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!

Electric Cars Need Roadside Assistance Too

January 19, 2016 by Best Roadside Service

Just because your car doesn’t rely on traditional petroleum gasoline, doesn’t mean it won’t ever leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Hybrid and electric cars are becoming more and more popular in America as the technology advances, prices lower and concern for the environment increases. According to HybridCars.com, in 2013 nearly half a million hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) were purchased in the United States. The Toyota Prius still lead the pack in sales, but other car manufacturers are quickly catching up including Ford and Lexus.

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Despite the growth in popularity, less than 200,000 of the total HEV sales in 2015 were for fully electric cars. The hybrid vehicle still dominates the market, with its minimal, but still existent, dependence on gasoline. Infrastructure is partly to blame for this fact. The United States still lags behind other countries in terms of electric car charging stations. Not to mention, the average American commuter is driving further each day than their European counterparts, for example, making battery life a bigger issue than it is elsewhere.

Researchers at Edmunds point out that owners of hybrid vehicles should know that “the gasoline engine in a hybrid vehicle requires the same maintenance that it would if it were the only power source driving the vehicle. That means regular tune-ups and oil changes every 5,000-10,000 miles, depending on the vehicle and driving conditions.” That also means that hybrid vehicles are susceptible to the same kind of issues, breakdowns, and vulnerabilities as a standard gas-powered car. And fully electric cars are susceptible to their own array of mechanical and technological issues that could leave you stranded by the side of the road.

This information is important for anyone who may be considering purchasing an HEV to keep in mind. Even if you plan to ditch your old gas-guzzler, don’t make the mistake of tossing out your roadside assistance plan with it. Most roadside assistance plans cover HEVs the same way they do traditional cars. Companies such as Best Roadside Service offer travelers emergency roadside help if their hybrid or electric vehicle breaks down, runs out of battery life (or gas in the case of a hybrid), needs additional fluids, gets a flat tire or many other common issues. Best Roadside Service even includes gas delivery in their membership rates, in case your battery and gas tank run out and leave you stranded.

These plans also include discounts to major national car maintenance shops such as Aamco, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and more. This is important, as Edmunds reminds us, because HEVs need the same kind of regular maintenance as a traditional car. Getting oil changes, tune ups and fluids topped off will keep your HEV investment running well, and a roadside assistance plan will help you save money maintaining your car.

All that savings on gas and maintenance may also give you the funds to take a road trip or vacation. Best Roadside Service offers its members discounts on travel including discounts to theme parks, hotels, and other attractions as well as coupons to places all over the US. And if you need help navigating, they also offer members customized map routing as well as access to a 24-hour emergency hotline you can call for turn by turn directions or roadside assistance, in case you get lost or break down.

If you’re considering purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle, you’ve probably done a lot of research and consider yourself a conscientious consumer. We recommend you do your research on roadside assistance plans as well to see what companies are offering the best services and benefits for the money. Just remember that regardless of which HEV you decide to get behind the wheel of, don’t drive it off that lot without covering yourself or your vehicle with a roadside assistance plan.

Credit Card Companies Drop Roadside Assistance Coverage

December 15, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

Many people do not know that their credit card companies may provide additional services beyond loaning money for purchases.

In fact, several credit card companies offer services through third party providers for things such as identity theft, travel planning and even roadside assistance. These services are not always marketed to credit card customers very well, and J.D. Power & Associates reports that only about 2/3 of people are even aware of their benefits, and even fewer people are using their credit cards to their full advantage. For this reason, many credit card companies are dropping extra benefits from their cardholder agreements.

In August 2015, Discover issued a new cardholder agreement that stated they intend to “simplify the suite of cardmember benefits that it provides by eliminating certain benefits in order to provide a better customer experience.” What this really means is that they are eliminating benefits to save themselves money. With recent laws in effect that restrict credit card companies on the kind of late fees and interest rates they can charge, many lenders are looking at cutting cardholder benefits and other services to save money and help their bottom line.

In fact, Sears MasterCard recently dropped its rental car collision coverage, travel assistance and roadside assistance benefits, and Bank of America is discontinuing its roadside and travel assistance benefits for its MasterCard Better Balance Rewards cardholders as well. With these heavy hitters leading the pack, it’s a logical assumption that other credit card companies will be following their lead and dropping third party services for their cardholders as well. So whether or not you have one of these cards listed above, you should start looking around for another provider for these services.

