We hope you never need this guide, but if an emergency arises during your rental, knowing what to do can make all the difference. Sicarro provides support for active rentals around the clock. Here's how to handle any emergency situation.
⚠️ In a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 first. El Salvador's emergency number is 911 for police, fire, and ambulance services.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Save these numbers in your phone before starting your rental:
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| General Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) | 911 |
| PNC (National Civil Police) | 911 |
| Red Cross (Cruz Roja) | 2222-5155 |
| Fire Department (Bomberos) | 913 |
| Sicarro Support (Email) | support@sicarro.com |
| Sicarro Support (WhatsApp) | Available on sicarro.com |
Vehicle Breakdown
If the car breaks down or has a mechanical failure:
Immediate Steps
- Pull over safely: Move the car to the side of the road, away from traffic
- Turn on hazard lights: Alert other drivers to your presence
- Set up warning triangles: If available in the car (check the trunk), place them behind your vehicle
- Stay with the vehicle: If you're in a safe location, remain with the car
- Contact the supplier: Call or message them through Sicarro immediately. Describe the problem and your location
- Contact Sicarro support: If you can't reach the supplier, email support@sicarro.com or message us on WhatsApp
What the Supplier May Arrange
- Roadside assistance or a tow truck
- A replacement vehicle (if available)
- Instructions for minor issues (e.g., resetting a warning light)
- A local mechanic referral
💡 Tip: When calling about a breakdown, share your exact location. Use Google Maps to send a pin of your location to the supplier via Sicarro messaging.
Flat Tire
Flat tires are one of the most common roadside issues. Here's what to do:
Option 1: Change the Tire Yourself
- Pull over to a flat, firm surface away from traffic
- Turn on hazard lights and engage the parking brake
- Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench (usually under the trunk floor or mounted beneath the vehicle)
- Loosen the lug nuts slightly before jacking up the car
- Jack up the car until the flat tire is off the ground
- Remove the lug nuts and flat tire
- Mount the spare tire and hand-tighten the lug nuts
- Lower the car and fully tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern
- Drive cautiously — spare tires are temporary and have speed limits (usually 50 mph / 80 km/h max)
Option 2: Call for Help
- Contact the supplier — they may send roadside assistance
- Use a local roadside assistance service
- In urban areas, there are often tire repair shops (llanteras) nearby that can come to you
⚠️ Safety first: If you're on a busy highway or feel unsafe, do not attempt to change the tire yourself. Stay inside the vehicle with doors locked and call for help.
Vehicle Accident
If you're involved in a traffic accident, stay calm and follow our detailed Accident Procedure Guide. The critical first steps are:
- Check for injuries — call 911 if anyone is hurt
- Move to safety if possible
- Call the police (911)
- Document everything with photos
- Contact Sicarro support and the vehicle supplier
Vehicle Theft
If the rental vehicle is stolen:
- Call the police immediately: Dial 911 and report the theft to the PNC (Policia Nacional Civil)
- File a police report (denuncia): You'll need this for insurance and Sicarro claims
- Contact Sicarro support: Email support@sicarro.com with your booking reference and police report number
- Contact the vehicle supplier: Inform them of the situation immediately
- Do not delay: Time is critical for vehicle recovery
Document everything: when you last saw the car, where it was parked, any suspicious activity you noticed. Insurance coverage applies in cases of theft — see our Insurance Coverage guide.
Medical Emergency
If you or a passenger has a medical emergency:
- Call 911 for ambulance services
- If you can drive safely, head to the nearest hospital
- Major hospitals in San Salvador include Hospital de la Mujer, Hospital Rosales, and private hospitals like Hospital de Diagnostico
- After the immediate situation is handled, contact Sicarro support to discuss your rental
Lost Keys
If you lose the car keys:
- Contact the supplier immediately: They may have a spare key
- Don't attempt to force the car open: This can cause damage you'll be responsible for
- Locksmith services: The supplier may arrange for a locksmith if no spare key is available
- Costs: Key replacement or locksmith fees may be deducted from your security deposit
Being Stranded
Dead Battery
- Turn off all electrical accessories (lights, AC, radio)
- If you have jumper cables and another vehicle is available, attempt a jump-start
- Contact the supplier — they can arrange a jump-start or battery replacement
- In urban areas, gas stations and mechanics can often provide a jump-start
Out of Gas
- Use Google Maps or Waze to find the nearest gas station
- If walking distance, you can take a container to get fuel (some stations sell portable fuel cans)
- Contact the supplier — they may be able to bring fuel to your location
- Use a ride-hailing app (Uber is available in major cities) to get to a gas station
Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
El Salvador can experience earthquakes, heavy rains (May-October), and occasional tropical storms:
Earthquakes
- If driving, pull over and stop in a safe area away from buildings, overpasses, and power lines
- Stay inside the car until the shaking stops
- After the quake, check for road damage before continuing
Heavy Rain and Flooding
- Avoid driving through flooded roads — even shallow water can be deeper than it appears
- Slow down on wet roads and increase following distance
- If conditions become dangerous, pull over and wait it out
- Mountain and coastal roads are most susceptible to landslides during heavy rain
Embassy Contacts for International Renters
If you're a foreign visitor and need consular assistance:
- US Embassy: +503 2501-2999 (Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan)
- Canadian Embassy: Represented by the Embassy of Canada in Guatemala — +502 2363-4348
- UK Embassy: Represented by the British Embassy in Guatemala — +502 2380-7300
- EU citizens: Contact your country's nearest consulate. Many EU countries have honorary consuls in San Salvador
Your embassy can help with lost passports, emergency travel documents, and connecting you with local resources.
After-Hours Emergency Support
Sicarro provides 24/7 emergency support for active rentals:
- Email: support@sicarro.com — monitored for urgent issues outside business hours
- WhatsApp: Send a message with "EMERGENCY" and your booking reference for priority handling
- Supplier direct: Your supplier's phone number is available in your booking details — most suppliers are reachable outside business hours for genuine emergencies
💡 Be prepared: Before you start your trip, save these numbers in your phone: 911 (emergency), your supplier's number, and Sicarro support. Being prepared means faster help when you need it.
