What To Do When You Breakdown

Having good breakdown cover is one thing but unfortunately, even the fastest response times are usually around 15 minutes before you breakdown cover providers reach you. Breaking down on a motorway in particular but even smaller roads can be a very troublesome time, particularly if you’re with children or the elderly and if not handled correctly can also be quite dangerous. So there are certain thing you need to remember when you are awaiting the assistance from your breakdown cover provider.

Something that the mechanic your breakdown cover will send to you will inform you of, is that it is always best to check the basic necessities before you get behind the wheel. For example, your oil and water, petrol and the status of your spare wheel (make sure it’s fully inflated) and the jack (make sure it’s there!).

In the event that you do get stranded on the motorway which waiting for your breakdown cover recovery truck to arrive, you should ensure that the vehicle is parked as far to the left of the hard shoulder as possible. Having turned it to the left, leave the steering wheel locked to the left so should the worst happen and someone does crash into your car, it s unlikely to fly into the road causing even more damage. The next step is to put your hazards on to ensure that your car stands out and people realise you are unable to continue driving.

When you have done this, call the number that your breakdown cover provider has given you and explain to them your location (in the case of the motorway, what junction you are at) and the problems you have been having with your vehicle. Then step away from the car, ideally up an embankment and await the arrival of your breakdown cover mechanics who will then tell you what the next step would be or even just fix it for you on the roadside. If the latter is the case, wait till the road is completely clear and drive in the hard shoulder to build up speed before going onto the motorway. If there is not enough hard shoulder, indicate and move into the slow lane when it’s free, but when you do put your hazards back on.



http://www.BreakdownService.net provides a range of articles and advice on breakdown cover and the various options available to you.