Even if you do plan to continue using your credit card company’s services, keep in mind that most credit card companies still charge their cardholders a fee to use their roadside assistance and these fees can run up to $70 per call. At that price, you should consider going with Best Roadside Service’s roadside assistance plan. In fact, a year of roadside assistance with Best Roadside Service, which includes up to 6 calls per year, only costs between $65-$80 depending on the plan chosen. Additionally, Best Roadside Service offers travel assistance, travel concierge services, travel discounts, coupons, a 24-hour emergency hotline, discounts at national automotive maintenance shops and more. Your discounts from these partners might just pay for your annual membership! You don’t have to have a particular credit card to have these services and you don’t have to pay a crazy interest rate to earn them. Individual plans are less than $80/year and vehicle plans are just $65 annually.

Why Choose Best Roadside Service

Going with a company that specializes in roadside assistance is also the only way to ensure you get the best and fastest service. Credit card companies are essentially playing the middle man to their cardholders – creating an additional step and costing the customer more time when they do need help on the side of the road. Best Roadside Service, on the other hand, has an average response time of just 34 minutes. And their service providers respond to over 70,000 calls per month. In the last 50 years, Best Roadside Service has unlocked over 170,000 doors, changed over 340,000 flat tires, towed over 6.8 million miles and delivered over 60,000 gallons of fuel!

But not all roadside assistance plans and providers are created equal. Whether you want to purchase a plan for a particular vehicle, no matter who is driving it, or a plan for an individual, no matter what vehicle they are driving – you’ll want to compare plans, and go with a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company that has been providing roadside service for over 50 years to consumers just like you.

The bottom line is that your credit card company is more concerned with their bottom line than customer perks and benefits. Ditch the middle man, and purchase an independent roadside assistance plan for you and your family from Best Roadside Service!

Why Your Sunday Driver Needs Roadside Assistance

October 19, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

The weather has finally cooled down and the leaves are starting to change. This is the time of year that many people start to take weekend drives to enjoy the scenery and cooler temperatures.

Many people may even have a pleasure car that they only drive when the weather is nice or on the weekends or for special occasions. These so called “Sunday Drivers” usually don’t see a lot of miles – they may be antique or vintage cars or they might be sports cars that just aren’t efficient or practical enough to drive every day. Whatever the case may be, many people choose not to purchase roadside assistance plans for these vehicles since they aren’t driven as often as their everyday car. But this oversight can lead to costly and aggravating headaches were something to happen during a beautiful afternoon drive through the country.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider an emergency roadside plan for your Sunday Driver.

1. The car is an older antique or vintage model.
  You love the fact that your car represents another place and time in automotive history, but its age also means that it may be more prone to breaking down or having mechanical issues. Nothing can ruin a Sunday Drive more than being stranded on a back road. With a company like Best Roadside Service, which has an average response time of 34 minutes, you’ll be back to cruising the open road as quickly as possible.

1. You take your pleasure car for road trips.
  Many people use their pleasure car exclusively for road trips and travel. This can be a fun way to get from point A to point B, but being on the road for long periods of time can also make you more likely to experience roadside issues. Best Roadside Service plans provide 24-hour emergency roadside assistance whether you have a flat tire, run out of gas or experience a total breakdown.

1. You like to stay active when you travel.
  If you’re traveling in your pleasure car, a roadside assistance plan can also give you access to travel coupons and discounts. At Best Roadside Service they even offer their members custom map routing and turn by turn directions through their 24 hour hotline. That way you’ll never get lost, and you’ll be able to afford and enjoy more when you get to your destination.

1. You have other cars that need coverage.
  With Best Roadside Service, we give you two kinds of coverage options. You can purchase a plan that covers your vehicle, no matter who is driving it, or you can purchase a plan that covers you as an individual – no matter what vehicle you are driving. If you own a pleasure vehicle, an individual policy may be the best choice because you will still receive roadside assistance and all the benefits of the plan whether you’re driving your day-to-day car or your Sunday Driver. Individual plans are just $79.95 a year if you sign up online today!

Your Sunday Driver needs frequent maintenance.
If your Sunday Driver is an antique or older vehicle, it may need more maintenance than a newer vehicle. With Best Roadside Service, we offer discounted prices at national automotive repair shops including Jiffy Lube, Meineke, Maaco, Aamco and more. These discounts can save you a lot of money on vehicles that need frequent repair or maintenance and can keep your pleasure car driving for many miles to come.

Having a pleasure car can be a fun way to spend weekends, vacations, and enjoy beautiful fall weather, but to truly enjoy your pleasure vehicle, make sure it’s covered with a roadside assistance plan that provides all these benefits and services so that you’re never left on the side of the road. Contact Best Roadside Service to order your plan today!

