Few things are certain in life, and car trouble is one of them. If you’ve been driving long enough, you’ve likely experienced a flat tire, dead battery, or other snafu that sent you into a panic. That’s where Emergency Roadside Assistance can help.
Roadside Assistance isn’t standard in most auto insurance policies, and it may not be something you think you really need—until you need it.
Squeezing in one last one road trip before summer ends? Learn how Emergency Roadside Assistance can come to your rescue.
1. You ran out of gas.
Some drivers don’t like to see the fuel indicator dip below a quarter tank, while others like to try their luck and see if they can wait to fuel up at the next exit… then the next exit… and the next exit.
Say you do run out of gas and the closest gas station is miles away. Roadside Assistance can help! Roadside Assistance plans usually include emergency fuel delivery so you can gas up and get on your way, as well as fluid delivery if you run out of radiator or brake fluid.
Typically, a Roadside Assistance pro will bring enough fuel to get your car to the nearest gas station. Some plans may charge for the fuel and base the cost on the area’s pump price.
2. You got a flat tire.
Nothing takes the wind out of your sails like blowing a tire. If you don’t know how to change a flat tire or aren’t in a location where you can change it safely, Roadside Assistance can come to the rescue.
Just remember that spare tires are for temporary use only. You should replace the spare as soon as possible, especially if you’re logging some serious road trip miles. Roadside Assistance will at least help you drive safely in the meantime.
3. Your battery died.
If you go to start your car and hear a clicking sound or the engine cranks but won’t turn over, a dead battery is usually to blame. But you may not have jumper cables with you or know how to jump start a battery.
Luckily Roadside Assistance usually includes battery jump starts and battery replacement. If you’re stranded somewhere with a dead battery, a Roadside Assistance technician can give you a jump or bring you a new battery and install it for you. You’ll just have to pay for the cost of the new battery.
4. You’re locked out of your car.
We’ve all done it. Locking yourself out of your car is one of the more embarrassing reasons to call your Emergency Roadside Assistance provider, but it happens. Roadside Assistance typically includes a lockout service that can get you back into your car by using a pump wedge or reach tool to unlock the door.
5. You need a tow.
Maybe you have a flat tire that can’t be safely replaced, your engine overheated, or your car has broken down altogether. In situations where you’re really stranded, Emergency Roadside Assistance can save the day with a tow. Towing service is usually standard in Roadside Assistance plans and can take you and your car to the nearest garage.
Towing service fees can be expensive if you don’t carry Roadside Assistance. Things like the time of day, the distance to the closest garage, and the type of vehicle you have impact the price you pay. Without Roadside Assistance, a 5-mile tow could cost more than $100.
6. You’re stuck in a rut—literally.
If your car is stuck and you can’t get out, Roadside Assistance can help. Roadside Assistance usually includes vehicle extrication service, so a tow truck can come to dislodge your vehicle wherever it’s stuck.
What to Do While You’re Waiting for Emergency Roadside Assistance to Arrive
If you ever run into car trouble and need Roadside Assistance, keep these safety tips in mind while you wait for help to arrive:
- Pull your car over on the shoulder or side of the road as soon as you can do it safely.
- Turn on your car’s hazards to alert other drivers. If you have emergency reflector triangles or flares stashed in your emergency car kit, put those out too.
- Never attempt to examine damage or make a repair if you’re on a busy highway.
- If you can safely walk to a different location while you wait for assistance, leave a note on your windshield with your phone number, lock your car, and call for help once you’re in a safe space.
- If you cannot safely walk to a different location, stay inside your car, lock your doors, and keep your seatbelt fastened. Call for help and wait for them to arrive.
Stay Safe With a Personal Express Insurance Roadside Assistance Plan
If you’re a Personal Express Insurance customer with a Roadside Assistance plan and need help, please call 1-800-547-4663. Your call will be dispatched to a service center that can help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. After you call our Roadside Assistance line and help is on the way, you’ll receive real-time text message updates about your case.
At just $2 to $5 more per month, Roadside Assistance is an affordable way to stay safe. Personal Express offers plans with $100 and $250 deductibles, meaning we can help pay for covered claims up to those limits.
We also offer a reimbursement option. For example, if your car breaks down and you don’t want to call Roadside Assistance because you know someone with a tow truck, you can pay out of pocket for the expense and call your Personal Express agent for reimbursement. Just remember to hang on to the receipt!
It’s easy to add Roadside Assistance to your auto insurance policy! Call 1-800-499-3612 or meet with your local Homegrown Pro to get started.