Be prepared for the unexpected with flares, bungee cords, and so many other useful things to keep in your car at all times.
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You probably have an emergency or first aid kit in your home, and your job (we hope) provides emergency essentials at your workplace, so why wouldn’t you carry some form of aid in your car? It only makes sense considering it’s probably the third place you spend most of your time (especially if you have to endure traffic).
No matter how often you use your car, you need an emergency kit now. This is not the product you want to keep on your shopping list for weeks. Checking it off as soon as possible can save you some serious trouble.
What exactly should be in an emergency car kit?
It’s completely up to you to decide just how much you want to keep in your trunk. You can carry the bare minimum or go above and beyond with kits that have certain items you hopefully won’t ever need to touch.
However, these are a few items that you should have no matter what:
While those can certainly be lifesavers, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to actually prevent needing them.
Be sure you bring your car in for regular checkups
You probably know to do this, but don’t skip it. Your mechanic can check things like antifreeze levels, brakes, battery, oil, air filters, and other parts of your vehicle that need to be in top shape in order to try to avoid emergencies in the first place.
And, of course, remember to always do everything in your power to drive safely. No texting, please.
Now, all you have to do is check out the best emergency kits that we picked, click “buy,” and take this one off your to-do list.
Lightweight • Backed by AAA • Easy to locate due to red case
Not as comprehensive as some on this list
If compact size, minimalism, and brand reliability are important to you, this could be the way to go.
AAA is best known for their 24/7 roadside assistance. Now, they’re backing a product that you can own even if you’re not a coverage member.
While this Lifeline kit may not have flares and other extravagant items, it still has the essentials. It includes eight-foot jumper cables, a flashlight with batteries, a screwdriver, duct tape, an emergency poncho, a shop cloth, five cable ties, 20 bandages, four towelettes, a reusable zipper lock bag, an AAA Membership Brochure and AAA Accident Guidelines. (Those last two might be of minimal help in an emergency, but they’re part of the kit.)
Many customers seem to buy the kit for beginner drivers who won’t be going far but still need some emergency aid with them. That may be a good point to keep in mind when trying to decide if it has enough for you.
One Amazon customer said:
“Thankfully I have never had to use this yet, and hopefully will never have to, but this is still great. It has everything you need in it. It’s also pretty compact so it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your car. I have a small Toyota Corolla so trunk space is pretty limited and this being in there does not hinder my ability to fit a lot of stuff in my trunk. I love it”
Fair price • Sturdy jumper cables
You’ll feel like you can can take on any challenge with this kit by your side.
Hopefully, you’ll never be in a position where road assistance can’t be reached. However, if you are, this kit contains almost everything that the professionals would bring to your aid.
It includes extras like a snow shovel, flash lamp, reflective warning triangle, safety hammer, seat belt cutter, adhesive tape, a rain coat and so much more. One thing it doesn’t have, though, is a first-aid kit, so be sure to pick up one of those as well.
Customer TRK said:
“My daughter in law has a long commute to work every day and much of it is through the country. I wanted her to have some of the basic items she would need without a large bulky bag. I ordered this roadside emergency kit to help give all of us a little peace of mind. It is just what we needed.”
Specifically designed for severe weather
This kit aims to keep you safe (and warm) in any freezing situation.
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that winter storms and similar conditions are a factor in nearly half a million road accidents every winter. Although bleak to think about, AAA says that research was the inspiration to create a severe weather-focused emergency kit.
A folding shovel with sheath, three-piece fleece set (cap, gloves, scarf), two hand warmers, an ice scraper, a 46-piece first aid kit and more are all included.
If you don’t plan on taking any snowy winter trips, this kit could still be for you. While it’s targeted toward emergencies, it also could come in very handy in some everyday struggles. Many reviewers wrote about getting stuck in tight New York City parking spots and being able to shovel themselves out with the help of the kit.
Customer Dennis J. Finnegan said:
“Went to Vermont and got plowed in the small shovel was an essential tool. Also nice knowing you have a safety kit if you should need it. Even small accidents and cuts require attention. This little kit is self contained and just amazing.”
Lightweight • Budget-friendly
It’ll be useful for those looking for just a few tools, but not for those who want to feel completely covered.
One thing you never want from an emergency kit is for it to cost as much as a trip to the mechanic. This one is just under $30 and gives you the absolute essentials — and not much more.
It includes some unique products like a reflective warning triangle and gloves with gripping palm plus the staples like a LED flashlight and jumper cables.
Customer Kim said:
“Nice variety of safety devices included. Purchased for daughter on her first drive home (approx 3200 miles round trip) after moving away, more for my piece of mind than theirs but they appreciated. Happy to know it was received in good condition, as expected, and didn’t seem like a cheap set with a bunch of useless stuff.”
Comes in a durable poly-canvas duffel • Includes a 64-piece first aid kit
A bit pricey • Some reviews claimed jumper cables weren’t sturdy
You’ll feel like you can can take on any challenge with this kit by your side.
This kit is so well-prepared that it has a kit within a kit. The 64-piece first aid kit is just a part of everything it offers. It includes a good number of pieces that are not typically included in others, such as a heavy-duty tow strap, an 11-In-1 multi-tool, bungee cords, a magnesium fire starter, and a roadside warning sign.
Don’t worry, it’s not all flashy. It also includes staples like a flashlight and emergency blanket.
Although pricier than others, it seems like a fair trade for all you’re getting.
Customer Jaguarbob said:
“This is a great roadside emergency kit – which is exactly what I was looking for. It seems like it would take up a lot of trunk space with all that’s included, but it really doesn’t take up much more room than the old pair of jumper cables that I had in my trunk previously. If you’re looking for the right one-stop-shop type kit, this is the one. I never even thought about the need for some of this gear – and now, luckily, I don’t have to think about it again because it’s all in the same compact bag and I know it’s going to be right there in my trunk in the event that I ever need it! I even decided to pick up a second one as a gift.”