The Top Five Tips for Traveling With Pets

September 23, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

At Best Roadside Service, we pride ourselves on being a pet-friendly business.

We cover the vehicles and fleets of many pet rescue organizations and so we are always mindful of keeping you as well as your furry friends safe – especially when they’re in your car.

Some pets love car rides, while others have anxiety just at the site of an open car door. It’s easy to understand why – half the time they get into a car, there’s a vet waiting on the other end! But no matter how short or long the ride, it’s critical that you take certain safety precautions to protect both your pet as well as yourself while driving. So whether your pet loves to ride shotgun or prefers to be safely crated in the back, here are a few tips for how to ride safely with your pet.

Buckle Up!
The most important piece of advice we can give you is to always keep your pet restrained in some way while riding in a vehicle. A loose pet is a dangerous pet in a car. Whether they are blocking your view, or getting under your feet, letting them have free range can result in serious consequences.

You probably wear your seatbelt when you’re in your car, and certainly if you have kids, you ensure that they are safely belted or in a car seat or carrier. Do the same thing for your pet. There are lots of products on the market now that safely and comfortably restrain pets. These products often will still allow your pet to see outside, move around within reason and enjoy their ride. Dogs who wear harnesses can use doggie seatbelt devices, which strap directly into your car’s seatbelt system. Dogs who have a lot of anxiety when in the car may prefer to be inside their crate. This is particularly true for dogs who have been crate trained and who view their crate as their private den and retreat.

Keep cats in cat carriers and, if possible, strap the carrier into your vehicle’s seatbelt system for added security. A small cat carrier can become a dangerous projectile in an accident.
Keep arms, legs and head inside the moving vehicle at all times.
What’s true for roller coasters is pretty much true for your pet and your car. Although your furry friend may love to hang his head out the window while you cruise down the road, there are a variety of ways they can become injured from this. Debris, dirt and even insects can become embedded in their eyes or skin, their head could hit a roadside object, and they could even fall out of the window if not properly restrained. As fun as this is for them (and for passers-by), roll up the window and opt for AC instead.
Keep them in the cab.
Putting dogs in the bed of a truck may be convenient, but it can also be extremely dangerous. Not only could your dog fall or jump out of the bed of a truck and be hurt or killed, they may also become a distraction to other drivers, possibly causing a collision. According to the American Humane Society, at least 100,000 dogs die in accidents each year because they were riding in the back of a pickup truck. Additionally, if you have to run in somewhere, don’t leave your dog leashed in the bed of a truck. The heat of the truck bed floor can cause burns on paws, plus pets are exposed to the weather – whether it’s heat, cold, rain or other scenarios.
Never, EVER leave them inside a hot car.
This should go without saying at this point, but every summer you see news stories about someone who has left their dog inside a car to run into the store “for just a few minutes.” Sometimes these dogs are rescued by good samaritans, but many times they are not, and they suffer and often die from heat stroke. A car heats up incredibly fast! Don’t believe it? Watch this video where Kars4Kids challenged adults to sit in a hot car for 10 minutes and they would receive $100. Not one person could do it! Their message (not to leave your kids in the car, even for ten minutes!) applies to animals as well. And don’t forget, your pets are wearing a heavy fur coat, making that heat even more extreme.

If you have an errand to run and have your pet with you, either take them inside with you, or if that’s not permitted – come back later without them. There simply isn’t a safe option for leaving an animal in a car. Even with your windows cracked, a car can still become unbearably hot, even on a pleasant day. And rolling your windows all the way down leaves your pet exposed and vulnerable to pet-napping.
Make sure they’re tagged.
Just like you make sure your vehicle’s registration is up to date, make sure your furry friend has a current tag/ID on their collar, and if possible – a microchip in case their collar is lost or removed. Pet-napping is becoming a big market for criminals. Thieves steal dogs and cats to re-sell them, and often dogs are stolen from vehicles where they’ve been left unattended. A microchip is the definitive, irremovable way to prove your ownership, and if your pet just happens to get loose and run off, visible tags can help aid in a speedy return home.

Taking a roadtrip with your best furry friend can be a great experience if you follow these tips for a safe, enjoyable, tail-wagging ride. And to keep yourself and your vehicle safe on the road, consider a Best Roadside Service plan, so that you and your pet are never stranded on the side of the road.

