Caser Autohelp: our emergency call system in cars

Undoubtedly, having insurance for your car is not only necessary but also compulsory if you want to drive a car in Spanish territory. Although the most important thing is to take all the necessary preventive measures to avoid an accident, once it occurs, it is vital to have a good insurance policy to cover you in such a delicate situation.

In Spain, during the year 2023 there were 1,048 fatal accidents in which more than a thousand people lost their lives. Bearing in mind these figures, and that your safety and the safety of your family come first every time you sit behind the wheel, it is important to know how the emergency call system in cars works. That's why today we're going to tell you about Caser Autohelp, the Caser car insurance that can save your life through immediate notification in the event of an accident.

How do emergency call systems in cars work?

First of all, we need to understand the concept of emergency call system in cars. This is, no more and no less, an automatic call system to the emergency service that is sent from the vehicle in the event of a serious accident. This free call system is active throughout the European Union, taking another step forward in the fight against road accidents. In Spain, when activated, a call will be made to 112, the Spanish emergency number. 

It is important to highlight that the system works in all European Union countries, which is why it does not matter where the vehicle was purchased or registered; the call will contact the nearest emergency service. This system has been mandatory since 2018, when it was established that all homologated 0km cars would be fitted with the system when they left the dealership.

While the call is made in an automatic way, it could also be made manually via an emergency button. Along with the call, some basic information about the car in question will also be sent to speed up the whole process (e.g. its location, direction, time of the accident, etc.). But what happens if my car does not currently have this system?

If your car was registered before 2018 and does not have the e-call system, you are not obliged to install it. However, you should be aware that there are e-call services provided by third parties, known as SPTs, which can offer additional services in addition to the emergency call.

An app that can save your life: Autohelp by Caser

Caser Autohelp is an emergency rescue service that is activated in the event of a serious accident via a mobile app. This is its first advantage: you don't need to install it in your car. You can activate it easily and safely on your own mobile phone. This way, all you need to do is to carry your phone with you when you get in the car.

If you're concerned about coverage areas, you'll be pleased to know that it works throughout Spain, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And the best part: this service is included in all Caser car insurance policies. To use this service once you have taken out any of the Caser insurance policies for your car, all you have to do is download the free Caser Autohelp app on your mobile phone and register with your mobile phone number and the number plate of your vehicle.

So, in the event of a serious accident, the Caser Autohelp app will notice the impact through the sensors of the smartphone and it will send an emergency signal with your location. First of all, Caser will try to contact you to find out your current condition. If you do not answer, an ambulance will be sent to your location. Please note that your geolocation must be active at all times, although data is not sent permanently, it will only be sent in the event of an accident.

If you don't yet have your car insurance, you can take a look at the ones Caser has designed for expats like you who need cover in Spain. There are three options available: Car insurance comprehensive insurance, Third Party with Windscreen cover and Extended Third Party Car Insurance. After checking which one suits you best, you can use the quote calculator to work out the cost of your policy. In any case, Caser AutoHelp will be included so that you can travel with peace of mind throughout Spain.

Assistance during the golden hour

Whenever we talk about medical assistance during a traffic accident, we always focus on the response time, which varies depending on our location. In Spain, in urban areas the response time is around 10 minutes. In rural areas, on the other hand, this time can be as long as 20-30 minutes. These times vary depending on the accessibility of the area in question and the state of traffic at the time. There is a direct relationship between response time and the survival of road accident victims, which is why it is so important to reduce response time wherever possible.  

In addition to response time, there is another key concept: the golden hour. In road safety this refers to the hour immediately following an accident. During the golden hour medical assistance will be crucial to avoid complications and in some cases to prevent death. This is the reason why it is of vital importance to have all possible means at our disposal to receive a response as soon as possible in the event of an emergency. The pre-hospital care that we can receive in a mobile unit can have a very positive influence on the subsequent evolution of the patient.

As you can see, thanks to advances in telecommunications, it is becoming easier and easier to call for help in emergency situations. Emergency call systems in cars make the roads safer and safer, as long as we take the necessary precautions when we get behind the wheel. Now that you know how they work, don't hesitate to have one active in your car to protect you and your loved ones.