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Roadside Assistance: What Will Insurance Cover?


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Roadside Assistance: What Will Insurance Cover?

Until an incident six months ago, I mainly considered my car insurance to be something I would use if an accident occurred. After being stranded at work with a car that wouldn't start, I learned there was more to my plan than that. There is a whole section that has to do with roadside assistance. The guy driving the tow truck asked if my insurance covered emergency calls and I said I didn't know. He asked me the name of the company and then called his boss. After a quick word with my provider, he found out that I was covered in full. If you are not sure if your car insurance covers roadside assistance, let me tell you how to find out. After going over specific clauses in the contract, I'm betting you are covered for everything from a flat tire to a dead battery.

Keep Your Family Safe With Road Side Emergency Kits

From new cars to older models, cars are subject to breaking down or rendering you stranded. Fortunately, there are small items or kits that you can place inside your car to keep you and your family safe. No matter whether there are weather conditions that may be threatening or you have to wait it out for a towing truck, the inventory you prepare for your trunk will help you. It is suggested to make a list of needs depending on your geographical location.

Emergency Road Kit

There are emergency road kits that can be obtained from your local auto repair store. They range in sizes and offer different survival items that should be placed in your car permanently. Most items that are included are:

  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Thermal Blankets
  • Jumper Cables
  • Plastic Gloves
  • First Aid Kit
  • Ponchos
  • Glow Sticks
  • Help Signs
  • Portable Cones

Items Found at Home

Depending on where you are geographically, you will change some items. For example, if you are located in the desert you will have much more equipment than someone who lives in a temperate suburb. Keeping that in mind, there are items that you have at home that can be packed for emergency reasons.

If you are in a location where cold weather can be an issue, you should pack pocket warmers, blankets, extra coats, and other items that will keep you and your passengers warm while you wait for help to come. Make sure these items stay inside the vehicle. If the area you live in is extremely warm, then you will not have to worry about the blankets and other warming items.

High Traffic Safety

High traffic areas or roads can present danger if you are stranded. There are cars and trucks going by at high speeds and they may not see you. It is important to have items like cones or an emergency triangle to place around your vehicle to increase the visibility to other drivers. It can keep you and your passengers safe from being struck by an on coming vehicle.

If you are stranded during the night time hours, then there are items to use for visibility for this situation as well. Cones do not always come with reflective pieces on them. Place LED emergency flares, reflective emergency triangles, or flares inside the emergency bag. One final note is to keep the number for a professional roadside assistance company, like Collins Service Center, stored in the glove box of your vehicle, your phone, and in the emergency kit.