What To Do If You Have a Rental Car Breakdown

Getting a breakdown in your car definitely sucks. A breakdown in a rental car can be a nightmare.

First things first. Safely pull over and turn on your flashers. Try to determine the source of the issue—is it simple, like a dead battery or an empty gas tank, or is it complex, like an oil leak or squeaky brakes?

This guide will walk you through how to deal with rental car breakdowns.

What to Do if Your Rental Car Needs a Quick Fix

Dead battery? Flat tire? Out of gas? You can handle any problems on your own that don’t require a trip to a mechanic. You can arrange for roadside assistance, save your receipt and let the rental car company know what happened.

What may dismay a lot of renters is that roadside assistance does not necessarily cover the cost of the new battery or tire itself—just the labor cost. You may end up paying for the parts yourself if the rental car company determines that a driver error caused the problem.

If you shelled out for the rental company’s roadside assistance, use it—but be aware that the policy may cover labor but not parts. If you have AAA or a credit card whose benefits include roadside assistance, go for it. Credit card benefits usually cover dead batteries, tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout services, and basic winching.

Don’t have any of these options? Call the rental company and ask for a recommendation. Alternatively, you could also use a pay-per-use platform like Urgent.ly or the Honk app, which are affordable and fast.

What to Do if Your Rental Car Requires a Mechanic

Engine trouble? Squeaky brakes? Call the rental company. These issues aren’t a quick fix and likely require repair work. Ask the company to recommend next steps.

If the car is undriveable, ask the rental company how to arrange for a tow. Should you use a third-party service or will the rental company take care of it? You are responsible for towing charges if the car is undriveable due to your fault. Yet for the majority of mechanical issues caused by everyday wear and tear on the vehicle, you will be reimbursed.

Where should you bring the car? Save any repair receipts so the rental company can reimburse you later.

If you are going to be out of a vehicle while the car is in the repair shop, how will the rental company get you a new one? Even if you have to wait just a few hours for repairs, try to get reimbursement for that day’s rental to make up for the inconvenience.

If the car was seriously defective, ask for a full or partial refund on your rental.

Who Pays for Rental Car Repairs?

If repairs are necessary due to a mechanical defect, the rental company should cover the costs.

Sometimes there are ambiguous situations where it’s not clear if the issue is the fault of the renter or due to a commonplace mechanical issue. Did the battery die because it was old or because you left a light on in the car? Did a tire blow out because it was worn or because you ran over some glass? If it is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, the rental company will take responsibility.

But be aware that you could be on the hook for some costs. Rental agreements state that damage caused by the renter is the responsibility of the renter. If you have damage and collision coverage from the rental company or an independent insurance company like Sure, you’ll be covered. Otherwise, you’ll have to file a claim with your insurance or pay out of pocket.

Be Prepared for Unusual Circumstances

If the issue isn’t your fault, the rental car company will likely swap you into a new rental for free. Call ahead and make arrangements to drive into a rental location and replace your faulty vehicle with a new one.

What if my rental car gets impounded or clamped? If you were parked illegally, the rental company isn’t going to cover recovery fees so it’s best to pick up the car on your own. You’ll likely need to a copy of your rental agreement to get the car out of the lot.

Don’t delay getting your rental out of the impound lot, since you are liable for any damages that happen to the car, even when out of your possession.

Did you have a breakdown in a rental car? Use our flowchart to determine your next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to rent a car in Portugal, and then drop it off in Spain.

This is possible. It’s called “car hiring”. You will find many companies offering this service online.

You just need to check if the Spanish and Portuguese authorities license them.

This is the easiest way to get in touch with them. You should be able to contact them directly on their websites.

Can I rent a vehicle in Germany and have it returned to Switzerland after returning it?

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 plan to drive from Munich or Zurich, you don’t need to rent a car. You can take public transport instead. Renting a car might be a good option if your goal is to drive from Munich, Barcelona and back during your holiday.

What is the most reputable car rental company?

Hertz offers unbeatable customer service. They will help you find the perfect vehicle for your needs. They offer great prices on vehicles and have a large fleet of cars across all major metropolitan areas. You can rent a vehicle for as little as $10 per hour.

Hertz also offers free airport pick-up and drop-off services, 24-hour roadside assistance, and even a full line of accessories and equipment to ensure you stay safe while driving around town.

You can find a top-quality experience in car rental on the Hertz site today!

Can I use credit cards to pay for a rental car?

Yes. But, be aware of any additional fees that could apply when you use your card internationally. Be sure to compare rates before making a reservation. Many websites allow you to make a reservation without paying until you arrive. This saves you time and money.

Chase Sapphire provides car rental insurance for Ireland.

Yes, you can insure your vehicle for an extra EUR15 daily. You have access to a range of optional additionals including breakdown assistance, theft and personal accident.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars in foreign countries?

Insurance companies are now covering rental vehicles in foreign countries as part their overall policy coverage. You may be able to get insurance coverage for damage or loss caused by renting a car in Europe from Hertz. Mexico is no different. Some policies offer additional protections, such as waivers for liability and collision damages. Ask your agent for information about these types policies.

Statistics

If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.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)
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)

External Links

How To

12 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe

What information should I have when renting a vehicle in Europe?

When you rent a car in Europe, there are many things you should know before driving off. The type of rental car that you choose will have a huge impact on your experience. This list contains essential tips to make sure your trip runs smoothly.

Your insurance policy. Make sure your insurance policy covers international travel before you get on the road. Our guide will help you find affordable car insurance abroad.
You need the right documents. You will need a driver’s license from your country. To prove your identity and whereabouts. You should have these documents in hand so that you don’t miss deadlines.
Road Rules. Pay attention to signage indicating speed limits, one way streets and pedestrian crossings. Driving in another country can lead to fines or accidents.
Parking rules. Many cities require drivers only to park in designated areas. Make sure to read up on parking regulations before arriving in town.
Gasoline. Gas prices vary by location and country, but generally, gas costs around three times more than that back home.
Insurance requirements. For rentals older than three years, some countries require additional liability coverage. Get more information from your rental company.
GPS navigation systems. GPS navigation systems are becoming increasingly popular among travelers. It’s important to be familiar with GPS navigation systems if possible.
Radio stations. The radio station in the region you’re visiting might play music that sounds foreign to you. Don’t worry; press “0” to change the frequency to English.
Seatbelts. Seat belts are mandatory in most European countries.
Road tolls Road tolls in Europe are very common. Most are payable at meters located at major intersections.
Speeding tickets. Speeding is prohibited in large areas of Europe, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain.
Tipping. Tipping isn’t as expected in Europe than in North America. Tipping is not customary in all parts of the world. Instead, you can give a round number like 10%-15%.

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