Roadside emergencies can be annoying, stressful and sometimes even dangerous. Whether you’ve broken down with a simple flat tyre or your engine has ceased, being stranded on the side of the road is never a good thing. This is where it becomes important to have roadside assistance to ensure you and your car’s safety.

While a tow truck is usually never too far off, the companies in this industry usually charge an arm and leg. It may be worth it to fork out an extra monthly fee for the service of roadside assistance.

What does road side assistance cover you for?

While different service providers may differ on their offerings, the following according to Arrive Alive, are typically some of the basic services offered:

  • Investigating and repairing the problem causing the breakdown.
  • Battery failure: Checking why the battery does not start the vehicle and assisting to jump-start the vehicle.
  • Tyre issues: Helping to change a flat tyre or damaged tyre with a spare tyre. If there is no spare tyre the vehicle may be towed.
  • Towing a vehicle after electrical or mechanical breakdown to the nearest approved dealer or competent repairer
  • Towing a vehicle involved in a crash away from the scene of the crash.
  • Providing a small amount of fuel when a vehicle runs out of fuel.
  • Lockout Service: Obtaining the service of a locksmith to open the vehicle and retrieve the keys when keys are locked inside a vehicle or getting replacement keys. The vehicle may be locked-out not only through negligence such as losing keys but also by damage caused through attempts at vehicle theft.
  • Pulling out a vehicle that is stuck in snow.
  • Safe storage of the vehicle.
  • Vehicle repatriation.
  • Extrication and winching the vehicle.
  • Guarding the vehicle: An armed security guard may be provided to stay with the motorists or vehicle until it can be safely towed away for storage and repair.

With the roadside and medical assistance service industry becoming rather competitive, there are always add-on benefits that different providers may offer.

Emergency services providers usually differentiate themselves through the services provided and the cost associated. Levels of membership are also a differentiating factor with cover ranging from the most affordable to executive and more comprehensive packages.

In an emergency it helps to have a reliable service provider that can be called to assist.