Car Broke Down, Who To Call?

Vehicle Breakdowns

A dead car battery, no gas, flat tyres, etc., are some of the causes of nightmares on the road. Unfortunately, even the smartest among us experience breakdowns at the worst of times. It's as simple as being prepared to be calm during a car breakdown. So, before you hit the road again, it is essential to go through this write-up to prepare yourself for these unforeseeable situations.

Who Do I Call When My Car Breaks Down?

Once you and your vehicle are safely removed from the road, contact roadside assistance, which may be covered in your auto insurance policy. Save the number on your phone, so you are always prepared, as you may not be able to Google it if you have bad service.

It's also a good idea to have an extra phone charger or battery in your glove box if your phone dies. Tell roadside help about any special circumstances when you call for them, like if your car needs special gas or towing. Most importantly, start making plans for the unexpected today.

If you haven't already, put together an emergency auto kit with tools, jumper cables, water, reflectors, contact information for your insurance company, and roadside assistance. You will have peace of mind knowing that you have prepared for the worst in the terrible event that you do break down. Having knowledge of what to do if your car breaks down reduces stress and allows you to cope with the situation more effectively.

What Is Roadside Assistance?

Roadside Assistance Coverage in your car insurance plan is an optional package that functions as your most reliable ally when your car breaks down and can also be part of some travel insurance plans. Roadside assistance implies that if your car breaks down in the middle of a journey, a trained technician will come to your aid wherever you are stranded.

This is also often known as breakdown cover. Its job is to assist you in getting back on the road if your car breaks down. When you call your service provider for help, they will usually try to solve your problem over the phone. They'll send either a roadside contractor or a truck to transport your vehicle to the nearest motor mechanic (within service limits) if a phone call does not solve your issue.

The most common types of roadside assistance are towing, emergency fuel, tyre changes, jumpstarts, battery replacements, and finding lost keys. It can be added to almost every auto insurance policy and has a lot of benefits. In Australia, some pet insurance plans also cover car breakdowns. With this insurance plan, your pet will be covered for short- and long-term transportation and accommodation, including access to vet services.‍

N.B: Roadside assist is NOT usually included in other types of insurance such as life insurance or home insurance.‍

How does roadside assistance function?

Car insurers will ask you several questions about your car to determine what went wrong if it isn't apparent. They can deploy a roadside contractor or a tow truck to help you if they cannot diagnose the problem and/or get you back on the road quickly with an over-the-phone fix. Their contractor will most likely be able to mobilise your vehicle; if not, they can arrange for your automobile to be towed.

Benefits of roadside assistance

• The customer is contacted by phone in the event of a minor problem. Small problems can stop the car, but the driver can handle them if given the proper instructions.

• Necessary preparations are made for the vehicle to be towed to the nearest garage for repairs. This is if the automobile gets immobilised due to a mechanical or electrical failure, similarly if an accident occurs and cannot be fixed on the spot.

• Your insurer will dispatch a mechanic to your area to replace it if your tyre goes flat and you cannot repair it or do not have a spare.

• Another common issue is when the driver misplaces or loses the key. Sometimes, the service provider will send someone to your home to acquire your keys.

• Don't panic if your car runs out of gas. The Roadside Assistance Coverage will assist you. Roadside assist will provide fuel at the location; however, it may be charged.

• The insurance company will make accommodations if the vehicle owner wishes to stay near the garage where the vehicle is being serviced.

• The car owner can use taxi services to get to his business or home while the insured vehicle is being repaired. However, this service is only available at one location.

What To Do When A Vehicle Breaks Down?

What is that sound I am hearing? Where is that smell emanating from? How much will it set me back (cost-wise) to fix this? These are all reasonable and logical questions that may arise during a breakdown. But even though you will need to answer these questions sooner or later, you should explore these steps first.

Step One: Get to safety

Your first goal should be to keep you and your passengers as safe as possible. Depending on the nature of the problem, you may only have the momentum of your vehicle to pull you off the road, leaving you with little time to react. Make every effort to steer to the side of the road, and avoid the traffic as much as possible.

Turn your wheels so they face away from the road, and apply the emergency brake when you've come to a complete stop. If you can't get off the road, don't get out of the car to push it. Stay still and wait for assistance. If you can bring the car to a safe location, ensure you and your passengers leave either through the passenger doors or the doors facing the other direction of the road.

Make a note of your location once you've stopped and applied the emergency brake. Keep an eye out for mile markers, exit signs, and crossroads. You'll need to give this information when you contact your roadside assistant for help.

Step Two: Make your vehicle and yourself visible

You must make your car visible to other vehicles after moving it to the safest possible location. If you do these things, you can be sure that other drivers will know where you are and have enough time to give you the needed space.

