If you own a car, you are alerted if and when there is a recall. But you may be wondering how car rental companies handle recalls for cars in their fleets.
Not too long ago, it was perfectly legal to rent out a recalled car that had not yet been repaired.
Then Congress passed the Rental Car Safety Recall Law in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015. The federal law prohibits rental companies from renting unrepaired recalled vehicles. In addition, now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the authority to investigate rental car companies and punish violators.
One interesting case happened in November 2022, when multiple Hertz rental cars that had been recently returned by President Joe Biden’s Secret Service detail caught on fire when parked in at the Nantucket airport. The investigation pointed to a Ford Expedition, which was under recall due to a faulty battery junction box. Luckily, nobody was hurt.
In another of the highest profile cases, sisters Raechel and Jacqueline Houck were killed in October 2004. They had been upgraded by Enterprise to a car with a known fire risk. They were driving a PT Cruiser when it caught fire due to a defective power steering hose. As smoke poured into the vehicle’s cabin, Rachel Houck lost control of the car. It then crashed head on into a semi-tractor, killing both women instantly.
The deaths of the Houck sisters led to a large financial judgment against Enterprise. Congress introduced multiple bills in an attempt to take unsafe rental vehicles off the road. But by then the major rental car companies had already decided to proactively remove rental cars with active recalls from their fleets.
What Does a Vehicle Recall Mean?
A recall issued through the NHTSA means that there’s a safety-related defect that’s present in a particular car model or models.
If a rental car company learns of a safety risk and doesn’t fix the issue, there is massive liability issue. Today, rental car companies are smart enough to handle recalls as quickly as possible. Yet in the not-so-distant past, rental car companies didn’t even contemplate whether recalled vehicles should be pulled off the road.
If you’re wondering if a particular make and model is under recall, NHTSA’s free Recall Look-up Tool lets you find out quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my car insurance include for rental cars abroad?
Insurance companies are now covering rental vehicles in foreign countries as part their overall policy coverage. If you rent a car through Hertz Europe, for example, you might be covered for any damage or losses that occur while the vehicle is being rented. This is also true if you rent a car in Mexico. Certain policies provide additional protections such as waivers for collision damages and liability. Ask your agent for information about these types policies.
Can I rent a vehicle in Italy and have it returned to France?
It may not possible to rent a car through an Italian company and drive it across Europe. Europcar offers rental cars all across Europe, so you might consider using it. For more information about renting cars or dropping them off in Italy, contact Europcar directly.
What do you need to rent a vehicle in Europe?
A variety of websites can help you find affordable European rental cars. These include Alamo and Sixt, Europcar or Hertz. Online booking is also an option.
Before renting a car, you must make sure that you have all the information necessary. This includes, but not limited to:
- Your full name including any middle names (if any)
- The address you are staying
- Date, time & location of pickup
- The vehicle to be rented must match the make and model.
- Insurance company and policy number
- Any special requests for additional equipment
- Details about the rental agreement (e.g. rate, duration, deposit, balance due after trip, excess charges and limits of liability. Cancellation penalties.
- Payment method(s) (credit card, debit card, cash, or personal cheque)
After you have obtained all the necessary information, you are able to book your vehicle with the company listed above.
Do you need a car in Europe?
The best solution to your problem depends on where you live, what you do and how you think. A typical European city might have different priorities from a rural area.
It is also important to consider how long you will be staying in each country. You may need an economical car if there are frequent trips and you don’t plan on staying in one place for long.
In most cases, buying an used car is cheaper than renting one. It is often cheaper to buy a used car than rent one in Europe. You can save on fuel, parking fees as well as maintenance and insurance costs.
Another benefit is the fact that you can drive your car without any distractions.
You can find excellent information on car rental in Europe on a variety of websites. Our recommendations are below.
Can I rent a car in Germany and return it to Switzerland?
The answer to this question depends on many factors, including what type of vehicle you are renting, how long you plan to spend driving, and whether you have any special requirements for your rental car, such as child seats, etc.
If you want to drive from Munich, Switzerland to Zurich, for example, there’s no need to book a vehicle. Public transport can be used instead. Renting a car is an option if you are planning to drive from Munich back to Barcelona, and then to the other side during a vacation.
Are hail damage and my responsibility if I rent a car in the United States
The insurance company will cover all damage caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. You can ask your rental agency to clarify if your rental vehicle qualifies for this coverage.
What is the difference between a domestic and international rental car?
Although domestic cars are less expensive than international models, they have fewer features.
International cars are more expensive but offer better comfort and safety equipment such as air conditioning, seat belts, anti-lock brakes, etc.
Consider how often you will be driving each day and the type of car you want.
You can save money if you travel within 100 miles of the airport.
An international model is best if you are going to be driving around cities and taking off-road trips.
Statistics
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
- For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
External Links
enterprise.com
kayak.com
sixt.com
autoslash.com
How To
How to report a rental-car accident
You can get into an accident while driving in a rental vehicle. You could get into an accident, your luggage might get stolen, or even worse, someone gets injured! In such cases, it is important to understand how to file an insurance claim.
In the United States, if you were involved in a car accident, it should be reported right away. By reporting the accident immediately, police can record the details and notify you of their findings. They will then either issue you a ticket or make a note of the incident at the scene. They’ll then take care of submitting a claim for your driver’s licensure.
After being in an accident, it is important to immediately call 911. A dispatcher will ask basic questions regarding the situation and whether anyone was hurt. After that, the dispatcher will inform you of where to go and whom to speak to next. Most accidents require that you exchange contact information with the other person. The other person will probably give you his/her name and phone number. Next, you’ll make sure everyone involved is okay. You’ll help someone who is unable or hurt to move independently.
Document everything even if nobody was hurt. You should record the time, place, weather conditions, road conditions and type of collision. Also, make sure to note names of those involved. It is important to get medical attention for anyone who was hurt. Keep track of all damages to your vehicle as well as the vehicle of the other person.
You’ll need to contact your insurance company. First, you’ll need to submit a claim form online. Your insurance provider will usually offer to pay the deductible amount before paying the rest of the claim. Once the claim has been settled, you and your other driver must sign an agreement. Finally, you will receive a check directly from the insurer.
You should follow your insurer’s guidelines once you have filed a case. If your policy covers renting a car or allowing you to drive it yourself, these are the rules.
