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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!

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.

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.

Protecting Your New Teen Driver with A Roadside Service Plan

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Teenage Roadside Assistance

 

You knew this day would come. From the time your child was small you imagined them reaching important milestones. Getting their driver’s license is a huge milestone for many teenagers. For parents it can be a terrifying one. Like most parents you have probably addressed dangers such as drinking and driving, texting and driving, and distracted driving with your teen, but have you put a plan in place for your teen in the event they experience an unexpected breakdown or other roadside emergency?

Roadside service plans are useful for all drivers, however, they can be especially beneficial for inexperienced, teen drivers. Roadside assistance programs can help make an inexperienced teen driver’s new responsibility much less intimidating. New and inexperienced drivers have a lot to think about between making sure they are following the rules of the road and maintaining control of their vehicle. By having a plan in place in case something goes wrong, teen drivers (and their parents) have one less thing to worry about.

Most drivers learn how to deal with car issues that come up through experience and practice. In the event of a mechanical breakdown an inexperienced teen driver may be unsure of what to do. Your teen can end up stranded along a busy highway or alone at night in an area far from help after locking their keys in the car, running out of gas, or experiencing a flat tire. Having a roadside service plan in place provides you teen with support if they ever find themselves in need of assistance.

Best Roadside Service offers a range of emergency roadside assistance plans to fit your needs and keep your teen driver protected. Plans provide 24/7 coverage anywhere in the USA and Canada, 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 families 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).

Roadside service plans provide teen drivers with a sense of peace by taking the worry out of what to do if something goes wrong with their vehicle. Additionally, it eases the mind of worried parents (as much as possible) that know help is available in the event of a car breakdown at any time. As your teenager reaches this important milestone make sure you put a roadside service plan in place and provide some peace of mind for you and your teen.

Roadside Assistance and the Importance of Response Times

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roadside assistance

Roadside assistance plans and providers are not one-size fits all. When choosing a roadside plan that is right right for you and your family, or your business, you need to consider more than who is driving and what vehicles need to be covered. A top factor to consider is the provider’s average response time. Knowing this information will help you choose a provider, and plan, that gives you the coverage you need when you need it.

Whether you are an individual on vacation with your family or a business owner managing a fleet of vehicles, roadside emergencies can be expensive and waste valuable time. Having a roadside service plan is the best way to minimize costs and save valuable time. However, not all roadside service plans are created equal, and some will have considerably longer response times than others. When choosing a roadside service provider, you need to consider the provider’s average response time to make sure you are getting back on the road as quickly as possible.

Average response time vary significantly depending on the service provider you choose. Response times can range from about a low of about 30 minutes to 60 minutes or more. While many elements can impact response time, the most significant determining factor is how many service response vehicles a company has in a particular area. The greater the number of service response vehicles the faster the response time.

Service-oriented roadside assistance companies will work to have as many providers and response vehicles as possible to lower average response times. Best Roadside Service has more than 45,000 service providers nationwide. Paired with a direct emergency toll-free hotline, open 24 hours-a-day and 365 days-a-year, Best Roadside Service is able to offer an average response time of just 34 minutes.

When deciding which roadside assistance program is right for you, you need to consider a multitude of factors. Price and covered benefits are important considerations. Just as important is the average response time of the company you choose. Finding a roadside assistance provider with a fast average response time will minimize costs and and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Commercial Roadside Assistance Can Be Vital For Your Business

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Commercial Roadside Assistance

Whether you’re a small local florist with a couple of delivery vehicles, a rental car company with hundreds of passenger cars, or a local government agency with a variety of vehicles, your business depends on your fleet vehicles working when you need them to. Unfortunately, just like personal vehicles, fleet vehicles breakdown too. When your fleet vehicles breakdown it can leave your employees and customers stranded on the side of the road. Additionally, fleet disablement decreases productivity and erodes revenue. Roadside assistance coverage for your fleet provides the protection you need for employees and customers and the services you need to keep your fleet operating effectively.

 

Employees and customers are the lifeblood that keep your business growing. Without good employees and loyal customers, a business owner cannot sustain a profitable business. Making sure employees and customers are taken care of in the case of a breakdown is essential to keeping them happy. Having a roadside assistance plan for your fleet vehicles gives your employees peace of mind if the vehicle they are driving becomes disabled. Commercial and fleet roadside service plans provide 24/7 coverage and rapid response times. Whether they need a tow, jump start, tire change, or gas delivery service, roadside assistance plans have your employees and customers covered. 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.   

