Who you need to call when your car breaks down

It can happen when you're at home, on the highway or deep in the country. When you car breaks down, you want to know who to call for a tow.

The engine stalls, you run out of gas, a fan belt breaks, a tire blows out, you lose a wheel, your battery dies. The list of incident related failures is long and they can happen at any time.

1. If the car breaks down while you’re driving, quickly pull over to a safe place on the side of the road, as far away from traffic as possible.
2. Make yourself visible to other motorists and signal that you’re in trouble by lifting your hood and turning on your hazard lights. Stay in your vehicle.
3. If you don’t have the option of pulling over, stay where you are and do not leave your vehicle. Attempting to cross a road or highway is very dangerous and you’ll be safer if you stay in the car.
4. Immediately call a towing service.

With roadside assistance

If you are already a subscriber, then you probably have a sticker or pamphlet with a number to call in case of emergency. Roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. In the event of a breakdown, you will be put in contact with the nearest towing company, and at no charge to you.

You’ll need to locate a towing company that services the location you’re in. If you have a smartphone, finding a number shouldn’t be a problem. Otherwise, call directory assistance at 411 to get the contact information of the nearest towing company.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay the towing company upfront.

If you don’t have a phone look for a booth, knock on the door a nearby residence, or ask a passerby if they mind lending you their phone or making a call for assistance on your behalf.

Depending on location and traffic, wait times can be long. In remote areas fewer tow trucks are available, so make sure you have emergency supplies on hand, such as blankets, chemical heat packs, etc.

On the other hand, if you’re in a hazardous situation stranded in the middle lane of a busy highway or in a blizzard at -30 °C, inform the towing company. They will prioritize the call and dispatch help quickly.

For the most part, you get to choose the tow destination, however some restrictions apply. The truck driver is required to inform you of any towing limits before you sign an authorization. Once you arrive at the destination, you’ll be responsible for finding your own way home.