I despise being the bearer of bad news. That is why I am so sorry to inform you that your car rental was stolen. It’s sad and depressing.
Traveling in a rental automobile makes visiting a new location simpler, faster, and safer. But you are liable if the vehicle goes stolen. Choosing the insurance option during the rental procedure may protect you from certain costs. However, you still might have to deal with the inconvenience of losing the car and your personal belongings. If your rental is stolen, do not waste time. If you do, it might cost you extra.
Checking to see if the automobile you leased is stolen or not is an easy affair.
In case of a stolen rental car, you must immediately notify the police and your car rental company. There are a few things you should do on your own as well. We have put up a checklist for you, that will guide you on exactly what you need to do if your rented car gets stolen.
STEP 1
Call the Cops
First, contact the police. They are the only ones who have the authority to use force to apprehend criminals, reclaim your rental car, or both. You should provide them with any vehicle information you have, such as the license plate number or distinguishing markers. Without adequate training, never approach a car thief on your own. Remember that carjacking is a violent crime, and offenders frequently carry firearms. So it is in everyone’s best interest to call in the pros as soon as possible to decrease the odds of encountering a dangerous criminal. Describe any personal items you left in your car, such as a suitcase or electrical equipment.
STEP 2
Inform the car rental company
Make contact with the rental business. Explain to the representative that you need to file a police report and the car’s license plate and vehicle identifying information (VIN). Automobile rental companies are not liable for any damage or theft caused by the driver or thieves while renting a car. But, you can still request a rental cost reimbursement or another rental automobile if required. You may contact their customer care to find out if their insurance will cover the costs and how to get reimbursed. The majority of automobile rental businesses provide three forms of rental insurance: liability, which protects you in the event of an accident, passenger protection, which covers you and any passengers, and complete coverage. Full coverage insurance is generally expensive, but it reduces the renter’s financial liability if the automobile is stolen.
STEP 3
Check with the credit card company
If you paid for the rental with a credit card but did not select theft coverage from the rental business, check with your credit card provider. Customers who do not own a car may be insured by their credit card provider for rental theft. If you have conventional car insurance, your credit card provider may provide supplemental coverage in these situations. Call your credit card company to learn more about your services and coverage. If your credit card has comprehensive and collision coverage, you are good to go.
STEP 4
Contact Car Insurance Company for help
If your insurance company discovers that you were in an accident and did not disclose it to them, you are in trouble. They will not compensate you for any losses (in case there was a claim). As a result, it is critical to call your insurer as soon as you notice a problem with your car. Inquire with your particular auto insurance company for help. Some automobile insurance packages protect you when you hire a car as well.
STEP 5
Make a new rental request
Some companies will send a new car rental to your location; others may ask you to visit the rental lot before replacing the vehicle. If you did not buy rental insurance, the rental firm might refuse to loan you a replacement vehicle.
While you might already know what to do if your rental car gets stolen, the checklist above is still worth checking out. It can help to make sure you don’t forget anything important. And while you forget something at the time of rental, you might have to pay a hefty price for it. It might not have a huge impact on how things play out, but, insurance claims can always become complicated by missing paperwork and information.
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