Rental car damage assessment
There are not many things that can put a damper on a vacation than an accident, things lost or stolen but let’s face it, negative things can happen. One of those things are when you rent a car and you damage it. Not only is it heavy on your mind while you are on a holiday (you might not be aware of it) but it’s the biggest cause of complaints and it’s very understandable. No one is ever happy to have to pay way over your planned vacation budget, it’s never fun, no matter how one twists and turns it.
We want to clarify the procedure how more or less all car rental companies in Iceland deals with this unfortunate event. It’s not a haphazard, personal estimate made by an employee who hasn’t gotten his/hers morning coffee. Here is the procedure.
1. Choosing your insurance
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) – Included
Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) – Optional
SCDW is an optional insurance and the renter is always responsible for damages like negligence, driving while under the influence, damage to tires, headlights, wind-screen and the underside of the car, damage caused by loose rocks which get thrown at the car on gravel roads, damages to the engine of the car caused by water getting into the motor.
This line here “The lessee is always responsible for the following damage caused by loose rocks which get thrown at the car on gravel roads,” is not in fine print but have caused grievance which is very understandable but is a must in Iceland. We will come back to this later. The SCDW insurance takes down the self risk to 90000 ISK
The difference between CDW and SCDW is the self risk. A difference of 260 000 ISK
Gravel Protection (GP) – Optional
Theft Protection (TP) – Optional
The theft protection covers fully the lessee (the renter) in case of theft except if there has been gross negligence like leaving the car open, the keys inside. The self risk is 0 ISK.
Sand and ash Protection (SAAP) – Optional
SAAP is a bit of a force majeure and is not covered by any other insurance except SAAP. It brings down the self risk to 90 000 ISK. Damages caused by ash or sand (like a sandstorm) can cause extensive damages to the paint job or even damages or anything mechanical.
Premium Insurance Package (PiP) Recommended
Icludes all of the above!
2. Pre handing over the rental car
When you come to the office to pick up your rental car in either Reykjavik or Keflavik, our staff has done over the car and has taken pictures of the condition before you are handed over the keys. The customer is then asked to take a look at the car with the condition report in their hands. When the customer is ok with the car and the condition, he/she signs the paper that they have received the car in the condition stated in the report.
3. Returning the rental car
When you return the car, your rental car representative goes over the vehicle, takes pictures and records any possible damages. The renter is then presented with the report and he/she signs the report.
4. CABAS Liability Assessment System
If there is damage to the vehicle, we, like most rental car companies here and abroad uses, assess the damages with a very detailed system provided by CABAS. A Swedish company servicing clients all over the world. The CABAS Liability Assessment System provides its users with a very effective and powerful tool to assess repair time and cost of damage on a car.
The reason for using this is twofold. First of all, it is to protect customer for any possible discrepancies in the assessment of damages. Every assessment has to be done in the same fashion, using the same method to ensure a fair cost estimation for all parties involved. Secondly, to assure the car rental companies doesn’t end up paying for the damages.
Damages are always sad when they occur and we deal with them consequently but we do feel better every time no one is hurt in the process. Keep your speed, be aware of what type of road you are driving on and anticipate what’s ahead of you and we are confident you will have a fantastic time driving around beautiful Iceland.
Safe travels! #GoIceland