Okay ladies, don’t get defensive.  I’ve just learned through the years that, as a woman, there are certain things that I will not cut myself short on as a driver.  The most important is the proper car insurance.  Several times in my life, I have been very grateful for the roadside assistance option on my auto insurance.  Outside of the obvious uses when the car actually breaks down, you need a tow truck, and don’t have a credit card with you, roadside assistance is even more valuable to me when I’ve got a simple flat and know I can just call someone to have it taken care of.  I am perfectly capable of changing a tire.  Have done it many times. 

Unfortunately, I’m still a woman, and cannot seem to be allowed to change a tire on the highway without having every well meaning, and perhaps some not necessarily well meaning, man stop and ask if I need help.  Chivalry is not dead, it’s just simply not safe.  I’ve also found myself sitting in the car several times with the cell phone to my ear, long after I’ve already called for roadside assistance, just to avoid having to tell every good Samaritan that stops that it’s okay, help is already on the way.  It’s hard to be independent sometimes, without clawing your way there.  I must be getting old and tired.  I just don’t have it in me to fight it any more.  Yeah okay, I’m just a girl, whatever. 

I still think roadside assistance on the insurance policy is a must for every woman and, before it was as commonplace as …well, cell phones and credit cards, I felt the same way about cell phones.  I have always felt a woman must have a cell phone in the car, even if for no other reason.  I still never use my cell phone for anything unless I am in my car.   No one has my cell number except my husband, and that’s the way I like it.  My cell phone never leaves my car.  I know I would feel like I was surely going to get into an accident if I found it missing from my car.  Murphy’s law being what it is.  I just feel very insecure if the phone is not with me in the car – especially with kids. 

And, while my vehicle is not equipped with it, I’ll say here and now that OnStar is the best use of technology that I have seen yet!

So, cell phones and roadside assistance.  Two absolute necessities if you are a woman on the road to assure your safety and confidence.