My family spends a lot of time in our van. It’s a 2005 Grand Caravan with over 125,000 miles. Odds are good that something will go wrong whenever we pull out of the garage.
Be Prepared for Breakdowns and Accidents During Road Trips
Because we travel year round and many of our destinations are quite rural we make sure these items travel with us in case of break down:
- Blankets.We may pack lighter blankets for summer, and heavier blankets for winter, but we always travel with at least 2 blankets. Whether we use them to keep warm or just to sit on at the side of the road, they are very handy to keep in the car.
- Flashlights. So many accidents happen at dusk or in the dark (especially animal accidents here in the Midwest). We usually have 2 flashlights; one a waterproof shake-powered model, the other has a long cord and plugs into the car charger.
- Water. This is really a no brainer, but very few people actually think to bring along bottles of water when they travel.
- Good snacks.The definition of good here is filling snacks that won’t go bad. Dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter and crackers. You never know how long you may wait for help.
- Charging cords. You cell phone won’t do you any good if it’s dead; be sure to have a charging cord in your vehicle.
- Flares. Many stretches of highway are dark, a few flares will help you be seen. Flares also tell motorists you are having trouble; they may stop to offer help or radio for help (if there is no cell service).
- First Aid Kit. Even if it’s only a few bandages and cleansing wipes you should always have a first aid kit in your car.
- Fun activities for the kids. Nothing takes longer to arrive than a tow truck. Make sure you have amusing activities for the kids. Sure, you’ll hear “I’m bored. When will the tow truck get here?”, but maybe a bit less if you have something for the kids to do.
Roadside Assistance Brings Peace of Mind
We also have roadside assistance coverage. Even if you don’t use it the peace of mind it provides just in case is priceless. Because you never know when a semi will break the window of your van.
I’ve heard so many stories from people who wish they had been covered before an accident happened. They had put if off because it was ” just too expensive” or they “never really go far” or they “just never use” the coverage they had, so they cancel it. And when an accident happens they aren’t prepared.
Allstate just launched their Good Hands Roadside Service which allows peace of mind- even if you don’t register for it before your trip. This service is open to anyone, you don’t have to be an Allstate customer to use it. With the Good Hands Roadside Service you pay only when you use the service and there are no annual fees.
While you don’t have to pre-register to use the service, there are a couple of advantages of doing so.
- You can have up to 5 users on each account, making this great for multi-car families and giving parents of young drives added peace of mind.
- Add payment information via credit or debit card and the charges will automatically go to that card.
Sign up for Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance on Family Rambling
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Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Allstate Good Hands Roadside Service, who wishes you safe travels. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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