MapQuest, along with Urgent.ly, offer on-demand, membership-free roadside assistance
MapQuest Inc. and Urgent.ly announced yesterday, November 11, an integration between the two companies that will allow users across the U.S. to connect with emergency assistance 24/7, through its mobile application. MapQuest is a mapping service with over 40 million users and is owned by AOL. Urgent.ly, a roadside assistance company was founded in 2013, is run by several former AOL executives.
In a statement Nate Abbott, head of product, MapQuest said “MapQuest is interested in providing innovative, reliable services to our users in a way most meaningful to them. Urgent.ly’s model proves consumers are moving toward on-demand structures for everything, including roadside assistance. This integration allows MapQuest to provide a unique, pioneering service to our users without the inconvenience of antiquated systems”.
Urgent.ly CEO, Chris Spanos said, “By partnering with MapQuest, we can take Urgent.ly nationwide, bringing on-demand emergency roadside assistance to customers throughout the US. For the first time, drivers will have access to transparent, reliable roadside help through a free navigation app, without membership fees or expensive auto club dues. Because Urgent.ly offers flat-rate pricing and only charges drivers for services they actually use, we can provide help to millions of MapQuest users whenever and wherever they need it.”
The app is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and requires iOS 7 or higher. Without going through a separate application, any of MapQuest’s 41.5 million users can simply tap the ‘roadside assistance’ button. A user will then be able to choose the problem they are experiencing like flat tyre or jump-start. The user will then be required to enter their name, phone number, make and model of their car.
Credit card details are also required. The service is free of charge, but obviously, users of the service will be responsible for any work that is done. No credit card charges will happen until work takes place. Once a user shares their location through the app, Urgent.ly will connect the user with a nearby service provider.
A user will then be able to track the progress of the service provider as well as an ETA.
Roadside Assistance was added to the Android version of MapQuest in October.
For people without a membership to a roadside assistance program, like AAA, the service that MapQuest and Urgent.ly are offering is bound to come in handy the next time they are stuck on the side of the road.
For more info and details take a look at MapQuest’s Help Page.
photo credit: aldenjewell via photopin cc
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