Accident or breakdown — what to do
Most trips go perfectly. If something happens, here's exactly what to do — and we're a phone call away — an emergency contact line, any time.
What to do — step by step
Get safe
Move yourself and passengers to safety. Switch on hazard lights to warn other drivers.
Call 112
Iceland's single emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire — 24 hours, every day. Safety before the car, always.
Document everything
Photograph all vehicles, all number plates, road conditions, and the wider scene. Take more than you think you need.
Call us
Our emergency line is open any time. We will guide you through the incident paperwork and arrange assistance.
Do not admit fault at the scene — a calm “I need to speak to my rental company” is all you need to say.
Emergency — anyone hurt or in danger?
Call 112 immediately. That is Iceland's single emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire — 24 hours, seven days. Safety before the car, always.
The 112 Iceland (free, iOS and Android) can send your exact GPS location to the rescue coordination centre — useful on remote roads where you may not know your precise position.
At the scene — accident steps
- 1
Move to safety and switch on hazard lights
If it is safe to do so, move yourself and passengers away from traffic. Turn on the car's hazard lights to warn other drivers.
- 2
Call 112 if anyone is hurt or in danger
Do this before anything else. Give your location as precisely as you can — a road number, a landmark, or your GPS coordinates.
- 3
Photograph everything
All vehicles and their damage, every number plate, road conditions and signs, the wider scene, the other driver's licence and insurance document, any witnesses. Take more photos than you think you need — they cost nothing and can matter a great deal later.
- 4
Do not admit fault or sign anything you don't understand
A calm "I need to speak to my rental company" is all you need to say. Fault is for the insurers to determine — an on-the-spot admission can complicate things even when you were not at fault.
- 5
Exchange names, numbers, and insurance details
Note the other driver's name, phone number, licence plate, and the name of their insurer. Ask any witnesses for contact details.
- 6
Call us
Call us on +354 779 9499 — our emergency line is open any time. We will guide you through the next steps and start the incident paperwork with you.
If the car won't go — breakdown, flat tyre, or won't start
Call us first on +354 779 9499 — available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We will arrange roadside assistance and tell you exactly what to do while you wait.
Genuine mechanical or vehicle fault
If the car fails due to a genuine mechanical defect or vehicle fault, roadside assistance is arranged at no cost to you. We sort it — that is our responsibility, not yours.
Renter-caused recovery
Recovery that results from renter action — getting stuck off-road, putting the wrong fuel in, locking the keys inside the car, or running out of fuel — is chargeable at actual cost (ISK 500/km plus a recovery start fee for tow/recovery). If you are in any doubt about cause, call us first and we will work through it together.
Do not attempt recovery yourself
Especially in off-road situations, near rivers, in snow, or on gravel tracks — a self-recovery attempt can cause serious further damage and may void your cover. Stay with the vehicle in a safe spot and wait for help.
Why this also protects you
The photos you take at the scene work the same way as our 360° pickup and return videos: they create an evidence record that means you are billed only for damage that is new and documented. Good scene photos protect you just as reliably as the handover video does.
If a third party is involved, your photos of the other vehicle, number plates, and the scene are the same evidence the insurers will use to determine liability. The more thorough your documentation, the stronger your position.
Iceland-specific things to know
Sheep and wildlife on roads
Iceland has open-range sheep everywhere, particularly in summer. If an animal is in the road, slow down and let it move — do not swerve sharply at speed. Collisions with livestock are reportable and may be covered depending on your protection level.
Gravel chips and wind doors
Gravel chips on windscreens are common on Icelandic roads and are not something to feel guilty about — report them to us and we will sort it. Wind catching a car door and bending it back is also a known hazard; always open doors carefully in strong winds.
Check conditions before you drive
road.is (Vegagerðin) is the official Icelandic road conditions service — check it every morning on multi-day trips. safetravel.is lets you file a travel plan so rescue teams know your route if you are heading into remote areas.
River crossings are never allowed
Fording rivers is not permitted under Ring Road Cars terms and can void cover. If a road is flooded or crosses a river without a bridge, turn back.
Quick answers
What number do I call in an emergency in Iceland?
112. It is Iceland's single emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire — the same number for every emergency, 24 hours a day. The 112 Iceland app can also send your exact GPS location to the rescue coordination centre.
What if I get a windscreen chip or a small gravel nick?
Report it to us — don't worry about it. Small gravel chips happen on Icelandic roads and are not your fault. Whether it is covered depends on the protection level you chose at booking. We will walk you through it. Before any charge, we compare against the condition documented at pickup — a chip that was already there is not yours to pay.
What if the car won't start or breaks down on the road?
Call us on +354 779 9499 any time, day or night. Do not attempt to tow or recover the vehicle yourself — especially off-road, near a river, or in snow, as that can cause further damage and may void cover. We arrange roadside assistance and will tell you exactly what to do while you wait.
Should I admit fault at the scene?
No. Do not admit fault or sign anything you do not fully understand at the scene. Exchange contact and insurance details, photograph everything, and call us. Fault determination is for the insurers — a polite "I need to speak to my rental company" is all you need to say.
What should I photograph at the scene?
All vehicles involved (all four sides), any visible damage, the number plates of every car, road conditions and any relevant signs, the wider scene, and the other driver's licence and insurance document. More photos are always better — you cannot take too many.