Give the Gift of Roadside Safety This Grandparent’s Day

September 11, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

Grandparent’s Day became nationally recognized in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter signed a Presidential Proclamation to observe the Sunday after Labor Day as Grandparent’s Day. On this day people are encouraged to celebrate their grandparents by spending time together, giving gifts and including grandparents in school or church activities. The goal of this special day is to help children appreciate their grandparents, to learn from them, to hear their stories and become closer. This year, Grandparent’s Day falls on Sunday, September 13th, 2015.

Grandparent’s Day Special

At Best Roadside Service, we’d like to help you celebrate Grandparent’s Day by offering a $10 or $15 discount on a gift membership for the grandparents in your life. If you sign up online today, you can save $10 on a vehicle coverage gift membership. This plan will cover a vehicle, no matter who is driving it and costs just $65 with the discount. This is a great gift for a grandmother and grandfather who often ride together or drive the same vehicle. You can also save $15 off an individual coverage plan, which covers an individual no matter what vehicle they are driving, which is great for the grandparent who often drives more than one vehicle. The discounted price for this plan is just $79.95.

An emergency roadside assistance plan makes a great gift for grandparents, and it’s something they will enjoy the benefit of all year long. The average age of a first-time grandparent in the United States is just 50 years old. That means grandparents are younger and more active than ever. Most are probably still driving, many are still working and commuting every day and nearly all will do some sort of vehicular travel this year.

However, as grandparents age it can become more and more difficult and dangerous for them to do some tasks, especially those related to a roadside emergency such as changing a flat tire. A Best Roadside Service plan can help in these risky situations. All of our plans come with our 24-hour emergency assistance hotline which is entirely operated in the United States. Our average response time is just 34 minutes, so we will get help to them fast and efficiently. Our plans cover flat tires, replacing fluids, up to three gallons of gas, locksmith service, towing, jump starts and more.

Nowadays, families in the US are often spread apart, and long car trips or travel may be required for grandparents to see their children and grandchildren. If the grandparent in your life travels often, a roadside assistance plan may be just what they need so you both can feel secure while they’re on the road.

And since grandparents are younger and more active than ever, many of them enjoy travel and activities, especially if they are retired. Best Roadside Service offers its members travel discounts, coupons, concierge service, custom map routing and even turn by turn directions from our emergency hotline in case they get lost. Additionally, members can enjoy benefits for auto services such as oil changes, tune ups and other mechanical services at national companies such as Jiffy Lube, Maaco, Meineke and more. So no matter where your grandparents live, they can use their benefits fully.

Grandparent’s Day is a wonderful way to celebrate the people in our lives that we care about. Show your grandparents how much you care about them and their safety by giving them the gift of Best Roadside Service so that they can continue to enjoy the travel and activities in their life with peace of mind.

The Best Roadside Assistance for Your Motorcycle

August 26, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

Motorcycles represent the epitome of freedom and independence. Whether you ride a cruiser, a sport bike or a touring motorcycle, there’s nothing more exciting than hitting the open road and leaving your day-to-day problems behind. But even when you’re taking a solo trip on the open road, you need someone to have your back in case of an emergency. And in the case of bad weather or dangerous conditions, you need someone who will have your back quickly. If you’re like most bikers, you probably don’t take a lot of tools or even a spare tire with you on your bike, so when an issue occurs, you’ll need help getting back to what you love – riding!

Best Roadside Service offers emergency roadside plans for all makes and models of motorcycles including Harley-Davidson, BMW, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Indian, Honda, Triumph, Yamaha and more. Additionally, we offer coverage for trikes and scooters, so whether you’re driving a Vespa or a Can-Am, we’ll be there for you when you need us.

Our Motorcycle Services

Our motorcycle plans give you all the benefits and services of our regular individual or vehicle plan including 24-hour roadside assistance, towing, battery jump-start, turn by turn directions, custom mapping, travel discounts and coupons, fuel and fluid delivery and more.

Did you know that a flat tire is the number one roadside issue encountered by bikers? Don’t let this leave you stranded – become a Best Roadside Service member and get your motorcycle, trike or scooter towed to a repair facility so that you’re never left on the side of the road. The other top roadside issues motorcycle drivers may encounter include low fluids, a blown fuse, coolant leaks and overheating. All issues you probably can’t repair because you don’t have the parts and tools with you, or don’t want to try to repair while stranded on the shoulder of a busy road or an isolated location.

Best Roadside Service is US owned and operated, so when you call our help center there is always a live person to speak with who will assist you quickly and courteously. Our average emergency service response time is just 34 minutes. Speed is critical when you’re stranded on a bike with nowhere to take cover. We will get to you quickly and get you back on the road, or safely towed to the nearest repair shop – no matter where you find yourself.

