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What Happens If A Rental Car Breaks Down? Who Pays For The Repairs?

Renting cars is very popular in the country and across the globe. It offers great convenience to those who like to travel. A car rental is an excellent option When planning a road trip with your friends or family. You can ensure flexible travel and explore more places without relying on public transport.

Renting a car for travel can be fun, but what if it breaks down in the middle of your journey? Car breakdowns can happen anywhere, anytime. No matter what type of car rental you have booked, breakdowns are quite possible. But what should you do if your car stops working in the middle of your journey? If you are also finding an answer to the question, let's find it together.

How You Should React In A Rental Car Breakdown?

Breakdowns are frustrating and can take your entire day. If you are traveling with your family, you want everybody to be safe. Here are the steps that you need to take in an event like breakdown:

Safety First

If a car breakdown happens, you should get yourself and your passengers to a safer side. It would be great if you could find a parking spot nearby. However, if you don't find any, pull the vehicle off the road as far as possible.

Ensure that the vehicle's front wheels are facing away from the road. Thus, there will be fewer chances of passing vehicles crashing into it.

Contact For Help

During a car rental breakdown, you might be stopped in an area that is deserted or unfamiliar to you. Also, it may be late at night, making you feel more unsafe. So, you call 911 for help. You can also call on your insurer's roadside assistance phone number.

If the breakdown happens in a populated and safe area, and there is nobody injured, then you might not have to call 911. When everything is safe, contact the rental company and then a tow truck if needed.

Do An Inspection Of The Rental Car

Inspect the rental car to check the site where the breakdown has happened. If there is a technical malfunction, you'll convince the rental company that you weren't responsible for that and mustn't be held liable for paying the repair costs.

With your phone's camera, click the pictures of the damaged or broken parts (if visible). Furthermore, if your negligent driving is the reason for the breakdown, there may be chances you will be held liable to pay for damages.

Remember: This may not be the case if the breakdown happens in a potentially hazardous area. Also, no need to put yourself at risk if you cannot take the pictures safely.

Who Pays For The Repairs In A Rental Car Breakdown?

In most cases, the renter itself is liable to pay for the damages in a rental car breakdown. If the renter doesn't possess any additional coverage for the rental car, they are likely to be liable for paying the damages. But if they have added coverage, it may cover the rental car breakdowns. So they do not need to panic about paying for the damages in such an incident.

A majority of rental contracts possess only basic insurance coverage for damage, theft, and third-party damages. Breakdowns are generally not covered in this insurance plan. The rental car service provider will later charge the renter for any recovery, repair, or roadside assistance.

It is possible to get a rental contract that incorporates coverage for breakdowns. However, these are very rare to find.

How Can A Renter Add Breakdown Coverage To Their Rental Car Reservation?

Breakdown coverage is generally a part of a bigger insurance package. A renter can add it to their rental car reservation at extra cost. You might not be able to select the elements of the insurance packages. Thus, it is complicated to include only the breakdown coverage in your rental agreement.

Most rental agencies provide their customers with breakdown coverage. They offer it as a part of their added insurance plans.

It is all up to the renter. While renting a car, it is not legally mandatory to add breakdown coverage or extra cover to your booking.

Also Read: What Happens If You Take A Rental Car Out Of State (Explained)

What Are The Ways To Prevent A Rental Car Breakdown?

Negligence of the driver is one of the reasons for the most common types of rental car breakdown. Leaving the keys inside the car, filling the wrong fuel, and damaging the gearbox are a few common causes. Here are some useful tips to prevent a breakdown:

Drive With Complete Safety

The driving habits of the driver will affect the vehicle. It is important to have good driving habits, or else your rental car health will be compromised. Just stay focused on the road, maintain a safe distance between other vehicles, and don't exceed the speed limit.

Keep all this in mind, and you will refrain yourself from driving recklessly. Also, try to avoid late braking and overloading the car.

Check The Tires' Condition

Before getting on the wheels, check for any flat tire, or else you may face a problem. If you find any signs of a flat tire in your rental car, ask your service provider to replace it.

Moreover, it is important to check whether there are any over-inflated tires, as they are more susceptible to damage. Over-inflated tires can result in heat-ups and even bursts. Ensure that your car rental provider gives you vehicles that have tires in the finest condition.

What Is The Breakdown Cost Charged By A Rental Company?

A car rental service provider may charge the driver for a breakdown after the end of their rental period. The cost might differ on the basis of the problem. For example, fixing a flat battery or flat tire is pocket-friendly. But, other problems like wrong fuel fill or damaged clutch are quite costly. Below, we have mentioned some examples of breakdown costs that rental companies often charge:

  • Damaged clutch- $797 to $888

  • Flat battery- $121 to $134

  • Putting the wrong fuel- $481 to $816

  • Damaged or lost keys- $158 to $ 657

  • Flat tyre- $170 to $353

Conclusion

Rental cars often go through technical malfunctions, and this can result in a breakdown. So, most of the car-renting companies are offering car rentals with breakdown coverage. But, when it comes to the reimbursement of a rental car breakdown repairs, one of the key things considered is "who is liable." Some car rental companies provide breakdown assistance as an option for reducing the base cost of their vehicles.

Whenever you are booking a car rental, ensure to thoroughly read the rental agreement. Looking for a reliable rental car service? Contact Bon Voyage Car Rental, a renowned car rental agency, to add thrill to your next trip. We provide clients with everything that they need for their travels. From high-end sedans to economy hatchbacks, we have everything for you. Give us a call at 202 696 6487 or click here to book a car now!