Renting a car is an incredibly common travel experience, but there’s a crucial step that many people overlook in their rental journeys.
And it turns out that this simple-but-major action could save you a lot of money and hassle.
According to experts, the very first thing you should do when you get your rental car is take a couple of minutes to inspect and photograph the vehicle.
“Many rental car companies do a fairly quick inspection when you return the car, and if they notice a dent or scratch that wasn’t documented beforehand, it could fall on you to prove you weren’t responsible,” said Sally French, a travel expert at NerdWallet.
Having quick access to evidence that the ding was there when you picked up the car can save you lots of money in unexpected fees or repair bills.
“Unfortunately, not all rental companies are equally thorough or honest when documenting pre-existing damage,” said travel blogger Rocky Trifari. “You could be held financially responsible for damage that was already there or that occurred after you returned the car. I’ve heard stories of people being charged hundreds ― or even thousands ― of dollars for things they didn’t do.”
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Without evidence, it’s your word against the rental company’s, but documenting the state of the car yourself puts the control back in your hands.
“It’s much easier to prove you aren’t responsible for damage to a rental car if you inspect and report the damage before driving off,” said money and budgeting expert Andrea Woroch. “Taking pictures can validate this claim since you can show the image and time stamp of when the picture was taken to prove you are not responsible for any scratch, dent or any other damage.”
Some rental car agencies might say you don’t need to worry about normal wear and tear (such as a tiny scratch that’s less than an inch), but erring on the side of caution is better than assuming you can’t be held liable for preexisting dings.
“While many car rental companies will inspect vehicles for damage before you pick up, it’s best to double check it yourself,” Woroch said. “Inspect the vehicle closer for any damage inside and out, and drive the car to a lighted area if you are in a poorly lit underground parking lot.”
She advised photographing any signs of damage you notice and reporting it immediately to avoid misunderstandings or false claims against you later.
“If you’re unsure what to report, just call an agent over to inspect the car with you and point out any damage to get approval,” Woroch said.
Basically, as soon as you get the car, just start snapping away with your phone.
“Don’t forget to photograph the roof and under the bumpers, too,” French said. “These spots are often overlooked but can be where sneaky damage lives. Also, photograph the mileage and fuel gauge to verify you’re returning the car in the same condition.”
Do this whenever you rent a car, even outside the U.S.
“It’s also worth noting that international rental companies can be even stricter, so this habit becomes especially important when traveling abroad,” said travel blogger Esther Susag. “And I always check the tires and rims. Some companies are quick to charge for curb scrapes or low tread, and those are easy to miss if you’re in a rush.”
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She recommended keeping these photos for at least a few weeks after your trip ends, as damage claims sometimes don’t come in until days later.
“For safe measure, you should also record some video footage as well to increase the reliability of this method since photographs can sometimes be more easily scrutinized,” Trifari said. “Walk around the entire car, capturing any scratches, dents or marks, and be sure to include the tires and windshield, too. It’s also smart to take a photo of the mileage and fuel gauge before leaving.”
Ideally, you won’t end up needing these photos and videos, but it’s still best to take this small step to protect yourself from unnecessary hassle or unexpected charges.
For extra peace of mind, document the condition of the car when you return it as well. You could be held responsible for damage that occurs after your rental period.
“If I’m returning the car after hours, I’ll even send an email right after to timestamp the return,” Susag said.
She also tries to return the car during business hours whenever possible so that there’s someone on site to confirm everything looks good.
“Resolving these disputes can be stressful and time-consuming, especially if you’re dealing with it after your trip ends,” French noted. “Ultimately, snapping a few quick photos is one of the easiest and smartest ways to protect your travel budget. It’s a two-minute travel hack that can save you big headaches.”