What to Do and Who to Call If Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway

Inexperienced drivers may panic when their car breaks down in the middle of the highway. It’s a nerve-wracking experience, especially since other motorists on the road may be inconvenienced.

Luckily, there are steps you can take and people you can call to prevent being a bother to other drivers. Knowing these should help you stay calm in the middle of the highway.

What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway

If your car breaks down on the highway, you should move the car (if you can do it safely), then turn on your four-way flashers unless the battery is dead. Stay inside the car rather than taking the chance of getting run over by a passing motorist (this is extremely important), and call for help.

Move Your Car

The first thing you should do is to pull to the shoulder before your car breaks completely down.

This may be a problem in heavy traffic in a large city if you’re in the center lane of a seven-lane freeway, so if you can tell your vehicle is beginning to lose power and speed, turn on your flashers, watch your mirrors, and begin to work your way to the right hand shoulder if possible.

The cars traveling in the left lane on a busy freeway are typically driving faster than the ones in the right-hand lane, and so choose the right-hand road shoulder unless you don’t have a choice. If the driveline suffers a catastrophic failure so that the vehicle is immobilized before you can get to the shoulder, do not get out of the vehicle under any circumstances. Turn on your flashers and call for help.

It’s crucial to spot the signs before a major breakdown. Once you notice any symptoms, avoid braking hard or making sudden movements. Accidents happen when a driver makes a sudden move other drivers don’t expect. This is why we have stop lights and turn signals, for example.

Get off the road quickly by coasting and braking gently as quickly as you can. Moving to a flat surface as far off the road and away from traffic as possible makes it less likely that your stalled vehicle will be hit by passing vehicles. Set your parking brake once you’re safe on the shoulder.

Stay In Your Car

If possible, stay in your car and assess the situation and your options. The Insurance Information Institute advises staying inside the vehicle and avoiding getting out to make repairs or examine the damage on a busy highway, presumably because it’s dangerous to leave a broken down unattended since it might roll if parked on an uneven surface.

Once your vehicle is set, look for landmarks that might be good information, such as the nearest exit, rest area, mile marker, etc. The only times you should leave the vehicle is if someone can help you within walking distance or if you have someone inside the car that can guard it for you.

If you’re alone and need to go outside, leave a note on the dashboard with information, including your name, cell number, destination, the time you left, and the reason for leaving.

If you can safely do so, raise the hood on the vehicle if you have to stay with the vehicle so other motorists, law enforcement, and wrecker drivers will know you’re having vehicle trouble.

Alert Other Motorists

You should warn other drivers, even if you’re not on the road. Some may offer help or assistance, but the warning is so they proceed with caution. According to the National Motorists Association, you should turn your emergency lights to communicate with the other motorists that you need space.

Leave the hazards on until help arrives or set out an emergency triangle for better visibility, if available. Another thing you can do is raise the hood and tie something white to your antenna to notify police and tow operators that you need help. If you smell gas or suspect a fuel leak, avoid using flares as they may cause a fire.

Call for Help

Whether it’s roadside assistance, a tow truck, the police, or your insurance company, anyone who can offer assistance and is in the vicinity will do.

Caution: Be very careful when asking for assistance to avoid bad actors who might mean you harm. Vehicle breakdowns can put you at risk in ways you never expect.

Who to Call When Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway

As mentioned, you should call roadside assistance, a tow truck, the police, and your insurance company.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is a service that helps you get your car back on the road in case of a breakdown. You generally want to call a provider and wait for their help over the phone. If they can’t assist you through the call, they’ll usually send a mechanic or a tow truck for help.

The number differs per state. For example, you can call California’s Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) by dialing 5-1-1 on your mobile phone or using a freeway call box.

Tow Truck

You can contact a towing company if you want to go straight to the source. You can request a tow truck if you’re an AAA member by calling 800-922-8228. The FSP program is also an option, as it’s a free service of privately owned tow trucks that patrol designated routes in California freeways.

Police

Of course, you can also call the police or 911 for other emergencies you’d like to report. For example, an injured passenger may need medical assistance, something tow trucks and roadside assistance may not be able to help with. Calling 911 guarantees you get the help you need, depending on the situation.

Insurance Company

Lastly, you should call your insurance company if your car breaks down because they may help with towing services, temporary car coverage, or repair costs if it’s covered under your comprehensive coverage.

Does Insurance Cover a Break Down on the Highway?

In most cases, car insurance doesn’t cover breakdowns. However, there are policies you can add to get assistance if your vehicle breaks down on the highway. You can add roadside assistance coverage, rental car coverage, and extended warranty/mechanical breakdown insurance.

In rare cases, car insurance may cover a breakdown, such as, for example, if a wire harness short smokes the wire harness. In this case, some insurance companies will cover it as fire damage.

Roadside Assistance Coverage

You can ask your insurer to add roadside assistance coverage, which includes towing, jump-starting, changing a flat tire, and delivering fuel when you run out. These services are useful in the event your car breaks down on the highway.

Rental Car Coverage

There’s a chance your policy has rental car coverage. This coverage gives you a temporary replacement in case your vehicle breaks down or is in the shop. You can check your policy details to see the scope of the coverage and whether it’s included.

Extended Warranty/Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Lastly, extended warranty/mechanical breakdown insurance is another option to consider. These policies cover repair costs for specific mechanical or electrical issues. They’re also separate from your standard auto insurance policy.