RentalCheck the Windshield for Cracks
Another rental car tip, after Tuesday’s and yesterday’s: Every savvy traveler who rents a car knows to walk around the vehicle before jumping in, to check for dents and scratches, and to make sure that if the car is in any way damaged, that all imperfections are documented before leaving the lot. I even take photos of my rentals.

When I rented a car last month, I didn’t notice until I drove out of the lot that my windshield had a ding in it (actually, three). Luckily, I didn’t get charged but from now on, I will also be checking the windshield for cracks—and not just the body for scratches and dents.

 

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3 Comments On "Travel Tip of the Day: Check the Windshield for Cracks"
  1. Lee Richardson|

    Grab a copy of the daily paper or USA Today. Place it within the photos that you take of your rental car BEFORE you drive it off the lot. If you get your car in a dark parking garage, pull to the side of the exit lane, and insist that a representative of your car rental company signs off on any damage. Yes, people will think you’re nuts, but it saved me the cost of as scraped door and fenders. When the agent at the car return started to point to damage, I not only produced the signed form, but showed photos as well. Yes, this takes a few minutes from your journey, but could save literally thousands of dollars. Johnny, if the company was so inclined, you could have been held responsible. Also, always pay with your major credit card.

  2. Rocky Life|

    Last week we rented a car in Philly, after driving it a couple of hours a stress crack formed on the passenger side of the windshield. We called the rental company right away, and were told to return to one of their offices and swap the car out as they didn’t want the crack to get any larger. It still remains to be seen whether or not the car rental company will try to charge us for this. We took photos, and there was no ding or rock that hit it.

  3. Cathy|

    There was a spot where a rock had hit the windshield on my rental. I did not notice before I left the the rental co. It starting cracking while I had the car. I was stuck for the new windshield (about $300). I ALWAYS check all the glass now. Great tip.

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