Roadside Repairs: The Processes Behind the Rescue

Careers

For businesses that rely on their vehicles, a breakdown is more than just an inconvenience, it’s quite literally a direct hit to productivity.

Whether it causes a few hours delay or more than 24 hours, the impact on schedules, customers and operations can be significant, and that’s why having the right rescue and recovery partner is crucial to keeping things moving with minimal disruption.

At Egertons, we understand that every minute matters, and that’s exactly why from the moment you first contact us, our team will begin to coordinate the fastest, safest and most effective process to get your vehicle, and your business, back on track as soon as possible. 

But how exactly do we do that?

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how we handle your roadside recovery, and a deep dive into the exact processes we take to facilitate an efficient service every time.

Starting with…

Step 1: FNOL

When it comes to vehicle rescue and recovery, every cog in the machine needs to turn seamlessly to ensure timely service, cost efficiency and customer satisfaction, and at the heart of this process lies the First Notification of Loss (FNOL) – the essential starting point that sets the entire recovery operation in motion.

FNOL is the pivotal trigger that dictates how quickly and effectively the incident is handled – that’s why we prioritise getting FNOL right the first time, every time, to ensure that the exact right rescue and recovery vehicles are deployed from the outset to benefit every stakeholder involved.

We get started on this activity as soon as we receive notification, and our team will immediately undertake a thorough triage process to gather all critical information such as the vehicle’s location, the type of incident, load specifics and any potential hazards. This allows us to assess the situation accurately and determine the best course of action.

Plus, by streamlining FNOL, we’re able to avoid any unnecessary delays and keep communication lines clear and transparent with our real-time tracking system. This also aligns within our dedicated online portal, which integrates seamlessly with clients’ existing IT infrastructure, and means that we’re able to oversee every step of the rescue to ensure a smooth, efficient, and cost-effective experience.

Step 2: Understanding A Fleet Operators’ Needs

We appreciate that recovering a vehicle is rarely a one-size-fits-all process, and commercial operators often have multiple considerations beyond just the vehicle itself such as their driver, the vehicle load and even specialised challenges such as electric sources and hazards.

However, we’re proud to say that at Egertons, we prioritise understanding your unique requirements no matter what. This means that whether your goal is to transfer the load to its destination, recover the vehicle to a workshop or bring your driver back to base, we tailor our approach to align with your needs above all else.

We also evaluate whether the situation calls for a roadside repair or full recovery too, with the aim of getting a vehicle back on the road as quickly and safely as possible, and always keeping operators’ end goals in mind.

As a result, this allows us to focus priorities to ensure that the solution is not only effective but also minimises disruption to business operations.

Step 3: Facilitating A Rapid Response to Minimise Risk

Speed is critical when responding to a breakdown, not only to minimise operational downtime but also to ensure the safety of all road users, and this is especially important for larger vehicles such as HGVs, busses or coaches where time is of the essence to clear potential obstructions on busy roads or address hazardous loads.

In reality, the risks associated with delayed recoveries of these sought can be significant, as dangerous goods like flammable liquids or corrosive substances require careful handling to prevent environmental damage or accidents.

Similarly, incidents involving motorways or remote locations demand quick action to maintain safety and efficiency, and any electric vehicle (EV) also can only be repaired by fully trained EV technicians who are specially skilled in the exact components.

Luckily, our Egertons’ experienced recovery teams are trained to manage these challenges, ensuring a swift and secure response no matter the circumstances. In other words – we’re capable of it all.

Step 4: Repairing At the Roadside When Possible

Our technicians aim to repair vehicles at the roadside wherever we can, without the need for towing or workshop delays. It also allows us to reduce vehicle downtime and ensure operations resume as soon as possible, and it also guarantees that all repairs are conducted to the highest industry standards, with Egertons holding PAS 43, ISO 9001, and NHSS Sector 17 accreditations.

This assessment kicks off as soon as we arrive on scene, where our experts analyse the issue using advanced diagnostic tools and specialist equipment to provide a quick and effective solution. If a roadside repair is possible, we’ll get to work ASAP there and then, but if not…

Step 5: Deploying Comprehensive Recovery When Roadside Repairs Aren’t Feasible

If a roadside repair is not possible, our team will oversee every aspect of the recovery to ensure vehicles, drivers and loads are taken care of. This includes transporting the vehicle to a workshop, depot, or any location of the operators’ choice, ensuring the load reaches its final destination safely and aiding the driver by offering transport back to base if required.

We can even arrange for drop-offs at multiple locations to accommodate your specific requirements too, meaning that whether it’s delivering the load to its intended destination or ensuring the vehicle reaches a preferred repair centre, we manage every detail to get operations back on track as quickly as possible.

Ultimately, Behind Every Rescue Is Our Commitment to Excellence…

At Egertons, we know that a breakdown is more than just a mechanical issue, it’s a disruption that affects drivers, businesses and schedules. And that’s exactly why we go beyond simple recovery to offer a comprehensive service that prioritises safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

With our industry-leading technology, highly skilled team, and a dedication to excellence, we are here to ensure that every roadside recovery runs smoothly from start to finish.

So, the next time you face a breakdown, you can trust us to get you back on the road quickly and safely.

And when you need us, we will be right there.