Break This Picture Before Returning a Rental Automobile

Last Updated on October 17, 2022 by Laura

Photo credit: Shutterstock

With gas prices going sky high throughout the United States, it’s no surprise that rental car companies are far more strict about how much gasoline is in the fuel tank when you return your vehicle. When returning a rental car, there’s a crucial step to take to protect yourself from false fees.

Lately, some travelers are reporting indiscernible fuel charges when returning their rental with a full tank—even though they just filled up before returning the car. And when rental car companies charge up to triple the cost of fuel that you’d purchase at a gas station, these surprise fees are hardly unnoticeable.

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What can you do to avoid paying a fuel charge when returning a rental car full of gas? There are some simple steps.

Take a Picture of the Gas Gauge

Come prepared when you contest any errant fuel charges on your rental car receipt. The most important thing you can do is take a picture of the gas gauge when you return the rental car. It will also be helpful to save the metadata that provides details, like exact location and the time you took the picture, to ensure your photo is indisputable.

Take a Picture of Your Gas Receipt

Documenting where and when you refueled will provide backup when you contest wrongful fuel charges upon your rental car return. Make sure your receipt picture shows the gas station address, the number of gallons purchased, and the total cost. It will prove that you purchased fuel before returning the rental vehicle. Whatever fuel was used to drive a few miles from the gas station to the rental car company should not cost you extra fees. It sounds overboard—until you get charged two-to-three times the amount you paid at the gas station to return the car with a full tank.

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The bottom line is that you can always appeal charges you believe were made in error. Just be sure to plead your case with as much evidence as possible.

In this case, the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” takes on a completely new—and helpful—meaning.

Related:

• How to Handle a Car Rental Damage Claim
• What to Do if You Have an Accident in Your Rental Car

The post Snap This Photo Before Returning a Rental Car appeared first on AutoSlash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car in Italy and drop it off in France?

It may not possible to rent a car through an Italian company and drive it across Europe. You could try Europcar which provides rentals across Europe. You would need to contact them directly for information on renting cars in Italy and dropping them off at another location.

What are the requirements to rent a car abroad?

You can find a cheap rental car in Europe by visiting several websites like Alamo, Sixt and Europcar. Online booking is also an option.

Before renting a vehicle from us, you need to ensure that you have all information.

• Your complete name, including any middle names (if relevant)
• Your current address
• Date, time, and location of pickup
• Name and model of the vehicle that is rented
• Insurance company and policy number
• Special requests for equipment
• Details of the rental agreement (e.g., duration and rate, deposit, balance due by end of trip, excess fees, limits of liability, cancellation penalties etc.
• Payment methods (credit card or debit card, cash, personal cheque, or cash)

Once you have collected all of the above information, you can book your vehicle with one of the companies listed above.

What is the most reputable car rental company?

Hertz has unrivaled customer service. They are always there to help you find a vehicle that suits your needs. They offer great deals on vehicles and have an extensive fleet of cars available across all major cities. Renting a car can be as low as $10 per day

Hertz also offers free airport pickup-and-drop-off services, 24-hour assistance on the road, and even a complete line accessories and equipment to make sure you are safe while driving around town.

The Hertz website is a great place to start if you want a good experience with car rentals.

What's the best roadtrip in Europe?

You should take the time to stop and explore along your route, not just speeding from one place to another.

There are many great roads in Europe, but few are as beautiful as the route between Venice and Dubrovnik.

You will drive through stunning scenery most of your trip. There are numerous stops along the road to stop and take in all the sights.

Highlights include Torcello in Lake Garda and Lido di Jesolo on the islands, as well as the Dolomites, Lake Como and Dolomites in northern Italy and the walled medieval French city of Carcassonne.

What is the daily cost of a car rental in Europe?

We are not certain, but believe it is somewhere between $100 to $200 daily.

We recommend that you rent at most for two days. There are plenty of sights and activities.

You might consider purchasing a vehicle for around $2000-$3000 if you plan to stay longer.

This way you could travel around Europe for free.

It's also worth looking into whether your credit card company offers any rental discounts.

Statistics

• If you're a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
• Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
• American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
• For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day's trip cost. (insider.com)
• Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)

External Links

sixt.com

• SIXT rent a car
  
• SIXT Loyalty Programme
  

jdpower.com

• 2021 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study
  
• 2019 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study | J.D. Power
  

avis.com

• Book Online Now & Save With Avis Car Rents
  

alamo.com

• Alamo Rent a Car - Cheap Car Rent in the U.S. & Latin America
  
• Alamo Insiders – Alamo Rent a Car - Low Car Rental Rates
  

How To

How can I make sure that I don't get charged for damage done to my car before it is rented?

Consider, for example, what happens to the rental vehicle if you drive it for only a few minutes before returning it back to the rental agency. What happens if your rental car gets scratched? This is a very common issue for those renting cars from different companies. Even if the customer did not cause any damage to their car while renting it, some agencies will charge them. Ask whether charges will be made for scratches or dents to the vehicle. This is a way to avoid such fees. These are the steps you can take to ensure that no charges will be made for damage done before renting a car.

1. Ask for a scanned copy of the agreement.
2. Make sure you read the description.
3. Take care to read all the fine print.
4. Ask for a free cleaning service
5. You should be careful about the condition of your vehicle.
6. Make sure you don't leave any items behind in your car
7. You should always bring cash when renting a vehicle.
8. Keep all receipts;
9. Never allow anyone to touch the car without permission.
10. Never accept a gift offered by the company.
11. Reputable rental agencies are recommended.
12. Always bring your contract.
13. The car must be returned in good condition.
14. Send your contact information to the agent
15. Avoid using the same company as often as possible;
16. Write down important details about the car, such as the mileage, model, engine size, color, etc. ;
17. Take photos of the damage;
18. Do it yourself.
19. A third party should inspect your car.
20. Do not agree to pay additional fees

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