No one wants to think about an emergency happening while they’re on the road, but these things do happen, and drivers should be prepared for that so they can be back on the road quickly and safely. Being prepared for an emergency on the road can make a huge difference if it ever happens. Here’s what you need to know.  

It’s not just about the car. 

Most of the items you would think to have in your car would be related to your car – like a snowbrush or spare tire – but there is value in having emergency items that are not necessarily for your car. Items for first aid, blankets, water and food are just as important in the event someone gets hurt, or you are stuck in your vehicle for an extended period of time.  

Here are 10 items you should always keep in your car for emergencies, and those just-in-case situations:  

1. Jumper cables – if the battery dies in your vehicle, or someone else’s, you can use them to start the vehicle and get you to where you need to be. It’s very important though, to make sure you know how to use jumper cables before you attempt this.  
2. Spare tire – if you get a flat tire, having that spare tire can be very helpful to get you to a repair shop so you don’t need to call a tow truck. Some new vehicles do not come with a spare tire, but have an air pump or run flat tires instead. It’s important to know which your vehicle has.  
3. Flashlight – whether you are stuck on the side of the road at night or in a parking lot trying to jumpstart your vehicle, having a flashlight can be very useful to have on hand.  
4. Blanket – you never know when you might be stuck in your car during the winter storm season and so having a blanket can make a big difference while you are waiting for help to arrive.  
5. Vehicle’s owner’s manual – very few car owners are going to know all of the ins and outs of their vehicle, but the owner’s manual will have all those details. So if you have a question about how a part of your vehicle works, you can look it up.  
6. Ownership and insurance – if you get pulled over while driving by law enforcement or you get into an accident, you may need the information from your ownership and insurance documents. Keeping these items in the glovebox of your vehicle can be very helpful.  
7. Snowbrush – Canadian winters can creep up on you, even while you are just inside a store doing some shopping. So, keeping a snowbrush in your car ensures you can clean off your car as needed and drive safely.  
8. Bungee cords – if you have bigger items you may need to secure as you’re driving these can really come in handy so you don’t have things sliding around in your vehicle.  
9. Keychain car escape tool – this item can cut through seatbelts and break glass, so if you are ever trapped in your car, you can easily release yourself from constraints. Further, this is attached to your keychain, so you always know where it is.  
10. Work gloves – these are helpful in case you need to check out anything on your car, especially when the weather turns cold. They will protect your hands and keep them warm while replacing a tire, boosting a battery or if you are stuck in your car, they will just help keep you warm.  

Call ICD Insurance today 

Have you reviewed your auto insurance lately to make sure it’s still right for you? Contact us today to speak to a broker.