Why you need to check your rental car for damage
One of the important things you should do before accepting your hire car is to check it thoroughly for pre-existing damage. Read on to find out why.
When you collect your rental car, staff from the rental car provider will give you a Vehicle Condition Report which should detail any pre-existing damage to your vehicle. The purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of the rental vehicle’s condition before you drive away in it. When you return your car, staff will check the car again and compare its condition to what was recorded on the report, and if there is new damage — or old damage not recorded on the report — you may be liable for the cost of repair.
How to check for pre-existing damage when you collect your rental car
It’s important when you collect your rental car that you check what is on the Vehicle Condition Report against what you can see on the car. It isn’t unusual for rental cars to have a few blemishes, but these should all be marked on the report, and the best way to check is to walk around the vehicle looking for any visible scratches, dents, windscreen chips, or any other damage. If you see anything that isn’t already marked on the report, you should add it and inform the car rental representative of the damage you found. As a backup, many customers take photos of the vehicle in its current condition, noting any pre-existing damage, but it’s prudent to make sure any pre-existing damage is noted on the actual Vehicle Condition Report as well.
Rental car damage checklist
Make sure you check the wheel alloys for scratches, as this is a common form of damage.
Examine the windscreen and windows to make sure there are no chips or cracks.
Look at the vehicle from a few different angles to make sure there are no visible dents.
Smaller damage like tiny chips and light scratches will often be considered wear and tear, and you shouldn’t be charged for damage of this kind, but they still should be marked on the report.
If you take the vehicle to any prohibited areas, or use the vehicle in a way that does not adhere to the Terms and Conditions of your rental agreement, it will void any insurance products you have purchased, meaning you’ll be liable to pay the full excess amount.
When you return your hire car
When you return your vehicle, a staff member from car rental provider will check the vehicle for any damage that wasn’t recorded on the Vehicle Condition Report. If any new damage is found, you’ll be provided with a copy of the report noting the damage that has been found and you’ll be charged for the estimated cost to repair the damage. If the actual cost of the damage repairs turns out to be less than what you were charged, the rental car provider will refunded the difference to you. In the case of significant damage, the vehicle may need to be assessed by a third party.
What about if you are not there for the inspection?
If you drop off your rental car out-of-hours, or are not present for another reason when the provider’s inspection finds new damage to the rental car, you’ll receive notification from them informing you of the new damage, with images to support the claim. Your credit card will be charged for the estimated cost of repairs at this time.
What happens if you damage your rental car?
It depends on the sort of damage to the vehicle. For very minor bumps and scratches, the staff may categorise the damage as wear and tear with no charge applied to you. When the damage is sufficient to not be classified as wear and tear, the staff may provide you with an estimate of the cost, with you being charged at the time. In cases where the damage is substantial, the vehicle may need to be assessed by a third party. In either case, and regardless of if you have third part excess insurance or not, you’ll be charged for the damage at the time. If you have excess insurance such as Prosura you can make a claim for the costs incurred afterwards.
How long does it take for a rental car provider to notify you of a damage claim?
This depends on the sort of damage. For minor bumps and scratches, the rental car provider staff may provide you with an estimate of the cost on the spot. In cases where the damage is more substantial, it may need to be assessed by a third party which might delay the provision of a cost estimate. If you return the vehicle out-of-hours there will also be a delay in letting you know about any new damage.
What about if there is minor damage to the rental car?
Minor damage to your damage car — for example tiny chips, hard-to-see scratches, and scuffed wheel alloys — may be considered as normal wear and tear on the vehicle, and as such you might not be charged for this sort of damage. That said, this is a subjective area, and what may look like a slight scuff to you, might look like something all together different to the staff member inspecting your car. This is one of the reasons why inspecting your car carefully before you collect it is important.
Just because damage looks minor to the eye doesn’t mean it’s necessarily going to be minor to your wallet. The two most common forms of damage to rental cars are windscreen and tyre damage, and bumper, trim and panel damage — and, depending on how severe the damage is, these sort of repairs can cost from the mid-hundreds to a couple of thousand dollars. Chipped windscreens in particular can be an expensive item to replace. Having excess insurance through Prosura can be a smart way to minimise your exposure to these costs.
For exampleScratches are found on David’s car
David returns his rental car to the depot. When he picked up his car, he did not find any additional damage. The car rental company representative finds scratches on the side of the vehicle, that are deemed to be more than just wear and tear. David is charged $200 for the estimated damage repair costs. A couple of weeks later, the car rental company informs him that the repairs only cost $120 and he is refunded the difference.