 

When your business relies on fleet vehicles, mechanical breakdowns need to be handled efficiently. Making sure fleet vehicles are properly maintained is vital to keeping them on the road. However, even well maintained vehicles can experience breakdowns. At any given point in time up to 20% of typical fleet vehicles will experience mechanical disablement. Getting them back on the road as quickly as possible will minimize lost productivity, repair and downtime costs, and lost revenues. Roadside assistance coverage provides rapid response times and fast towing times. This gets your fleet vehicles to a repair shop and back on the road quickly. Commercial and fleet roadside plans have the added benefit of being assigned to the vehicle not the driver. This means you can assign any driver to any fleet vehicle and the coverage follows the car or truck, allowing you to schedule your fleet for optimal usage.

 

Nobody likes dealing with a vehicle breakdown. When you’re a business owner and that breakdown is with one of your commercial vehicles it impacts your ability to earn a living. Whether your business has just a couple of vehicles or a few hundred, you want to know in the event of a roadside emergency you, your employees, and your business are protected. Purchasing a roadside service plan for your commercial fleet vehicles provides you with the protection you need for your employees, your customers, and your business.   You can visit www.bestroadsideservice.com and sign your business up today.

 

Top Misconceptions About Roadside Assistance Coverage

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Photo of caucasian businesswoman standing next to her car and calling assistance for car problems

In today’s busy world few things can sideline you faster than a vehicle breakdown. The thought of being stranded on the side of a busy highway, paying exorbitant towing and repair fees, locking your keys in your car, or running out of gas can be stressful. Many people do not understand the ins and outs of what is covered by roadside assistance plans and can easily become overwhelmed; and common misconceptions about roadside assistance coverage add to the confusion. When it comes to roadside assistance coverage there are 2 major misconceptions; first, that roadside assistance only covers towing, and second that coverage is only available near big cities and well-populated areas. Debunking these common misconceptions about roadside assistance coverage can help you better understand the value and protection a roadside assistance plan can provide.

Roadside Assistance Only Covers Towing

A common misconception about roadside assistance coverage is that it only provides towing services. When your vehicle breaks down, whether in your driveway or on the side of the road, you will need to have it towed to a mechanic for repair and roadside coverage includes this service; however, while towing service is a fundamental benefit of roadside assistance coverage it is far from the only benefit.  

 

When your vehicle malfunctions, roadside service providers can also help you put your spare tire on or give you a jump start. If you have locked your keys in your car or run out of fuel roadside service providers can help you with that too. Roadside assistance coverage through Best Roadside Service also comes with value added services including national chain discounts on mechanical repairs and rental cars while your vehicle is in the shop, VIP Travel Concierge, and hotel chain discounts. Knowing all of the services available through your plan allows you to get the most value out of your plan.

Roadside Assistance Is Only Available in Cities and Well-Populated Areas

Another common misconception about roadside assistance coverage is that the services are only going to be available in large cities or well-populated areas. The thought of having a vehicle breakdown, flat tire or, running out of gas in a city is unnerving; the thought of it happening in a rural area at night can be downright scary. Roadside assistance plans don’t just cover you when you are sticking close to the trail though, they provide you service and peace of mind when your travels take you off the beaten path.

 

Roadside assistance plans provide coverage by contracting with service providers from many cities and towns. Through a nationwide network of 45,000 service providers, Best Roadside Service is able to provide comprehensive coverage for a wide variety of vehicle issues. This coverage extends to both the United States and Canada, is available with one phone call to a toll-free emergency hotline, and averages a 34-minute response time. Whether you’re close to home or work, sight-seeing in the city, or taking a family road-trip out west roadside assistance plans have you covered.

 

When you experience car problems, roadside assistance coverage can be irreplaceable. Many people have common misconceptions about roadside assistance plans making it hard to understand all of the benefits a plan can offer. Debunking these common misconceptions, and understanding all the services roadside assistance plans offer, helps you to better understand the value and protections purchasing a roadside assistance plan can provide.

 

5 Steps to Take When You Break Down

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roadside assistance plan

Breaking down on the side of the road or running into an emergency issue such as a flat tire can be dangerous. Whether you’re in the middle of a busy highway or on a deserted stretch of road, there are safety precautions that you should always take when dealing with roadside car trouble. Being prepared for these situations in advance can drastically reduce the potential dangers to you and your passengers, so read on for the steps you should take before, during and after a roadside emergency.

Get off the road
The first step to safely dealing with car trouble is to get out of the path of traffic. The biggest dangers to you in this situation are other cars, so get off the road, onto a shoulder or off the highway in a safe place. If you absolutely cannot get out of the road and are broken down in a driving lane, turn your flashers on until your roadside assistance company, the police or a tow truck is there to help.

