Car rental: what to do in case of a breakdown or accident in a rented car?

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A breakdown or traffic accident in a rented car in another country is a stressful situation that requires clear and calm actions in accordance with the established regulations of the rental company. First of all, try not to panic, ensure the safety of passengers, turn on the hazard lights, and place the warning triangle at the required distance from the car.

To minimize the consequences and properly document the incident, follow this procedure:

1. Immediately contact the rental company using the hotline phone number specified in your contract or on the ignition key, and inform the operator about what happened.
2. Call the road police to the scene of the accident if it involves other road users or is a serious crash, as an official police report is a mandatory document for the insurance company.
3. Capture general views of the scene, the position of the cars, braking distances, as well as all damage from different angles and the license plates of the participants on photo and video.
4. Write down the contact details of all witnesses to the incident, as well as the details of the second driver if someone else was involved, including the name of their insurance company and policy number.
5. Fill out the accident notification form, which is usually located in the glove compartment of the rental car, but do this only after consulting with a representative of your rental company.

Keep a backup plan in reserve for unexpected road failures, such as long-term repairs or car replacement. It is useful to pre-plan two or three alternative logistics options, including public transport schedules, contacts of local taxi services, or emergency hotel booking options in case of an unexpected travel delay, which will help save your nerves and quickly adapt to any situation.

Car rental: what to do in case of a breakdown or accident in a rented car?

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