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Best Roadside Service is an auto club with all calls answered in the US. Get the best service at the best price with Best Roadside Service, serving consumer and commercial needs in the US and Canada since 1985!

Roadside Assistance Plans are Worth the Money

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Last year a company we had worked with for quite some time decided to trim the budget and cut expenses, much further than they had the year before. While some of the expenses that were cut didn’t seem to hurt too much, there was one expense that was cut that ultimately cost them dearly, virtually wiping out the savings that should have been realized in 2011.

The company has a number of commercial vehicles that are used on a daily basis for deliveries as well as client appointments. In 2010, there was only one minor incident in which the company had to use their roadside assistance coverage; therefore, they decided to take a risk, cutting the plan in 2011.

Unfortunately, they did not have the same luck that year. In February, one of their employees experienced a flat tire while out making an important delivery. Their client had an urgent need for that delivery, and without it, they couldn’t deliver on their own promise to a new and important customer.

Without the proper tools to change the flat quickly, the driver had to call for help and it took three hours for him to get back on the road. They lost the client and his business, which had been a steady $20,000 per year profit to the company over the past few years.

Just a month later, another one of their company vehicles had a breakdown on the highway on the way at a location over 100 miles from the office. Without commercial roadside assistance coverage, the expense of towing had to be paid out of pocket, turning the bad experience for the employee into something worse.

Several sales people for the company frequently travel for business, and instead of their roadside assistance plan taking care of trip planning, maps and directions, an administrative assistant had to do the research. Her time cost the company more than the annual cost of coverage. In addition, the travel discounts the employees would have received were no longer in affect.

It didn’t take long for the business owner to realize that cutting the expense of their commercial roadside assistance plan was not the best idea. After just six months without it, he came to the conclusion that many of us already have. Protecting your vehicles and the employees who drive them is imperative for the success of the company, and a commercial roadside assistance plan is an invaluable resource.

Tips for Safe Business Travel: What to do When You Have a Vehicle Breakdown

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Even if your company has a good roadside assistance plan, it’s important to be aware of what you should do in case the vehicle breaks down. While many people have emergency roadside assistance coverage for their personal vehicle, when it comes to business, they don’t think about what will happen when driving a commercial vehicle.

It may not always be possible to call your company for immediate assistance. What happens if you’re 100 miles away from the office? Before heading out the door, employees should find out what to do in case of an emergency. Being prepared before trouble strikes is imperative.

If you find yourself broken down on the side of the road, you’ll want to have a plan in place, including a phone number to call for emergency assistance. In the meantime, be sure and follow these tips that will keep you safe while you wait. Knowing what to do if you breakdown can help ensure that the experience is taken care of as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

  • Be aware of your location. Look for street signs, landmarks or mile markers so that you can describe your exact location when calling for assistance.
  • Get out of traffic if possible. The road’s shoulder, a median or an exit ramp are safer than sitting in the middle of the highway. If the vehicle is completely disabled and can’t be moved, do not stay inside. Instead, leave the hood up and turn your emergency lights on. Move out of the way of traffic as quickly and as safely as possible.
  • Alerting other drivers through use of flares and hazard lights in addition to raising the hood will indicate to other drivers that you need help.
  • If you are able to get to the side of the road, it is better to remain in your vehicle until help arrives. If you feel you may be in a dangerous situation at any point, call your local emergency number, such as 911, immediately.
  • When a breakdown occurs, be sure to take precautions to prevent you from personal harm. If you’re in a bad neighborhood, stay in the car and lock the doors. If the vehicle breaks down in the middle of the road and you cannot get it to the side, do not stay in the vehicle.
  • Call for roadside assistance utilizing your company’s provider. If your company does not have a plan in place, call for emergency assistance and speak with your boss or appropriate contact within your company when you return about getting a commercial roadside assistance plan in place as quickly as possible. Being proactive can potentially save the company thousands of dollars over time.