Exit Safely
Staying in the vehicle increases your chance of being in a crash. If possible, exit the vehicle and stand safely  off the road until help has arrived. When exiting your vehicle, exit on the passenger side of the car – the side closest to the shoulder, so that you are not exiting your car into the flow the traffic. Before you leave the car, remember to turn the wheel away from the road and put your emergency break on, especially if you are on any kind of incline. However, use your best judgement here. If it seems too risky to exit your car because of traffic or space, then stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened and flashers on until help has arrived. 

Be prepared with flares
Once you’ve safely removed your vehicle from the roadway, use road flares to alert other drivers and emergency or assistance vehicles of your location. Road flares help other drivers see your vehicle on the side of the road so they can safely avoid you by changing lanes or giving you more room on the shoulder. Use two flares to prepare drivers for your car’s presence. Place one a couple hundred feet behind your car in the shoulder or hazard lane, then another one closer to the back of your vehicle. By being prepared and having road flares in your car’s emergency pack, you can help other drivers stay safe, as well as you and your passengers. 

Call for Help
Once you are safely off the road and have done your best to alert other drivers of your presence, call your emergency roadside assistance service immediately. Roadside assistance can provide a tow truck, someone to change out a flat tire, or in the case of a service such as Best Roadside Service, technicians will even deliver fluids or gasoline, depending on what is needed. The best way to be prepared for a roadside emergency is to invest in roadside assistance.

In addition to helping you get out of a bind, purchasing an emergency roadside service plan can actually save you money in the long term, as tow trucks or repair companies may charge more for one service call than you would pay for an entire year of roadside assistance. 

Let the Professionals Take it From There
Once the roadside technician has arrived, don’t attempt to help them. They are professionals and they know what they are doing and how to safely maneuver around a vehicle with traffic and other impediments. “Helping” them will slow down the process and potentially get you hurt. Once they have arrived, they can either get your car back up and running or safely deliver you and your vehicle to the closest repair shop.

Breaking down is never convenient and always stressful, but if you follow these steps and are prepared with flares and a roadside assistance service, a breakdown doesn’t have to ruin your day or worse – cause you or your family any harm. 

Potential Costs of Not Having Roadside Assistance

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Potential Costs of Not Having Roadside Assistance

roadside assistance

Sooner or later it happens to everyone; a flat tire, dead battery, or other vehicle breakdown. When your vehicle becomes disabled due to mechanical or electrical failure your entire day is disrupted. It can make you late for work, leave you stranded while traveling, or cause you to miss important moments with your family. Vehicle repairs can be expensive, and unexpected car problems can bust your monthly budget and empty your wallet.

Imagine driving to work; all the sudden you hear a loud “POP” and feel a tug on the steering wheel. You have a flat tire, on the side of busy highway, and you either do not know how to change a tire, or the cars speeding by make it too dangerous for you to change a tire. You need to call for help.

Calling a local tow company or automotive service center can be expensive. The cost for towing your car will vary based on where you live, what type of car you drive, and how far you need to have it towed; however, many consumers can expect to pay $100 or more for a single tow. What’s not included? Any of the costs associated for actually replacing the tire. You can eliminate the cost of the tow by investing in emergency roadside assistance.

Emergency roadside assistance plans don’t just eliminate the expense of costly tows. Lost keys or lockouts, running out of gas, and dead batteries can all leave you needing high-priced assistance and no time to comparison shop. 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. In addition, national chains including Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube offer discounts to Best Roadside Service customers for car repairs and maintenance.

Wasted money is not the only cost of failing to have emergency roadside assistance. Unexpected car problems result in lost time at work, missed meetings, and time devoted to fixing your car problems instead of spending time with your family. Instead of spending hours calling for services and waiting for assistance to arrive, one call to Best Roadside Service will have help on the way. The average response time for emergency services through Best Roadside Service is just 34 minutes, getting you back to your life as quickly as possible. They even offer travel concierge benefits. You can save time and money planning road trips allowing you more time to spend with family and friends.

Having emergency roadside assistance won’t eliminate unexpected car problems but it can make them less expensive and easier to deal with. Best Roadside Service offer plans for less than $80 a year, about the average cost of a single tow. Benefits include towing, fuel service, lost key and lockout services, jump-start service, concierge travel service, and a 24 hour toll-free direct emergency number that can even give directions in case you get lost.

Don’t let unexpected car problems bust your budget, empty your wallet, and drain your time. Protect yourself with emergency roadside assistance from Best Roadside Service.

What to Do With The Money You’re Saving on Gas

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Lower gas prices will fuel more travel

Hand holding fuel pump and refilling car at petrol station

 

In December, CNN reported that with the decline of gas prices over the past year, Americans saved an average of $540 per driver in 2015. That means households with two drivers saved an average of $1,100. That’s a lot of money! On top of that, AAA is reporting that based on current projections, gas prices will remain low in 2016, with the average price per gallon hovering between $2.25 and $2.45. That’s nearly a dollar less than the average price in 2014 and the second lowest price in the past decade.

