arises that requires that extra strong startup power, your battery may not be able to handle it. Make sure you get your batteries checked, is they are over three years old, consider replacing them. Additionally, use a terminal cleaner to keep the contacts corrosion free.

Hoses, Belts and Lines:

All the hoses, belts, and lines of the vehicles should be inspected for any wear and tear. It would be disastrous for you and your vehicle to drive during the winter with a worn belt. The last thing you want is one of your drivers stranded on the side of the world during the winter. Inspect all belts for any signs of cracking or fraying. If there is even the slightest hint of being worn, change the belt and avoid a breakdown during harsh winter weather.

Heater:

Finally, all heater elements should be checked, to ensure the work accurately; they should also be defrosted. Your drivers will be using the heater during the winter, and depending on how harsh the winter and a heater that is not maintained may be unable to handle the increased use.

Emergency Roadside Assistance Protection:

Even the most well-maintained fleet will have breakdowns, and accidents can happen. An important component of any fleet management plan, especially during the winter season is roadside assistance coverage. Commercial and fleet roadside service plans provide 24/7 coverage and rapid response times which help get your fleet vehicles to a repair shop and back on the road quickly. Bouncing back quickly after a breakdown or accident minimizes lost productivity, repair and downtime costs, and lost revenues. Additionally, plans through companies like Best Roadside Service are customizable to make sure you’re meeting the specific needs of your employees and customers as well as your business, while taking into account the unique difficulties your fleet may face during the harsh winter weather.

These are a few of basic, but important, steps that can help you keep your fleet at its best during the winter months. So take the time to address each of these steps before the winter season begins, instead of waiting for the problems to arise during a winter storm.

 

How to Stay Safe During a Roadside Emergency

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If your car breaks down on the side of the road, you’ll need to know the right steps to take to stay safe. These steps are important and in some instances, can save your life.

Start by getting your car as far off of the road as you possibly can. By getting your car out of the flow of traffic you reduce the risk of someone hitting your car and causing further damage to your car, yourself and your passengers. If you can’t find a parking lot, rest area, exit, or wide shoulder, be sure to pull as far to the side of the road as you possibly can. Turn the hazard lights on for your car as well so that other cars will see that you’re stopped and hopefully slow down and be able to avoid hitting your car.

Before anyone opens a car door discuss a plan and then proceed with caution. Be especially mindful of younger children who are much less likely to be mindful of oncoming traffic.  If for any reason you can’t get your car out of the flow of traffic, remain buckled up in your seatbelt and turn on your emergency flashers. Do not allow anyone to get out of the or to unbuckle their seatbelts. Call for help on your cellphone immediately. Also, if you break down in a dangerous neighborhood or area, don’t exit your car. Remain in your car with the windows up and doors locked until a police officer arrives.

Do not get out of the car unless you’re safely off of the road and out of the main flow of traffic. It only takes a second to get hit by a car and become another statistic yourself. Do not open the car door on the traffic side of the road. Instead, open the door and exit the car on the other side of the road. If the car is on fire move safely away from the car quickly to a safe area. There are approximately 4000 pedestrian fatalities annually and 59,000 of these are from roadside emergencies. Do not set yourself or your family up to be one of these statistics.

If you can safely exit your vehicle, and you have flares or triangles set them out immediately to help prevent anyone from hitting your car. If you have a cell phone, call for help immediately. Help may be a friend, auto shop or even a tow truck. You’ll want to get your car to a safe location as quickly as possible.

Also, you should always keep a blanket (or two or three) in your car for emergencies. Car breakdowns never happen when it’s convenient so it may be winter or pouring rain when it breaks down. It’s also wise to have a first aid or medical kit in your car as well. Whether you need a band aid or something else, it’s important to have them on hand and avoid any further injury.

Additionally, having roadside assistance coverage can go a long way towards keeping you safe during a breakdown. Roadside assistance coverage allows you to remain safely in your vehicle while waiting for experienced professionals to arrive and fix the problem. Purchasing a plan through Best Roadside Service includes benefits such as towing, flat tire service, fluid top offs, and lost key and lockout service. As an added bonus, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance.

Breaking down is never convenient and can be dangerous, but if you follow these steps, and have roadside assistance coverage in place for emergencies, you can significantly reduce the risk of harm to yourself, your family, and other.