Hassan, owner of Roadmate Services

Hassan owns and runs Roadmate Services LLC, a roadside assistance company in Columbus, OH. For 5 years he and the team have handled jump starts, flat tires, lockouts, fuel runs, tows and winch-outs: over 1,600 Columbus jobs so far, with 5 technicians on the road.

What the job is like

Nobody calls us on a good day. The car will not start, the tire is flat, the keys are on the seat or the tank is empty on the shoulder of I-70. In Hassan’s words:

“Every breakdown is a person having a bad day, not just a car problem. People who call us are often stressed or scared. Our job is to stay calm, explain what we are doing and get them back on the road. Every job is a different car, a different person and a different problem, and we learn something new on each one.”

He still goes out on jobs. One school-day morning, a grandmother found a nail in the tread of her Lexus just as she had to drive her grandson to school. The plan was to fit the spare, but after looking at the tire in the driveway Hassan saw it could be repaired on the spot. About 15 minutes later they left for school, no tire shop needed.

The rest of the day runs on a few rules he set. A real person answers: Wafa or Saif picks up, asks where you are and confirms the price and an arrival estimate before anyone heads your way. Arrival is about 32 minutes on average, depending on traffic, weather and location, and he would rather quote a realistic time than a fast one. Hours are 6 AM to 8 PM daily, Eastern Time. There is no membership and no annual fee.

What Hassan writes about on the blog

The Roadmate blog is written from the road, not from a desk. The topics come from the calls the team takes in Columbus: dead batteries on cold mornings, flat tires at the wrong time, keys locked inside, empty tanks on the highway, and cars that need a tow to a mechanic.

Each post starts with the answer, then explains why. It says when you can fix the problem yourself, when you need a mechanic, and when you need 911 instead of roadside help. A few things he repeats because the team sees them on job after job:

• Check the keys before you lock the door. Finding them inside afterwards is not a fun moment.
• Batteries last 3 to 5 years. Replace one when its time comes, and check your lights.
• Most fuel calls happen on the highway. Look at the gas gauge.
• When a car needs a mechanic, tow it there, but pick a company that does not double your problem. When in doubt, ask for a flatbed.

Roadside help in Columbus

Read more about Roadmate, or go straight to the service you need:

• Jump start in Columbus
• Mobile battery replacement in Columbus
• Flat tire help in Columbus
• Car lockout in Columbus
• Fuel delivery in Columbus
• Tow service in Columbus