And if you like to take your bike on road trips and vacations, Best Roadside Service offers travel discounts, coupons and membership benefits that will make traveling more enjoyable and affordable. We can also assist you with custom mapping to your destination, so you’ll never get lost – unless you want to! Our 24-hour concierge service can help you book a last minute hotel room or other travel needs, so you don’t have to spend precious riding time researching travel sites and calling place after place to find a great rate.

Riding your motorcycle may make you feel like a lone ranger, but don’t be stuck by yourself when things go wrong. Sign up today and save $10 on safety and security every time you ride.

Give A College Student the Gift of Roadside Assistance

August 11, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

The fall semester is right around the corner and college students are headed back to their dorms or maybe off to college for the first time.

This is an exciting but scary time in both the recent high school graduate’s life as well as their parents’. For the first time, these young adults will be on their own, and many will be hundreds or even thousands of miles away from home.

If your new college student will be driving him or herself off to college, much of your anxiety may be about how safe their travels will be. Whether they’re hauling all of their stuff off to their dorm, or just driving around campus and their new town, they can run into a plethora of issues that mom and dad won’t be around to help out with. Flat tires, keys locked in the car or bigger mechanical issues can cause a student to miss class or worse – get hurt or stranded.

As stressful and scary as this time can be, there are ways to keep them safe, even if you’re far away. Best Roadside Assistance offers affordable roadside service plans for individuals that help keep them safe and on the road. Consider purchasing a plan as a gift for your graduate and send them off to college safely.

What We Offer College Students

Our service plans cover any issue they may experience. Our call center is owned and operated in the US, so when making a service call, they will always get a friendly representative who will send help immediately. In fact, our average response time is just 34 minutes.

College students are not always the most prepared or organized, so if they lock their keys in their car, we can get them out of a bind. If they run out of gas, we have them covered and can deliver up to three gallons of gas, for free, right to their vehicle. We will even replace a lost car key up to $100, in case they happen to misplace that too.

And if they’re driving a less-than-reliable vehicle, our roadside service plan can assist there too with towing services, battery jump start and even fluid delivery. In addition to these services that will keep them safe, we also provide benefits to our customers that will allow them to have some fun. Travel discounts and mapping services can help them get to their spring break destination safely and within budget.

A Best Roadside Service plan is the perfect gift for back-to-school college students. It keeps them safe while keeping your stress level down. Send them off safely this year, and sign up today.

Top Ten Reasons to Choose Best Roadside Service

June 9, 2015 by Best Roadside Service

We know that there are many roadside assistance companies out there to choose from, so we value and appreciate the customers who choose us. We also happen to think they’ve made the best decision. Here are just ten reasons why our customers chose Best Roadside Assistance and why you should too.

American Owned, Canada Covered
Best Roadside Service is an American Owned and Operated company with the goal of providing our customers with the best emergency roadside assistance plans at competitive prices. Our core values have always focused on offering the best customer service standards in the industry. But Americans are not the only ones who can benefit from our services! Canada is a great place to travel and a beautiful place to live, but with such cold weather, it’s critical to have good emergency roadside service. All of our services are available in Canada for the same low price of $65 a year for one vehicle, no matter who is driving.
Free Gas
Should your covered vehicle run out of gasoline, a technician will deliver three gallons of fuel right to your vehicle at no extra charge. We will get you back on the road in no time and at no fee!
Vacation and travel discounts
Our members enjoy exclusive discount programs and special rates for vacations, cruises, car and RV rentals, even theme park tickets such as Sea World, Busch Gardens and more! Our discount program gives you a range of options for booking a room for vacation or business. And our concierge service can help you get everything straight so you can sit back and enjoy your trip.
34 minute response time
Your safety is our priority. Our state-of-the-art software allows us, with your permission, to find your location using your cell phone, and dispatch service providers while we’re on the phone with you. We can even send you a text message confirming the arrival time of your service provider. Our average response time is just 34 minutes.
American-Owned and Operated Call Center with English, Spanish and French Speakers
All emergency calls to our 24-hour call center are answered in the United States. You will never be transferred overseas and you will never get a voicemail. We have customer service representatives available at all times who speak English, Spanish and French, so you’re never alone as long as you have Best Roadside Service!
Individual and Vehicle options
Whether you want to cover a specific vehicle no matter who is driving it, or an individual, no matter what vehicle they are driving, we’ve got coverage for you. Individual and vehicle plans also cover motorcycles and scooters. Plans start at less than $6 a month with the option to add family members at a discounted rate!

