New National Survey of Drivers Reveals Top Travel Fear: Breaking Down and Waiting for Help on the Side of the Road

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 Rescue^SM 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