A loose gate scratched my rental just two days before I was supposed to return it. I’m really stressed about it. I tried painting over it to make it less visible, but it’s still noticeable. If an employee sees it, what will happen?
I once returned a rental car with the front bumper in my trunk in Puerto Rico and nobody even mentioned it. Also, get a Twinkie, squirt the cream on the scratch, and let it dry. It’ll look like bird poop, and they won’t bother to wipe it off. Once you check it in, it’s out of your hands.
@Wil
That’s not true, though. A friend drove from Chula Vista to Portland and hit a metal pole, leaving a small crack on the bumper. They took the car back and didn’t say anything at first, but five months later, he got a ton of charges on his card for the damages. That kind of thing is pretty random.
@Kai
They usually check for damages during the cleaning stage. They have more time to review existing damage then. Unless, of course, you hit a moose or a kangaroo.
Corey said:
@Kai
They usually check for damages during the cleaning stage. They have more time to review existing damage then. Unless, of course, you hit a moose or a kangaroo.
So what if you hit an animal? Damage is damage.
@Kai
Haha, hitting a moose or kangaroo would likely cause serious damage, so it’d be pretty obvious when you return the car.
@Kai
That’s right. It’s in the contracts of all major rental companies. They can pursue charges after you return the vehicle. Those contracts really favor them.
Evans said:
@Kai
That’s right. It’s in the contracts of all major rental companies. They can pursue charges after you return the vehicle. Those contracts really favor them.
You could contest that if it shows up five months later. They’d have a hard time proving it was you.
@Wil
I find it hard to believe you returned a car without a front bumper and they just let it go.
You’ll get charged for damages. If you have insurance that covers it, your maximum bill will be the deductible, but if not, they’ll bill you for repairs. If the scratch is smaller than a mug ring, they’re usually fine with it.
@Jess
Almost every credit card provides coverage now.
I saw a post about a scratch on a rental car on Facebook today. If it wasn’t you, just know you’re not alone, and try not to stress too much. Worrying makes it worse. If they notice, just accept it and whatever the charge is; it’s just a minor issue.
If everyone had to pay for every scratch on a rental car, the industry wouldn’t exist. Just don’t talk about it unless it’s very obvious. If they charge you, call them, ask about it, but don’t admit fault. If they’re clearly trying to scam you, you might just have to pay up.
@Blair
It seems like that might be a rental car company’s actual business model.
@Blair
You probably haven’t rented in Europe. In the USA, I’d agree, but in Europe, make sure to document every scratch and ding, no matter how small. Carefully check the vehicle and take pictures. Do the same when returning it; they will be more likely to notice something then.
Always do a walkthrough of the car and record everything before leaving the lot, just in case you get billed later. If you’re faced with charges, documenting your initial state can help. Always think about covering your bases.
@Leith
That sounds like a clever strategy.
@Leith
We do a walkaround with an employee who verifies the car status.
Skyler said:
@Leith
We do a walkaround with an employee who verifies the car status.
That method might not work at remote locations or in some international cases without an attendant.