Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Take action immediately if your rental car is stolen. Thrifty Car Rental encourages victims of rental car theft to call the police first. If your rental car paperwork is available, give the vehicle identification number to the police. Also report any stolen identification and bank or credit cards that may have been in the car by telephoning your bank and your home state or country's appropriate transportation office.
Next, contact the nearest location of the car rental agency, or dial the toll-free national number if it is after hours. The process goes faster if you have your rental agreement or confirmation number handy. The local rental office can usually get you in a new rental car immediately so you can be on your way. Finally, call your own insurance company to report the event and see how you are covered in case of damages to the car.
"When you rent a car, you are obligated to bring it back in the same condition as you rented it," attorney Michael La Placa, who specializes in rental car matters, told the Washington Post. It is also your obligation to return the vehicle, a responsibility not always negated by vehicle theft, as has been the experience of some unfortunate renters. Any damage may be held to be your responsibility even if the thief is not apprehended or cannot pay for repairs.
Even though your own car is well-insured, or you have rental car insurance through your credit card or the car agency, you may not have appropriate coverage. If it can be proven that you lent the car to an unauthorized person or were negligent with the vehicle's security, your coverage may be voided. Confirm your policy guarantees by calling the rental company's national customer service hotline, rather than speaking to a local representative. Keep in touch with the rental car agency to monitor the status of the case. If the rental company presents you with a bill for damages, your insurance may not approve the claim if a certain length of time has passed since the event.
Drivers should always be aware of what their insurance will cover. Ask the rental car agency as well as your own insurance provider about policies governing stolen or damaged rental vehicles. To avoid culpability in case of damage or loss, never let an unauthorized person drive the vehicle, never leave windows open or doors unlocked, do not leave the engine running while the car is unattended and never drive under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.