Allstate Roadside Services Data Shows Most Vehicle Breakdowns Require a Tow to a Repair Shop

NORTHBROOK, IL--Dec. 23, 2013: The bags are packed; the car is too. Millions of people across the country will be hitting the road this week traveling to see family and friends over the holidays. Along with mapping the route, Allstate recommends prepping the car so travelers don't end up stranded on the side of the road.

New data1 from Allstate Roadside Services shows more than half (55 percent) of all calls to its call center are from people who have mechanical problems and require a tow to a repair shop. The remaining 45 percent of the calls are non-tow related. The majority of those non-tow incidences are requests for help changing a tire, unlocking a locked vehicle, getting gas delivered or jumpstarting a dead battery. Here's the breakdown of non-tow related incidences:

3.6 percent of all non-tow dispatch events are from drivers who have run out of gas and need fuel delivered to their vehicle. 14.4 percent of all non-tow dispatches are for tire changes. 14 percent of all dispatches are for lockouts. 13 percent of all dispatches are for jumpstarts.

"The holidays are a busy time for families. As they run here and there to shop and prepare their homes, they may forget about preparing the car before traveling," said Anthony Royer, president of Allstate Roadside Services. "Allstate Roadside Services is one of the nation's leading providers of roadside assistance. We're here to help when people have problems on the road."

More calls come in to Allstate Roadside representatives during the week than on the weekend, with the highest level of dispatches happening on Mondays.

Make Sure Your Car Is Ready for the Road When taking a road trip, be ready in case something unexpected happens while you're driving. Allstate Roadside Services offers these tips to keep you safe while on your holiday vacation:

Schedule a maintenance checkup, to include keeping fluids topped off, checking wipers and scheduling an oil change or tune up. Check your battery to make sure the charge is strong. Keep tires at the correct pressure, rotate tires or inspect tires for any tears or bulges in the side wall. Have a mechanic check the car's brake pads to make sure they aren't worn or need replacing. Be prepared for an emergency by including in your car's emergency kit items such as a flashlight, jumper cables, roadside flares, an ice scraper, warm blankets, a folded shovel, a life hammer, first-aid kit, bottled water and snacks. Check your vehicle's load capacity to make sure you aren't packing too much weight in the car. Have a map handy or use your GPS to help you get where you're going and find gas stations or restaurants along the way. If you're driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos, and music to keep them comfortable and occupied during your journey. Pack your patience, just in case you hit traffic. Be safe and follow the rules of the road. No matter where you're going, auto insurance is a crucial part of your trip. Before you take that first turn out of your driveway, take a moment to learn the parameters of your policy.

Helpful Tips If You Breakdown in Bad Weather

If you have a cell phone, immediately call a well-known roadside assistance company for help. If you feel your safety is questionable, call the authorities with as many details as you can about your location and a description of your vehicle. Stay in the car. While it may seem like you should try to walk to safety, staying in your vehicle provides protection from the elements. If the conditions are cold, wrap up in blankets or extra clothes you may have in the car. Put a sign in the window to "Send Help."

"We want everyone to be safe while on the road. But if something happens, if a breakdown occurs, Allstate Roadside Services is able to help customers at that point of duress and give them best-in-class service," Royer said.

To learn more about roadside assistance visit Allstate Motor Club, Allstate Motor Club, a membership-based service that provides reliable, emergency road assistance 24/7.