Personal and Commercial Options
Whether you have a car that is used for business or an entire fleet of vehicles for your company employees, we have a plan that will meet your needs. We have been in the emergency roadside business a long time, and we know that when you have a fleet of vehicles, one of them is bound to break down. In fact, about 20% of typical fleets experience mechanical disablement every day. To keep your business running and your customers satisfied, you need to have your employees and drivers covered for any roadside issue they may experience. Our plans provide rescue and support for your employees and your business.
Map Routing and Trip Planning with 24 Hour Directional Assistance
Going on a trip? You can’t just depend on a cell phone that could die or a GPS that may lose service. Our trip planning and map routing services provide a customized route to wherever you want to go and however you want to get there. If you ever get lost along the way, just call our roadside assistance hotline and we will give you turn-by-turn directions, no matter what time of the day or night.
Motorcycle Coverage
Whether your bike is your main method of transportation, or just one of the vehicles you or your family use, we have a plan to fit your motorcycle roadside assistance needs. Motorcycle drivers receive six service calls per year along with all the benefits of a regular vehicle plan, starting at just $65/year.
Join Now and Save $10 or $15
By now we’re sure you’re convinced that Best Roadside Service is the best emergency roadside plan you can buy, but just in case you need one more reason – if you join on our website right now you can save $10 a year on the vehicle plan or $15 a year for the individual plan.

Sign up today and join our many happy customers who enjoyed safety and security on the road and in their vehicles every day with us!

Best Roadside Service vs. Your Insurance Company

April 9, 2014 by Best Roadside Service

Take a good look at the information you have for the emergency roadside assistance services offered by your insurance company and chances are you will find something you won’t like- restrictions. A quick online search reveals companies that limit towing services to 15 miles, will only tow to the nearest service station, put monetary limits on how much they will pay for towing, or refuse to tow if you are not within 10 feet of a public paid road. If you find yourself needing roadside assistance, chances are you are in a stressful situation. At that time, the last thing you want to deal with are restrictions. Wouldn’t you rather choose a company that could provide you with peace of mind? [Read more…]

Why Is It Important to Compare Commercial Roadside Assistance Plans?

August 15, 2012 by Best Roadside Service

Even if you already know the importance of shopping around when it comes to making a purchase like commercial roadside assistance coverage, you might be tempted to cut corners by selecting the first company you come across, whether it’s online, in the phone book or via a phone call by a company who provides such a plan. They might offer an enticing price that seems likes a great deal, until you or one of your employees runs into trouble and needs assistance.

Without research and in depth comparison, choosing the wrong plan can be worse than choosing nothing it all. You think your company’s vehicles are covered should one become disabled, but when an emergency occurs, your employee can end up stranded – possibly hundreds of miles away from the office.

The story of two employees who were driving a company vehicle to a conference 300 miles away, highlights the risks of what can happen by making a hasty decision when it comes to roadside assistance coverage.

The women did the right thing by asking for the company’s emergency roadside assistance number before leaving on their trip, and left with few worries. They had to drive through a remote area in the Midwest, and it was in that desolate region that the vehicle suddenly sputtered and came to a halt.

The roadside assistance number was phoned immediately, but it took nearly a half an hour before a live person answered. The man on the phone was rather cold and impersonal, and didn’t seem to care that the women were stranded on the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere. The only towing company he was able to reach had one driver who was on another call and would not be able to assist for hours.

It was getting late, and there was no hotel, restaurant or any safe place they could get to. By the time they received assistance it was almost midnight, and they ended up riding back with the driver to the nearest town, 40 miles away. The driver insisted on payment as the company’s coverage only paid for up to ten miles for towing. He took the vehicle to a repair shop that wasn’t open on Sunday and the women ended up stranded in the town for two days. They missed their conference on Monday, making the nightmare trip a complete waste of time and money, not to mention being a rather harrowing experience.

Their story highlights the importance of comparing commercial roadside assistance plans and researching customer’s current and past experiences through an online search and reference checks. It’s imperative to inquire about response times, as well as to consider the attitude of the staff. Make several phone calls; are company representatives friendly and helpful? Call the emergency assistance number – how long do you have to wait on hold?

The time it takes to assure that you’ll be covered by the best commercial roadside assistance plan, is well worth the effort. It will not only save you money over time, but can avoid a potentially risky situation for your employees should a company vehicle become disabled.