Roadside Assistance Archives

The Benefits of Roadside Assistance

February 18, 2020January 2, 2021Bob Holtzman

As a trucking professional, you have a lot on your schedule every day. From picking up hauls and dropping them off on time to taking care of your mind and body while on the road, the last thing you want to worry about is the potential breakdown or dead battery. Even the slightest hiccup in the road can sideline your truck until help comes. But if you don’t have commercial truck insurance that focuses on roadside assistance, you could be in major trouble.

Getting stranded on the side of the road as a commercial truck driver is expensive and if you don’t have the right commercial truck insurance protection, it can sideline you for good. Protect your business and your truck with the right roadside commercial truck insurance program to help keep risks around breakdowns and flat tires low.

Here’s are the benefits of roadside assistance you should be looking for in a commercial truck insurance plan.

Vehicle Towing

When a covered vehicle breaks down en route to its drop off destination, vehicle towing will come in and provide the resources to get you the best towing option available in your area. Typically, this coverage provides towing services up to 50 miles away or the nearest qualified service facility.

Mobile Mechanic

At Western Truck Insurance, we offer the expertise and relief of our mobile mechanic services. When a vehicle’s disablement can be resolved on the side of the road, a mobile mechanic can come out, assess the issue, and help you avoid getting a tow so you can get back on the road.

Lock-Out Help

Locking your keys in your cabin is the type of risk no one wants to think about. Something so simple can completely shut down your schedule. No keys means no driving. With this help, Western Insurance ensures you’ll get the right assistance to get your keys and get back behind the wheel.

Fluid Delivery

From overheating to running out of fuel or needing an oil change, there are times when fluids need to be replenished. This coverage comes standard with Western Truck Insurance, so drivers who suffer an avoidable but easy-to-fix breakdown can get the relief they need.

Here are some other benefits to having roadside assistance with Western:

● Flat Tire Assistance

● Tire Replacement Assistance – up to $100 per disablement

● Vehicle Winching / Extricating

● Custom Trip Routing / Navigation Assistance

● Vehicle Jump start

● Hotel and Travel Discounts

● Fuel Delivery Service – up to 30 gallons of fuel

● Concierge Service – restaurants, lodging, truck stops, fuel stops, etc.

● Road America’s Savings Connection Program – save on prescriptions, car rentals, theme parks and more

● Truck Rental Assistance

Trucking professionals need to be looking for a well-rounded program that can help them out in any potential situation. While no one wants to think about how things could possibly go wrong, it helps to know that there’s coverage out there that serves even the rarest of issues.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Western Truck Insurance Services is a commercial truck insurance agency with roots dating back to 1954. We have evolved into a highly respected, professionally managed, truck and transportation insurance brokerage. The hallmark of our organization is our desire to provide unparalleled service. We go way beyond what you expect to receive from an insurance brokerage. Equipped with state of the art automation, Western Truck Insurance can provide you with lightning fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, Insurance certificates, and coverage changes.

What to Do if Your Truck Breaks Down Mid-Journey

January 28, 2020January 2, 2021Bob Holtzman

For truck drivers, there are few things more frustrating than going through a breakdown on the road, especially in the winter. What’s more, truck drivers operate on a tight schedule, having to drop off and pick up their cargo, and try to get back home for some much-needed personal and family time. So, any form of breakdown is a huge wrench in their day-to-day.

If a breakdown happens, truck drivers and their cargo are put in a vulnerable and dangerous position. Depending on where they are stranded, they could be open prey for wildlife and thieves, as well as miles away and hours away from receiving any help.

Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take in order to limit your exposure on the side of the road, get your truck back up and running, and get the right help on time so you can get back on the open road.

Getting in Contact

It’s important to contact dispatch to let them know your location and send help if you need it or give you quick-fix tips to get you back up and on the road temporarily. Common breakdowns are usually related to faulty sending units or emissions equipment, and both require shop repair.

Keep your dispatcher informed of your status throughout the repair process so they can relay information to the customer. The dispatcher will also be able to help out with any instructions on what to do to fix your truck as waiting and repair times may be lengthy.

Another point of contact to reach out to is your truck insurance carrier, like Western Truck Insurance. Western’s roadside assistance coverage is designed to help truck drivers with breakdown problems. This is an inexpensive service option that can help save you thousands of dollars. From towing to flat repair to getting a simple jump-start, Western Truck Insurance’s commercial roadside assistance is a surefire way to get back on the road.

Staying Safe During a Breakdown

Being broken down on the road can be extremely dangerous for a number of reasons. Drivers and their trucks are exposed to speeding traffic in close range among other risks. One distracted driver behind the wheel of any vehicle can create a major hazard.

If you’re broken down on the road, it’s important to stay alert and be aware of the danger that nearby traffic poses and try to stay in your vehicle as much as you can during your waiting time.

