Renting a car in 2024 involves navigating sometimes opaque contracts, variable guarantees, and fees that appear after the vehicle is returned. The short-term rental market has become denser with the arrival of peer-to-peer platforms and all-inclusive packages, but disputes related to damages and deposits remain common. Understanding the mechanisms that truly protect the renter, even before comparing prices, changes the game.
Deposit and credit card: what the contract doesn’t always say
The deposit (or bank hold) is the first point of friction when renting. The rental company blocks an amount on the renter’s card, which may remain unavailable for several days after the vehicle is returned. This hold is not a payment, but it temporarily reduces the available credit limit.
A common misunderstanding concerns high-end credit cards. Many renters believe that the insurance included with their Visa Premier or Mastercard Gold exempts them from any upfront payment. In reality, the bank hold is not waived by the card’s insurance. The rental company first charges the renter in case of damage, and then it is up to the cardholder to file a claim with their bank’s insurer to obtain a refund. The process can take several weeks.
For those considering a professional car rental with Carfully, the functioning of the deposit and the included guarantees are detailed in advance, which avoids this type of surprise at the counter.
A useful reflex: check the debit and authorization limits of your card before pick-up. Some agencies refuse immediate debit cards or require a deferred credit card, which can block the transaction on the day.
“Comprehensive” coverage in rentals: exclusions to check
The term “comprehensive” or “full coverage” is reassuring, but it often masks significant exclusions. Rental contracts generally distinguish between the bodywork (covered) and peripheral elements (partially or not covered).
Damage to tires, rims, windows, roofs, and undercarriage often falls under separate protections. These parts of the vehicle are not always included in the basic coverage, even when it is presented as comprehensive. The renter may therefore be charged for a windshield chip or a scratched rim without having been warned.
Before signing, three checks reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises:
- Read the list of exclusions in the general terms, not just the summary displayed at the counter or on the online booking page.
- Request in writing whether the glass elements, tires, and undercarriage are covered by the chosen package.
- Check if the deductible applies per incident or per damaged item, as some contracts accumulate deductibles in the case of multiple damages.
The additional insurances offered at the counter are often charged between a few euros and ten euros per day. Their relevance depends on what is already covered by the renter’s credit card and the deductible level of the basic contract.
Condition report before and after: the only proof that matters
The majority of post-rental disputes concern damages noted after the return. An analysis reported by The National Law Review, based on CarInsuRent data for 2025, indicates that more than half of the claims studied were not caused by the renter. Pre-existing scratches, unreported impacts at departure, or damages that occurred in the rental agency’s parking lot can be wrongly attributed.
The contradictory condition report remains the most reliable protection. Photographing the vehicle from all angles (including the roof, rims, and undercarriage) with a visible timestamp creates an exploitable record in case of dispute.
Two additional precautions make a difference:
- Ensure that every visible defect is noted on the departure document, even the micro-scratches that the agent deems “normal.”
- Upon return, request a joint inspection and keep the document signed by both parties. If the agency refuses the on-site inspection, send the photos by email within the hour with the date and mileage.
- Keep all written exchanges with the rental company for at least six months, as the billing period for damage can take several weeks after the return.
New vehicles rented in 2024: intelligent speed assistance
A European regulatory change modifies the driving experience of recent rental vehicles. Since July 7, 2024, new cars registered in the European Union must include a Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) system. This system alerts the driver or provides haptic feedback (resistance on the accelerator pedal) when they exceed the speed limit.
The system can be manually disabled, but it automatically reactivates at the next start. For a renter driving a recent model for the first time, this feature can be surprising, especially on highways or in areas with frequent changes in speed limits.
Before leaving the rental agency’s parking lot, taking a few minutes to locate the ISA controls and other driving aids (emergency braking, lane keeping) avoids surprise reactions in traffic. Field reports vary on the sensitivity of these systems depending on manufacturers: some are discreet, while others intervene more noticeably.
Return fees: the items that increase the bill
The price displayed at the time of booking does not always reflect the final cost. Several fees often accumulate after the return.
The fuel policy is a classic. The “full/full” packages (the renter picks up the vehicle full and returns it full) remain the most transparent. The “prepaid full” packages charge for fuel at the rental company’s rate, often higher than the station price, and do not refund unused fuel.
The return location can generate an additional charge if the return agency differs from the departure one. This fee, sometimes called a “one-way fee,” varies significantly depending on the distance between the two points and the time of year. It usually appears in the terms, but not always in a visible way during online booking.
Returning late, even by an hour, can result in the billing of an additional day. Allowing a margin of thirty minutes before the contractual time limits this risk, especially at airport agencies where queues lengthen during peak season.
Each fee item taken in isolation seems minor. When accumulated over a week-long rental, they can represent a significant additional cost compared to the initial rate. Reading the general terms before booking, and not at the counter, remains the most effective reflex for renting a car without unpleasant surprises.
