Questions you may be asking regarding rental car maintenance
If you’re thinking about getting a rental car, say, for a business trip (or other business purposes), a special occasion, or because you’re going on a long drive and don’t think your vehicle is up to the challenge (or you simply don’t want to use it for that specific purpose), you no doubt have a few questions.
One of them would most likely be the all-important, are you responsible for washing the car, especially if it gets filthy?
Let’s get into the maintenance-related questions when it comes to rental cars:
Are you required to wash your rental car?
Most car rental companies expect you to return a rental car in the same condition you got it. Avis’s rental terms and conditions, for example, specify: “You agree to return the car to us in the same condition you received it, ordinary wear and tear excepted.” The safe assumption here would be that unless the car is excessively dirty, there’s no need to wash it. Or in the case of Hertz, there’s no need to pay an add-on cleaning fee.
So, say your rental car got seriously mud splattered, it’s a good idea to take it to a car wash. Just make sure it’s not one of the older car washes where brushes are still used. Avoid washing the rental car by hand, as you may inadvertently scratch it.
Do you have to clean your rental car’s interior before returning it?
With the major car rental companies, interior cleaning and detailing will typically be covered as part of your rental agreement.
If you’re renting a car for 25 days or more, some companies may prefer you take care of this aspect of cleanup, maybe even expect you to do so. Check with your rental company to be sure.
If the interior has accumulated a good amount of dirt, mud, or pet hair, you can remove it yourself. It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort, and it can save you the cost of additional fees if you return the car with a dirty interior.
Are you expected to shoulder the repair cost if the rental car is scratched or dented?
With some rental companies, you can purchase a damage waiver, or a loss damage waiver (LDW). It is neither insurance nor mandatory. If you scratch or dent your rental car, the company may either simply waive the cost of repair or require you to pay a reduced amount, depending on your agreement and the extent of the damage.
Without a damage waiver, you will likely have to pay for repairs.
Do not attempt any form of repair yourself. Doing so would typically be considered a breach of the terms of the rental contract. If you have personal coverage that extends to rental car damages, file a claim with them instead if you are at fault.
If you need to get a rental car, be sure to ask your rental car company the pertinent questions to avoid any avoidable costs.
You may also want to take advantage of EverCare Protection’s rental car reimbursement on covered repairs if your car is in the shop.
Lastly, if you’re looking for great savings when it comes to repairs for your own car if your manufacturer’s warranty is running out soon, we may just have the product that suits your needs.
Explore your options with EverCare today.