Car Rental: What to Do if Your Rental Car Has a Dead Battery

Last Updated on July 16, 2023 by Kristin

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If the battery dies in your rental car, there’s a good chance you might be able to get the issue fixed on your own — but you should be clear-eyed about what the rental agency will pay for and when you’ll foot the bill. Here’s what to do if your rental car has a dead battery.

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Your first call should be to the rental car company’s dedicated roadside assistance line or customer service number. If you bought the roadside assistance over the counter, the rental car company is responsible for covering the labor cost for replacing the battery.

Why Do Car Batteries Die?

Car batteries can die for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common are:

Leaving the car radio or lights on too long
An old, worn-out battery that needs to be replaced
Damaged components, such as the alternator or terminals
Cold weather that rapidly drains the battery’s life

If you have a dead battery because you accidentally left on an interior light, simply jumpstarting the vehicle might get it working again. But the jumpstart method may not work if the alternator or another malfunctioning component is responsible for the battery losing its charge.

What to Do If Your Rental Car’s Battery Dies

If you’ve tried to jumpstart the battery, try whatever roadside assistance you have access to. If you shelled out for the rental company’s roadside assistance, use it. You can use AAA’s roadside assistance if you’re a member. Credit card benefits usually cover dead batteries, tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout services, and basic winching.

What may dismay a lot of renters is that roadside assistance does not necessarily cover the cost of the new battery or tire itself—just the labor cost. What may dismay a lot of renters is that roadside assistance does not necessarily cover the cost of the battery itself—if it turns out the battery died because of driver behavior.

Always document any roadside assistance you receive, and keep any receipts for towing expenses or other charges. This will help make a case later if the rental car company does decide to assess any other charges.

What if You Didn’t Purchase Roadside Assistance?

After notifying the rental car company of the incident, you’ll need to arrange roadside assistance on your own. Before calling for a mechanic or a tow truck, find out if you are eligible for free roadside assistance through your credit card, personal auto insurance or membership in a club or organization.

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Rather than call a local tow service, you might save money by using a pay-per-use platform like Urgent.ly or the Honk app, which are affordable and fast.

Related:

What to Do if You Get a Flat Tire in a Rental Car
Should You Buy Car Rental Insurance?

The post What to Do if Your Rental Car Has a Dead Battery appeared first on AutoSlash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which rental car agency has the largest number of locations?

Hertz would be the correct answer, however they are not listed under location-based service providers.

What are the requirements to rent a car from Portugal?

Renting a car in Portugal requires an international driving license. A valid credit card and proof of insurance are required for payment purposes.

When making a booking, rental companies will often ask you for a passport/national ID card.

Portugal requires that you show two forms or identification to rent a car.

These documents are required by law to conform with European Union regulations on road safety. If you have any doubts regarding your identity, you might be denied entry to the vehicle until these documents can be provided.

If you do NOT have an International Driving License, you will need to obtain a translated copy from the Driver Licensing Authority of your home country.

This document needs to be translated in Portuguese and must be presented along with any other documentation. Although the cost of this document will vary depending on where it is located, it generally runs between $20-30 USD.

You may not be allowed to enter the vehicle if you fail to provide a copy your official translation.

Who is the largest car rental company in the world?

The largest car rental company in America is Hertz Corporation. Harry Hertz founded the Hertz Corporation in 1919.

Hertz Corporation has over 6,000 locations in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Additionally, Hertz Corporation owns several other businesses including hotels and real estate holdings as well as financial services and automotive parts manufacturing.

Today, there are almost 4,000,000 employees around the globe.

How much does a daily rental car cost in Europe?

We are not certain, but believe it is somewhere between $100 to $200 daily.

We recommend renting for at least 2 days, as there are so many activities and sights to see.

Consider buying a vehicle with a price range of $2000-$3000 for those who plan to stay longer.

You can travel all over Europe on this way.

Also, check to see if your credit union offers rental discounts.

Is Chase Sapphire covered for car rental insurance in Ireland

You can add EUR15 per day to your vehicle insurance. You also have the option to add a variety of optional extras such as breakdown assistance or theft insurance, as well personal accident insurance.

Which is the best car hire company in America?

The customer service at Hertz is second to none. They are always willing to help you find the best vehicle for your situation. They have a large selection of vehicles available in all major cities and offer excellent deals. You can rent a vehicle for as little as $10 per hour.

Hertz also offers free airport pickup-and-drop-off services, 24-hour assistance on the road, and even a complete line accessories and equipment to make sure you are safe while driving around town.

You can find a top-quality experience in car rental on the Hertz site today!

What countries will accept US driver's licences?

The United States does a not recognize driver's licenses issued by other countries as valid for use on its roads. These licenses are however recognized by Canada and Mexico as well as the District of Columbia.

Canada recognizes American driver licenses issued by all 50 United States and District of Columbia.

Mexico recognizes American driver’s licenses. However, at the moment, they are not recognized outside of Chihuahua.

The District of Columbia accepts American drivers' licenses from all 50 States, with the exception of Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.

Statistics

I'd say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)

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How To

How to get a great deal on a car rental

Here are some tips to help you get the best deal for your rental car

Compare websites like Kayak, Expedia or Hotwire. This will allow you to use their tools and data, as well as information from users who have already booked through them. It also helps us avoid hidden charges. (Kayak)
Online bookings: Make sure you find out what additional fees are added before you pay. (Expedia)
Get your bookings in early! The earlier you book, the lower prices you should expect to pay. (Kayak). Remember that airfares can be cheaper last-minute.
Consider your budget and travel plans when you're looking for a car. (eBay)
Verify the insurance coverage. Many companies offer insurance free of charge for cars rented under 25 years. (Insurance Panda)
While making reservations, make sure to be clear about the contract type you select. A long-term contract is preferred by most people because they know exactly what it will cost. (MileageIQ)
High credit scores are recommended if you can. A low credit score can make it more difficult to get auto insurance (Car Insurance Guide).
If you don't really require it, avoid paying extras like GPS or roadside assistance. These additional expenses might not be applicable to all rental agencies. (Kayak) 9. Add an extended warranty to the rental price. Ask the agent whether the extended warranty is valid in other locations where you plan to rent the car. This could save you some money.
Read the entire rental agreement carefully. You could end up paying extra for something you didn't mention in negotiations. (Expedia) Always read the terms and conditions!

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Car Rental

Monday, July 17, 2023

What to Do if Your Rental Car Has a Dead Battery