Quick Summary
- Photograph every side of the car, close ups of damage, the wheels and the windscreen before you drive away.
- Record the mileage, fuel level and any dashboard warnings so you can prove how the vehicle looked at pick up.
- Keep your photos and paperwork safely stored until Hola Car Rentals confirms your deposit has been released.
Why careful inspection at pick up matters
Landing at Miami after a long flight, it is tempting to grab your car rental keys and drive straight to the hotel. Spending just a few extra minutes checking and photographing the vehicle can mean the difference between a smooth drop off and an unexpected damage bill weeks later.
Whether you collect your vehicle at Orlando Airport collection area or step into the queue in another busy hub, Hola Car Rentals encourages every traveller to treat the handover like a simple mini inspection. It protects you, the local supplier and the next driver.
Exterior checks to complete before you drive away
Walk slowly around the car and look at it from different angles, not just in the bright spots of the car park. Photograph each side, the front and rear, each wheel, and the windscreen and rear window. If the car is parked in a dim multi storey, use your phone torch for close ups so that scratches and dents are clearly visible.
Note any existing scrapes, dents or chips on the rental agreement. If a member of staff marks damage on a paper or digital diagram, take a photo of that page as well. This is particularly important in busy locations like the New York JFK pick up area, where damage may already have been logged during previous rentals.
Do not forget the roof and the bonnet. A quick photo from each corner can capture these areas even if you cannot easily reach them. If you see anything unusual, such as a panel in a different shade of paint, mention it at the desk so the team can add a note.
Interior, mileage and fuel level
Open each door and take photos of the seats, floor, dashboard and boot before you load your luggage. Look out for stains, burns or tears and any missing items such as the luggage cover or charging cables. If you booked a child seat or GPS, check that it is present and in good condition.
Switch on the ignition and photograph the instrument cluster showing mileage, fuel level and any warning lights. This is especially useful if you are leaving from the Los Angeles LAX forecourt late at night, when staff may be moving several vehicles at once and mileage can easily be misread.
Keep an eye on smell and cleanliness. If the vehicle smells strongly of smoke or chemicals, or does not match the cleaning standards you expect, speak to the desk team immediately so they can note it or offer an alternative if available.
How photos protect your deposit
Think of your phone as a simple protection tool. If a scratch or chip is already on the vehicle, your time stamped photos will show that it was there before you left the car park. That makes it much easier to dispute a damage claim once you have returned home.
For a more detailed walk through, you can check Hola Car Rentals detailed photo guide at pick up, which explains exactly how to frame every shot so your evidence is clear.
When you book with Hola Car Rentals, many itineraries include an All Inclusive Plus rate with maximum coverage, free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up and maximum liability protection. Even with strong coverage, the right set of photos makes any discussion about damage much faster and less stressful.
Organising and keeping your evidence
Create a folder on your phone for each trip and save all your car photos, rental agreement images and fuel receipts there. If you are touring several cities, label albums with dates and locations so that a picture from Orlando does not get confused with one from New York or San Francisco.
Once your trip is finished and Hola Car Rentals has confirmed that the local partner has closed the contract without extra charges, keep the photos for a few weeks just in case, then archive them in cloud storage. You can delete them later once you are confident that everything has been settled.
FAQs about inspecting your hire car
Do I really need to take photos even if the car looks perfect?
Yes. Small scratches and stone chips can be hard to see at pick up but very obvious under different light at drop off. Taking photos is fast and gives you peace of mind.
Which damage should I insist is written on the contract?
Ask the team to note anything you can clearly see in a photo, especially dents, scrapes, cracked glass and wheel damage. If something worries you and is not written down, politely ask for it to be added.
How long should I keep my photos and documents?
Keep them at least until your bank statement shows that the deposit hold has been released and there are no surprise charges. If a claim is being discussed, keep everything until it is fully resolved.
Can I rely on Hola Car Rentals cover instead of taking photos?
Strong cover makes a huge difference, but photos and a careful inspection are still essential. They help Hola Car Rentals and the local supplier settle any question quickly so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
If you like the idea of hassle free driving, book your next trip with Hola Car Rentals and enjoy transparent terms, clear coverage options and a simple pick up routine that starts you off on the right foot.
