Driving a car is always an exciting adventure. You’re cruising the scenic highways, visiting your favorite places of interest, and nothing seems to portend trouble. But from time to time a rental car breaks down and can ruin your trip if you do not know what to do.
When collecting a vehicle, the company guarantees its serviceability and reliability. However, a modern auto is a complex set of mechanisms. And even with regular technical maintenance, some parts can fail, resulting in a breakdown and forcing you to stop the car on the road. Not the most pleasant scenario, is it?
Indeed, we don’t live in an ideal world, but the main thing is to find a way out of the situation. So what to do if your rental car broke down? Is compensation provided? Are charges applied? Keep reading for full details.
What to do if my rental car breaks down?
So, you weren’t lucky and your rental car broke down. The degree of your responsibility depends on the availability of breakdown assistance and the reasons for the breakdown. However, follow important guidelines if this situation occurs while traveling.
- Pull over to the side of the road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. Install safety triangles in front of the rear of the car.
- Assess the situation and contact the rental car company. The phone number is available in the agreement.
- If you have purchased breakdown assistance or your personal policy/credit card insurance includes this option, please contact the appropriate authority for further action.
- If you need a spare tire, jump start, or fuel, ask them to send help.
- If no breakdown assistance is available, contact the local tow truck company, and ask the rental provider where to deliver the vehicle.
Will I be charged if my rental car breaks down?
Each company is doing everything to prevent a potential rental car breakdown. They regularly inspect the condition of the entire vehicle fleet. However, even with careful maintenance, technical faults can still occur. Often the auto breaks down without the driver’s participation, but the supplier charges the person who rented the car at the time.
The basic insurance included in the deal usually covers rental car damage cases and third-party claims. Thus, if you don’t carry additional insurance, get prepared to pay for any breakdowns. You can also find offers with breakdown cover coming by default. Unfortunately, this is the exception, not the rule. The supplier will charge you for roadside assistance, recovery, and repairs in the event of a breakdown. Carefully check the terms and conditions and related policy of a particular provider.
A rental car breaks down charge
Each supplier practices a unique approach to estimating the cost of breakdowns. The main criterion is what caused it — a flat tire, a lost/damaged key, a low battery, a broken engine, or the wrong fuel. For example, if an Enterprise rental car broke down due to incorrect fuel, a minimum fee of $670 applies. On the other hand, if a Hertz rental car broke down due to a flat tire, get prepared to pay $260 without the assistance option at hand. Check the average charges with different types of breakdowns from various companies in the following tables:
Easirent
| Cause of breakdown | Charge |
| Flat tire | $290 |
| Lost/damaged key | $375 |
| Wrong fuel | minimum $440 |
| Damaged clutch | – |
| Damaged engine | – |
| Low battery | – |
Enterprise
| Cause of breakdown | Charge |
| Flat tire | $540 |
| Lost/damaged key | $540 |
| Wrong fuel | minimum $670 |
| Damaged clutch | – |
| Damaged engine | – |
| Low battery | – |
Europcar
| Cause of breakdown | Charge |
| Flat tire | $155 |
| Lost/damaged key | $145 |
| Wrong fuel | – |
| Damaged clutch | – |
| Damaged engine | – |
| Low battery | – |
Green Motion
| Cause of breakdown | Charge |
| Flat tire | $155 |
| Lost/damaged key | $145 |
| Wrong fuel | – |
| Damaged clutch | – |
| Damaged engine | – |
| Low battery | – |
Hertz
| Cause of breakdown | Charge |
| Flat tire | $260 |
| Lost/damaged key | – |
| Wrong fuel | – |
| Damaged clutch | – |
| Damaged engine | – |
| Low battery | – |
SIXT
| Cause of breakdown | Charge |
| Flat tire | $240 |
| Lost/damaged key | – |
| Wrong fuel | – |
| Damaged clutch | – |
| Damaged engine | – |
| Low battery | – |
How to get insurance for a rental car breakdown
In view of the high fees for vehicle malfunctions, purchasing appropriate insurance becomes a matter of paramount importance. Consider what USA car rental breakdown cover options are available on your trip and how to add them to your booking.
Can I use my own breakdown cover on a rental car?
No, you can’t. A personal policy covers only your personal auto and doesn’t apply to a rented vehicle. You can count on rental car breakdown compensation if purchasing a special additional protection plan.
How do I add a breakdown cover to my booking?
You can enable it at the booking stage or at the counter. Some companies offer it as a separate option. However, most providers feature this insurance as part of an extra policy. For example, this applies to an Enterprise rental car breakdown that comes as part of Full Coverage.
Is any breakdown covered if I buy extra insurance?
Full car rental insurance usually covers all possible vehicle breakdowns. However, many faults can be caused by the driver and are therefore not included in the list of covered cases. Find them in the following list:
- Refueling with the wrong fuel. The driver is the one who fuels the vehicle, and carelessness can lead to big problems with the engine. It is important to observe the correct type of fuel indicated in the agreement and on the inside of the gas tank cap.
- Damaging a transmission. The driver may damage the transmission due to improper use. It’s more of a manual gearbox, but an automatic transmission doesn’t like rough handling either.
- Ignoring rental agreements. Taking a car off the road, illegal border crossing and interstate riding, or allowing an unauthorized person to drive may be agreement violations. If the vehicle breaks down and the company proves a breach of the contract, the additional insurance stops working.
Find a cheap and reliable rental car!
Every road trip is a little adventure, and we want to make it a success. At Rental24H.com, you get access to multiple car rental deals from large international and small regional agencies. Our wide vehicle fleet consists of mini to full-size autos, SUVs, 7-seater minivans, convertibles, luxury/premium models, and large passenger vans. Breakdown assistance is included in most of the offers, which guarantees you a hassle-free ride.
If you’re ready to organize the perfect trip, don’t waste a minute. Fill out the search form on our website and book your favorite car now!