Glossario

A separate policy, often bought with the booking. You pay the rental company first and claim it back from the insurer.

You return the car when the office is closed. The car is inspected later without you, so the company must prove the damage was there at return.

No extra cost per kilometre. If there is a limit, the extra price per km is in the contract.

Cover for parts that standard insurance often excludes. Check whether the claimed damage falls under it.

A fee plus fuel price if the tank was not full. Check the fuel gauge photo you took at return.

An amount blocked on your credit card during the rental. It should be released after return if there is no damage.

The bill from the garage for a repair that was done. This is the strongest proof of cost a rental company can show.

A fee for the days the car could not be rented out during repair. Ask for proof: repair days and that no other car was available.

The most you pay yourself for damage or theft, as written in your contract. A damage claim can never be higher than this amount, unless you were grossly negligent.

Basic cover for damage to the car. You still pay up to the excess. Almost always included in the price in Europe.

You get the car with a full tank and return it full. Keep the receipt of a petrol station close to the office.

The bank blocks the deposit without taking it. A rental company still needs a reason and a notice before it takes money from it.

A price for a repair that has not been done yet. It is not proof of real costs; ask for the repair invoice.

Cover if the car is stolen. You pay up to the theft excess.

Mandatory cover for damage you cause to others. It does not cover the rental car itself.

A fixed fee for handling a damage case. It may only be charged if it is in your contract or the terms you accepted.

Only for unusual dirt, such as sand everywhere or smoking. Normal use is not a reason.

Asking your bank to reverse a card payment you dispute. There is a time limit, often about 120 days after the charge.

Extra cover sold at the counter that lowers the excess to zero or a small amount. Check what is excluded: tyres, glass, underbody and keys often are.

A fee for picking up or returning outside opening hours. Only valid if it was shown when you booked or signed.

A fee for returning the car at another office than where you picked it up.

A charge for the car being worth less after repair. For small damage on a rental car this is rarely justified.

A fixed price per type of damage that some companies publish. A claim above their own table is hard to defend.

The form with the damage that was already on the car. Check it before you drive off, and add anything missing with photos.