The 1 Thing You Should Always Photograph Before Driving A Rental Car
Rental car reservations are a major part of travel. While no one expects to dispute a bill with a rental car company, being prepared can make all the difference. To understand the best ways to protect yourself, we turned to NerdWallet's travel expert Sally French , who emphasizes the importance of documentation.
French says there is one thing she'd recommend documenting with a photo, but she also recommends not limiting yourself to just one. "This isn't 1999, where you are limited to the amount of film you packed and then have to develop," French says.
Take Photos Before You Drive Away
Documenting your rental car should begin before you even leave the lot during pickup. Just as importantly, drop-off is another key time to take photos. As French explains, "This includes not just damaged areas, but the whole vehicle." By photographing the car at both pickup and drop-off, you have a complete record if a dispute arises.
"I typically take a photo of each side of the car," she explains. "Then might take detailed shots of each individual scratch, dent, or messy spot."
If you are limited to just one photo, she says to prioritize photographing the dashboard instrument cluster with the engine running. "In one photo, you'll be able to document the fuel level, total mileage, and whether any warning lights (like a low tire pressure or check engine light) were illuminated the second you took responsibility for the car." This is especially helpful if you're charged for things like refueling fees—a photo of the gas level before and after the trip can really help your dispute.
Don't Assume Existing Damage Is Already Documented
If you're relying on the rental car company to document dents or scratches, think again. "The biggest mistake is assuming that scratches on the car before you received it—even minor ones—have already been documented by the rental car company," she explains. "A scratch made by the last renter that wasn't documented could be attributed to you if you don't take a moment to document it." That's why photographing all damage, no matter how minor, is so important.
Photos aren't just images—they also contain valuable metadata. "This is information in the photo's file that is unalterable," French says. "It shows proof of the date, time, and even GPS coordinates to prove what you're saying is true." This built-in evidence can be vital if the timing or location of your documentation is ever questioned.
Hang On To Your Receipts
Don't ditch those paper receipts because they're an important addition to any photographic documentation. French says this includes the receipt slip you get at the rental car exit booth to prove when you left the property with the car, as well as a photo of the gas station receipt as proof you refueled.
Good Documentation Can Make Filing A Claim Easier
Credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X Rewards, and Chase Ink Business cards are among the top recommended for primary coverage. With these, you can file a claim through the credit card company without involving your personal auto insurance policy or risking a rate increase after a minor accident.
In this case, French says, documentation can be even more crucial. "Insurance companies always require a massive paper trail before paying a single dime," she tells us. "They'll ask for things like the original rental agreement, vehicle condition reports, the repair bill, those aforementioned time-stamped photos, etc."
Your careful documentation will make this process much smoother.
Read the original article on Southern Living
