We recently rented a car at LAX. Arriving as Fastbreak members, we were pleased to see our name on the board suggesting a car was ready for us. As we approached the line at the counter however, it was said that cars were unavailable and a short wait was necessary. Ok. Since our first night’s stay was down in San Diego, a good 2 hours’ drive, we were concerned about being left without a car but fortunately we did manage to get one.
The first car came around and we started our new covid ritual of disinfecting and wiping it all down. Just as I was done and I put the bags in the trunk, I saw some loose trim and reported this.
They told us at the gate to take it back as we might be responsible for missing parts. Who needs that kind of a hassle, so we went back to the counter.
Next, they pulled out a shiny red Mustang for us and we thought, Great!! Wiping this car down again, we got in and as we were about to drive off, we noticed a crack in the windshield. Wow!
We almost drove off and thought they must know, but to be safe went in a reported it. We were told: “When did that happen? We can’t let you leave with that!”. Good thing we checked, I imagine that would be expensive and surely, we would not want to be blamed!
Third time was the charm. We got a brand-new Kia which actually suited us very well.
Conclusion
Long story short, DO take the time to check out your rental and take pictures. Better to err on the side of caution when you pick it up, who needs to have the delays and headaches of dealing with insurance claims and more.
As a side note, we noticed the lady in front of us using her AA Advantage credit card, so I asked if they had reinstated the insurance for rentals on that card. Citi recently took it away. Perhaps as a side travel tip, check your credit card’s car rental policy to make sure you’re not only collecting points but also getting the best coverage from the choices in your wallet.
See our article on insurance: 6 Types of Travel Insurance for Peace of Mind on Your Next Trip
10 replies on “Always Check Your Rental Car Before Driving Off”
To the freedomtourtravel.com admin, Your posts are always well-timed and relevant.
Hi freedomtourtravel.com owner, You always provide clear explanations and definitions.
Hi freedomtourtravel.com admin, Your posts are always informative and up-to-date.
Thank you Leopoldo 🙂
This article was really useful! I learned that it’s super important to check a rental car for any damage before driving off. Nathalie’s story about finding loose trim and a cracked windshield shows how checking can save you from big problems later. It’s also good to know about checking credit card insurance policies for better coverage. Thanks for the helpful tips, Nathalie!
Glad you found the article useful, thank you!
Always inspect your rental car before driving off to ensure it’s in good condition. Check for existing damage, verify fuel levels, and test essential functions like lights and brakes. Document any issues to avoid unexpected charges and ensure safety.
Thanks Robert, good point in also testing essential functions such as lights and brakes.
It sounds like you had quite the experience renting a car at LAX! It’s great that you were able to secure a vehicle despite the initial unavailability. The added step of disinfecting the car is definitely a smart move in today’s travel environment. Reporting the loose trim was also a good call; it’s always best to address any issues right away. Hopefully, your trip to San Diego went smoothly after that!
Thanks Ali!