Quick Summary:
- Stop driving soon, a tyre bulge can fail suddenly.
- Photograph the bulge, wheel, and pothole, plus your dashboard mileage.
- Call the rental provider’s roadside line, get a reference number.
- Request a swap if cords show, vibration appears, or pressure drops.
Potholes are part of driving in and around New York, especially after winter freeze and thaw. If you are on car hire and you notice a sidewall bulge after a hard impact, treat it as urgent. A bulge usually means the tyre’s internal structure has been damaged, even if the tread looks fine. Continuing to drive can turn a manageable incident into a blowout, and it can also create a dispute about whether you kept the vehicle safe.
This guide focuses on three things that matter when you want to avoid being billed for unsafe driving: how to document what happened, how to decide whether the car should be swapped, and how to handle roadside help in a way that leaves a clear paper trail.
What a tyre bulge means on a rental car
A tyre bulge on the sidewall is not cosmetic. It is usually caused by broken cords inside the tyre, creating a weak spot where air pressure pushes the rubber outward. In practice, this means the tyre can fail without much warning, particularly at higher speeds on parkways, bridges, or expressways.
For car hire drivers, the key point is simple: the safest, most defensible approach is to stop driving as soon as practical and report it. If you keep going for hours, the rental company may argue you continued operating an unsafe vehicle, even if the original damage was not your fault.
Immediate safety steps, before paperwork
As soon as you notice the bulge, reduce speed gently and avoid sudden steering inputs. Find a safe place to pull over, ideally a well lit area away from traffic. If you are on a busy road where stopping is risky, continue slowly to the next safe exit, service area, or side street. Turn on hazard lights and keep passengers away from traffic.
Do not attempt to “test” the tyre by driving faster, and do not ignore vibrations, thumping, or steering pull. If you have a tyre pressure monitoring warning, treat it as an additional reason to stop promptly.
If the tyre looks severely deformed, the bulge is large, or the tyre is losing pressure, do not drive further. At that point you should arrange roadside assistance.
How to document the damage properly
Good documentation reduces arguments later. You are trying to prove four things: when it happened, where it happened, what the tyre looked like immediately after, and that you responded responsibly.
Take clear photos and a short video. Photograph the bulge from multiple angles, close up and from a short distance so the wheel position is clear. Include the full tyre and rim in at least one shot, plus any visible scuffing on the alloy or hubcap.
Capture the context. If it is safe, photograph the pothole or road defect that caused the impact, including a wide shot that shows the lane, kerb, or nearby signage. A quick video walking from the pothole to the car can help show proximity and road conditions. Do not stand in traffic to get the shot.
Record identifying details. Take a photo of the number plate and the vehicle, and a photo of the dashboard showing the mileage. If your phone includes timestamps and location data, keep those enabled. If it does not, note the time and cross street in your notes app.
Note any warnings or symptoms. Write down whether you felt a hard bang, whether the steering changed, whether there was vibration, and whether any tyre pressure warning appeared. If you checked pressures at a nearby station, keep the receipt and write down the readings.
Keep every reference number. When you report the issue to roadside assistance or the rental counter, ask for a case number or incident reference. Screenshot call logs if needed.
Who to contact first: roadside assistance, branch, or insurer
With car hire, the correct first call is usually the provider’s roadside assistance number shown on the rental agreement, in the app, or on the key tag. They can authorise repairs, towing, or a vehicle swap. Calling an unauthorised tow or tyre shop can create a billing problem later, even if you were trying to be helpful.
If you collected at an airport location, you may be dealing with a dedicated team and processes. Hola Car Rentals’ location pages can help you find the right collection context and what to expect at major hubs like car hire at New York JFK.
If the car was collected from the Newark area and you are crossing between states, it can also be useful to know the branch network that can support swaps around EWR, for example car hire near New Jersey EWR or car rental at Newark EWR.
Only after you have informed the rental provider should you consider contacting any additional cover provider connected to your rental. The key is alignment: you want the rental company to log the incident first and authorise the next steps.
What to say when you report it
Keep your report factual and safety focused. Provide the time, rough location, and what you observed. Mention that you stopped driving promptly once you noticed the bulge, and that you have photos. Ask what they want you to do next, and whether they will arrange a tyre replacement, towing, or a swap.
Questions to ask on the call:
Is the vehicle safe to drive to a branch? If they advise towing, follow that advice.
Can you authorise a local tyre shop? Only proceed if they confirm authorisation and how payment will be handled.
Will you note the file that I reported immediately? This helps if billing questions arise later.