If you start to feel your truck fail, pull over on the next off-ramp is possible, which can be much safer than having to wait on the shoulder. If you have to pull over on the shoulder, go for the widest spot possible. Turn flasher on and remember to keep an eye on your mirrors to monitor the traffic coming from behind you. If you’re able to rather than a hard power turn to the side, ease off the road.

When you’ve parked the truck and it’s safe to exit, carefully get out of the truck and set up your flares behind the truck in intervals of fifty feet. It also doesn’t hurt to tilt your hood to indicate more clearly that you’ve broken down.

If you’re able to, try to determine what the issue is and whether or not you can repair it on your own or patch it up until you get it into a nearby location with service. If the problem is something electronic, it will probably mean you need professional assistance to get you back up and running.

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Why It’s Important for Truck Drivers to Have Roadside Assistance Coverage

March 12, 2019January 2, 2021Bob Holtzman

One of the worst situations a trucking professional can be in is being stranded on the side of the road without help coming their way. It’s even worse when a tire fails or an engine burns out while hauling across the country and having to pull over in the middle of nowhere.

Trucking companies and their drivers need to know the risk of operating without specialized commercial truck insurance programs, such as roadside assistance. Having a 24-hour roadside assistance plan covering your vehicles while they’re on the road will add peace of mind and a comprehensive solution to keeping everything safe. From towing to flat tires, mobile mechanic service to a simple jump start, commercial truck roadside assistance is a must-have for trucking companies.

No one can predict when something will go awry while behind the wheel. If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with no help coming there’s probably a lot to consider. Will you get to your pickup spot on time? Will you be able to drop off in time? What about the cargo you’re hauling—is it something that needs to be kept at a certain temperature?

There are so many factors to consider when it comes to having roadside assistance. Even just being stranded can be a taxing on a truck driver as it keeps them away from home as well as putting their job in possible jeopardy.

What Our Roadside Assistance Can Do For Your Operation

Western Truck Insurance offers commercial truck insurance with roadside assistance services that can help to answer the call when something doesn’t go according to plan. This is a great and inexpensive service that won’t be taxing on your company’s budget and will help to keep everything moving without having to worry about forking over too much. Here are some of the benefits you get with roadside assistance:

Unlimited Roadside Assistance
Towing – up to 50 miles per disablement
Flat Tire Assistance
Tire Replacement Assistance – up to $100 per disablement
Mobile Mechanic Service
Vehicle Winching / Extricating
Custom Trip Routing / Navigation Assistance
Vehicle Jump start
Hotel and Travel Discounts
Oil, Fluid and Water Delivery Service
Lockout / Replacement Key Services – up to $100
Fuel Delivery Service – up to 30 gallons of fuel
Concierge Service – restaurants, lodging, truck stops, fuel stops, etc.
Road America’s Savings Connection Program – save on prescriptions, car rentals, theme parks and more

About Western Truck Insurance Services

Why Every Trucker Should Have Roadside Assistance Coverage

October 9, 2018January 2, 2021Bob Holtzman

Roadside assistance is an add-on type of insurance that some commercial truck drivers may not consider when looking for coverage. Having regular insurance on hand is a must, but budgeting for something like roadside assistance may not be at the top of a driver’s list. However, it’s important that drivers all around know the benefits of having some extra help.

In the event that a semi breaks down, roadside assistance can kick in. Drivers should consider commercial vehicle breakdown insurance to cover a wide range of issues including hotel and travel discounts, fuel delivery service and parts delivery. Let’s see how else vehicle breakdown insurance can be a benefit to truck drivers.

Towing

A semi-truck that finds itself broken down on the side of the road and needs transport to a mechanic will have to be towed away. Typically, this is a major expense under insurance plans and usually higher when it is outside of a roadside assistance program like vehicle breakdown insurance. Investing in this coverage can make things less complicated.

Flat Tires

Semi trucks are not immune to flat tires. Just like a regular car driver may need some help to change a flat, truck drivers could find themselves stranded and looking for assistance. Having a roadside assistance plan in place will offer up built-in help including bringing someone out to help change a flat, no matter the size.

Mechanic Service

Some insurance providers offer up mechanic service to help with things like electrical and mechanical issues. A provider will send someone out to your truck and make any minor repairs needed. Mobile mechanics may not be able to take on bigger tasks, like working on transmissions, but most disabling problems can be taken care of on the spot.

Jump Start

Sounds easy enough, right? Well, sometimes a simple jump start can be a lot to handle, especially for semi’s. Leaving the lights on or having a battery drained will put stress on any trucking operation. Getting a quick jump start will get you back on the road in no time, a must-have for any driver in any state.

Fluid Delivery

Low on oil? A provider can send help with a mobile mechanic who can drop some much needed fluids into a truck. This will help to safeguard against potential engine damage down the road and keep internal damage at bay.

Lockout Service

Forget your keys in the truck cabin? This happens to anyone. Having roadside assistance in place will also lend a hand when you forget your keys in your truck as a provider will send someone out to replace your keys or help you get back into your truck.