NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- We've all been
there. You're on the road just a few hours from your destination.
The kids are peacefully asleep in the backseat. Soon, you'll be in
summer vacation bliss. Then it happens – the car engine sputters
and shuts off. You're stranded on the side of the road in an
unfamiliar area.
A recent survey commissioned by Allstate Roadside Services found
that among drivers who have experienced problems on the road, 47
percent felt overwhelmed and helpless, 62 percent admitted they
became anxious, 52 percent got angry, and 36 percent said they were
scared. A total of 40 percent said their first instinct was to
immediately call a tow truck or roadside assistance service for
help.
Allstate Roadside Services is introducing a new digital solution
to make it easier for stranded motorists to get the help they need.
The Good Hands RescueSM mobile app and website enables
drivers to easily request roadside assistance anywhere in America
through their smartphones – and you don't have to be an Allstate
customer to use it.
"Allstate is leading the way in the digital evolution of the
roadside industry," said Pam Dufour,
president, Allstate Roadside Services. "Mobile devices are part of
most Americans' everyday lives. The Good Hands Rescue mobile app
and website leverage technology to connect people with roadside
services using their smartphones. We're making it easy for people
to do business with us anytime, anywhere and in any way."
Once service is requested, a provider is dispatched and the
motorist gets an estimated time of arrival, service cost and the
ability to track the provider's en route status. You can find the
Good Hands Rescue mobile website at https://m.goodhandsrescue.com
or download the Good Hands Rescue app from Google Play and
iTunes.
"Allstate Roadside Services has provided roadside assistance for
more than 50 years," continued Dufour. "Innovation is a critical
element of our effort to provide a complete customer experience
that emphasizes service, connectedness, safety and preparedness.
Now, motorists have a new digital way to connect with Allstate for
roadside assistance."
The survey also revealed:
- A majority or 95 percent of drivers across the United States have experienced a disabled
or un-drivable vehicle on at least one occasion.
- At 74 percent, flat tires were the most common cause of
roadside breakdowns.
- Forty-five percent of people surveyed blamed a mechanical
breakdown for their travel woes.
- Younger drivers aged 18-29 are the most likely group to have
experienced an incident within the past year (73 percent).
Planning before a trip matters. Allstate Roadside Services
offers the following tips to help keep drivers safe and
prepared:
- Make sure your car is road-ready. Before your trip, have
a mechanic give your vehicle the once-over, including preventive
maintenance such as an oil change, tire check, new wipers or filter
replacement.
- Pack an emergency car kit. A well-equipped kit
can fit in the trunk and might include a flashlight, hand
sanitizer, water and energy bars.
- Know who to contact for help. Keep your smartphone fully
charged, your roadside assistance contact information handy, or the
Good Hands Rescue app loaded on your smartphone.
Allstate Roadside Services administers roadside assistance
through Allstate Motor Club. Each year, Allstate responds to about
five million requests for roadside assistance. More than 40 million
vehicles are covered through Allstate Roadside Services.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16
million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home,
life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance,
Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely
known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With
Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small
businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and
services to customers in the United
States and Canada. In the
20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company,
The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners
have donated more than $405 million
to support local communities.
Survey results are based on a national, online survey of
adults conducted July 1-6, 2015 on
behalf of Allstate by FTI Consulting. This survey focused on the
respondent's experiences and needs during times when roadside
assistance is necessary. The online survey was conducted among a
sample of 1,000 adults age 18 and older living across the United States.
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SOURCE The Allstate Corporation