What to Do If Your Rental Car Breaks Down or Gets Damaged
It's important to know what to do if your rented car breaks down on the road. Breakdowns are not only annoying, but they can also be very dangerous for everyone in the car and anyone else who is nearby.
If your car breaks down, don't freak out. There are many helpful resources in this blog post on the dos and don’ts of renting a car that will help you deal with the situation with confidence and ease.
What to Do If Your Rental Car Breaks Down
A car that suddenly coughs and dies on the road is the worst thing that can happen to your vacation plans. If your rental car breaks down, do these things right away to stay safe and get help quickly:
1. Pull Over Car Safely
If you hear weird noises, see warning lights, or lose power, signal and move the car to the side of the road as far away from traffic as you can.
Stop in a place that is level and stable. Your first goal is to get out of the way of cars and not cause an accident.
Don't merely stop in an active lane; even if your car is losing power, attempt to go to a safe place. If the engine is growing loud, stop and turn off the engine and activate the handbrake.
2. Use a Warning Triangle and Turn on Your Hazard Lights
Right away, turn on your hazard flashers. Put on your high-visibility vest before you get out of the car.
Put the warning triangle a considerable distance behind your car, about 45 to 50 meters is best, or even farther out on fast roads.
3. Be careful, Active and Stay Safe
If you're on a highway or other busy road, it's normally best to get out of the car using the passenger side doors away from traffic and wait well away from the road, maybe behind a barrier or up an embankment if you can.
If your car is in danger of being hit, don't stay in it for long. Also, never stand in front of or behind the car.
If you're on a quieter route and it appears safe to stay inside, as in poor weather or an area you don't know well, keep your seatbelt on and your doors locked while you wait for help.
4. Contacting Premier luxury club Roadside Assistance
If you experience issues while driving your rental vehicle, it's important to get help as soon as possible. Most major rental car companies offer emergency support, including:
Premier luxury club Roadside Assistance
Most rental car companies provide a 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Hotline with each rental – offering help in case of breakdowns or mechanical issues.
Need roadside help right away? Refer to your rental agreement for the emergency contact number and call immediately.
When you contact Premier luxury club Roadside Assistance, you’ll be asked to provide the following information:
Your full name and identification
The rental car registration number
Your rental agreement number
Your exact location
The make, model, and color of the vehicle
A brief description of the issue (including any warning lights or unusual sounds)
A contact phone number
5. Don't Try to Fix Big Things on Your Own
If you know a lot about mechanics, you usually still need the rental company's permission to make repairs.
If the car is completely stuck, they might send you a new one or tell you where the next branch is so you can switch cars after the old one is towed.
6. Call Local Emergency Services if Needed
If you need help, you can also call the police if your car breaks down in a risky place, such the middle of the road, or if you feel unsafe, like on a dark highway at night.
If you need help right away, call 911 in the USA. They will send roadside help or the police to make sure the area is safe if necessary.
7. Document the Situation (if it's safe to do so)
While you wait, it can be good to do this, especially if you can see a problem like smoke, a fluid leak, a flat tire, or if the breakdown was caused by an accident.
This paperwork can be helpful later when you need to talk to the rental company or your insurance. But only do this if you can do it safely, away from the traffic. Your main goal is to stay safe until rescue comes.
What caused the breakdown-and who is at fault?
After you've taken care of the immediate issue, the next significant question is: Who pays for a rented car that breaks down?
Depending on what caused the breakdown, the rental company or you, the driver, may be responsible for it.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most typical situations:
1. Mechanical failure because of normal wear and tear - The rental company is responsible if the car's engine dies or the battery dies while you are driving.
2. Breakdown because the driver was careless or misused the vehicle - If the breakdown was caused by something you did as the driver, on the other hand, you may be responsible for the damage.
3. Breakdowns caused by accidents -
If the car breaks down because of an accident or collision, who is at fault will depend on what happened in that accident. If you crashed the car or someone hit you, it's no longer just a breakdown; it's damage from an accident.
Your rental's collision insurance (CDW) or your car hire excess insurance should cover the repairs in these circumstances. However, you will probably have to pay the excess until the insurance company settles.
If another driver was at fault, their insurance might cover it in the end, but you might still have to pay the extra money right away.
What does standard breakdown help include?
Most of the big car rental businesses provide basic services for roadside assistance in the price of the rental. This normally covers things like towing and fixing mechanical problems that aren't the renter's fault. In other words, it protects their own car.
For example, if the engine fails, the car rental company will pay to tow and fix it. But even basic help usually doesn't cover problems caused by the driver.
What does breakdown insurance cover?
Car rental firms provide roadside assistance packages for an additional daily price to keep you safe. This type of comprehensive breakdown cover, which you may get from the rental company, usually pays for towing and repairs when your car breaks down because of a mechanical problem and also for any accidents caused by the driver.
If you have this coverage and your car breaks down, you may phone the assistance number and they will take care of everything for free, including getting your car back on the road, fixing it, and sometimes even giving you a new car or taking you to your next destination.
Common Exclusions that You Should Aware of:
Misfuelling: Many plans don't cover it because it's seen as a costly mistake by the driver.
Damage to the clutch: If you burn out the clutch, insurance companies usually say it's the driver's fault.
Tyre damage: This is not covered unless you get special tyre protection.
Lost keys: Basic policies might not cover lost keys or keys that are locked in the car.
Outdoors Driving: If you drive badly or break the rental terms, the policy is worthless. If you take the car somewhere you shouldn't and it breaks, the breakdown protection won't help you.
Coverage Options & Must-Have Documents
Many rental car companies provide their customers a wide range of coverage options, such as:
Loss Damage Waiver
Personal Accident Insurance
Personal Effects Coverage
Partial Damage Waiver
Keep Important Documents With You
When you’re out on the road, it’s important to make sure you keep the following documents with you in case of emergency:
Your driver’s license
Your car rental agreement
Your Vehicle Registration
Proof of Insurance
Emergency Contact Information
Medical Information/First Aid Kit
Conclusion
In conclusion, dealing with a rental car breakdown or damage can be stressful, but staying calm and informed makes all the difference. Always contact the rental company immediately to report the issue and follow their instructions.
Document everything, including photos and notes, for your protection. Check your rental agreement and insurance coverage beforehand so you know what to expect in such situations.
Whether it’s a minor issue or a major accident, clear communication and quick action can help resolve the problem efficiently, keeping your travel plans on track and ensuring a smoother overall rental experience.
If you have more questions about car rentals, check out: Top 25 FAQs About Car Rentals.
