Upon collecting my rental car at Los Angeles International Airport, I thoroughly inspected the vehicle’s exterior and interior for any damage. It’s crucial for renters to meticulously record any existing imperfections, including scratches, dents, and marks on both the inside and outside of the car, as well as any stains or burn damage to the interior.
As I walked up to the car, I spotted a rust stain near the left headlight, indicating that the car hadn’t been cleaned thoroughly. Unfortunately, this was only the start. Prior to stowing my bags in the trunk, I took pictures and videos to record the state of the rental car. It is common for rental agencies to damages that occurred before their rental unless there is evidence showing that the damage was already there at the start of the rental period. It is essential to have photo and video evidence of the car’s condition during the rental to prevent unnecessary charges for damages.
Car rental companies must possess photographic and video evidence of any pre-existing damages on vehicles to ensure that customers are not held responsible for damages upon returning the rental car. In my inspection report, I observed a total of 16 external scratches and scuffs. Additionally, I found mud accumulation behind the driver’s seat, along with holes in various interior areas such as the cup holder, door handle, and cell phone plug-in, suggesting the absence of certain components. Lastly, there was a cigarette burn mark on the rear seat.
At that point, the decision was made for me.
Due to the sheer number of exterior and interior issues, the possibility of additional damage due to poor cleaning, and missing pieces, I refused to take the car. I immediately showed the rental agent how bad the condition of the car was and asked him to get me another car. Within five minutes I had it.
If the damage is significant, there is a high chance that the car rental company may charge you for repairing and repainting the vehicle, despite providing them with photos and videos. Dealing with the resulting hassle and disputes is unnecessary, and there is no assurance that you will win against the rental car company. The cost of repairs is merely the starting point for potential additional charges. You be billed for the duration the car is under repair, as the rental company can not rent out the vehicle during this time. This fee can accumulate rapidly and may surpass the expense of the actual repairs.
If your rental car already has extensive damage, photo and video documentation may not be enough to ensure that you will not be charged for damage you did not cause.
If your rental car shows any damage inside or outside:
Start at the driver’s side headlight and walk around the car, taking pictures of any damage from scratches, dings and scratches as well as any missing pieces, including rubber moldings. Then make a similar video of the car and explain what you are seeing while making the video. Repeat this for the interior.
If your rental car has 10 or more physical problems:
Avoid the vehicle if there is this much damage. Don’t buy a car when it’s missing parts.
If your rental vehicle wasn’t given a thorough cleaning, it’s possible that dirt and grime are concealing underlying issues. In this case, it’s best to leave the car at the rental lot.
To minimize issues with rental cars during your trip, consider these additional key recommendations.
Make sure your rental car is fully functional before you leave.
Have your car mechanically checked before leaving the lot:
Before leaving the rental company make sure you have a full or “doughnut” spare tire and the correct locking nut removal tool along with a jack and tire iron. Check your tires’ tires to make sure they are adequate, especially in winter.
Check your car’s air conditioning, heating, lights, windshield wipers, mirrors, controls, etc before accepting the car at the rental company to make sure you know how to work them and that they are working properly. Have been.
When swapping or returning a rental car for a longer period, make sure to get the rental car employee’s signature upon handing over the vehicle in case of loss or theft. It’s important to document any car exchanges or returns properly to avoid potential issues. Instances have arisen where renters have faced legal trouble after rental cars were reported stolen, possibly due to inadequate or improper documentation by the rental companies. This has been observed not only at Hertz but also at other car rental services.
This commonly occurs when you swap the car because of issues or an accident, or when you bring back the car after prolonging the rental duration. If this situation arises, it is important to make sure that an employee from the company signs your contract to confirm they have received the car before leaving the return lot.
In recent years, I have been involved in two accidents while using rental cars, and on both occasions, I was provided with a substitute vehicle. During one of these incidents, the rental company claimed that I had not returned their car. I was able to resolve the issue by sending them an email containing the signed contract, in which their staff member acknowledged receiving the vehicle. Luckily, the situation was resolved thereafter.
Avoid issues stemming from tolls based on license plate photos, international rental car rules, and connecting your phone to a rental vehicle. Remember that rental companies typically add extra charges for toll payments based on license plate images and for using their toll devices. It’s advisable to bring your own transceiver when driving in regions like the US that utilize EZ-Pass to avoid these fees.
Know the rental car rules for the rental country:
Some countries have special rules and mandatory fees for rental cars. Your car insurance from home may not be valid in some countries. Make sure you know the rules.
Consider not connecting your smartphone to the car:
Most renters are not prepared to delete their data from their rental car when they leave it. Don’t pair with a car until you’re ready to do so unless you want the company and prospective renters to be able to see your contacts and personal information.
your rental vehicle, make sure to fill up the gas tank with the correct type of fuel. It’s essential to be aware of the fuel type your rental car requires, especially when traveling abroad, as many vehicles outside the US run on diesel. If you accidentally put the wrong fuel in the car, you’ll be held responsible and your insurance won’t cover the costly mistake, which can exceed $
When renting an electric vehicle, it’s important to understand the compatible charging stations, access methods for the charge connector area, proper charger plug-in procedures, and the potential need for adapters. It’s essential to have the necessary adapter for charging. Additionally, ensure you have a vehicle charging account to utilize charging stations during your travels.
Remember to top up your fuel tank before returning the rental car. While you have the option to pay for the convenience of not refilling it, this fee is usually much higher than the actual cost of the fuel. I made sure to stop by a gas station close to the car rental drop-off location and filled up the tank with ample time to spare. The penalty for not refilling the tank can be significant.
By following these tips, you are not guaranteed to eliminate charges for any damage or prevent all problems that occur while using your rental car, but they will help you prevent many of them.
consider the following resources:
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Become a member of Travelers United and gain access to a premium cybersecurity bundle featuring a storage solution.
After working for several years in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive, and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a technical consulting company and later restarted his photography business, NSL Photography. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a public health engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a renowned corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned writes about travel and photography around the world, as well as runs photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s photography blog and gallery.
