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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!

Should You Tip Roadside Assistance?

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Should You Tip Roadside Assistance

Unforeseen flats, breakdowns, and lockouts are huge inconveniences, though they happen more often than anyone would like. Fortunately, roadside assistance providers remain at the ready when you need them, working around the clock so unexpected vehicular issues are tended to quickly and efficiently.

Should you tip roadside assistance providers? It’s a pretty common question, and when you’re stuck on the side of the road you might feel tempted to throw in something extra for those who come to help you. But, is this behavior normal, or expected? And, how much is enough?

Below we’ll give you an idea of how roadside assistance operators work, and when and why it may be appropriate to show your appreciation.

When to Tip Roadside Assistance

You are in no way obligated to tip roadside assistance, be it a tow truck driver, mechanic, or locksmith who comes to your aid. However, you should consider tipping them if you are happy with the services provided, especially for more intensive situations where a service provider drops you off at a shop or works tirelessly to get you out of a ditch in the middle of the night, for example. And while there’s no guide to tell you what amount of work warrants a tip, a good point to remember is that dispatched providers often go above and beyond basic contracted services.

As stated, offering roadside emergency services is not easy. These individuals have to work long hours under various conditions, ready to assist at a moment’s notice. And even if the cost of the service and mileage are included in your bill, you should consider offering a tip if you feel that the person did a commendable job throughout the process. Whether you do or do not tip, always remember an alternative way to show your appreciation is to submit a favorable online review.

At the end of the day, any reputable roadside assistance provider should respect whatever decision you make, and you should never feel like you’re forced or guilted into giving a tip, no matter the circumstances.

Do You Tip Roadside Assistance For Flat Tires?

Flat tires are one of the most common reasons for calling a roadside assistance provider. As a result, the question, “Do you tip roadside assistance for a flat tire?” is often pondered.

A flat tire should be treated in the same way you’d treat another issue on the road in that it’s still your decision to make in the end. Some people feel a tip is warranted, and others feel flat tire services come with the cost of roadside assistance overall. If you’re not sure, consider where you are, how far the individual had to travel, the time of day, the amount of work needed to help, and how they treated you to make your decision easier.

How Much Do You Tip Roadside Assistance?

Wondering how much to tip roadside assistance? Well, that decision is also entirely up to you. There’s no set amount, no starting point, and no wrong answer. If you have some extra cash on you and feel like your provider did a great job on your vehicle, give them what you believe is an accurate compensation for what they provided. No matter the individual or service, they will feel grateful for the act of recognition.

For additional help deciding, know that many people agree a good tip ranges anywhere between $5 – $20, with $20 considered a great tip.

Best Roadside Service is Ready Whenever You Are

Service-oriented roadside assistance companies work hard to secure reputable service providers and response vehicles that insure that you receive quality service and fast 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 58 minutes. We also maintain an A Rating w the BBB rating by contracting with reliable and friendly service professionals who go above and beyond to help you on the road and get you on your way quickly and safely.

We offer a variety of roadside assistance plans so you can get the exact coverage you need. Members also receive numerous benefits, from travel and hotels to theme parks and more. Learn more about what makes us the Best Roadside Service, or contact us today for any additional questions or comments.

Trend Predictions for Commercial Fleet Management in 2021

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Commercial Fleet Roadside AssistanceDespite being early into the new year, there are many, new trends for commercial fleet management in 2021 that are manifesting right now. These crucial changes could impact your business and challenge the way you currently conduct operations.

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Truck Safety 101: Promoting a Culture of Safe Driving in Your Company

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Truck Safety

If you have one or more employees driving trucks for your company, then encouraging and incentivizing truck safety needs to be one of your top priorities. Truck driving is one of the most dangerous jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but this profession acts as a lifeline for the things that we need on a daily basis: groceries, fuel, building materials, and other essential goods. Plus, if you’re trying to run a successful transportation business, then truck driving might be essential to your operations.

