Quick Summary
- A breakdown or flat tyre in a hire car is stressful, but a calm, step by step response keeps everyone safe.
- Your first priority is always to get the vehicle and passengers out of danger, then contact roadside assistance and the rental company.
- Hola Car Rentals works with partners that provide clear support channels, so you are never left guessing who to call in an emergency.
Stay calm and move to a safe place
If your rental car starts to lose power, make strange noises or develops a wobble from a possible puncture, gently reduce speed and signal to move to the right hand side of the road as soon as it is safe. Aim for a wide shoulder, lay by or parking area rather than stopping in a live lane.
Once you are stopped, switch on your hazard lights and keep your seatbelt on while you assess the surroundings. If you are on a busy highway or in a dangerous position, it is often safer for passengers to exit the vehicle on the side away from traffic and wait behind a barrier, if one is available.
Know who to call from your paperwork
Every hire agreement should include roadside assistance details. As soon as you are safe, check your key wallet, windscreen sticker or voucher for the correct number to call. If your route includes mountain passes or rural highways, collecting from Denver based fleets and similar hubs can give you roadside services that are familiar with local conditions.
Explain clearly where you are, including the highway name, direction of travel and the number of the last exit or mile marker you remember passing. If you are in immediate danger, such as a collision or a breakdown in a live lane, call the emergency services first and follow their instructions before contacting the rental company.
Dealing with a flat tyre
A slow puncture may feel like a vibration or pull to one side. If you suspect a flat, do not continue driving at speed, as this can damage the wheel and make the car harder to control. Move off the road carefully, park on level ground if possible and use your hazard lights.
Some hire cars come with a spare tyre and jack, while others have a repair kit or rely entirely on roadside assistance. Unless you are in a very safe place and you are confident using the equipment, it is usually better to wait for a professional rather than changing a tyre at the roadside yourself.
Hola Car Rentals also has a dedicated article on this topic in its knowledge base. If you want a more detailed walkthrough of the steps to follow, read the step by step breakdown guide for hire cars in the USA before you travel.
After the vehicle is recovered
Once roadside assistance has arrived, follow their instructions on whether the car can be repaired on the spot or needs to be towed. Do not agree to additional work from third party garages without clearance from the rental company, as this can complicate reimbursement later.
If the vehicle needs to be replaced, the rental company will confirm where you should collect the new car and what paperwork is required. This might be at an airport, a city branch or in some cases a delivery to your location. Keep all receipts and reference numbers, including any taxi charges that are authorised to move you to a replacement vehicle.
How Hola Car Rentals coverage can help
Choosing the right coverage at booking time can make the financial side of a breakdown much easier. Hola Car Rentals offers All Inclusive+ Rate options with maximum coverage on many itineraries, which can reduce or remove excess charges for certain types of damage. On selected routes you can also benefit from maximum liability cover of up to 300,000 dollars.
Free Cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up for many bookings means you can switch plans if a route turns out to involve more remote driving than you first expected. Cashback on tolls is another helpful perk, as you may be rerouted along tolled highways if your original road is blocked.
With the right preparation and a clear understanding of who to call, a breakdown or puncture becomes an inconvenience rather than a disaster. Hola Car Rentals is there in the background so you can get back on the road and return to enjoying your trip.
FAQs
- Should I call the police for every breakdown? You do not usually need the police for a simple mechanical issue, but you should call emergency services if your vehicle is in a dangerous position, if there has been an accident or if you feel unsafe at the roadside.
- Will I have to pay for towing? This depends on the coverage you chose and the cause of the breakdown. Mechanical failures that are not your fault are often covered, while damage from misuse may not be. Check your voucher or speak to the rental company to understand the policy.
- Can I change the tyre myself to save time? If you are on a quiet road, confident with the equipment and sure that the surface is safe, you might choose to fit the spare tyre. However, on busy highways or narrow shoulders it is much safer to wait for professional roadside help.
- What information should I record after a breakdown? Note the time, location, any dashboard warning lights, the names of people you speak to and the reference numbers they give you. Take photos of the vehicle and the damaged tyre where it is safe to do so. This will make any later insurance discussions much smoother.
