When your Ford vehicle requires servicing, especially for repairs covered under your Ford Protect Vehicle Service Contract, understanding your transportation options is crucial. The Ford Rental Car Program, a significant benefit of Ford Protect, ensures you remain mobile while your vehicle is being expertly cared for. This guide will walk you through the process of utilizing the Ford rental car program, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience when you need it most.
Understanding Your Ford Protect Rental Car Benefit
Ford Protect Vehicle Service Contracts are designed to provide peace of mind, covering various mechanical and electrical failures. A key advantage is the inclusion of rental car benefits when a covered repair necessitates your vehicle being kept overnight at the dealership. According to the Ford Protect Contract, coverage is activated when a “failure,” defined as the “cessation of normal mechanical or electrical functioning” due to defects or normal wear and tear on covered components, occurs.
This benefit is triggered when your vehicle requires repair for a component covered under your Ford Protect plan, and the repair work requires more than a few hours to complete, keeping your car at the dealership overnight. It’s important to note that rental coverage is contingent upon the repair being for a component explicitly listed in your Ford Protect agreement. Your Ford Service Department can quickly verify your coverage by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the Ford OASIS database. While the benefit is generally available, actual rental vehicle availability can differ among dealerships. Remember, the rental benefit is specifically for situations where you must leave your vehicle for a covered repair.
Alt: Ford service department personnel assisting customers, emphasizing vehicle repair services.
Rental coverage typically begins on the day the covered repair work officially starts. However, in situations where your vehicle is deemed inoperable upon arrival at the dealership (or if further driving would cause damage), and overnight stay is required, rental coverage can begin from the day you drop off your vehicle. It’s worth noting that service advisors usually need to diagnose the cause of the failure to confirm coverage before authorizing a rental.
Initiating Your Rental Car Service at the Dealership
To take advantage of the Ford rental car program, the first step is clear communication with your Ford Service Department. When you bring your vehicle in for service, inform the service advisor immediately that you have a Ford Protect Vehicle Service Contract and anticipate needing alternate transportation. This early notification allows the service department to verify your coverage and begin the rental arrangement process if necessary.
The dealership will need to verify your Ford Protect coverage using your VIN in the Ford OASIS system. Once your coverage is confirmed and the diagnosis indicates a covered repair requiring an overnight stay, the service department will proceed with arranging a rental vehicle for you. Remember, open communication with your service advisor is key to a smooth rental process.
Rental Car Options at Ford Dealerships
Ford dealerships employ various methods to assist customers with rental car needs under the Ford Protect program. Understanding these options can help you anticipate the process:
On-Site Loaner or Rental Programs
Many Ford dealerships operate their own on-site loaner or rental car programs. This is often the most streamlined approach. The dealership can directly manage the rental process, coordinating with their service department and seamlessly handling the rental claim submission to Ford Protect alongside the repair claim. This internal system simplifies logistics and often provides the most convenient experience.
Dealership Arrangements with Local Rental Franchises
Dealerships that do not have in-house rental programs frequently establish partnerships with major rental companies like Enterprise or Hertz. In this scenario, the dealership coordinates the rental for you through their partner agency. They will typically obtain the rental vehicle and handle the paperwork, including securing a copy of the rental invoice for inclusion in the claim submitted to Ford Protect. This arrangement ensures you receive a rental vehicle through a reputable provider while the dealership manages the administrative aspects.
Alt: Rental car pick-up area at a Ford dealership service center, highlighting customer convenience.
Customer-Arranged Rentals and Reimbursement
In less common situations, a Ford dealership may not have a customer transportation program or a rental franchise partnership. If this is the case, you may need to arrange a rental vehicle yourself from a commercial rental business. It is crucial to inform your Service Department advisor immediately if you choose this option. Ensure you obtain a paid rental receipt, as this will be necessary for the dealership to submit a reimbursement claim to Ford Protect along with your repair claim. Ford Protect will only reimburse costs up to the limits specified in your service contract.
Rental Reimbursement Exclusions: What’s Not Covered
It’s equally important to understand situations where Ford Protect rental reimbursement does not apply. Being aware of these exclusions will prevent misunderstandings and ensure you have realistic expectations regarding the rental car program:
- Delays Prior to Service Initiation: Rental reimbursement does not cover days or nights your vehicle is held at the dealership before repair work begins due to scheduling constraints or parts unavailability, unless your vehicle was inoperable upon arrival.
- Non-Dealer or Non-Commercial Rentals: Rental vehicles obtained from sources other than the dealership or a commercial rental agency are not eligible for reimbursement.
- Comeback Repairs: Repairs needed to correct previous incomplete or incorrect work (“shop comebacks”) do not qualify for rental reimbursement.
- Ancillary Rental Charges: Charges such as mileage fees, drop-off charges, insurance costs, or gasoline are not covered under the rental reimbursement program.
- Operable Vehicles Held Overnight Unnecessarily: If your vehicle was operable and the covered repairs could have been completed on the drop-off day, but were not, and the vehicle was held overnight, rental reimbursement is not applicable.
- Extended Rental Beyond Repair Completion: Rental days extending beyond the date your repair is completed are not covered. Customers are expected to return the rental vehicle by the end of the business day on which the repair is finished.
- Specific Warranty/Program Exclusions: Certain warranties and programs are not eligible for Ford Protect Extended Service Plan rental reimbursement unless the component causing the issue is covered by Ford Protect at the time of repair and the vehicle is outside its New Vehicle Limited Warranty. These excluded warranties include: Emissions Warranty, Powertrain Warranty, Diesel Engine Warranty, Corrosion Warranty, Service Parts Warranty, Customer Loyalty Program (CLP), Reacquired Vehicle Warranty, and Safety Restraint Warranty.
By understanding the Ford rental car program and its conditions, you can confidently navigate vehicle repairs and ensure your transportation needs are met with Ford Protect. Always communicate proactively with your Ford dealership’s service department to leverage this valuable benefit.
