What Happens if the Vehicle is Damaged During Your Rental?
At Tripinitiator, we understand that most renters drive responsibly, and accidents are uncommon. However, we’ve established a clear and transparent damage management policy to outline how charges are assessed and applied if a rental vehicle is damaged. For complete details, please review our Terms and Conditions carefully.
You May Not Be Fully Liable
Your liability depends on the rental protection plan you’ve purchased. In some cases, you may have no liability, while in others, you may be responsible for a portion of the costs.
Types of Damage
Charges vary based on the type and severity of the damage:
- Light Damage: Minor scratches, chips, dents, or loss, theft, or damage of keys, accessories, or documents.
- Tyre Replacement: Damage requiring a tyre to be replaced with a new one.
- Total Loss: Damage rendering the vehicle unrepairable or where repair is uneconomical or impractical.
- Serious Damage: Damage not classified as Light Damage, Tyre Replacement, or Total Loss.
Damages Identified at Vehicle Return
If damage is found during vehicle return and you acknowledge it by signing the vehicle return statement:
- Light Damage: You’ll receive an invoice detailing repair costs along with a Light Damage Administration Charge.
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Serious Damage or Total Loss: We will assess the vehicle and provide:
- A vehicle return statement detailing the damage
- Photographic evidence of the damage
- An invoice including applicable charges such as a Serious Damage or Tyre/Windscreen Administration Charge, an Engineer’s Assessment Fee (except for tyre or windscreen damage), and compensation for loss of vehicle use
Damages Identified After Rental Completion
If damage is discovered during a post-rental inspection after the vehicle has been returned:
- You’ll receive a detailed vehicle return statement, photographs of the damage, and an invoice for the relevant costs.
- Costs will include the applicable administration charge. For Serious Damage or Total Loss, additional fees such as an Engineer’s Assessment Fee (except for tyre or windscreen issues) and compensation for vehicle downtime will apply.
Claims and Disputes
To dispute or inquire about damage or charges, please contact us by email or letter within 14 days of receiving the documentation. If we do not hear from you within this period, we may proceed with invoicing you for the charges.