Some of the things you can do to make yourself and your car more visible include:

• Turn on your hazard lights even when your vehicle is safely off the road. This button usually is easy to find, although it isn't always in the same position. It can be found in the centre console or on the steering column. Look for a big button with an orange or red triangle.

• Your hazard lights may not function properly or be sufficiently bright to sometimes alert other vehicles. If you have a brightly coloured old T-shirt or towel, you can tie it to the radio antenna or put it in the driver's side window or door to let people know you need help.

• Propping your car's hood open might also serve as a distress signal to other vehicles.

• Wear a brightly coloured luminous vest whenever you are outside the car. Keep your own visibility in mind and avoid standing in a location where your car may hinder another driver's ability to see you.

• Set up traffic cones, flares, or other emergency signalling devices, about six feet (1.8 m) behind your car so that other vehicles have time to see your car and react to it.

• Only exit the car if you are in a safe enough position to open the hood or put out signals. Having a roadside emergency kit with you is vital if you know you don't have a means of calling for external help.

Step Three: Seek assistance

Call the police or dial 000. When your automobile breaks down, it's easy to focus on getting a tow truck or roadside help. Based on the circumstances, you may need to dial 000 first. A car that blocks traffic at an intersection or in the centre of the road is hazardous and can easily result in a crash. As a result, you should make sure that emergency services are alerted to your situation.

Tell them that your car is obstructing traffic so they can immediately send an officer to move the car. The police will contact a towing service on your behalf (at the owner's expense, of course) if you do not have roadside assistance. In any scenario, an officer must be present because attaching a car to a tow truck in the middle of traffic is risky for the tow truck operator.

Roadside help services might be a lifeline in a circumstance like this. They can assist you by replacing a tyre, bringing you a tank of petrol, giving you a jump, or offering towing services if you have service via your insurance or a third-party provider. Ensure to tell the operator (when you phone) if you're trapped in the middle of the road.

If they realise, you're in an emergency, they'll typically send a truck as soon as possible. After you've phoned emergency services, notify a friend or family member of the situation. Don't flag other drivers. Flagging down other vehicles may be hazardous and distracting, so avoid doing so at all costs. Wait for the police or roadside assistance.

Step Four: Analyse your situation

You are advised not to leave the car to analyse the situation. If you are sufficiently off the road and in a secure location, exit by the passenger side door or the door opposite the road. If you have the opportunity to check your car before help arrives, search for signs in the following areas:

Physical inspection

Have you noticed anything particularly strange or out of the ordinary? Try to recall any warning lights that may have flashed on the dashboard. Note any unusual readings from your instruments, such as the engine temperature.

Even an expert technician may struggle to diagnose issues on the side of the road, but there are several obvious things you can look for if you can safely lift the hood. Take photographs for future reference if fluids cover your engine, a belt is missing or out of place, or if there are burn scars anywhere.

Check for unusual sounds

Did you hear anything concerning? A pop, clang, boom, crunch, or any other unusual noise from your vehicle? Even though you might not be able to find the exact source or reason, strange sounds might help you narrow it down.

Is there an unusual smell?

An odd odour can sometimes be a helpful diagnostic tool. The smell of burning oil or fluids may signal an engine problem, but the distinct odour of electrical systems burning may reveal a different story. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can accomplish on the side of the road to get your automobile operating again.

However, in certain circumstances, you may only need to change a tyre to get back on the road. Never attempt to replace a tyre on the roadside side of the car if this is the case. It is better to wait for assistance if you are unable to park the vehicle in a safe direction.

Make a note of any issue you pick on a blank page in your vehicle maintenance journal, or maintain a record on your phone. While there may not be an immediate answer, having this information on hand can be useful when assistance comes and may be helpful in the future while your car is being fixed.

Leaving Your Car Behind After A Breakdown

It is sometimes necessary to leave a problematic automobile behind. Maybe you need to bring your kids home, or perhaps the weather is so awful that waiting for a tow truck isn't an option. So, if you have to leave before you can tow your vehicle, how long are you permitted to keep it there?

You'll have about a day to deal with it, assuming the vehicle isn't obstructing traffic or obstructing the road. Call the police department's non-emergency number and explain your circumstances to give yourself the best chance of not having it towed.

Of course, this is not a guarantee. However, it can't hurt. Collect your valuables, apply the emergency brake, and lock the car before you leave. It can't hurt to leave a note if you have paper and a pen!

Joint Roadside Assistance And Car Insurance Policy

Most drivers' most considerable dread is having their automobile break down. Getting stuck on the roadside because your car has broken down is a dangerous and stressful event. Most individuals don't know how to handle such a situation.

Knowing what to do if your car breaks down can make all the difference in keeping you and your passengers safe. This article highlights how having roadside assistance as part of your car insurance can be a lifesaver when you get into a car break down.

So, next time you renew or buy a car, either privately or through a dealership, request that your car's insurance include the roadside assist add-on. It might just be your lifesaver on your next road trip!