Do you want to be prepared for the worst while driving?
Do you want to ensure that any unexpected incident can be treated easily while on the go?
You have come to the right place!
If you are finding an answer to which is the best safety and emergency kit for cars and what does it do then an emergency kit has been designed to treat and fix all common problems faced by people when driving.
A flat tire or an unexpected medical emergency fit this category. These kits have been designed to alleviate these issues, ensuring that you can continue on this journey.
Although this was a brief look at safety kits for cars, this article will be taking a deeper dive into what it contains and which one a person should get.
There is a compilation of the top kits available too. So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it!
Table of Contents
Who Needs An Emergency Kit & Why?
Although the introduction briefly summarized the different scenarios where an emergency kit could be useful, let me elaborate on it more.
As safety knows no limits and is always said, “Better safe than sorry”, it is recommended to read this section of the article in its entirety to ensure that you don’t miss out on anything.
Why Would I Need One?
The first thing that many of you may be asking, why a person should buy an emergency kit, right? Well, anything can happen on the road.
From a broken windshield to injuries, anything and everything can happen. An emergency kit contains different tools that allow a person to act accordingly.
Below are two of the clear advantages of owning a kit.
1. Saves Valuable Time
The thing with emergency kits is that you don’t have to rely on anyone else to help you out if anything happens on the road. Whether it be a passer-by or a friend you know.
There is no wait, and you will be able to, in most conditions, restore your vehicle to usable condition.
Although the fixes on these kits are not meant to be permanent, they should work long enough for you to reach a mechanic and get it professionally cleaned.
2. Reduces Risks Of Injuries
As stated more than once above, an emergency kit also has supplies to help out a person if needed.
Small injuries and cuts will not risk being infected, thanks to the inclusion of the appropriate tools to fix them up.
Which Emergency Kit Should I Buy?
Now, this is an excellent question. Emergency kits come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
But what we need to focus on is which type of kit would suit you best. Well, there are a total of three emergency kits.
Let’s take a look at them down below:
1. General Use
The most preferred option among the trio is this one.
Designed for general use, an emergency kit is for people who need something that can take care of medical and automotive issues on the go.
This allows it to cover a large list of problems and is much better than all other options on the market.
2. Mechanical Use
You may have already guessed what the next type of emergency kit would be in this article.
As is suggested by the name, these kits are designed solely to ensure that most engine problems can be addressed.
There are no medical supplies in it but enough tools that you will be able to fix most issues easily.
A kit like this can include stuff like:
- Jumper Cables
- Flat Tire Treatment Options
- Air Compressors
There are many more present there, but the most important thing is that this kit guarantees to get you back on the road almost every single time.
3. Medical Purposes
The third and final type of emergency kit on the market is designed for humans instead of engines.
Now, these kits are not designed for major injuries but will treat small ones. They are medicines too, such as pain killers, which may be useful for some.
Some options from different manufacturers can also be customized to include specific inhalers in the kit for people with breathing issues.
The Best Emergency Car Kit Manufacturer
In this section of the article, we will cover the top car kit companies in existence. This brand has been chosen due to their history and overall customer ratings.
AAA
AAA stands for American Automobile Association, and it is extremely popular in the automotive communities of North America.
The Association is famous for providing zero-profit solutions to vehicle owners. Perhaps their most famous service is their roadside assistance.
It is true that the AAA, being a non-profit organization, may not cater to all people. That is why they introduced emergency kits that would help people in need without calling anyone over.
Pricings Of Emergency Kits
Now, this is an interesting topic. Before we start, I must say that you should never look for cheaper alternatives in this segment.
A price drop usually means that the quality of the products will drop drastically.
So, you should increase your budget to make sure that the package you are getting can be relied on in cases of emergencies.
Under $30
Well, this price range will not provide you with high-quality products. The choice of materials may even be subpar, but they do get the job done.
You can usually get either a medical kit or an automotive one. A general kit does not fit this price tag, as it houses a lot of items.
A medical kit, at this price, should be of good quality because medical equipment such as gauze pads are inexpensive.
$30-$60
We are slowly stepping into the big leagues now. You will be able to find a variety of different options. This is also the price range where there will be general use options too.
These are the ones that are a combination of medical and automotive kits. These kits usually have around 50 to 70 pieces.
The product quality also improves. These are the kits that are mostly recommended, thanks to the excellent price to performance ratio.
Above $60
This is where things start getting serious. Did you notice that some of the kits in the above list were offering more than 100 pieces?
Well, that is the idea of a premium kit. At a relatively low cost, they have everything there needs to be in an emergency kit.
These are most sought after because of their ability to handle any and all issues. You will usually only find general-purpose kits in this price tag.
Standalone kits do not get this expensive. They fall in the range of the previous two categories.
Other Things To Consider When Buying
It is not as simple as narrowing down the best product on the market and then buying it.
You should consider a few other things before finalizing your purchase.
