LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As holiday travel picks up, consumer advocates are warning renters to document the condition of their vehicles — or risk getting hit with unexpected charges after returning them.
Some renters report being billed hundreds of dollars for cleaning or late fees, even when they say they returned the vehicle on time. Many of these issues occur when cars are dropped off after hours and aren’t officially checked in until the next day.
Others say they’ve been charged for damage or broken equipment they reported before driving off the lot. Weeks or months later, they receive bills claiming they caused the problem.
Advocacy groups say complaints like these are on the rise nationwide. Their biggest advice: document everything.
How to Protect Yourself
Take photos or video of the car at pickup and drop-off
Avoid overnight or after-hours returns when possible
Report any issues immediately and keep proof
Experts say these simple steps can help renters avoid surprise charges — and keep holiday travel from becoming more expensive than expected.
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