Rental Car Towing: Why You Need Help Fast

When you’re renting a vehicle and it breaks down, immediate rental car towing helps minimize the risk of additional vehicle damage and lowers the chances you will be held financially liable for the car’s problems. Also, if you’re renting a car, you’re probably on a trip. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, who wants to spend any traveling excursion on the side of the road?

Read Your Rental Agreement Before You Leave the Lot

It’s always smart to be prepared for anything, including a rental car breakdown. The first step is reading your vehicle rental agreement. Car rental companies have different policies for breakdowns and repairs, but a common thread in most of these agreements is that you must do everything in your power to limit damage to the vehicle.

That means if you notice a problem, you shouldn’t continue to drive the vehicle. Even if the vehicle hasn’t broken down, if it has another issue, you may need to call for towing to stay in compliance with the terms of your contract.

Stay Calm and Call Your Rental Company

When your rental breaks down, you should call your rental company first. They will probably have a roadside assistance contact number for you. You should tell them if you don’t feel safe so they can send police to direct traffic around the vehicle.

If for some reason they are unable to offer roadside assistance at your location, your next move should be to find a local towing company. Ask the rental car company for an authorization to contract service with a third-party towing company and maintain the documentation so you can be reimbursed later on.

Contact a Local Towing Company

When you’re renting a car, you’re paying for the privilege to drive it. Every second counts, especially if you’re stranded on the roadside. Find a local towing company that offers rental car towing and can respond 24 hours a day, seven days per week. The rental company will tell you whether to have the vehicle towed to one of their locations or to a local mechanic.

File a Police Report if Necessary

If the reason you need towing is because of an accident or a crime, such as vandalism, you must file a police report to document the damage officially. This may be required in order to prevent personal liability, depending on the terms of your rental contract. You also will need to file an official report with the car rental company. 

Rental car towing can’t be delayed — get in touch with Stauffer’s Towing right now so you can get help when you need it.