Car Rental Scams: Fake Receipts, Damages, and Insurance Rip-Offs
Do you want to book a rental car for your next holidays? It’s a convenient and straightforward way to get around, but be aware of the costly pitfalls that every traveler should be aware of when renting a car. Let’s take a look at some of the most common rental car scams and how you can avoid them.
If the rental agency can find new damage/dents when you return it, they will charge you for the auto repair. The money will be deducted from the credit card you used for the payment. You will see the charge on your statement, and you may receive an email notification as well.
Disputing rental car damage charges can be very difficult. Often, it is their word against the rental company. But if you have the papers and photos, you have a chance to show that you have been wrongly accused.
Don’t Trust Your Car Hire Rental Company
When you show up at the rental agency counter to pick up a rental car, you will be encouraged to purchase a Rent a Car insurance policy. It is an insurance policy designed to reduce or eliminate the excess that you will have to pay in the event of an accident in the rental car. Without this type of insurance coverage, if the vehicle is damaged while in your charge, you may have to pay a deductible of several thousand dollars.
That’s a lot of money in everyone’s language, and it can make rental car franchise insurance a good investment. In most cases, however, it is a scam.
Car rental insurance purchased directly from the rental company is usually quite expensive. Depending on the vehicle rental time, daily insurance premiums could add a few hundred dollars to the rental’s total cost. You must know about all the exclusions and restrictions that apply to this type of coverage. Not to mention that many policies will only lower your payable deductible, not eliminate it.
How to Avoid Rental Car Insurance Rip-off?
There is an easy way to protect yourself against the rental company’s insurance deductible without having to buy the deductible reduction coverage they are trying to sell you. You have two options to choose from:
Purchase Travel Insurance
Whether for domestic or international travel, many comprehensive travel insurance policies include car rental franchise insurance as standard coverage. Better yet, it is cheaper than the coverage you can buy from rental companies.
Purchase Stand-Alone Car insurance
These policies are specifically designed for rental cars and are also cheaper than the policy that the rental company will try to sell you. Whichever option you choose, be sure to shop around and compare your options before buying. See what’s covered, what’s not included, and the limits that may apply to find the policy that offers the best return on your investment.
Other Hazard for Costly Car Hire
The insurance deductible isn’t the only car rental rip-off that can cost you a lot. Please find out about these other expensive rips off and what you need to do to avoid them.
Unwanted Upgrade
Going to the rental counter to be told you’ve received an upgrade on the vehicle you ordered sounds like a good thing and often is. Still, it can also come at an additional cost.
Before agreeing to an upgrade that you have not requested, please double check to make sure it is free. If this is the case and the offered vehicle meets all your requirements, all the better. If there are additional fees to pay, don’t sign the contract unless you’re willing to pay a little more.
Fuel Policy
If you’ve ever returned a rental car without a full tank of fuel, you are likely to be affected by the exorbitant refueling charges from the rental company. You can save a lot of money simply by filling up with fuel just before taking the car to the depot. Maybe it may seem like an inconvenience when you have to catch a plane; it’s worth it.
Some companies allow you to return the car without a full fuel tank. However, you will need to pay additional fees upfront when you rent the car, so the most profitable option is to return the car after refueling simply.
Dodgy Damage
Wherever people are going, no one can wait to start their vacation. But don’t forget to do one thing before you leave with your rental car – check it closely for any pre-existing damage and record the vehicle with your smartphone for about a minute.
Take the time to inspect the vehicle closely for scratches, dents, or other damage. If it’s not listed on the vehicle health report, check with the rental agency to make sure it’s included. Remember to check the car’s interior and exterior, and it is also a good idea to take pictures of any damage to your phone.
Buying at the Desk
With so much to organize ahead of the holidays, it’s easy to postpone renting a car until you reach your destination. But reserving a vehicle in advance, and online, will save you some money and allow you to spend more on the good stuff.
If you look at your destination airport or another pickup point, such as the city center, you run the risk of ending up with an unsuitable vehicle when demand increases in peak season.
Car Rental Ripoffs: How To Report a Scammer
Let your family and online friends know about this article by sharing it on your social media platforms. You could officially report rental scammers and any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
Protect Yourself Some More
If you want to be amongst the first to receive the most notorious scams weekly, consider subscribing to the Scam Detector newsletter. You’ll receive periodic emails from us and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, feel free to use the comments section below to expose other scammers.
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