Preparing for a Road Trip Vehicle Break Down

 

This Thanksgiving holiday weekend, tens of millions of Americans will be on the roads to see their family and friends. Many will have to travel hours. If you are one of those people, keep emergency preparedness in mind. Unfortunately, cars can break down, and it can be not just an inconvenience but actually kind of scary if you don’t know where you are or you’re on a major highway. Luckily, it is very easy to be prepared for such an event, so you can get back on the road and closer to family. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

Check Your Insurance Policy: Many policies do include some form of roadside assistance, and for a few bucks every month, it’s a good thing to have. You could have free towing up to a certain distance, which is especially important if you’re in an unknown area. If you don’t have roadside assistance, it may be a good idea to look into that. And remember, you can always look at changing your insurance provider too. eTags.com offers free insurance quotes, so you can find the best policy for you.

 

Do You Have AAA? If you don’t have roadside assistance, it may be a good idea to get AAA if you don’t want to change providers or upgrade your policy. A year membership is generally under $100, and you’ll be covered for a wide variety of situations. Some credit card companies offer AAA as an incentive, so you might want to check out your credit cards’ membership perks to see if that is one.

 

Set Up Emergency Supplies: Before you embark on a road trip, it’s never a bad idea to have medical supplies and food and water just in case something does happen. Even if you do have coverage, it could take time for a tow to reach you.  Items to include in your emergency kit could range from water and snacks to an umbrella, basic first aid supplies, and a flashlight.