Quick Summary
- Normal wear and tear covers light marks from everyday driving, while deeper damage that affects safety or value is usually chargeable.
- Think small scuffs and tiny stone chips as wear and tear, and dents, cracks and heavy stains as damage that may appear on your bill.
- Walk around the vehicle with the agent, take clear photos and keep paperwork so the return inspection stays quick and drama free.
Picture this: after a week shuttling between the parks and the coast in Florida, you roll into the return lane at Orlando International and a team member starts walking slowly around your car hire. In that moment, the difference between ordinary wear and tear and chargeable damage really matters.
What is considered normal wear and tear
Wear and tear is the light, cosmetic ageing that happens to any vehicle that is driven sensibly. On a typical Hola Car Rentals booking this might include tiny stone specks low on the front bumper, faint surface scratches that disappear when you run your fingertip over them and light creasing on seat bolsters from people getting in and out.
Minor swirl marks in the paint from ordinary washing, slightly worn pedal rubbers and floor mats and very light marks on plastic trim are also usually treated as normal. After a long loop between the theme parks and the Orlando Airport return lane, no one expects the car to look like it just left the factory.
Most partners working with Hola Car Rentals use a damage matrix that sets out what counts as fair use. Small chips below a certain size, tiny marks on the alloy rims and very shallow scratches that do not break the clear coat are often accepted as part of normal use of the vehicle.
What counts as damage you may be charged for
Chargeable damage is anything that goes beyond those small imperfections. If a scratch is deep enough that your fingernail catches, runs across several panels or exposes the metal underneath, the inspection team is likely to record it as new damage. The same applies to dents, especially those clearly caused by impact with another car door, a bollard or a low wall.
Cracks or larger chips in the windscreen, broken mirrors, missing trims and badly kerbed wheels with metal showing are almost always chargeable. Interior issues such as cigarette burns, heavy staining from food or drink and damage from carrying sharp or bulky items can also be billed to the driver.
After long days exploring the parks and cruising down Miami downtown streets, sand and sunscreen can build up inside the cabin. A light layer of dust and a few crumbs will usually be fine, but heavy mud, ground in sand or spilt drinks that require a specialist valet may lead to a cleaning fee.
How Hola Car Rentals keeps inspections fair
Hola Car Rentals works with trusted partners and encourages a transparent vehicle check both at pick up and at return. When you collect the keys, staff normally walk around the vehicle with you, marking any existing blemishes on a diagram and often taking photos. This same record is used at the end of the trip so you are only responsible for genuinely new damage.
Choosing Hola Car Rentals can also make the financial side of damage less stressful. Many itineraries offer an All Inclusive+ Rate with maximum coverage, free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up and maximum liability coverage of up to 300,000 dollars on selected routes. That combination means you can focus on enjoying nights in the hotels and negotiating the tight turns of Las Vegas strip car park exits instead of worrying about every tiny scuff.
Simple habits to avoid disputes at return
Before you leave the car park, take a slow lap of the vehicle with your phone camera. Capture close ups of existing marks and a few wider shots of each side so you can show the overall condition at the start. It takes less than five minutes and can be invaluable if a question arises later.
On return day, aim to arrive a little early so you can attend the inspection. Ask the team member to walk around the car with you and do not be afraid to point out older marks that were present at pick up. If the agent notes new damage and you disagree, stay calm, ask them to show where it appears on the report and make your own photos before leaving.
FAQs
Is a small stone chip on the windscreen always chargeable?
Very tiny chips that are outside the driver view and smaller than the local damage matrix allows are often treated as wear and tear, but larger or multiple chips can be chargeable. It is best to report any chip as soon as you notice it so the team can advise you.
Will I be billed for light scratches on alloy wheels?
Minor surface scuffs on a single wheel may be accepted as normal use, but deeper gouges, several badly marked wheels or damage that affects the shape of the rim are more likely to attract a charge because they may require repair or replacement.
Do I need to clean the car before I return it?
A quick tidy to remove rubbish and obvious dirt is usually enough, but if the interior is heavily soiled with mud, sand or spills, a special cleaning fee could be applied. Shaking out the mats and wiping sticky surfaces before you drive back can save both time and money.
How can I feel more relaxed about damage on my trip?
Drive carefully, park in safer spots away from tight corners and keep records of the car condition. Booking with Hola Car Rentals and selecting a package with strong protection gives you extra peace of mind so you can enjoy every mile and return the vehicle confidently at the end of your holiday.
Whenever you are ready to plan your next journey, booking with Hola Car Rentals gives you clear damage rules, flexible protection options and the comfort of knowing that your inspection at the end should be as smooth and simple as the drive itself.
