Wrong Fuel in a Rental Car NZ
Every major NZ rental company's misfuel policy, excess charges, and contact numbers. The short version: almost none of them cover it. You need to act fast.
Call Eek Now: (866) 777-371224/7 — Drains the tank before the engine does the damage
Do NOT start the engine — this is the single most important thing
With a rental car, wrong fuel is already your financial liability. Starting the engine makes the damage exponentially worse. Recovery before the engine is started is itemised per our rate card and is usually far less than engine repair on a modern diesel (see rate card–see rate card). In a rental car, that is your bill, not theirs.
Why Rental Car Misfuel Is Different to Your Own Car
With your own car, your comprehensive insurer (AMI, State, FMG) might cover the cost. With a rental car, you are dealing with the rental company directly — and they are not your friend in this situation.
What to Do Right Now — Rental Car
- 1Stop fuelling immediately — do NOT start the engine
Every second counts. Move the vehicle to safety without starting the engine if possible (push it, or ask for help).
- 2Call Eek: (866) 777-3712
We come to you. We drain the tank, flush the system, and refuel. Average 45 minute response. This is the single action that prevents a minor misfuel becoming a major repair bill (see rate card).
- 3Call your rental company's roadside number
Notify them of the incident as required by your agreement. Get a reference number. Do not admit fault in any way that could be used against you — simply report the situation factually.
- 4Get the Eek incident report
Our report documents the contamination type, how much was extracted, what was flushed, and the condition of the fuel system. This is your evidence if the rental company makes a damage claim.
- 5Check your travel insurance
Some comprehensive travel insurance policies include rental car excess cover. If yours does, lodge a claim. The Eek invoice and report is the documentation your travel insurer needs.
Full Liability — Wrong Fuel Is Explicitly Excluded
These companies explicitly exclude wrong fuel from their insurance and excess protection. You pay the full cost of extraction and any resulting damage.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Renter liable — check agreementVaries by location and coverage purchased
Wrong fuel policy:
Enterprise rental agreements typically hold the renter responsible for damage caused by using the wrong fuel. Optional damage waivers may not cover operator error or contamination — read your rental contract and state addendum.
Damage waiver products often exclude misuse, negligence, and improper fueling. Do not assume LDW/CDW covers misfuel remediation.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Call Enterprise Roadside Assistance on your rental agreement. Then call EEK to perform USIFDA-certified fuel extraction before damage escalates.
Hertz
Full repair liability likelyRepair and towing costs per rental agreement
Wrong fuel policy:
Hertz terms require renters to return vehicles in the same condition and use the correct fuel. Wrong fuel is generally treated as renter-caused damage, not a mechanical breakdown covered by optional protection plans.
Loss Damage Waiver and similar products typically exclude damage from improper fueling. Roadside may tow but not perform certified fuel system recovery.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Call Hertz 24/7 roadside (number on your contract). Then call EEK immediately for extraction and documentation.
Avis
At-fault fees + repair costsRoadside fee + damage up to rental excess
Wrong fuel policy:
Avis Budget Group terms treat incorrect fuel as renter negligence. Protection products may limit collision damage but often exclude fuel contamination and resulting engine or fuel system repairs.
Optional roadside packages may cover a service call — not the full cost of professional misfuel recovery or engine damage if the vehicle was driven.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Call Avis roadside assistance. Then call EEK to drain and flush the tank with claim-ready documentation.
Budget
At-fault fees + repair costsWrong fuel policy:
Budget (Avis Budget Group) uses similar terms to Avis. Wrong fuel is typically an at-fault renter charge including extraction, cleaning, and any component damage.
LDW reduces collision excess but usually does not waive wrong-fuel remediation costs.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Call Budget roadside per your agreement. Then call EEK before starting the vehicle.
National Car Rental
Renter liable — check agreementWrong fuel policy:
National (Enterprise Holdings) rental contracts generally make the renter responsible for damage from improper fuel use. Emerald Club benefits do not replace contractual fuel obligations.
Review your rental agreement fuel and damage sections before relying on any waiver product.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Use the roadside number on your rental jacket. Call EEK for certified extraction.
Alamo Rent A Car
Renter liable — check agreementWrong fuel policy:
Alamo terms require correct fuel use. Misfuel incidents are typically billed to the renter including third-party recovery and mechanical remediation.
Optional coverage may not apply to contamination or operator error — confirm at pickup if unsure.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Call Alamo roadside. Then call EEK — fast extraction limits your exposure.
Check Your Rental Agreement
No public wrong-fuel policy found — check your agreement directly with the company.
Sixt
Check your rental agreementWrong fuel policy:
Sixt US terms vary by location. Wrong fuel is commonly excluded from protection packages and charged as renter-caused damage.
Read the fuel and misuse clauses in your specific contract — airport vs. neighborhood locations can differ.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Contact Sixt using the number on your agreement. Call EEK for immediate extraction.
Turo (peer-to-peer)
Depends on protection planWrong fuel policy:
Turo trips are governed by the platform protection plan selected (Minimum, Standard, or Premier) plus the owner's listing terms. Wrong fuel may be treated as renter-caused mechanical damage — coverage limits and deductibles apply.
Document everything and contact Turo support immediately. Owner disputes are common — professional EEK documentation helps.
What to do:
Do not start the engine. Message the host and open a Turo incident. Call EEK for extraction before the engine runs.
Travel Insurance and Rental Car Excess Cover
Some comprehensive travel insurance policies include rental car excess cover. If yours does, the process is: the rental company charges you the excess — you then claim that excess back from your travel insurer. This does NOT apply if the rental company treats wrong fuel as a T&C breach (voiding all cover) rather than a damage event attracting the standard excess.
The Eek invoice and technical incident report is what your travel insurer will ask for to validate the claim. We provide it as part of every job.
Travel insurance policy wording varies significantly. Read yours carefully — specifically look for clauses on rental car excess cover and any exclusions for driver negligence or incorrect fuel use.
What the Eek Report Includes
When you use Eek, you get a complete technical incident report that documents:
This report is formatted for insurer and rental company assessment — exactly what you need if you are disputing damage charges or submitting a travel insurance claim.
Wrong fuel in your rental car right now?
Do not start the engine. Call Eek — we come to you, drain it, flush it, and hand you the report you need.
(866) 777-3712