Should I repair rental car?

If the damage is minor it is generally advisable to have it repaired yourself before returning the rental car. If the repairs will involve painting, we recommend not to get it fixed yourself but leave it up to the rental company.

Are you responsible for flat tires on a rental car?

If you shelled out for the rental company’s roadside assistance, use it. In this case, the rental car company is responsible for covering the labor cost for replacing the flat or damaged tire or getting the car towed to the nearest service facility. You may end up paying for the tire yourself.

What should you do if your rental car is damaged?

No matter what kind of rental company you use, inspect the car thoroughly before driving off and report any damage, a dirty interior, or other problems to the company immediately. If it’s a full service rental company, have an employee inspect the vehicle with you and note any damage beforehand.

How do rental car companies calculate repair costs?

Some rental companies use a ‘damage matrix’, which shows the average repair cost for types of damage on each part of a car in each car category. Other rental companies will get an estimated cost of the repair from an expert, and charge you that. To dispute repair costs:

What happens if you don’t return rental car on empty?

The problem: If you don’t return the car on empty, you’re paying more than you should. Let the car rental company refuel the vehicle. But the company can charge much more than the price of gas—you could end up paying $10 a gallon. That’s a pricey option.

What are rental car damage charges and who’s liable for them?

Rental companies hold drivers liable for anything that happens to the vehicle during the rental period, even if the incident that caused the damage was out of the driver’s control. Such rental car damage charges can occur when there isn’t a rental company employee available to examine the vehicle when you pick it up and again when you return it.