When your car breaks down, for whatever reason, it can be as scary as it is inconvenient. There are some important things to remember when faced with this kind of situation. By following these guidelines, you will avoid any unnecessary complications.
Pull off the road
The first thing you need to do is get your vehicle out of the way. Pull into the service lane on the side of the road in order to make sure that you’re obstructing the flow of traffic. This means that you might need to be prepared to push your car for several feet in order to reach that safe spot, but it’s in your best interests as well as that of your fellow road users.
Warn other drivers
Let other drivers know that you are experiencing car trouble. Used your hazard lights and set out a reflective triangle as per local laws to help give cars fair warning. Wearing reflective clothing like a reflective jacket can also help if you do need to step out of your vehicle for whatever reason.
Phone for assistance
Phone your car warranty provider and file a claim for road assistance if applicable. It is always best to notify your provider first in order to make sure that you are indeed covered for the breakdown. Once you have filed your claim, you will then need to wait for help to arrive. If you are in a high traffic area, or you have any safety concerns, you might feel better by contacting the local law enforcement for added assistance. This is particularly important if the weather conditions are very poor and you may suffer from exposure to the cold or other weather-related problems.
Stay put and in your car
Don’t walk away! Wait with your car and, if it is safe to do so, wait inside your car. Remember, if you are in imminent danger, and your car poses a threat to your life or the lives of other drivers, you should call the authorities before you take any other steps. If your car is on fire, you should retreat to a safe distance rather than trying to retrieve any personal belongings from your vehicle.
Avoid DIY repairs
No matter how much you think you might know about cars or your car, in particular, it’s never a good idea to start poking around in search of the problem. One extremely dangerous, yet common, mistake that anyone can make is checking the water while the engine is still hot. When the engine is hot, the water in the system is also hot and, if you open it up to check, you could suffer serious burns! It’s especially important to wait for the experts if you have a factory or extended warranty! If you try to fix or even diagnose the problem yourself, your policy could become void.
Be mindful of your surroundings
Once you pull over to the side of the road, take a look around. Look for any road markers if you’re not sure about exactly where you are. Are there any potential dangers? Is your car parked along a steep embankment? If so, another car could collide with yours and push you down this slope. Be weary of other drivers, no matter how helpful they might seem! Don’t reveal any personal information and hold on to your personal belongings. Always keep your guard up. No matter how much we all want to believe in good Samaritans, it’s tough to know who you can and cannot trust.
At A-Protect Warranty, we believe in taking the time to listen and understand each and every one of our client’s needs before providing detailed information and a truly personalized warranty. Call 1(866) 660-6444 or (416) 661-7444 today for help choosing the best plan to suit your needs.