Who is Responsible if Your Rental Car Breaks Down?
A reliable and national rental car company is frequently advised as a method to obtain a well-maintained vehicle that can handle the demands of a lengthy road trip.
However, even rentals can break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road. The answers depend on your rental company’s roadside assistance plan, rental insurance choices, and comprehensive auto insurance coverage.
Call the Rental Car Company
Begin by informing the vehicle’s legal owner, which is most often the rental car company. They have the tools to dispatch a local tow truck or send an assistance vehicle to give you a jump start. It’s also a standard procedure to notify the firm when it’s safe.
Even if you utilize services offered by other businesses, inquire about reimbursement from the rental firm before deciding to use any service they’re not responsible for delivering.
Customers who received emergency roadside assistance as part of their rental agreement or purchased optional rental insurance for designated disasters should expect a reply from the company immediately since they are currently providing these services.
Utilize Your Roadside Assistance Insurance
Suppose you have a comprehensive emergency roadside assistance strategy in place. In that case, the rental company may want you to tow your vehicle to a nearby location where they can assist you with obtaining a new automobile.
If you’re in an emergency situation, such as with your vehicle near water or on the verge of burning up, don’t hesitate to call for help. It’s always a good idea to use your methods when towing a car without permission from the rental company, and it most certainly vitiates your chances of being compensated for any expenses. It may also result in extra costs on the company’s end, depending on the terms of the agreement.
Call Your Credit Card Provider
Every roadside recovery strategy includes automatic coverage for any vehicles you rent or borrow from family and friends. However, specific insurance coverage may exclude leased cars and insist you obtain rental car specific insurance.
When this happens, see whether your credit card company offers free roadside assistance. When you have a card from a major company, you’ll be shocked by what’s covered for free.
Be Weary of Extra Charges
Why pay for optional rental car insurance from the rental company when you already have vehicle insurance and roadside help?
It’s conceivable that the contract stipulates that any mechanical issues discovered during your hire are charged to the credit card you provided when signing up for the card. You could be charged hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.
The Must-Haves When Renting a Car - Insurance Coverage You Can’t Live Without
When renting a car, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got the right insurance coverage in case of an accident.
Some important coverages for your rental car are listed below.
Collision Damage Waiver - Don’t Get Caught in the Red
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is a policy that’s usually included in car rental agreements. Its an insurance policy that kicks in if you have an accident and damages the rental vehicle. These waivers usually don’t cover stuff that’s not your fault, like if you get into a fender bender because someone ran a red light.
You should know that CDW isn’t the same as having comprehensive insurance. It only covers damage to the rental car, and you’re still on the hook for any damage to other cars, property or personal injuries. Think carefully about whether a CDW is going to be enough coverage for you. It might be worth getting some extra insurance on top to give you complete peace of mind.
Supplemental Liability Protection - Don’t Let Someone Else Bankrupt You
Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) is another insurance policy that car rental companies offer. It gives you more liability coverage than the minimum limits in the rental agreement. This is especially important if you’re worried about getting sued because of an accident involving the rental car. SLP can give you some serious protection against lawsuits and claims. Some policies offer up to $1 million in coverage.
The thing is, the coverage limits from your personal insurance policy might not be enough to protect you from a big lawsuit. So take some time to figure out whether SLP is right for you. Getting extra insurance coverage will give you complete protection.
Insurance Navy can get you the best car insurance coverage at even better prices; all it takes is one phone call. Contact us at 888-949-6289 to request free cheap car insurance quotes. If you need further assistance, stop at one of our many locations.
