Accident or breakdown with a rental car in Albania: what to do step by step
Emergency numbers, the police report, telling the company, and the mistakes that stop the insurance from paying.
Nobody plans a rental car accident, but a few minutes of preparation make a hard situation much easier. The main rule: people's safety comes first, then documenting what happened. Save this page on your phone before you set off.
After an accident
- Make the scene safeTurn on the hazard lights, put on the reflective vest and place the warning triangle well behind the car. Get out only when it is safe.
- Look after the injuredIf anyone is hurt, call 112 or 127 at once. Do not move a seriously injured person unless there is a risk of fire.
- Call the policeCall 129 or 126 and wait for the police. Do not move the car before they arrive unless it blocks the road dangerously: in that case photograph its position first.
- Call the rental companyCall the company or the assistance number in your contract. They will tell you which documents the insurance needs.
- Document everythingPhotograph the cars, number plates, damage, the road and the signs. Take the other driver's name, phone and insurance details and the contacts of any witnesses.
- Get the police documentAsk for the police report of the accident. Without it, rental insurance often does not pay.
Breakdown or flat tyre
- Pull off the road in a safe place and turn on the hazard lights.
- Call the company's assistance before any repair. Many contracts do not refund a repair made without permission.
- For a flat tyre, use the spare only if you are confident and on flat ground. On a motorway, wait for assistance.
- Keep the receipts of any expense the company has authorised.
Theft, lost keys or documents
If the car is stolen or broken into, tell the police and the company immediately. Theft protection usually applies only when you hand in the keys and the police report. Lost keys are often not covered by insurance: keep them safe.
Medical care
For emergencies call 127 or 112. The big cities have hospitals and emergency departments; in mountain areas distances are long, so carry your personal medicines and a small first-aid kit. Check before you leave whether your travel insurance covers Albania.
Before you set off: three things that help
- Save the company and roadside assistance numbers on your phone.
- Photograph the contract and the car documents.
- Check that the vest, warning triangle, spare tyre and jack are in the car.
"Before you go" checklist
Some of the things to check before you set off:
- A valid driving licence (many companies ask that you have held it for at least 1–2 years).
- Passport or identity card.
- An International Driving Permit if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet or the company asks for it.
- A bank card in the main driver's name, for the deposit.
- Photograph or film the car from every side, including the glass, the tyres and the interior.
- Make sure every scratch and damage is written on the handover form.
- Check the fuel level, the mileage and how the car must be returned (e.g. full to full).
Read also: what rental car insurance covers and the traffic rules in Albania.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to call the police for a small scratch?
With a rental car, usually yes. Most companies and insurers require the police document for any damage, even small. Ask the company straight away.
What is the emergency number in Albania?
112 is the unified number. 129 (police), 126 (traffic police), 127 (ambulance) and 128 (fire brigade) also work.
Can I have the car repaired at a garage myself?
Not without the company's written permission. Unauthorised repairs are usually not refunded and can affect the insurance.
What happens to the deposit after an accident?
The company may keep part or all of the deposit, up to the excess, depending on who was at fault and the cover you chose.