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How Can Commercial Fleet Roadside Assistance Benefit Your Business?

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Commercial Fleet Roadside Assistance

Commercial fleet roadside assistance plans are essential for both small and large businesses seeking cost-efficient methods of protecting their fleets. For business owners who may heavily rely on transportation, keeping your vehicles, and therefore your drivers, safe is sometimes the most important factor in maintaining overall efficiency.

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The Unofficial End of Summer Driving Season

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Roadside assistance providers

Labor day, the unofficial end of summer driving season, is just a few days away. Millions of us took the “Great American Road Trip” this summer, and many of us will head out for one last road trip before the lazy days of summer fade away. The busy holiday season quickly follows Labor Day and many of us will travel to visit family. Before hitting the road, and especially if you have already put some wear on your car this summer, make sure you follow a couple of quick tips to make sure you and your vehicle are ready to go.

Preventative Maintenance

Making sure your vehicle is in good working order is a must before any road trip. Before you head out make sure that basic maintenance tasks are up to date. Refer to your vehicle’s owners-manual for basic guidelines on checking fluid levels, tire pressure, and tread depth. Follow the guidelines for having your engine oil changed; if you have a professional do it they can check your tires at the same time. Additionally, make sure your spare (if your car has one) is in good condition. If your car doesn’t have a spare (many newer cars do not) following the next step is even more important.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Unexpected emergencies often arise while traveling. Preparing in advance will save you time, money, and stress. Mechanical breakdowns, lock outs, lost keys, and accidents are all common vehicle emergencies people run into while traveling. Purchasing a roadside assistance plan ensures that you have help when you need it.

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.

Roadside assistance plans can provide more than just emergency services. Plans from Best Roadside Service offer discounts on car repairs and maintenance through national retailers including, Meineke, Aamco, and Jiffy Lube. Plans also include; Travel Concierge services to help plan your next trip and VIP discounts including savings and free upgrades at nationally known rental car companies Enterprise, National, and Thrifty.

Before heading out for any road trip making sure your and your vehicle are ready is essential. It’s also important to make sure that you take care of your vehicle after returning from a road trip. By performing a few quick preventative maintenance tasks and preparing for the unexpected you can make sure that you won’t wind up stranded during this trip or the next.

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. 

Credit Card Companies Drop Roadside Assistance Coverage

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

Credit Card Companies are Dropping Member Benefits

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 Millennials Need Roadside Assistance

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Why Millennials Need Roadside Assistance

“Millennials” is the term used for people born between 1980 to 2000. As of right now, this puts millennials anywhere from 15 to 34, but the term is generally used to describe young adults today. This group of people are just starting professional careers, moving out on their own, and becoming responsible for themselves. Things like rent, budgets, insurance and more are now not just terms heard around the dinner table, but important aspects of everyday life.

If you’re a millennial just going out on your own, it can be scary, overwhelming and expensive. Especially in tough economic times, you may worry about what happens if you get sick or if your car breaks down. You’ve probably purchased health insurance, car insurance and maybe even rental or home owners insurance in case something happens. Another way to protect yourself against unwanted expenses is to purchase roadside assistance.

Roadside assistance is an inexpensive way to ensure that you and your vehicle are always safe on the road. Breakdowns, running out of gas, locking your keys in your car – those are all inevitable things, but if you’re not prepared, they can also be expensive and budget-busting inconveniences. Roadside assistance allows you to pay a low monthly fee for assistance in these and many other situations.

What We Offer

Best Roadside Service offers plans that either cover you as an individual – no matter what car you are driving or that cover your car- no matter who is driving it. Either plan will cost less than your monthly cable bill, but is a much better investment.

Best Roadside Service has a US-owned and operated call center and our average response time is just 34 minutes, so you’ll never be stranded by the side of the road with a flat tire, dead battery or any other mechanical issue. We will also cover a replacement key up to $100 if your car key is lost or destroyed. If you run out of gas, we’ll deliver three gallons to you wherever you are for free! Any of these situations could cost you hundreds of dollars without roadside assistance.

