5 Roadside Assistance Myths Every Winnipeg Driver Needs to Know

Most Winnipeg drivers have at least one wrong assumption about roadside assistance — and that assumption tends to surface at the worst possible moment: stranded on a dark street in January, or locked out of their car in the rain in the Exchange District. Myths about roadside assistance lead to costly decisions, dangerous waiting, and sometimes real vehicle damage.

Here are the five most common roadside assistance misconceptions — and the facts that replace them. Have a roadside emergency right now? Skip the reading and call Jets Towing at (431) 791-1122.

Myth #1 — "My Car Insurance Always Covers Roadside Assistance"

This is the single most dangerous roadside assistance myth in Manitoba. Many drivers genuinely believe their basic Autopac policy includes roadside assistance for any situation — and discover they're wrong at 2 a.m. in -30°C.

Here's the reality: basic Autopac covers accident-related towing, where a vehicle must be moved because of a collision. It does not automatically cover breakdown towing due to mechanical failure, a dead battery, running out of fuel, or getting stuck in a snowdrift.

Optional roadside coverage is available through MPI as a rider, through CAA Manitoba as a separate membership, or sometimes through your credit card benefits. These add-ons vary significantly in response time and coverage area. Check your policy and save the coverage details — don't discover the gap during an emergency.

For a detailed breakdown of what Manitoba insurance does and doesn't cover for towing, read our guide on towing insurance coverage in Winnipeg.

Myth #2 — "I Can Wait Until Morning for a Tow"

In most Canadian cities, this might be true in summer. In Winnipeg in winter, waiting overnight is neither safe nor cost-free.

When the temperature drops below -20°C — which happens regularly in Winnipeg from November through February — parked vehicles suffer real damage: batteries lose whatever remaining charge they have, engine fluids thicken, door seals freeze, and in extreme cold, tires can develop flat spots from sitting on a single point of contact for hours.

There's also a practical risk: if your vehicle is stranded in a no-stopping zone, a fire route, or on a snow route, you could return in the morning to find it has been towed to an impound lot — adding significant storage fees to your situation.

The fastest resolution is nearly always to deal with the problem immediately. Jets Towing does not charge after-hours surcharges — the price at 3 a.m. is the same as at 3 p.m. There is no financial reason to wait.

Myth #3 — "Any Tow Truck Driver Can Tow Any Vehicle"

This misconception costs Winnipeg drivers thousands of dollars in preventable vehicle damage every year.

Different vehicles require different towing methods and equipment. Using the wrong method for a specific vehicle type can cause severe — and expensive — damage:

• All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles must be transported on a flatbed tow truck. Using a wheel-lift on these vehicles turns one axle while the other is locked, damaging the transfer case and potentially the transmission. Repairs can run $2,000–$5,000.
• Heavy vehicles require certified heavy-duty equipment. A light-duty tow truck attempting to move a large truck or van can cause structural damage to both vehicles.
• Low-clearance vehicles — sports cars and modified vehicles — need flatbeds with the correct ramp angle to avoid scraping the bumper or undercarriage during loading.

Myth #4 — "DIY Fixes Are Always Faster Than Calling for Help"

This myth has three problems: it overestimates how fast DIY fixes actually are, it underestimates how easily they go wrong, and it ignores the health risk of spending 45 minutes outside in sub-zero Winnipeg temperatures.

A jump start performed with reversed cable polarity can destroy your vehicle's ECU and electronic systems — a repair that easily exceeds $1,000. Placing a floor jack in the wrong spot on a unibody vehicle can cause permanent structural damage. These are not hypothetical risks; they're common outcomes of well-intentioned but poorly executed roadside DIY.

Jets Towing's 15-minute average response time means professional help is often on scene before a DIY attempt would even be complete. Call (431) 791-1122 instead of spending time in the cold with jumper cables.

Myth #5 — "All Roadside Assistance Companies Are the Same"

The difference between roadside assistance providers is significant — and it's most apparent during emergencies, which is exactly when it matters.

Response time alone varies enormously. National dispatch call centres route to whatever subcontracted truck is available, often producing 45–90 minute wait times for a Winnipeg call. A local, GPS-dispatched fleet like Jets Towing consistently delivers 15-minute response because the nearest available truck is dispatched directly — no intermediary call centre, no subcontracting.

Equipment quality, driver training, licensing, pricing transparency, and accountability also differ substantially. An unlicensed operator has no regulatory accountability if something goes wrong with your vehicle. A licensed, insured Winnipeg provider does.

Jets Towing is locally dispatched, GPS-tracked, licensed and insured in Manitoba, and operates with flat-rate transparent pricing. For a full breakdown of what to look for in a Winnipeg towing company, see our guide on how to choose the best towing company in Winnipeg. And for answers to common questions, our towing FAQ covers the most frequent situations.

Frequently Asked Questions