When your Ford vehicle requires servicing, especially for repairs covered under your Ford Protect Service Contract, transportation can become a concern. Fortunately, Ford provides a car rental program to ensure you remain mobile while your vehicle is being expertly cared for. This guide will clarify how the Ford Car Rental Program operates, ensuring a smooth experience when you need it most.
Initiating Your Rental with Ford Protect
The first step is to inform your Ford Service Department advisor that you possess a genuine Ford Protect vehicle service contract. This contract is designed to cover failures resulting from defects in materials or workmanship, or normal wear and tear of covered components.
Upon notifying your service advisor and providing your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), they can verify your Ford Protect coverage in the Ford OASIS database. It’s important to understand that rental vehicle availability can differ between dealerships.
Your rental benefit becomes active when your vehicle is at the dealership due to a covered component failure under your Ford Protect plan. Initially, your Service Advisor will need to diagnose the cause of the issue before confirming rental eligibility. Don’t be surprised if they hold off on offering a rental until a diagnosis is made.
Rental benefits under the basic Ford Protect plan are applicable when a covered repair necessitates keeping your vehicle overnight to be completed. Rental coverage begins on the day the covered repair work officially starts. However, if your vehicle is deemed inoperable upon arrival at the service center, or if further driving could cause damage or inoperability, and an overnight stay is required, rental coverage can start from the day you drop off your vehicle.
Alt text: A bustling Ford dealership service center with multiple service bays and technicians working on vehicles, illustrating a place where Ford car rental program might be initiated for customers needing repairs.
Remember, customers are expected to return the rental vehicle by the close of business on the day your Ford repair is completed. Extending the rental beyond this timeframe will be at your own expense.
Exploring Rental Options at Ford Dealerships
Ford dealerships offer various methods to assist customers with rental car arrangements:
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On-site Loaner or Rental Programs: Many Ford dealerships have their own rental or loaner fleets. This is often the most streamlined approach, as the dealership can directly manage the rental process alongside your service and repair claim with Ford Protect. They handle the paperwork and claim submissions seamlessly.
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Partnerships with Rental Franchises: Dealerships may have established relationships with major rental companies like Enterprise or Hertz. They can coordinate a rental for you through these partners and manage the rental invoice as part of your Ford Protect claim. This provides convenience as the dealership handles the liaison.
Alt text: Rows of various Ford rental cars parked neatly in a designated lot at a Ford dealership, showcasing the on-site car rental program options available for customers.
- Independent Rental Arrangements: In situations where a dealership lacks in-house programs or rental partnerships, you might need to arrange a rental yourself from a commercial rental agency. If you choose this route, it’s crucial to inform your Service Department immediately. Ensure you provide them with a copy of your paid rental receipt, as this will be necessary for them to process your reimbursement claim with Ford Protect.
Situations Where Rental Reimbursement is Not Applicable
It’s equally important to understand when Ford Protect rental reimbursement does not apply. Be aware of the following exclusions:
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Pre-Service Wait Times: Rental reimbursement does not cover days or nights your vehicle is held at the dealership prior to the commencement of covered repairs due to scheduling constraints or parts delays. An exception is if your vehicle was inoperable when dropped off.
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Non-Dealer/Commercial Rentals (Without Pre-Approval): If you secure a rental vehicle from a source other than the dealership or a commercial rental agency without prior dealership authorization, reimbursement might be denied. Always communicate with your service advisor about rental arrangements.
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Repeat Repairs (Comebacks): Rental costs associated with repairs needed to correct previous incomplete or incorrect work (“shop comebacks”) are not reimbursable.
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Ancillary Rental Fees: Charges such as mileage fees, vehicle drop-off fees, insurance costs, and gasoline expenses are not covered under the Ford Protect rental reimbursement.
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Operable Vehicles Held Overnight Unnecessarily: If your vehicle is operable and the covered repairs could have been completed on the same day you dropped it off, but were not, and the vehicle was held overnight, rental reimbursement will not apply. Efficiency in repair completion is expected.
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Extended Rental Periods: Rental coverage is strictly limited to the duration of the repair. Rental days extending beyond the repair completion date are not covered.
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Specific Warranty/Program Limitations: Certain warranties and programs are ineligible for Ford/Lincoln Protect Extended Service Plan rental reimbursement unless the specific part causing the issue is covered by Ford/Lincoln Protect at the time of repair AND the vehicle is outside its New Vehicle Limited Warranty period. These exclusions include:
- Emissions Warranty
- Powertrain Warranty
- 5-year/100,000-mile Diesel Engine Warranty
- Corrosion Warranty
- Service Parts Warranty
- Customer Loyalty Program (CLP)
- 12-month/12,000-mile Reacquired Vehicle Warranty
- Safety Restraint Warranty
By understanding the Ford car rental program and its conditions, you can confidently navigate vehicle repairs and ensure continuous mobility with Ford’s support. Always communicate proactively with your Ford Service Department to leverage your Ford Protect benefits effectively and clarify any questions regarding rental car coverage.
