A Second Car: Buying Used VehiclesA Second Car: Buying Used Vehicles

After breaking down in the middle of nowhere, you may have already taken steps to get your vehicle safely to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Once this is done, you may be in the process of finding a roadside assistance service in the area that can come to help.

While you are speaking to the service, you need to do more than simply give them a general idea of where you are broken down. Use the tips below to help with the information exchange between you and the service's dispatcher to keep you safe before and at the time of the driver's arrival.

1. Tell the Service as Much as You Can About Your Vehicle and Your Surroundings

One thing that you should do while exchanging information with the service's dispatcher is to tell them as much as you can about your vehicle and your surroundings. Doing so will help the driver find you faster.

Along with the color, make, and model of your vehicle, also let them know any details that may make it stand out to the driver. These details could include custom tints on the windows or whether you will have a flag or flares set up to make your car more visible.

As far as your surroundings, look around for any road signs or mile markers as well as any recognizable landmarks. When you tell the dispatcher these details, the driver who is familiar with the area may be able to pinpoint your exact location before they ever hit the road.

2. Request a Detailed Description of the Driver and Tow Truck

After giving the dispatcher information about yourself, the next thing you should do is to request a detailed description of the driver and tow truck that will be heading out to help you. While being able to trust that anyone stopping to help has your best intentions in mind, this is, unfortunately, not the case.

Once you know exactly what the driver and truck look like, sit in your locked vehicle until they arrive, and do not accept help from anyone else. If you want to be extra cautious, ask the dispatcher to set up a code word that the driver will use when they arrive so that you will know it is them.

Giving as much information to the service about your car and current surroundings along with receiving a detailed description about the person coming to your assistance can help keep you safe while waiting for help to arrive. If you have any further questions or concerns, speak with a representative with a roadside assistance service near you while you have them on the phone.