Renting a car can be an easy way to drive around locations, especially when in a new city or country.
However, while it’s more convenient, easy, and flexible, there is also a negative part to it.
For instance, when the rental car gets totally damaged or stolen. In any of these scenarios, you could be frustrated at what happen would happen next.
This article explains everything you need to know about what happens in the event of a stolen rental car and what to do about it.
What happens if your rental car gets stolen?
When a rental car is stolen, unless you signed up for a loss damage fee waiver or comprehensive insurance, you’d be required to pay an amount worth the car’s value before it was stolen, provided the car is not found.
Now, there are a lot of theories and exceptions to this.
As a matter of fact, you could be charged for it, the rental company can be held responsible, your insurance company could be liable to pay, or the police would take it up to find the thief.
However, generally, you’re required to pay for all rental charges, as the day goes by, till the car is found. On some occasions, this would occur till the car’s VIN/plate is listed on the NCIC.
Basically, what happens when a car rental is stolen depends on a number factor, which is being simplified as follows:
- The Car rental company behind the car
- Whether you had Insurance or not
- Location of the keys when the car was stolen
- Whether you filed a police report within 24 hours or not
The Car rental company behind the car
In the event of a stolen rental car, most people might want to settle the case by themselves to avoid unnecessary charges from the rental company. However, that’s a bad idea.
One reason you shouldn’t do this is that if a rental car stays for too long without being returned (even though, you didn’t mean it) you could be charged with a felony.
Of course, you didn’t mean bad. But that’s how the industry works
As a result, you would need to know the policies of the car rental company you rented from, before taking action.
Below is a list of these policies:
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- Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, and Firefly
At these companies, you’re required to immediately forward the incident to the police department nearest to where the incident occurred, if the car is stolen.
Following that, you’ll also need to fill out a Vehicle theft report document, as seen below, that can be found here.
Note that you’d continue to pay for all charges, depending on your daily bill, till the car’s VIN/plate is listed on the National Crime Investigation Center. Hence, the reason why you should hurry up to the police.
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- Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo
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- Following Enterprise, National, and Alamo policy, in the event of a stolen rental car, you’re required to hastily report the crime to the police station, within 24 hours of the theft.
- It’s also demanded you return back to the rental location, explaining what has occurred, alongside the protocol filled at the police station.
- Read more on Enterprise’s stolen car policy.
- Avis and Budget
- Just as we’ve said above, you need to make a police report, which would be presented to the car rental company.
- According to Avis and Budget’s policy, they would try their possible first, with the help of the police and tracker to find the stolen car.
- However, if they’re not able to find the car, you’re required to pay for the market value of the car before it was stolen, regardless of whose fault it is.
- The only exception to this would be when you have a Loss Damage waiver.
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Whether you have Insurance Coverage or not
If you have an insurance package either from a third party or the car rental, with a loss or damage auto policy, you’d be covered when the rental car is stolen.
Now, don’t confuse this with every Insurance package.
As a matter of fact, not every insurance is capable of covering the stolen property.
Most car rentals have extra rental protection products such as Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Insurance, Supplemental Liability Protection, etc.
Alternatively, third-party insurance also offers this service alongside their personal insurance packages.
Generally, If you were able to sign up for the Damage Waiver before the rental car was stolen, you would be covered. As a result, won’t be liable to pay for the cost of the car.
If you’re covered, note that you still need to follow the right procedures, of contacting the police, rental location, and the company behind your insurance.
You can also perform a check on your simple insurance package, to find if there’s any related policy guiding rental car loss.
Location of the keys when the car was stolen
Most Car rental companies are conscious of how Renters keep the keys to their cars, as a result, they have policies guiding them.
Obviously, this is because of how easily cars could be stolen when the keys are not in them.
Generally, if you leave a rental unlocked or the key inside before it is stolen, you’d be responsible for the car, regardless of any theft protection package you have.
For a car rental company like Alamo, this is boldly stated on their damage waiver terms and conditions page.
Again, the only exception to this would be when you have a comprehensive insurance package.
Whether you filed a police report within 24 hours or not
On some rental companies’ policies, it’s written boldly that renters are required to file a report to the police in the event of a theft as quickly as possible, within 24 hours.
Failure to do this, you stand a chance of getting any protection you had with the company or a third-party insurance company nullified.
Final Thoughts
If your rental car is stolen, below’s what to do:
- Rush into any nearby police station close to where the incident occurred. Provide them with all the information needed.
- Contact the car rental location, and report the case to them, providing the police report. Note that you might also need to fill out an incident form.
- Keep a close eye on the investigation and do well to follow up.