Let me list some of them, so you know what you should do:
The Space Taken
This is an extremely important one. Although a kit is meant for a store in the trunk of the vehicle, there are people who keep it filled up to the brim.
In cases like that, you need to make sure that the kit will be stored easily. It is not easy to return a product after ordering it.
The Size Of The Kit
If the manufacturer has not listed how many components are present in the package, then you need to look out for keywords such as small or premium.
If it is written that the product is for automotive use only or medical uses, then they are classified as small kits. They usually don’t take up too much space.
6 Top Rated Car Safety And Emergency Kits Comparisons
This is the part all of you have been waiting for. I will now be listing and getting into the details of all the top safety and emergency kits available right now.
Every single product on this list will impress you, and you should consider all of them before making the final decision.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | EDITOR'S RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK | 9.7 | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
9.5 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
9.1 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
8.8 | CHECK ON AMAZON | ||
BEST BUDGET | 8.6 | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
8.2 | CHECK ON AMAZON |
1. Lifeline 4388AAA Excursion Road Kit
This Lifeline 4388AAA Excursion Road Kit comes in the first place and takes the lead overall competitors.
This 76-piece kit has earned a solid five-star rating from more than 500 people, which is more than enough to confirm if it is good or not.
Let’s take a look into what is included in the bag. The manufacturer made sure to make this general-purpose kit perfect for almost all scenarios.
It has included an air compressor, a booster cable, a flashlight, different screwdrivers, and a full-fledged aid kit.
You will be able to tackle all issues as soon as they appear.
If your vehicles break down in the middle of the road, you can use the included warning triangle to signal to nearby drivers that you may need help.
It does get the job done, but when compared to offerings from other manufacturers, this one falls behind.
- General-purpose kit
- Included warning triangle
- Full-fledged aid kit
- Excellent instructions
- The air compressor is weak
As this company is a partner with AAA, there was no doubt that it would perform excellently. It is one of the best products on the market and will help you out when needed.
2. Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit
Taking the second spot is another great product.
With more pieces and more ratings, it is certainly the emergency kit to go for if you want to ensure that you get everything possible without risking anything.
Let’s inspect what comes inside the package and confirm if this Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit is worth it or not.
The manufacturer claims that this product is the highest quality one available online. That is a bold claim, and with more than 800 content buyers, this could be true.
The kit has 110 pieces, which will help you in many ways; a 64-piece first aid kit, jumper cables, an emergency blanket, a flashlight, and even a multi-tool.
These tools are perfect for treating any small issues that may occur on the ride.
Being an on-the-go product, it is truly remarkable, and you will never have to worry about housing multiple kits in your car.
Regardless, the manufacturer should look into this issue because a dead battery is one of the more common issues while driving.
- 110-pieces
- Designed for general use
- Solid 5-star rating
- Low-quality jumper cables
Apart from the cables, the company has introduced a solid product and one that comes directly into competition with AAA.
3. Performance Tool 60220 Premium Roadside Emergency Kit
Coming in third place is another excellent product from the company, the Performance Tool Store.
This Performance Tool 60220 Premium Roadside Emergency Kit has been designed for people looking to get the bare essentials and nothing extra to make sure that they get a compact and easy-to-store package.
Even the manufacturer classifies this kit as a package containing only essential tools.
So, what is included in the purchase?
Well, there is a very impressive 250 PSI tire inflator, a jumper cable, and a warning triangle to signal that your car has broken down.
A tire gauge and electrical tape is also present in the package. Other stuff is included, including a flashlight, pliers, bungee cords, and a screwdriver.
As there are no medical supplies included in the box, this one is solely for automotive use.
The manufacturer was kind enough to include a carrying case, which is great for keeping everything safely stored.
This suggests that the manufacturer has a quality control issue and must address it as soon as possible.
- It contains bare essentials only
- Compact package
- Included carrying case
- Faulty tire inflator
The manufacturer should work to improve its quality control because the customers are placing their trust in them. So, it is their responsibility to deliver.
4. Kolo Sports Roadside Emergency Car Kit
Arriving in fourth place is a product that is perfect for people who are looking for something that has been properly tested by many people.
With over 1000 happy customers, Kolo Sports is the company to go for. This Kolo Sports Roadside Emergency Car Kit is very impressive. Continue reading to find out more.
This emergency pack is a 156-pieces one. This is more than any of the products that were listed above.
Kolo Sports has packed in all of the things required to make sure that any unexpected issues will not lead to you being stranded in the middle of the road.
The package includes a 25-piece tool kit, a proper tire repairing kit, and a first aid kit too.
Whether it be a breakdown or a dead battery, everything will be solved with the help of this emergency kit.
The aid kit, on the other hand, has bandages, cotton balls, and much more to ensure that small injuries will not have a chance to get infected.
It looks like Kolo Sports has to improve the product quality to make sure that buyers don’t have to get frustrated even more in the middle of the road.
- General use kit
- Full-fledged aid kit
- It can be used for tire repairs too
- Low quality
Although the choice of materials may not be top-notch, after checking out dozens of ratings, I can assure you that the emergency kit will work flawlessly whenever you need it.
