How to Read Your Car Rental Invoice

So you have finally booked a rental car and enjoyed driving it on your road trip to Sydney. Now all you have to do is pay your rental car, which should have been a simple process. However, there are some incidents that people end up spending more time at the supplier's depot settling their bill. Why? Because of the countless questions they have regarding their invoice. We at VroomVroomVroom want to make your booking and car rental experience pleasant that's why we decided to share some useful information that will make it easier for you to read your car rental invoice. 

A quick guide to reading your invoice

It is important to know some of the terms and meanings so you can fully understand what's included in your payment. This will not only save you time, but give you a hassle-free holiday as well. Check out the usual details and terminologies shown in a car rental invoice below:

• Additional Driver: Fee for drivers in addition to the renter named in the contract. Maximum of 4 additional drivers per rental contract.

• ADMIN REC (Administration Recovery): This relates to administrative functions undertaken in respect to your car rental in Australia.

• VRR (Vehicle Registration Recovery): This recovery reimburses the car rental company for Vehicle Registration and Compulsory Third Party Insurance imposed by various State and Territory Vehicle Registration Authorities. It is charged per day and applies to all rental days. The VRR will be considered full day even if you only used it for a few hours.

• CC SURCHARGE (Credit Card Surcharge): A surcharge applies to qualifying rentals when paying with a credit card.

• Late Return Fees: These are fees for returning a car after return time agreed to at time of rental. Please note that returns of less than 30 minutes will generally not be charged extra hours, while returns 30 minutes later or later will incur an additional charge, with late returns of 1 hour and 30 minutes will result in a charge for an additional rental day.

• Return Change Fee: Customers who are on rent who extend their rental past a 12-hour grace period or change the location of their return will be charged a nominal fee.

• Intercity Fee: These are charges for returning a car to location other than initial rental location and/or location specified in rental contract.

• LOC FEE (Location Fee): This applies when the customer collects the vehicle from a premium location including airport and downtown locations. The fee varies per location and is imposed as a percentage of other charges as shown on the car rental record.

• LDW (Loss Damage Waiver):  This applies to all vehicle damage to Hertz rental car, with exception of damages obtained through fraud, or through an accident resulting from use of the car in a manner prohibited by the Rental Agreement. By accepting LDW you will be relieved of all financial responsibility for loss or damage to the rental car, whether or not you have insurance to cover such damage. In order for LDW to be applied to any damage claims, you must properly report the related incident in accordance with the Rental Agreement.

• LIS (Liability Insurance Supplement) : Offers liability protection up to $1,000,000 (in CA and FL up to $2,000,000 for liability only) and up to $1,000,000 of coverage for bodily injury or property claims with uninsured/underinsured motorist. 

• AER (Accidental Excess Reduction): This reduces the amount that a customer is liable to pay for damage to the rental car or damage it caused to any other vehicle or property. The maximum cover is 10 days per 30-day rental period.

• MAX (Maximum Cover): This reduces the Accident Damages Excess to zero. It also includes Single Vehicle Accident Excess buy out and is available at participating locations.

• FUEL SERVICE: The car rental supplier provides vehicles with a full tank of fuel upon pick up. There are convenient options for replacing the fuel that you've consumed.

• FPO (Fuel Purchase Option): There are certain locations that allows customers to purchase a tank of fuel in advance at a discounted price during the time of rental. This will save you time from refilling the tank before returning the rental car. Unused fuel won't be refunded.

• PDW (Partial Damage Waiver): This applies to insurance replacement rentals. The rental agency agrees not to hold you liable for loss or damage to the rental car up to the amount of your personal auto insurance deductible (up to $1,000). 

• PAI (Personal Accident Insurance): This provides limited death benefit and covers limited medical expenses for renter and passengers. Usually, total benefits for any one accident are limited up to $225,000. 

• PEC (Personal Effects Coverage): This covers some personal belongings. Coverage limits are usually up to $600 per person, with the maximum coverage for all claims limited to $1,800. 

• Premium Emergency Roadside Assistance: This provides roadside assistance including lockouts, lost key, flat tire & mounting, and dead battery, among other services. 
  

• LLDW: The rental agency agrees not to hold you responsible for up to $1,000 of damage to the rental vehicle. 

• Underage Fee: Renters under 25 years old are subject to Underage Fee. Generally, the fee varies based on renter's age, car class, and renting location. Car class restrictions also apply.

• Service Charges/Taxes: These represent state and local taxes, as well as surcharges/service charges collected by the rental company to reimburse state and local governments, airport authorities, and other government and transportation agencies, as well as additional fees.

Note: The details above were based on a Hertz invoice

If there are still some details in your car rental invoice that you don't understand, feel free to contact our friendly customer care experts so they can answer all your queries.