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Imagine you’re on a trip, excited and ready to explore. You’ve rented a car from Hertz, a name you trust.
But then, something you never thought would happen, does – the car gets stolen.
What now?
Well, let’s dive into how they handle these unexpected situations, and what it means for you as a renter.
Whose Liable For a Stolen Car on Hertz?
When you rent a car from Hertz, there are different scenarios regarding liability if the car gets stolen.
If you decide to purchase Hertz’s Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), you are generally not financially responsible if the rental car gets stolen.
This waiver offers coverage 24/7, even when you’re not using the car. It’s a straightforward way to protect yourself from the financial implications of a stolen rental car.
However, if you don’t opt for LDW or other optional waiver products, the situation changes.
In most cases, without these waivers, you could be held liable for the loss of the vehicle.
This means you might have to pay for the full value of the car and any associated costs like towing or storage, depending on the specific terms of your rental agreement.
The extent of this liability can vary based on the state where you rent the car.
For example, in states like California and Nevada, your responsibility for loss due to theft is limited under certain conditions.
It’s also important to note that even if you have your own car insurance, you need to check whether it covers rental cars and to what extent.
If your insurance policy covers rental cars, it might reduce your liability, but you may still be responsible for a deductible, and there’s a possibility that your insurance premiums could go up after a claim.
In any case, if the rental car gets stolen, you must report the incident to Hertz and complete a Vehicle Incident Report.
This cooperation is crucial for Hertz to process the incident and decide on the liability and any costs that might be involved.
How to Handle a Stolen Hertz Rental Car
1. Call the Police Immediately
If you find that the rental car you’re using is stolen, the very first thing you should do is call the police.
This is an important step.
When you speak to the police, explain to them that the car you’re reporting is a rental.
They’ll need specific information about the car, such as its make, model, color, and license plate number.
If you can, also tell them about any personal items that were in the car. This might include things like bags, electronics, or other belongings.
It’s important to get a police report for the stolen car.
This report is a document that the police will give you after you tell them about the theft. It includes all the details of the incident.
Rental car companies need this report to understand what happened to their car. If you don’t report the theft to the police quickly, you might have problems with your insurance coverage for the theft.
2. Inform the Rental Company
After you have reported the stolen car to the police, you’d need to inform the rental car company.
This is important because they need to know what happened to their vehicle.
When you call them, be ready to give them the police report number. This number is like a unique ID for your case and helps the rental company keep track of what happened.
Tell the rental company all the details of the theft.
This includes where you last saw the car and what items were inside it.
The company might ask for the car’s license number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If you don’t have these details, the rental company can help you find them.
It’s a good idea to write down the name of the person you speak to at the rental company and their contact details.
This way, if you need to talk to them again or if there are any questions later, you know who to contact.
Remember, talking to the rental company is a key step. They will guide you on what to do next and help you with the process after the car is reported stolen.
3. Double Check Your Insurance Coverage
Once you’ve reported the theft to the police and informed the rental car company, it’s time to check your insurance coverage. T
his is about finding out who will pay for the stolen car. There are a few different places you might have insurance from:
- Rental Company Insurance: If you bought insurance from the rental company when you rented the car, they will usually take care of the claim. This means they will use the details you give them to deal with the cost of the stolen car.
- Your Personal Car Insurance: If you decided to use your own car insurance for the rental, you need to call your insurance company. Tell them about the stolen car. They will let you know what they can do to help and what you need to do next.
- Credit Card Insurance: Some credit cards offer insurance for rental cars. If you used such a credit card to pay for the rental, contact the credit card company. Ask them if they can help with the cost of the stolen car.
In all cases, being quick and giving clear details about the theft is very important. This helps make sure that the insurance claim is handled smoothly and quickly.