5. Ready America 70280 72 Hour Emergency Kit
Now, this fifth product is one of the most impressive ones I have seen so far. It is an emergency kit designed for not only medical purposes but for survival too.
Yes, that’s right. This is a proper kit that has been designed for any and all emergency situations when outdoors.
This Ready America 70280 72 Hour Emergency Kit can be used to sustain two people for more than 72 hours. That is impressive.
For cars, however, it can be classified as a medical kit. The 33-piece first aid kit is perfect for minor injuries and wounds.
You can clean and disinfect them with the supplies included in the package. Ready America has also included two food bars that can be eaten for quick energy.
There are water pouches too. All of this has a five-year shelf life, which means that you will not have to worry about them expiring for a long time.
The manufacturer should make sure to provide users with new products that are, at best, six months old.
- Can be used for survival purposes
- 33-piece first aid kit
- Included food bars and water pouches
- The expiry date is dangerously close
There is no doubt that this product from Ready America is a great one.
The company should focus on sending users new products so that this medical kit does not cause any more issues and health problems for them.
6. Kitgo Car Emergency Kit
Coming in the sixth and final position is another decent alternative. This Kitgo Car Emergency Kit has racked up almost 600 positive ratings, making it famous and reliable.
This is the only product in this article that is offered in different variations. Let’s take a closer look and find out more.
There are two buying options when you purchase this emergency kit. There is a 13-piece one, and there is a 75-piece one.
Both of them are designed for different scenarios. The 13-piece one contains everything there is to fix vehicle issues.
A flat tire or a dead battery will not be your concern anymore with this kit. The 75-piece alternative, on the other hand, is designed for general use.
It has medical equipment too, which is housed inside of a first aid kid. It also has a flashlight, a snow shovel, and even a reflective west.
So, you will be able to tackle any and all issues that can occur when you are on the road.
Others reported that the flashlight or the snow shovel was broken on arrival. This may be due to the poor choice of materials.
Kitgo should look into these complaints and fix them as soon as possible.
- Two buying options
- Included reflective vest
- High-quality first aid kit
- Broken items on arrival
- Subpar product quality
In case of an emergency, this is one of those products that you can trust blindly. If you receive a package that is fully intact, then you don’t need to worry about anything failing you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although I hope that the above article was simple enough that a purpose of an emergency kit would be clear enough, I have still included FAQs that will answer some of the most commonly asked questions.
Q1. Where Should An Emergency Kit Be Stored?
There are two possible places where a kit can be stored. It can either be in the trunk or under a car seat. This solely depends on the size of the kit.
If it is a single-use kit, such as a medical one, then the seat is the best option for easy and quick access. If it does not fit, then you can store it in the trunk.
Q2. Can An Emergency Kit Be Modified?
Yes, they can! Of course, stuff like gauze pads and bandages can only be used once.
After everything has been used, it does not mean that you have to buy a new one. You can replace them with new ones, which can be of better quality too.
Q3. Why Is A Flashlight Important In A Car Emergency Kit?
If you are stuck on the side of the road, at night, with your phone almost about to die, there is nothing that will help you lighten everything up except for a flashlight.
Phone batteries can barely last a day. Unless you have a power bank, a flashlight is the best option.
Q4. What Should Be Included In A Car Safety Kit?
Unless you want to get stranded deep in an unfamiliar area, you should ensure that the following items are present in your car safety kit.
This will guarantee you have the proper supplies necessary to fix the car if you run into a common issue.
- Maps
- First Aid Kit
- Spare Tire With A Jack
- Jump Starter
- Jumper Cables
- Gas Can
- Fire Extinguisher
- Antifreeze
- Oil
- Spare Fuses
- Food And Water Supplies
These items will help resolve any major issue that a car might face while also making sure that you are well aware of your situation and have the supplies necessary to survive if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Q5. Do Cars Have Emergency Kits?
The owner should stack their car with the supplies necessary to ensure survival if the car starts to show issues.
While you can get the occasional spare tire with a jack, you will unlikely be provided with an entire car emergency kit when purchasing the car.
It might be possible you can get one bundled in with your car. Otherwise you will have to purchase the car emergency kit yourself or even make one yourself.
Q6. Are Car Emergency Kits Worth It?
From my standpoint, having a car emergency kit will always be worth it.
You never know when you might get stuck on the road and not be able to get in contact with services that can help you. A car emergency kit can easily help in resolving the issue in hours.
It may be situational, and many will never be forced to use it, but if you get stuck on the road, you will want a car emergency kit by your side!
Conclusion
Getting a car kit is something that most people should make a priority.
As anything can happen, they can rest assured that something can be done to get their vehicles back in working condition.
If you were in the search for the best safety kits for cars, then I can assure you that you are not going to find products that are better than the ones that were listed here.
I hope that this article may have helped you in choosing a product that suits your needs, and I hope that any confusion about the purpose of an emergency kit has been cleared.
I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.