What to Do if Your Rental Car Breaks Down

If your car rental breaks down on the road, it’s important to know what to do. Not only are breakdowns inconvenient, but they can also pose a real danger to everyone in the car and anyone who happens to be passing by.

Should you find yourself in a broken down car, it’s important not to panic. As a Hertz customer, you’ll have access to a range of resources and support to help you handle the situation with confidence and ease. Read on to discover more.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Ensuring your safety and security
• Contacting Hertz for assistance
• Next steps after contacting Hertz
• Preventative measures when renting a car

Ensuring Your Safety and Security

The safety risks of a car rental breakdown depend on the specific situation. For example, if you’re stranded on the side of the road, you could be at risk of being hit by other cars.

Regardless of the situation, it’s important to stay calm and follow these instructions to ensure your safety and the safety of any passengers who may be with you.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe if your car breaks down:

• Move the car to the side of the road if possible.
• Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
• Exit the vehicle (only if it's necessary).
• Once you’re in a safe location, call for assistance.

Additionally:

• If you’re on a busy highway, exit the car on the side facing away from traffic and stay clear of the roadway.
• In extreme weather conditions, such as heavy snow, stay in your vehicle (if it’s safe to do so) to keep warm and dry while you wait for help.

Contacting Hertz For Assistance

At Hertz, we understand that things can go wrong on the road. That’s why we offer our customers a range of services and support, including:

Hertz Roadside Assistance

We also offer a 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Program with each car rental – which covers the mechanical defects of the vehicle.

Need emergency roadside assistance? Call: 1-800-654-5060.

When you contact Hertz Roadside Assistance, you’ll be requested to provide the following information:

• Your Hertz registration number
• Your car rental agreement number
• Your exact location
• The model, make and color of the vehicle
• A brief description of the problem
• A contact number

Hertz Premium Emergency Roadside Assistance (PERS)

Hertz Premium Emergency Roadside Assistance is an optional service. It can reduce your financial liability for services required to solve non-mechanical problems to the vehicle, or problems resulting from an accident or collision.

To add Premium Emergency Roadside Assistance to your vehicle, contact your Hertz counter representation.

Next Steps After Contacting Hertz

Waiting For Assistance…

While you’re waiting for assistance, it’s important to seek out a safe location. You must also stay with your rental car until help arrives.

If Your Car Rental Needs Repairing…

If you experience a breakdown as a result of a mechanical failure - we’ll try our best to fix the mechanical fault.

If the vehicle cannot be repaired roadside, we'll tow it to the nearest Hertz location, authorized dealer, Automobile Club or Association Service Centre.

If A Replacement Rental Car Is Needed…

If necessary, we can arrange a vehicle changeover. You don’t have to worry about being stuck in a tricky situation. We’re ready, willing and able to provide a replacement rental car so you can continue your journey with minimal disruption.

If An Accident Occurs…

If you have an accident, you should report the incident to us as soon as possible.

A Vehicle Incident Report must also be completed for each incident and returned back to us at the time of the vehicle return.

If an accident occurs, you should take the same steps you would for any other car, including:

• calling 911
• getting help for anyone who may be injured
• gathering contact and insurance information from all parties involved

Preventative Measures When Renting A Car

To help you stay safe on the road, here are some preventive measures to take when renting a car:

Inspect The Vehicle 

When you pick up your rental car, take a moment to inspect the vehicle. All our cars are kept in excellent condition, but if you notice any cause for concern, such as flat tires or prominent scratches or dents, take a photo and report it back to us before leaving the lot. Although we make sure to check vehicles thoroughly, rare occasions may occur in which we fail to notice a minor abnormality, such as a dent. If that’s the case, please bring this to a representative’s attention and they accommodate you appropriately.

Familiarize Yourself With The Vehicle

Before leaving our site, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with the car rental vehicle. Make sure you know how to operate the headlights, windshield wipers and the emergency brake. This process may only take a few minutes at most, giving you a better understanding of your vehicle and its features - so you can travel safer and drive smarter.

Familiarize Yourself With State Driving Laws

If you’re renting a car in another state, it’s essential that you familiarize yourself with the driving laws before heading out on the road. This can help you avoid any penalties or fines.

Purchase Insurance Coverage

Remember to purchase additional protection like insurance coverage or verify that your existing coverage covers rental cars.

At Hertz, we offer comprehensive coverage options for our customers, including:

• Loss Damage Waiver
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Personal Effects Coverage
• Partial Damage Waiver

Keep Important Documents With You

When you’re out on the road, it’s important to make sure you keep the following documents with you in case of emergency:

• Your driver’s license
• Your car rental agreement
• Hertz contact information

At Hertz, safety is our number one priority. We encourage you to stay safe and protect others. For more car rental tips and advice, check out the Hertz Resources blog.