Safety Guidelines

Personal Safety During Handovers

Your personal safety is the top priority during every vehicle handover. While the vast majority of rentals go smoothly, following safety best practices protects you and creates a professional experience for renters.

• Public locations: Always conduct handovers in public, well-trafficked areas (shopping centers, gas stations, hotel lobbies)
• Daytime meetings: Schedule pickups and returns between 7 AM and 6 PM whenever possible
• Inform someone: Let a friend or family member know the time and location of your handover
• Avoid isolated areas: Never meet in empty parking lots, dark streets, or remote locations
• Stay in populated areas: If the renter suggests an unusual meeting place, offer an alternative
• Keep valuables secure: Do not carry large amounts of cash or expensive personal items during handovers
• Phone charged: Always have a fully charged phone during the handover

Vehicle Safety Checks Before Each Rental

Ensuring your vehicle is safe protects both the renter and your liability:

• Brakes: Test brake function before every rental
• Tires: Check pressure and tread depth (minimum 3mm)
• Lights: Verify all lights work (headlights, brake lights, turn signals)
• Fluids: Check oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer levels
• Wipers: Ensure wipers work properly (critical during rainy season)
• Horn: Verify it works
• Seat belts: All seat belts functional
• Dashboard: No active warning lights
• Mirrors: All mirrors intact and adjustable

Emergency Preparedness

Equip your vehicle with an emergency kit and contact information:

Emergency Kit Contents

• First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers)
• Flashlight with working batteries
• Reflective warning triangles (2 minimum, legally required in El Salvador)
• Jumper cables
• Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, wrench)
• Spare tire, jack, and lug wrench
• Tire pressure gauge
• Water bottle
• Phone charger / cable

Emergency Contact Card

Place a laminated card in the glove box with:

• Your phone number (supplier)
• Sicarro support number and email
• Emergency services: 911 (general), PNC Police: 2289-4600
• Roadside assistance number (if you have a membership)
• Nearest hospital and mechanic contact
• Insurance company emergency hotline

Renter Verification at Pickup

Always verify the renter's identity at pickup:

1. Ask to see their government-issued ID (DUI for locals, passport for foreigners)
2. Compare the ID to their Sicarro profile photo
3. Verify their driver's license is valid and matches the booking
4. Ensure the person picking up is the same person who booked (no unauthorized drivers)
5. If anything does not match, do not hand over the vehicle and contact Sicarro support

Handling Safety Concerns with Renters

If you notice anything concerning during the handover:

• Intoxication: If the renter appears intoxicated (alcohol or drugs), do not hand over the vehicle. This is a legitimate safety concern.
• Aggressive behavior: If the renter is aggressive, threatening, or makes you uncomfortable, politely excuse yourself and leave the area. Report to Sicarro.
• Suspicious requests: If asked to remove insurance documentation, not sign the contract, or do anything irregular, decline.
• ID mismatch: If the person does not match their profile or presents suspicious identification, do not proceed.

In all cases: prioritize your safety, leave the situation if uncomfortable, and contact Sicarro support immediately.

Reporting Safety Issues to Sicarro

Report any safety concerns promptly:

• In-app report: Go to the booking > "Report Issue" > "Safety Concern"
• Email: suppliers@sicarro.com with subject "SAFETY: [brief description]"
• WhatsApp: Contact the Sicarro support line for urgent safety matters
• Include: booking ID, renter name, description of the concern, any evidence (photos, screenshots)
• Safety reports are reviewed with priority (usually within 2-4 hours during business hours)

Insurance and Liability

• Your vehicle insurance is the primary protection against accidents and damage
• Ensure your policy covers commercial rental use
• Understand your deductible amount and who is responsible in different scenarios
• The rental contract establishes the renter's responsibilities
• Sicarro provides dispute mediation but does not provide insurance coverage
• In case of an accident, the renter should contact the police (911) and your insurance company immediately

Natural Disaster Preparedness

El Salvador is susceptible to natural events that require preparedness:

Earthquakes

• El Salvador is in an active seismic zone
• Inform renters about earthquake safety if they are unfamiliar (pull over, stay in the vehicle if on the road)
• After a significant earthquake, check in with your renter
• Inspect your vehicle for damage after any earthquake

Tropical Storms and Heavy Rain

• Rainy season runs May through October, with heavy storms possible
• Warn renters about flood-prone areas (low-lying roads in San Salvador, rural river crossings)
• Ensure wipers and tires are in excellent condition during rainy season
• If a hurricane or tropical storm is forecast, consider canceling upcoming rentals (legitimate reason, no penalty)

Volcanic Activity

• El Salvador has active volcanoes (San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel)
• Monitor official alerts from Proteccion Civil
• Ash fall can damage vehicle paint and clog air filters

Road Safety Considerations in El Salvador

Brief your renters (especially international tourists) on local driving conditions:

• Traffic: San Salvador has heavy traffic, especially during rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM)
• Road conditions: Some roads have potholes, speed bumps (tumulos), and unmarked hazards
• Night driving: Avoid driving at night outside major cities when possible
• Highway tolls: Some major highways have tolls
• GPS: Recommend using Waze (more accurate than Google Maps in El Salvador)
• Parking: Use guarded parking lots (parqueos) in urban areas
• Speed limits: Typically 60 km/h urban, 90 km/h highway (enforced by photo radar)

After-Hours Safety Tips

• If a renter contacts you about an issue after hours, respond as quickly as possible
• For non-emergencies, let them know you will address it first thing in the morning
• For emergencies (accident, breakdown, safety threat), guide them to call 911 first
• Keep your insurance company's 24-hour hotline number accessible
• Consider having a trusted contact who can assist if you are unavailable

Security Cameras and Tracking

Some suppliers use GPS tracking devices in their vehicles:

• Disclosure: If you use GPS tracking, you must disclose this in your listing and contract
• Purpose: Tracking is acceptable for theft recovery and ensuring the vehicle stays within agreed areas
• Privacy: Do not use tracking to monitor the renter's personal activities
• Legal compliance: Ensure your tracking practices comply with local privacy laws
• Dashcams: If your vehicle has a dashcam, inform the renter and let them know how to turn it off if they prefer