A private investigator offers rental car drivers a tip: Take a video of your vehicle before driving it off of the lot.
TikTok user Mike Calnan of Northstar Investigations (@mikecalnan5) posted a video with his rental car advice on July 7. In the video, the private investigator (P.I.) with 30 years’ experience is circling a Nissan Altima with visible dents and scrapes.
Calnan says private investigators often rent cars. That’s how he learned this trick.
“Always take videos of the car before you rent it,” he says. “Because I dropped it off after the weekend. They called me and said, ‘You returned a dented car.'”
“Nope, not having it,” he adds. “That was a 4th of July party in your parking lot that dented your car.”
People largely agree Calnan’s advice is sound.
Many offered additional advice they’ve heard about the rental car process over the years.
One said, “A rental agent told me to video, take pictures, and then email it all to myself immediately so that there’s a time stamp. Best advice ever!”
Another agreed. “I video and take pictures,” they wrote. “Plus, on the sheet with the car diagram on it I circle every area no matter how tiny the mark is and even on the windshield.”
A third suggested, “Take a video when returning as well.”
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Some shared their own experiences.
“Hertz tried to sue us for damages we did not do,” wrote one.
A second said, “Yup SIXT at Atlanta Airport emailed me a month after I rented a car and said I need to pay 1451.00 for the damaged bumper I forgot to mention, nope here’s the video, sorry thank you.”
Calnan did not identify the company he rented the car from.
Car Rental Advice
According to industry data, a quarter of rental car insurance claims are due to preexisting damage.
These claims are purportedly often filed because rental car customers aren’t meticulous about documenting the state of vehicles before they’re driven off the lot.
A personal injury attorney says that if you receive notice about a rental car insurance claim that you believe is due to preexisting damage, you can:
Provide the company with time-stamped photos and/or videos you took before leaving the lot and upon return;
Ask for rental records from after your vehicle return date;
Contact your insurance company; and/or
Hire an attorney who is knowledgeable about rental car laws.
To avoid an unwarranted claim, the easiest thing to do is be obsessive about documenting the condition of the vehicle before you leave the lot. Look over and note each and every paint chip and bumper scuff before ever climbing behind the wheel.
If you get into an accident while in your rental car, it’s important to contact the company and your insurance provider to report it. If another driver was at fault or if you secured a vehicle protection policy for the rental at checkout, you’ll generally be in the clear, per Hertz Car Rental.
Your own car insurance may also cover the damages, depending on your policy.
If you didn’t notice the damage or the vehicle came into your possession already damaged, and you return it to the rental car company, the company may file a rental car insurance claim. This may come at a shock if the claim is over damage caused by someone else.
That way, as Calnan says in his TikTok’s caption, you may “avoid this nonsense happening!”
Motor1 reached out to Calnan via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We’ll update this if he responds.
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