Where should I take the car for inspection? Confirm the address and the name of the branch or service partner.
Swap the car or replace the tyre: how to decide
In New York traffic, a swap is often the simplest option, especially if you are on a tight schedule or heading out of the city. Whether you need a swap depends on severity and logistics.
Request a swap or tow immediately if: the bulge is large or growing, cords or fabric are visible, the tyre is losing pressure, the rim is bent, the steering wheel shakes, or the car pulls to one side. Also request a swap if you are travelling with family or heavy luggage and a roadside tyre change would be unsafe.
A same day tyre replacement may be sufficient if: the rental company authorises it, the rim looks undamaged, and you can reach an approved service point without driving at speed. Even then, do not push on motorways if you have any doubt.
If you are in a larger vehicle, tyre availability can affect the decision. A minivan tyre size is not always on the shelf in every neighbourhood. If you are travelling in that category, it can help to be aware of the support options tied to specific locations, such as minivan rental at JFK or minivan rental at Newark EWR.
How to avoid being charged for “unsafe driving”
Charges and disputes typically come from one of three issues: delay in reporting, unauthorised repairs, or continuing to drive once the vehicle was clearly unsafe. You reduce risk by creating a timeline that shows responsible behaviour.
Report quickly. Even if you plan to drive slowly to a branch, call first. If you cannot get through immediately, send a message via any official app channel and try again, then note the attempt times.
Follow instructions. If roadside assistance tells you not to drive, do not drive. If they say to go to a specific branch, go there and keep proof of arrival time.
Do not pay out of pocket without authorisation. If you end up paying for a tyre because you were told to, keep itemised receipts that show tyre size, brand, labour, and date. Ask for the damaged tyre to be retained if possible.
Do not hide the damage. A bulge will be found at return inspection. Undeclared damage can look like neglect. Declaring it early positions you as a careful driver, not someone trying to slip it through.
If you must move the car a short distance
Sometimes you may need to move the car off a bridge approach, away from a tunnel entrance, or out of a no stopping zone. If the tyre is holding air and roadside assistance agrees you can reposition, drive very slowly, avoid potholes and sharp turns, and stop as soon as you reach a safer spot. Take another photo once parked, showing the car’s position and hazards on the road.
If the tyre is visibly collapsing, do not move it on the wheel. Rolling on a deflated sidewall can destroy the tyre and damage the rim, which increases costs and complicates responsibility.
At the branch: inspection, paperwork, and return notes
When you arrive for a swap or inspection, ask the staff member to note the incident on your agreement and provide confirmation in writing. If they create a damage report, ask for a copy or a photo of the report screen that shows date and time.
Before you leave with a replacement vehicle, do a quick walkaround and take your own photos, especially of the tyres and rims. Tyres are often overlooked in pickup photos, yet they are a common source of disputes.
If you are returning the original vehicle, remove personal belongings and photograph the fuel level and mileage again. If you are handed a receipt or return confirmation, keep it until your final charges are settled.
Common New York pothole scenarios and how to handle them
Impact in heavy rain at night. You may not be able to photograph the pothole safely. In that case, focus on tyre photos, location notes, and immediate reporting. A clear record of prompt action often matters more than the pothole photo.
Damage discovered later at a stop. If you only notice the bulge when parked, document it immediately and report it as soon as you find it. Note when you last checked the vehicle and when you first saw the bulge.
Multiple occupants disagree about what happened. Keep the report simple and consistent: you hit a pothole, later noticed a bulge, and stopped driving to seek assistance. Avoid speculation about speed or blame.
FAQ
Is it safe to keep driving if the tyre bulge looks small? No. Any sidewall bulge can fail suddenly. Reduce risk by stopping soon, documenting it, and getting roadside advice before continuing.
Should I call 911 for a tyre bulge on a rental car? Only if you are in immediate danger, blocking traffic, or there is an accident or injury. Otherwise, use the rental provider’s roadside assistance number first.
Can I replace the tyre myself and claim it back? Do not do this unless the rental company authorises it. Unauthorised repairs can lead to non reimbursement and extra charges, even if the tyre needed replacement.
What evidence helps most if there is a dispute about charges? Timestamped photos of the bulge, mileage, and location notes, plus a roadside case number and proof you followed their instructions. Receipts and branch paperwork also help.
Will I always have to swap the vehicle? Not always. If the rental company can replace the tyre safely and quickly, that may be enough. A swap is more likely if the rim is damaged, pressure drops, or the car vibrates.
