It can be daunting if your rental car breaks down, especially if you are driving abroad. Fear not, at Zest we only work with providers that include breakdown assistance meaning you won’t be left stranded if your vehicle goes kaput. Getting a recovery can be as easy as 1-2-3 if you follow these steps:
IMPORTANT: When taking vehicles out of the country from which they are hired, full breakdown service may not be available. Get in touch with us for guidance if you plan on renting a car and driving it into another country
Safety first!
The is the most important step! Breaking down is never ideal, but breaking down in a busy road can be dangerous. Prioritise the safety of you and your passengers, assess whether the area you are pulled over is safe and turn on the hazard lights to make other drivers aware of your situation. If your vehicle is in a hazardous spot, ensure to exit all passengers from the vehicle and stand in a safe spot.
Contact your car rental provider
Once you’re in a safe position, you will need to call for breakdown assistance. Your breakdown assistance will always be included with your booking and guidance for what number to call will be included on your voucher. If a direct breakdown number is not included or you’re unsure who to contact, ring the provider directly for assistance. Most rental car providers will have a 24/7 helpline for emergencies, so you should be able to reach them regardless. If you can’t get a hold of your provider, ring us immediately.
Follow their instructions
Your provider/breakdown assistance number will then talk you through the next procedures you will need to follow. If your rental car is unable to be repaired on the roadside, you will be provided a new vehicle to continue using for the remainder of your rental period.
Document the issue/damage
Whilst you’re waiting for assistance, we advise documenting the issue/breakdown for insurance purposes and to protect yourself from potential liability. Take photos or videos of the car’s condition and any relevant details related to the breakdown. Bear in mind that this may not be possible if your vehicle has broken down in a hazardous spot. Don’t put yourself at risk if photos cannot be safely taken.
Possible insurance follow ups
Depending on the reason for the breakdown and the insurance you have taken out, you may be liable for the repair costs. Standard breakdown cover only covers mechanicals faults meaning flat tyres will not be covered unless you have additional insurance. Additionally, mechanical faults will only be covered if you haven’t been negligent! For added protection with breakdowns, consider taking out the additional provider insurance or our Top-up.
Top-up Insurance covers more if your rental car breaks down
To cover other additional areas that aren’t covered by the standard insurance, Zest offers an industry-leading Top-up insurance available as an optional extra. For a small daily cost, our Top-up insurance covers wheels, tyres, glass, underbody, roof, keys, locks, misfuelling, lockouts, and battery failure. Again, the insurance only covers you if you haven’t been negligent.
For more information on car rental insurance and our industry-leading Top-up Insurance, read our complete car hire insurance guide.
Good article on what happens if your rental car breaks down but the article does not mention loss of days rental or extra costs involved such as taxis, and additional transport.
Hi,
Thank you for your comment.
In regards to reimbursement in the event of a rental car break down, there is no clear cut answer as the process differs from provider to provider. Many providers will offer to come out and fix/replace the vehicle within a few hours, and costs like additional transport and loss of days can be claimed back after your booking.
We like to recommend our Top-up Insurance for travellers who would like to be fully covered. With our Top-up Insurance, in the instance of a vehicle battery failure for example, you will be reimbursed for the replacement battery, fitting charges, additional travel expenses, replacement rental vehicle and call out charges (all up to the amount on the certificate of insurance).
Although we’re unable to provide you with a definite answer, I hope this response helps!
Kind regards,
Katherine
Zest Car Rental