Spare car free of charge

Did you know that if you are not at fault in a car accident where your car is damaged, you are legally entitled to rent a replacement car **for FREE? If not, you're not the only one. Many people don't know about this option and are paying for it unnecessarily. That's why we've put together this article to explain what's involved in being entitled to a spare vehicle and how you can take advantage of this option at our car hire company.

When am I entitled to a replacement car?

You are always entitled to a replacement car if the accident is not your fault, i.e. you are not at fault for the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you are entitled to a replacement car. However, if you caused the accident, you are not entitled to a replacement car and the person who caused the damage to their vehicle is entitled to a replacement car.

Who pays the cost of hiring a replacement car?

Costs are covered by the at-fault party's insurance company. This is one of the reasons why every car must have compulsory insurance. Compulsory liability insurance, officially known as third party insurance, is a statutory insurance policy that every motor vehicle registered in the Czech Republic must have. This insurance covers damages caused to third parties while operating the vehicle, including damage to property and health. It also covers the cost of hiring a replacement car if necessary.

Which replacement car am I entitled to?

This is one of the most common questions from our clients. The truth is that you are entitled to a replacement car of the same category as your damaged car. For example, if you own a 2 year old car BMW X5, you should not settle for a lower category loaner car (such as a 5 year old Renault). If you have a car with an automatic gearbox, you have the right to arrange a replacement car with an automatic gearbox etc.

Limited mileage? No!

Don't let yourself be limited! It is in the interest of the at-fault party's insurance company to keep the costs as low as possible. This is also why, in practice, it happens that insurance companies try (with the support of some authorised repairers) to convince the client that their obligation to pay only applies to a specific mileage. In reality, you can take the vehicle on a quiet holiday to Croatia. You are not to blame if your car is damaged. However, remember to inform the rental company that you want to travel abroad when you rent a replacement car. You will need permission to leave the Czech Republic.

How long am I entitled to a replacement vehicle?

You are legally entitled to a replacement car for as long as not necessary to repair your vehicle. Beware of car rental companies that will try to extend the length of your rental. This would put you at risk of the insurance company only reimbursing you for some days (the time necessary for the repair) and you having to pay for the rest. You can be sure that this will not happen to you in our rental company. Among other things, we work with authorized service centers of all brands, so we can ensure that your vehicle repair goes smoothly as well as loaner car (adequate category).

You don't know what to do? Call us!

A car accident is a stressful event, so it's easy to make some bad decisions. That's why we recommend that you contact someone who has extensive experience in handling insurance claims in such a situation. If you are in this situation, call us at 602 215 181 and we will be happy to provide you with our support. We will handle the claim from A to Z on your behalf and ensure that you can continue to travel without any problems. Of course, we will issue a proper invoice for the rental car with a handover report and all the necessary details for the insurance company.