Discovering that your hire car has been broken into can feel really unsettling, especially when you are away from home. Beyond the inconvenience, many drivers worry about damage charges and excess fees from the hire company.
This guide explains what to do if your hire car is broken into, who needs to be contacted, what you are likely to be charged for and how car hire excess insurance can help protect you from unexpected costs. Ready to be covered? Get a quote today.
Why break-ins often lead to charges
When a hire car is broken into, the hire company could still treat it as damage to the vehicle, whether or not you were at fault. Common charges include:
These costs are normally charged to the lead driver up to the excess shown on the car hire agreement.
What to do when you discover the break-in
The steps you take upon discovering the car has been broken into matter. Try to stay calm and act methodically.
Make sure you’re safe
If the break-in has just happened, prioritise your safety and move to a secure location if needed.
Take photos
If possible, leave the car where it is and take clear photos of:
If there’s a dispute about what happened, these images can be important.
Reporting the incident
Contact the police
Always be sure to contact the police – even if the car was only damaged and nothing was taken, you should report the break-in to the local police. Some countries allow online reports but others will require you to attend a station in person. Make sure to ask for a police report or crime reference number.
Inform the hire company
Contact the hire company using the number provided in your car hire agreement. They will then advise whether the car needs repairs, should be returned, or if a replacement vehicle will be arranged.
Are you responsible for the damage?
In most cases, the hire company will charge the cost of repairs up to the excess amount stated in your agreement. This applies even if the break-in wasn’t your fault.
This is where car hire excess insurance comes in. A standalone excess rental car insurance policy is designed to reimburse eligible excess charges after you return the vehicle and settle the bill with the hire company.
For a full explanation of how excess works, see our guide to what car hire excess insurance actually is.
What about stolen belongings?
Personal items stolen from a hire car are not usually covered by the hire company. At ReduceMyExcess, we do cover personal possessions up to £300, for up to £75 per item. This is subject to conditions such as:
Always check the policy wording so you know exactly what is and what isn’t included.
How excess insurance helps after a break-in
If your hire car is broken into and you’re charged for damaged, a ReduceMyExcess policy can help by reimbursing the eligible costs back to you.
You pay the hire company first (the credit card you put down when you picked the car up will be charged), then you submit a claim to us with all the supporting documents such as the police report, photos, final invoice and rental agreement. More detail is available on our claims page.
How to reduce the risk of a break-in
Your hire car being broken into is not always avoidable, but taking a few simple steps can reduce the risk:
Anna’s top tip
I know it’s tempting to just deal with the mess and move on, but I’d always stop and take photos first. When a hire car’s been broken into, having evidence from the start makes everything much easier to sort out.
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