Important phone numbers for your emergency contact list

These days, a mobile phone is many people’s primary computer. You can store tons of information on your phone – from your entire music collection to your favorite cat video. There’s a good chance you’re even reading this page on a mobile device!

More importantly, your phone can also be your life-line in an emergency. So take a few minutes right now to look over this emergency phone numbers list key these important numbers into your contact list and consider what you need to keep in your phone, so you'll be prepared if something happens.

“ICE”

This number, which stands for "in case of emergency," should be your main emergency contact – a parent, spouse, close friend or whomever you want notified if something happens to you. Many first-responders and hospital personnel know to look for this number on a person’s phone.

Home

Your home landline, if you have one. If someone finds your lost cell phone, he or she can call this number to let you know your phone is intact. Emergency personnel may also try it as an alternative number if there is no answer at the ICE number.

Police (non-911 line)

In case you have an emergency or witness someone else who needs help, you can notify your local police station about the situation more rapidly if you already have the number stored in your phone.

Highway patrol

See a motorist stranded by the side of the road? Be a Good Samaritan and call the state highway patrol for assistance.

Your insurance company

If you’re in an accident, you can notify your insurance company right away and get roadside assistance or towing help if you need it. (Nationwide's toll-free number for claims is 1-800-421-3535.)

Your motor club

Membership in an auto club can get you out of a jam. Store their 800 number in case you lock your keys ins the car or get a flat tire. If you have Nationwide Roadside Assistance, that number is 1-800-421-3535.

911 and cell phones

While mobile technology is constantly improving, many mobile phones still on the market are the “dumb” variety which don’t offer any way to determine a caller’s location. And even with a smartphone, it’s possible to turn off the “high accuracy” location services that use all available means of finding you (GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and your carrier’s network). Some people opt to do this to save battery power or data, or out of privacy concerns. So if you call 911 in an emergency—and you should!—be sure to give them your location as well as your phone number and what has happened.

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