Kia Roadside Assistance: How the Company Saved Me on a Holiday

Buying a Kia was one of the first adult decisions I made on my own. Without a co-signer, I was able to make a down payment and get approved for the loan in no time. Kia cars are some of the most inexpensive for sale in America, but with it comes a five-year, 60,000 mile roadside assistance guarantee. It seemed to be an added bonus to the price deal and extensive warranty that comes with every Kia car, though I never thought I would have to use it. I found out I was wrong on Christmas Eve morning.

To give you an overview of the Kia Roadside Assistance Program, it generally includes the following scenarios: out of gas assistance, flat tire assistance, lockout assistance, jump start assistance, and trip interruption expense benefits. In addition to these services, the Kia Roadside Assistance Program includes towing to the nearest authorized Kia dealer or an alternative service location in the event of a warranty-related problem. Roadside services are limited to $75 per occurrence and the Kia Roadside Assistance Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is accessible by dialing 1-800-333-4Kia (4542). Car owners must provide their Kia vehicle identification number (VIN) at the time of the call, which can be found on your insurance card, vehicle registration or at other areas in the Kia, including the dash of the vehicle on the driver's side or the door jamb of the driver's door.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, it was. I woke up on Christmas Eve morning to find my Kia had a flat tire. Considering the amount of traveling I was scheduled to do over the next two days, it was not a happy occurrence. After a few minutes of panicking, I called the 1-800 number found in my Kia Vehicle Owner's Manual and was put in contact with one of the 17,000 roadside assistance providers across the country. I spoke to a friendly woman who didn't mind the fact that I didn't know whether or not I had a spare tire available (I'm not particularly car-savvy). She explained to me that every Kia comes with a spare tire, and if I hadn't used it already it was still in the trunk of my car. Within thirty minutes, the Kia Roadside Assistance Program sent service to my front door. The employee was able to change the flat tire in a matter of minutes, and all it took was a flick of the pen to provide my signature. Christmas Eve crisis averted.

While some may question why I didn't just change the flat tire myself, I will advise them that taking advantage of the roadside assistance program that comes with most new vehicle purchases today is the smart thing to do. The cost of the roadside assistance program is undoubtedly included in your purchase price, so why shouldn't you utilize what you paid for? Keep in mind, though, that if the problem with your car turns out to be more than just a simple flat tire repair or jump-starting of your battery, the Kia Roadside Assistance Program will tow your car to the nearest dealer or other service location. Had that turned out to be the case on Christmas Eve morning, I would have had to wait two full days before my vehicle would even be looked at, which is why regular car maintenance is essentially to avoid huge and costly repairs.

All in all, I was very satisfied with the service I received from the Kia Roadside Assistance Program. The service was quick and friendly, and the only effort it took on my part was a phone call and a signature. The Kia Roadside Assistance Program definitely saved me on Christmas Eve. I can only hope that other companies provide their employees with the same great assistance in case of an emergency.