Roadside assistance in Canada is an important service for all drivers. It saves them from waiting on the side of the road when their car breaks down. In a country like Canada with long roads and harsh weather, it’s important for someone to have your back in the event your vehicle breaks down.
What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the service that people often subscribe to when they get a new car, or when they purchase their insurance. If you get into an accident or your car breaks down on the road, these services will send someone along with spare parts and tools to help get your vehicle back up and running within a few minutes or hours, depending on the situation.
Several Canadian companies offer some type of roadside assistance. Mostly, the services are similar in that they offer flatbed or tow retrievals, jump-starts and tire changes–although there are a few exceptions to this rule.
How to choose the right roadside assistance plan for you
There are a few factors to take into consideration when choosing and subscribing to a roadside assistance plan. First, determine if you will need the service often enough for it to be worth your money. Next, consider whether you need all the features offered by certain plans or if basic services like jump-starts and tire changes would suffice.
Also, make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions for calling or visiting a service center. Finally, think about whether or not you would get better value out of your plan by bundling it with another product, like an insurance policy.
Roadside assistance for Canada is available through many providers. Most offer similar services, but there are some differences. For example, some services are available around the clock, while others may only cover you during specific hours or limit your number of calls.
Some plans offer more comprehensive coverage than others do. If you’re interested in this type of service, be sure to compare all the different options on the market before making a final decision about which roadside assistance plan is best for you.
The most common roadside assistance plans include:
- Towing to the nearest repair facility
- Battery boost
- Flat tire service
- Lockout service
What to do if you need roadside assistance
If your car breaks down, you first want to make sure you stay as safe as possible. If you can safely exit the car, it’s best to do so and stand on high ground away from traffic.
If it’s not possible for you to exit the car, remain calm and turn on your emergency lights and call roadside assistance.
What happens when you call for roadside assistance? Advertisement
Roadside assistance companies have ways to determine where your car is broken down, even if you can’t tell them exactly. For example, most modern cars have GPS systems that allow the dispatcher to see your location on a map. They will then coordinate with tow companies in the area to send out the closest tow truck.
How long will it take for the tow truck to arrive?
It can depend on where your car broke down, how far away the closest open repair shop is, and how many other cars are broken down in the area. Towing companies typically try to get you back on the road as quickly as possible – but that may not be quick enough if you’re stranded in a dangerous area.
If your car breaks down at night, tow companies will want to get the car towed as quickly as possible so that nobody has to spend the night out on the side of the road. However, because they are also concerned about safety, they may wait until daybreak before sending a tow truck out.
Be prepared for an Emergency
When traveling, we put a lot of importance and effort in routes so that we can get where we are heading. Nevertheless, road trips often lead to a lot of unexpected situations that could end up with an accident. Even when you have a good map and know the route, you should prepare for an accident and make your family members aware that it is a possibility. Many people know about the importance of having roadside assistance on hand when a car breaks down, but few know what to do when it happens.
To be prepared in case of an accident or breakdown, a person should keep an inventory of emergency items in their vehicle. You should make sure to have a first aid kit, a portable phone charger and powerbank, a tape measure, water, snacks and if possible an extra fuel canister. It is also optimal to have other items such as: flares or reflective triangles/tape, clothing with bright or luminescent colors that allows you to be seen in the darkness. You might also need tools for cutting wood in case you need to make an emergency fire. This is especially useful when traveling through snow-covered landscapes. Lastly, a two-way radio for communicating with help if you are out of cell phone range.