And it’s not all serious business – in addition to our emergency roadside assistance benefits, we also offer discounts for travel and entertainment, hotels, theme parks, restaurants and more. So if you’re going on a road trip, we can provide customized mapping, turn by turn directions and savings on the fun when you get there.

We know you’re on a budget, but making roadside assistance a priority will save you money in the long run. And you can save $10 right now, just by purchasing your plan online. Make mom and dad proud and sign up for roadside assistance plan today.

 

Can You Really Trust Those Online Reviews?

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Have you ever done research for a product or service and stumbled upon an online review site? Maybe you wondered who was doing the reviewing or if companies were paying money to these Four Questions to Ask About Online Reviewsreview sites to give them good ratings? Can you REALLY believe the review site? Take it with a grain of salt! You can find good online reviews but honestly, they may not be accurate or they can be outdated. We have certainly seen some good reviews for companies that didn’t have good PR or Facebook comments when you looked elsewhere. That left us us scratching our heads. It’s hard to know who to believe or what questions to ask before buying a product or service. But if you’re researching roadside assistance companies, we encourage you to ask yourself these questions as you read through reviews and rankings.

Four Important Questions to Ask About Online Reviews

Do you really want your insurance company to know your roadside assistance needs?

Many roadside assistance companies are really car insurance companies such as AAA and Allstate. If your car insurance and roadside assistance company are the same, your insurance company will look at your roadside service calls and use that information to hike up your rates. Yes, this does happen, and yes, it can be why your rate got hiked. Your roadside assistance company should be focused solely on providing you with the best service – not with selling you insurance or finding reasons to hike up your rates. Best Roadside Service is independently owned and is not affiliated with any auto insurance company. Our singular focus is to provide our members with the best roadside assistance – day or night, 365 days a year.

Do you really want a roadside assistance company without an A+ Better Business Bureau Rating?

If you’re searching roadside assistance clubs that have an A+ rating, the field narrows quickly. Best Roadside Assistance takes pride in our stellar A+ rating. Do we ever make mistakes? Yes. Do we work our hardest to make it right? Yes! Finding good old fashioned customer service with another roadside company can be a difficult task.

Do you really want your roadside assistance through a political lobbyist or non-American organization?

AARP is a political organization that lobbies in Washington D.C for senior benefits. Their roadside assistance service is actually maintained by Allstate (and we already covered why you may not want an insurance company’s assistance). Do you really want a company who is more focused on wooing D.C. politicians than your safety and service needs?

Additionally, roadside clubs through companies like BP (British Petroleum) are not even owned and operated in America. How can you expect a company to give you the best service possible when they’re not even in the same country as you?

So, do you really want a roadside assistance company just because it has good online reviews?

After you ask yourself the last few questions, you’ll see you’ve narrowed the playing field down significantly. An American-owned and operated company that’s not affiliated with an insurance company or political organization that has a A+ BBB rating and is the most competitively priced? That’s Best Roadside Assistance! And since we don’t pay any review company for “membership” (i.e. – rankings) that may be why you haven’t seen us on some online review sites. But here are some things you may be interested to know about us.

Since 1962, we have:

  • towed over 6.8 million miles
  • unlocked over 170,000 doors
  • changed 340,000 flat tires
  • delivered over 68,000 gallons of fuel to stranded motorists
  • we did this with an average response time of ONLY 34 minutes.

Best Roadside Assistance has some of the most friendly customer service reps that are right here in the U.S. Don’t believe us? Give us a call at 855-278-4858 or contact us online right now . We have individual or vehicle coverage options as well as corporate and fleet coverage. We can help you sign up right over the phone, so call now!

Top Ten Reasons to Choose Best Roadside Service

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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.

Top Ten Reasons to Choose Best Roadside Service

  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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!
  6. 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!

  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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!