Empire Fleet Solutions

Breaking down in your vehicle can create a very worrying, stressful, and dangerous situation for you as driver; even more so if you happen to break down on South African roads.  Each year, hundreds of people suffer serious injuries or even lose their lives while working or stopped at roadside due to car breakdown. This is why it is so crucial for all drivers and passengers to know what to do in the event of a car breakdown.  Passing vehicles on the highway is not the only concern when your car breaks down; crime is also a big factor.  Although the latest government figures suggest that crime levels have fallen, fear of crime remains high – especially when offences such as car-jacking receive such high-profile media attention.  It is thus not surprising that women, in particular, feel vulnerable if their car breaks down, especially when driving alone at night.  Practical steps have to be taken in order to get peace of mind regarding a car breakdown. 

General Car Breakdown Procedures

- Before your car breaks down:  

• Reduce the risk of having a car breakdown in the first place by servicing your car on a regular basis;
• Ensure that your car breakdown cover is up to date;
• Keep the emergency number close by – this will give you more confidence when you are out on the road;
• Before undertaking your trip, always check your vehicle’s petrol, oil, water, and tyres;
• Take a map with you so that you do not get lost and subsequently have to stop and ask directions;
• Always let family and friends know when you are leaving and when you will return; and
• As a sensible precaution, at all times keep your doors locked and your windows wound up, especially at traffic lights and junctions.

- After your car broke down:   

• Pull as far off the road as possible;
• Immediately put your hazard warning lights on;
• Display your emergency triangle at least 50 metres behind your vehicle;
• Give your car breakdown agency a call and let them know if you are traveling alone or with children.  Women and children usually get priority;
• If your car breaks down on the highway, be extremely careful, as you might get hit by another vehicle;
• Lock your vehicle, except for the front passenger door; this will enable you to get back in quickly if necessary; and
• Never get into a vehicle with a stranger; thus, avoid hitchhiking. 

Certainly one of the smartest solutions to solve an emergency car breakdown situation is having proper car breakdown cover.  When your car decides to break down in the middle of nowhere due to some or other technical failure, your car breakdown cover (roadside cover) can act as a great backup plan when you find yourself in such a crisis.

Due to the emphasis put on car breakdown cover these days, a lot of roadside assistance companies offer car breakdown cover at prices that are highly competitive.  Below are some important considerations to consider when purchasing a suitable car breakdown cover. 

• Wide coverage

When deciding on car breakdown cover, it is of the utmost importance to enquire about the strength of the roadside assistance company’s patrol team, as well as the areas covered by them.  You should thus ensure that they can get to you as fast as possible, no matter where you might find yourself at that moment.

• Tracking services

It will be of great benefit if the roadside assistance company is able to track your location through your cell phone when your car broke down in a location that is unfamiliar to you. 

• Minimum call out time

A roadside assistance company that offers the minimum call out time, allowing you to get timely and efficient roadside assistance, should enjoy preference. 

• Multiple driver plans

If you are more than one driver who uses the car, then a car breakdown cover scheme which allows for multiple driver plans can be very useful. 

• Professionally skilled rescue staff

Reading customer reviews and feedbacks regarding the different roadside assistance companies will give you a better idea of what their service is like.  Ensure that you purchase a car breakdown cover scheme from a roadside assistance company which boasts professionally skilled rescue staff. 

• Round the clock availability

Round the clock roadside assistance availability is another important consideration regarding car breakdown cover. 

• Additional recovery services

Apart from standard car breakdown cover services such as refueling, flat tire replacement, lockout assistance, and towing, additional recovery services like hotel accommodation, alternative transportation, and maps and directions in case you get lost while driving, is also a good idea.

Car breakdown cover is a concept which encompasses a number of detailed aspects.  Due to the fact that almost all breakdown cover providers differ in their car breakdown policies, it is worth the effort asking some relevant questions regarding car breakdown cover.  It is good to know a few things beforehand; that is, before you actually need to use your car breakdown cover.  Below are some common car breakdown cover frequently asked questions.

Q: Is it possible for me to pay an extra premium so that the breakdown cover policy will cover the cost associated with getting my car fixed in a garage after a breakdown?

A: No, you do not have the option to have the cost of repairs covered under your car breakdown policy.  However, some breakdown cover providers do offer this as an additional policy option, which would then be separate from your car breakdown cover policy.

Q: How long will it approximately take for a recovery vehicle to reach me if I have a breakdown?

A: Although the average response time of different breakdown cover providers vary, they all have an average time of approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Q: I am a woman who regularly travels on my own.   If my car happens to breakdown, will I be given priority by the breakdown service or not?

A: Yes, it is a possibility.  Some breakdown cover providers state specifically that priority service will be given to those individuals in potentially vulnerable or dangerous situations.  These usually include lone females, elderly drivers, and drivers with babies or young children.

Q: If I borrow a friend’s car and it has a breakdown, will I be able to use my breakdown cover policy and call for assistance?

A: This will solely depend on the type of breakdown cover held.  For example, if you have “personal based” breakdown cover, it will cover you as a person irrespective of whom the car belongs to.  However, if your friend has car breakdown cover, you should also be covered by that policy as it will in all likelihood provide assistance for the vehicle no matter who is driving it.

Q: Will my caravan be covered if my car happens to break down?

A: Whether your caravan will be covered or not depends entirely on the type of breakdown cover you have.  Some breakdown cover providers will tow your caravan together with your broken down vehicle.  In the event of your caravan breaking down, you will have to pay extra if you want to cover it as well.