The last time I had a flat tire (before today) was about ten
years ago. We were AAA members then and I called for emergency roadside
assistance, a guy came out, surveyed the damage, said he could plug the hole safely,
did so, and we drove merrily away, and continued to drive that car with the
plugged tire until the end of its mostly trouble-free life – which was at least
another two years (the car was 13 years old when we sold it).
We bought a new car, which came with a roadside assistance
plan as part of the deal, and in addition, our car insurance company, Geico,
began including roadside assistance in its policies, so we dropped the AAA
membership.
Yesterday, for the first time since we bought the car, I had
to use the roadside assistance. I must have run over something sharp in the
road. It was late at night but fortunately, I was very close to home when it happened.
I didn’t see what I’d run over, and wasn’t even sure that the tire was flat –the
car just started to have an uneven feel as I drove along, so I continued to drive
slowly, a few more blocks until I reached my driveway, and then when I got out,
saw that the tire was indeed in the shape of a sideways capital D. Since it was
so late, I waited until this morning to do something about it.
And when I did, I discovered that it’s a whole new world of
tire repair since the old call-and-wait days of AAA. First, I called the
emergency roadside assistance number on the back of my Geico insurance card. I
got into the voicemail system, and it suggested I get off the phone and report
the problem through the Geico mobile app. OK, but first I had to download the
app to my smartphone. While it was loading I could not help but wonder, what do
people do who have old-fashioned dumb phones?
Next I had to log in on the app. Again, I had to wonder,
what do people do who don’t remember their Geico password? Or have not even created
a Geico log-on? Fortunately for me, I can always recall a company’s password,
because I create a unique password for each company following a formula that
sprinkles different numbers and characters into the company’s name. Each
password is different and not something that a hacker could easily guess, but
as long as I remember the formula, I can reconstruct the password without a
hint. Of course, it does take me a minute or two to remember what character or
symbol goes into the name in what order, and I may get it wrong once or twice
before I get it right!
OK, now I’m in. I find the icon for roadside assistance, hit
continue, and the first question that comes up is: “flat tire?” It must be the
most common problem, since it’s the first on the list. I hit it, and am asked, “one
or two?” After that, “Is there a spare tire?” Done with the questions, the
screen shows me that my request for help has been received, and I see an
approximate arrival time – within 30 minutes! – on my phone screen.
(Quick aside: Yes, I do know how to change a spare tire
myself. I even did it once, a long, long time ago. If I had to, I could
probably do it again. But since I have the roadside assistance plan, which will send someone out at no charge, who will
bring along a hydraulic jack and a power lug-nut tool, it makes much more sense
to let a professional take care of it – especially in this morning’s rain.)
Ten minutes earlier
than the predicted arrival time, I get a call from the guy. He’s outside, and all I have to do is fill
out the paperwork while he puts on the spare, which takes him all of about ten minutes.
When he’s done, I am astonished -- I have never before seen my car’s temporary
spare tire. It’s toy-sized! It looks like something that would fit well on a Fisher-Price
Big Wheel. But the very nice roadside assistance man assures me I can drive
normally on it and can even take it on the highway, as long as I don’t go above
60 mph.
When I get back to the Geico app, it’s already asking me,
how was my experience. Fine, fine, I tell it. Thanks for asking!
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Still Life With Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.
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