December means one thing – road trip season. A time when inland empties out, the coast wakes up, and the open road becomes everyone’s best friend.
But while we’re blasting tunes and shouting “are we there yet?” from the back seat, the roads can be unpredictable. Potholes, breakdowns, overheating cars, and the occasional goat crossing the N2, anything can happen. Knowing what to do and who to call in a roadside emergency, as well as having the right car insurance, and extended car warranty plan can save your festive cheer (and your pocket).
RELATED: AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCIES ON THE ROAD
What Is Considered a Roadside Emergency?
A roadside emergency is one of those unplanned, heart-sinking moments that can turn an ordinary trip into a full-blown disaster. It’s any unexpected situation that puts your safety, your passengers, or your vehicle at risk; or that could cause more damage if not handled quickly. Think flat tyre in the middle of nowhere, an overheated engine, or locking your keys in the car (we’ve all done it). Even running out of fuel or getting stuck after a fender-bender counts. Basically, if you find yourself stranded or stressed, you’re in roadside emergency territory.
With years of experience and thousands of South Africans helped every month, dotsure.co.za knows exactly how to get you back on the road, fast.
What to do in a Roadside Emergency?
If you’re a dotsure.co.za driver, you’ve got access to 24/7 help during a roadside emergency. Whether it’s a flat tyre in Upington, a breakdown in Butterworth, or a mild panic attack outside Parys; we can help you swerve away from distress.
Here’s what to do in a Roadside emergency: Log in to the 24/7 online Manage Portal, and submit your claim in under 30 seconds. Easy.
If you’re insured with us, your cover also includes these emergency roadside benefits:
Emergency Medical
When things go south and you’re more “ow” than “okay,” we’ve got you. Whether you need road or air transportation, we’ll get you to the nearest medical facility fast.
Emergency Roadside
Your old car decided to act brand-new? Relax. Whether you’re stuck, stranded, out of juice, or flat-batteried, we’ll find you, fuel you, jump you, and pick you up.
Pothole Protect
Hit a pothole? Don’t stress. We’ll handle the pothole damage claims, so you don’t have to go 12 rounds with paperwork.
Accident Protect
If there’s one thing worse than an accident, it’s dealing with the Road Accident Fund afterwards. Save yourself the drama. We’ll take on the stress, the admin, and the queueing.
You should also keep a roadside emergency car kit in the boot for when things go sideways. Here’s what to pack:
- Reflective triangle and vest
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Tyre inflator or sealant
- Basic first-aid kit
- Power bank and charging cable
- Bottled water and non-perishable snacks.
If you’re travelling with a four-legged passenger, consider packing a mini pet first-aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic, a soft towel, and dotsure.co.za pet cover.
Who to call if the Roadside Emergency is an Accident
Roadside emergency call numbers every driver should know in Mzansi:
- 10111: SAPS
- 10177: Ambulance & Fire
- 112: Network emergency line (works even with no airtime)
- Once help is on the way, submit your claim online in seconds.
The emergency call feature on your phone works without signal. Some phones also auto-trigger SOS when they detect impact. This can shave minutes off emergency response time when it matters most. If tech fails, you may use alternative communication methods:
Share live location
Share your exact route and expected arrival time with a trusted friend or family member. If they don’t hear from you by a certain time, they will know to start looking for you or alert authorities.
What To Do If You’re the First Person at an Accident or Involved in a Car Accident?
Accidents can happen in a flash. One minute you’re cruising, the next your heart’s racing and you’re not sure what to do. Knowing the basics can help keep everyone safe until help arrives.
AA give these guidelines in case of an accident:
- Stop and get safe. Pull over immediately and switch on your hazard lights. Safety first.
- Call for help. Dial 10111 or 112 and give your location.
- Check for injuries. Only move injured people if they’re in immediate danger, like a fire.
- Exchange details. Swap names, numbers, and insurance info with other drivers.
- Document everything. Snap photos of the scene, number plates, and any damage.
- Report it. Complete an accident report with SAPS and let your insurance provider know as soon as possible.
What if a Pet is Involved in a Roadside Emergency?
According to Legal Aid SA, if you’re in an accident involving a pet (somebody else’s or another animal), here’s how to handle it, step by step:
- Stop right there. Even if it’s a small bump, pull over, put your hazards on, and make sure everyone’s safe — including yourself.
- Check who (or what) needs help. If a person, pet, or animal has been hurt, take a breath and assess the situation. Don’t try to move anyone unless there’s real danger.
- Call it in: Get the police or emergency services on the scene.
- Report it properly. You’re required to report the accident:
- Within 24 hours if a person or animal’s been injured.
- On the next working day if no one was hurt.
- Get the details. Note the name of the police officer you speak to and jot down the accident report reference number, you’ll need it for insurance later.
Leaving the scene of an accident (even one involving an animal) is a serious offence. You could face a fine of up to R180 000, or even nine years in prison, or both.
How Emergency Roadside Assistance Can Make a Difference?
It happens to the best of us. One moment you’re vibing to amapiano, the next thing your car starts making weird noises. When that “ski-ding-ska-donk-klickity–klunk” happens, your call for help could be resolved in minutes, if you’re covered by dotsure.co.za.
But don’t just take our word for it. These fans show that when things go wrong, having dotsure.co.za on your side provides peace of mind:
“So, I was going to camp with my family, 2 kids and husband. My little car was so full ya’ll. From Soweto to Harties, we drove, excited. As we were driving, literally in the middle of nowhere, the car lost control and started spinning, as if I were at a drag race. My husband goes out to check. He comes back and says, “The tyre came off.” Once we were safe dotsure.co.za came to the rescue with a tow truck. They asked us if we wanted to go home, sathi noooo (we said no), we are still going camping. So that was us, entering the resort in a tow truck.” – Kagiso Molete
“So, I was in a rural area of North West province when my battery went flat and my car keys were locked inside. I called dotsure.co.za for assistance. Within 20 minutes, help arrived! It took them 5 minutes to fix everything and then I was home free. dotsure.co.za is the car insurance of choice.” – Bongani Hlongwane
“I was travelling from the Eastern Cape to Hermanus with my father. It was about 2 in the morning when my front right tyre burst in the middle of nowhere. No cars passing by, just us in the dark. I attempted to change the tyre, then the worst thing happened – my car jack broke into pieces 😭. After about an hour or two, I managed to call dotsure.co.za. Because I was far from both towns, it took a bit longer for roadside assistance to get there, but it came through.” – Athi Mfungquza
So, remember to keep your roadside emergency car kit packed, keep note of which number to call in an emergency, and if things go pear-shaped – rest easy knowing that we’ve got your back.
You’re not covered with us? Get car cover that suits your budget with Name Your Price™, or contact us today to start enjoying superfast claims and 24/7 roadside assistance.
EXPLORE MORE HANDY READS: ESSENTIAL PROTECTION: WHY IS INSURANCE IMPORTANT?; WHO ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE ROAD USERS? TIPS FOR SA DRIVERS
