A Guide to Understanding Your Dealership’s Loaner Car Policy�

Being without a vehicle while yours is in the garage is never ideal. Luckily, there are dealerships that are willing to rent out vehicles in exchange for some billing when the car center is busy repairing customers’ cars. Dealing with a new policy such as this one isn’t easy for everyone and there are many drawbacks and replacement policies of the rental vehicle which may make things harder. This guide is suited for everyone, be it a first time or a returning customer.   

What Are Loaner Cars? 

Any vehicle purchased by a customer that has been rented out for the time being while theirs is being maintained is termed as a loaner vehicle. They allow renters to avoid vehicular interruptions to their routines. 

There are dealerships that do have loaner car programs but it is best that you call ahead to avoid any panic induced by minor inconveniences. 

The contract states the terms in which the rented vehicle will be used and the kinds of vehicles being rented out. As a general rule all licensed vehicles should be from the same manufacturer.

Are loaner cars provided by dealerships?

Loaner cars are available at many dealerships including those owned by the manufacturers, though not all of them do. This practice is usually given to people when their vehicles are still under warranty or if they need to be repaired for some time. That way you do not have to remain stranded due to your vehicle being serviced. 

As mentioned though, loaners are not available at all the dealerships. Some which are smaller may have very few available or none at all. Therefore, it is best to confirm whether this option exists while making an appointment. 

If borrowing a vehicle is in the dealership’s policy, then more details will be required. In the time of peak areas, ask about when you can acquire your vehicle. Knowing how they work will allow you to come prepared and not stress out about the small details. 

Conditions to qualify for loaner vehicles

There are several prerequisities to borrow a loaner vehicle from your dealership. First off, make sure your vehicle is currently undergoing repair for the manufacturer or is still within the warranty period. Customers whose vehicles are being serviced are usually given priority by dealerships. 

Finally, it is very important that you make an appointment in advance. Please ring in before your visit or write to them to double check the availability of the vehicles. Because of high demand, some dealers have low stock levels.

Before taking a car out, be prepared to present some form of identification as well as evidence of coverage. This step helps take care of the liability concerns associated with offering their car for use. If these papers are in place, this makes the transactions easier for you as well as the dealership employees.

Possible fees of loaner cars

There are some possible fees when applying for borrowing a car from the dealer. Leaving aside a few exceptions, most dealers do not charge for any tubular lenders La center wa, which makes them so beneficial during service work. However, some may have a few terms that warrant the fees. 

Applicable could be daily rental charges if the insurance car rental is with access mileage and further repairs take longer than initially expected. Principles for billing activities such as fuel shortage may also be imposed, Charges do read it before signing the contracts with dealers of tubular car lenders. 

It is also important to understand this aspect as it may lead to overspending, for example the insurance coverage limitation, as well as others related to liability during an accident when using a car that has been borrowed. Overall, insurance when using a car does ensure safety from spending erratically while a car is being serviced. 

Items such as services provided under the warranty and maintenance. Make sure to start with verifying this aspect and use it to give you the green light. Many dealers do provide this service for the reason that it transcends by the state or as mentioned before – situation.

Once eligibility is confirmed, it is recommended to call ahead in order to book a loaner car and also finding out details such as the appointment and any particular requirement. Some dealerships may have scarce availability and therefore early communication is useful in guaranteeing what you require. 

In case there are a large number of appointments resulting in the need for a loaner then one can look at borrowing loaners from other nearby dealerships as they may have a different stance or might allow you a loaner. 

Can you get a loaner car from a dealership? If yes then how?

The first step which has to be followed when looking to get a loaner car from a dealership is contacting the dealership way before a service appointment. If you need to borrow a loaner car then it should be made known whether the dealership is offering the service or not. Being proactive shows you’re serious about the appointment. 

During a request, stating the reason for needing the vehicle provides clarity. Helping customers contextualizes the reason, a customer more likely to get what they need.Also make certain that you are able to meet all the requirements that the dealership is asking for, maybe an active warranty, or your history with the dealership as a friend. Knowing about such things could be the difference between getting the loaner car and not getting it.

What to do if your dealership does not provide you with a loaner car?

In the unfortunate scenario that your licensed car dealer does not agree to give you a loaner vehicle, do not worry. Try asking for explanation on the company policies pertaining to loaner cars, it could just be a simple case of misunderstanding. 

You can also consider stating your predicament to the manager or someone in an elevated position as they are more qualified to give better excuses when it comes to the exceptions on company policies. 

As a last resort, try to look for rental services in your area as a number of companies that are in the vicinity of the dealer provide some sort of discount to clients in need of alternative methods of transport whilst their vehicle is being serviced. In this way, you are not left without a ride while your vehicle is being repaired. 

Procedure regarding damanges

In the unfortunate circumstance that you have scratched or in any way damaged the loaner car that you used, make sure that you are going to let the car dealer know about this at the earliest. Remember, honesty is the key in this scenario. Most likely they would have some sort of protocol in place when there is an incident of this magnitude. 

A number of car dealers ask you to sign an affidavit which outlines all your responsibilities while dealing with their cars, and those documents can be extremely specific at times. For instance, being responsible for damages made to the vehicle while under your supervision. Make sure that you fully understand any documents before signing as being careless may come to bite back.

It is important to contact your personal vehicle insurance or your credit card provider as they can give you coverage for rental cars or loaner cars and this will allow you to cut down on the costs incurred in case of damages. 

Firstly take a step back and analyze the situation if you happen to damage a loaner vehicle from the dealership, minor scratches or dents can be ignored, however such loss where the window is broken can result in a lot of legal implications and therefore it is best to report such incidents immediately. 

While Renting out a car from the dealership you should keep in mind to read the loaner agreement as some dealerships will deduct costs depending on their terms and insurance policies, also keep in mind that most dealerships focus highly on “policies” and because of how common such issues arise most places have a guide on how to deal with such problems. Documents such as incident reports and your insurance are good to have as most places claim have a limit on how much they can insure and how extensive the repairs are. 

In the most cases and typical situations such situations depend, so it is always best to be aware of IF there has been an insurance claimed by the dealership before you end up borrowing the car, as history has shown that the pockets of the borrowers are deep.

Inquire about their policy if you’re handed a loaner car with regard to what happens if there is any damage to it. Some dealers might make you take the full coverage insurance or just present an agreement where you consent to pay for the inevitable damages caused due to neglect.

Assuming you don’t have the proper coverage and you’re in an accident that you caused, it is likely that you will have to pay repair costs out of your pocket. It is advisable to check your insurance policy details concerning opt for business later.

With an understanding of any such matters mentioned above, it is key to make sure that you are relaxed when taking loaner cars from dealerships. Always make sure that you are communicating ones expectations clearly on the outset and during the entire process to the dealer to make it easy when regarding their policies on damages and liabilities.