 

That savings is essentially giving consumers 130 billion dollars to spend in other ways. So what are people doing with this extra money? Many people are eating out at restaurants more often – an industry that took a huge hit during the economic recession, but was up 8% last year compared to 2014. Others are buying new cars, and bigger cars since the gas they have to put in them is so cheap. But CNN also reports that more people are traveling, thanks in part to this savings on gas.

 

Last year Americans drove 2.4 trillion miles by September of 2015, which was up 3% from that time in 2014. And while airline travel is up as well, many people will choose to hit the road instead, thanks to the lower price at the pump. In fact, Americans are driving more than ever, and that’s having a great impact on the economy as it also means people are eating out more, staying in hotels, going to movies and, of course, buying gas along the way.

 

So how will you spend that money you’re saving on gas? If you’re considering putting it towards a fun road trip or vacation, you might also consider throwing in a roadside assistance plan. An emergency roadside assistance plan is an affordable way to ensure that you’re never left on the side of the road during a trip. It is also a great way to get exclusive discounts and coupons towards travel, hotels, car rentals, amusement parks, and more.

 

Best Roadside Service, an emergency roadside assistance company servicing the US and Canada, offers members travel related discounts at hundreds of hotels around the world;  including a 10% discount at all 1,100+ pet friendly Motel 6 locations. They also offer discounts for Enterprise, National, and Thrifty car rental services as well as Cruise America RV Rentals and Sales. Additionally, members have access to special Six Flag tickets and reservations through their website.

 

Best Roadside Service doesn’t just save you money on your next vacation or business trip. If you plan on purchasing a new car with your savings, you will want to make sure you care for your purchase by maintaining it properly. Best Roadside Service members receive discounts at many national automotive chains such as Meineke, Aamco, Jiffy Lube, and more.

 

Roadside Assistance plans are an affordable way to save even more money than you’ve already saved in the past year on gas. For less than $80 a year, you can keep yourself safe on the road, ensure you’re never stranded while driving, and enjoy discounts and benefits all over the country while you travel.

 

Why Southern Drivers Should Have Roadside Assistance This Winter

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Be prepared for more snow and ice this winter.

El Nino

In early January of this year, The Weather Channel released their three month outlook for winter weather. The outlook shows that El Nino, a weather pattern that is influenced by ocean temperatures, will be in effect over North America for the remainder of the winter weather months. What this means is that areas in the southern states of America that don’t usually get a lot of snow or precipitation during the winter will likely see more snow, ice and sleet, while their northern and western counterparts will see somewhat less snow and slightly warmer temperatures than normal. This prediction is already turning out to be true as winter storm Jonas sweeps across the southern and eastern  portions of the United States this month.

 

Perhaps nothing is quite so affected by inclement weather as our ability to travel. Driving can become treacherous and sometimes impossible during snow storms, while air travel and some train travel is completely grounded or canceled. For many people, flight and train cancellations means they must take a chance and drive in bad weather to get where they need to be. While we don’t recommend that anyone drive a car in a situation that isn’t safe, we do know that sometimes you simply don’t have a choice but to get behind the wheel.

 

In these cases, and for anyone who regularly deals with inclement weather while driving, a roadside assistance plan is an absolute must. And for those who live in areas that are normally not affected by winter weather, consider adding a roadside assistance plan to your vehicle or to an individual driver in your family as El Nino continues to threaten the south with cold, snowy weather.

 

Roadside assistance companies provide emergency assistance when your vehicle experiences issues. Whether you get a flat tire, run out of gas or other fluids, lock your keys in your car or even if you skid off the road and into a ditch – a roadside service company can provide mechanical help or a tow truck to get you and your vehicle to a safe place. Most roadside service companies have providers across their areas of coverage so that a tow truck, mechanic or locksmith can get to you quickly. But of course, some companies provide better coverage and quicker responses than others. Best Roadside Service, for instance, has over 45,000 service providers across America and Canada. This kind of dense coverage gives them an average response time of just 34 minutes. And when you’re sitting on the side of the road in the cold and the snow – that response time becomes critical.

 

Of course, it’s always good to be prepared, even if you do have a roadside assistance plan, in case something does happen. While you’re waiting for a service provider to come and help you, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is stocked with water, an ice scraper, extra blankets, maybe even disposable hand and feet warmers, basic tools, a spare tire, and a flashlight. Additional cold weather vehicle preparation tips can be found on this blog: Cold Weather Auto Maintenance Tips.

 

So this winter, be prepared and don’t rely on your normally warm and sunny location to keep you safe. Winter weather can hit at any time, and thanks to El Nino, in any place in the country. A roadside assistance plan can help keep you, your family safe and warm this winter.