Puncture help please

[Guest]

I've got a car with alimo through virgin holidays and paid for the gold insurance. Staying on site so don't need the car much, but come home tonite to find I have a puncture and when I call Alamo they're saying I need to pay $65 and they'll reimburse. But if I have the gold insurance covering everything should I have to?! TIA

[ChrisS]

Their insurance doesn't cover wheels/tyres, so if they send breakdown they will apply a charge against your account, not sure if they will refund when you return the motor. If it's a slow puncture either make do or return the motor and ask for a replacement. Double check if they intend to apply a charge, if necessary argue the toss that as it's a slow puncture there is no proof you caused this. I had a slow puncture many years ago and used to top the tyre off every couple of days until I returned, I advised and Alamo were fine about it.

[hols2florida]

We had a puncture on our hire car a few years ago. There was a nail or something in it. We were already out & about at the time so just called in to a local garage. They repaired it there & then, it took about 10 minutes & we didn't even need to get out of the car!

We were on our way back to the villa being married when it happened so it was great that it was sorted so soon. The garage weren't even going to charge us, but we gave them some money anyway as we really appreciated their help.

[7SeasSailor]

Is there enough in it to get to a garage to top it up? If so do that, return it and tell them why. You'll just be given another car.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by 7SeasSailor

Is there enough in it to get to a garage to top it up? If so do that, return it and tell them why. You'll just be given another car.

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Happened to me twice in the summer.!
OP. If you haven't got enhanced roadside assistance you will be charged. The normal coverage doesn't include them to come out and swap over a wheel.
Actually when you think about it their charge isn't bad.

[whiteswan]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Happened to me twice in the summer.!
OP. If you haven't got enhanced roadside assistance you will be charged. The normal coverage doesn't include them to come out and swap over a wheel.
Actually when you think about it their charge isn't bad.

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Once again Mr Morrow is spot on.

Something people should be aware of - good advice to get to a garage - fill it up with air if possible and take it to be swapped.

Its not the actual puncture you will be charged for - its somebody coming out to sort it for you.

And I agree - the charge is pretty reasonable IMHO.

Dave

[PPM]

Perhaps an obvious question, but is there a spare wheel or not?

[moshman10]

Originally Posted by PPM

Perhaps an obvious question, but is there a spare wheel or not?

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My thoughts too. surely the hire car will have a space saver at least for the trip to the garage.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Certainly the luxury and premium cars have a normal spare. Well normal as in one of those 50mph thin things.

[Guest]

When we had a blow-out it was a stupid little donut tyre, enough to get you to the nearest garage. We just paid up, it was our fault and they said it may take 3hrs to find us! There was a garage 50yds away who changed the wheel, balanced it and replaced it for £70 which wasn't to bad as they did it straight away.