Truck rental companies can provide some amazing pickup vehicles to help get the job done in an efficient, timely manner. Some project managers like to rent a fleet of trucks to take advantage of the utilities and services they offer without actually owning them. Naturally, as with any hard or manual labor job, there’s bound to be some rough play, meaning trucks can unintentionally become damaged pretty quickly.
Truck rental companies hold renters responsible for serious damage they inflict on their trucks. However, should they hold renters liable for everyday wear and tear, too? Is there even a difference between “damage” and “normal wear and tear”?
In property rentals, normal wear and tear is typically things like scuffed floors or worn-in carpets, stains on the ceilings or worn-out keys. These things are obviously expected in basic usage by the renters. There’s a world of difference in vehicle rentals, though.
When it comes to normal wear and tear in regards to rental trucks, it is pretty self-explanatory. Usually, things like scuffs and scratches on the paint or bumper would count as normal wear and tear. Anything that seems worn-out—but not broken—such as seat covers or slightly torn carpeting would fall under the normal wear and tear category as well.
Damage, on the other hand, is much more extreme. Things like broken windows, large dents in the truck’s body, broken parts on the dashboard or anything that would cost truck rental companies a lot of money to repair is considerably damaged. Renters should be honest if they have damaged a vehicle, even if it was an accident.
Some lenders have the unrealistic expectation that their property won’t receive any kind of damage upon use. It is highly important for renters to ask questions and be familiar with the contracts before signing with truck rental companies. Truthfully, the difference between damage and everyday wear and tear could have different meanings to different people.
A lot of rental companies (not just trucks) also keep the security deposit if they feel that their property has been damaged, so understanding what a rental company classifies as “damaged” is critical if someone is planning on having their security deposit reimbursed.
The last thing a renter wants is to have an unexpected damage repair cost on their bill when they return the vehicle. Communicating with rental service providers and understanding what they may be charged for can help renters to avoid frustrating financial surprises.
Ian Francis is a automative writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Flex Fleet Rental.
Truck rental companies hold renters responsible for serious damage they inflict on their trucks. However, should they hold renters liable for everyday wear and tear, too? Is there even a difference between “damage” and “normal wear and tear”?
In property rentals, normal wear and tear is typically things like scuffed floors or worn-in carpets, stains on the ceilings or worn-out keys. These things are obviously expected in basic usage by the renters. There’s a world of difference in vehicle rentals, though.
When it comes to normal wear and tear in regards to rental trucks, it is pretty self-explanatory. Usually, things like scuffs and scratches on the paint or bumper would count as normal wear and tear. Anything that seems worn-out—but not broken—such as seat covers or slightly torn carpeting would fall under the normal wear and tear category as well.
Damage, on the other hand, is much more extreme. Things like broken windows, large dents in the truck’s body, broken parts on the dashboard or anything that would cost truck rental companies a lot of money to repair is considerably damaged. Renters should be honest if they have damaged a vehicle, even if it was an accident.
Some lenders have the unrealistic expectation that their property won’t receive any kind of damage upon use. It is highly important for renters to ask questions and be familiar with the contracts before signing with truck rental companies. Truthfully, the difference between damage and everyday wear and tear could have different meanings to different people.
A lot of rental companies (not just trucks) also keep the security deposit if they feel that their property has been damaged, so understanding what a rental company classifies as “damaged” is critical if someone is planning on having their security deposit reimbursed.
The last thing a renter wants is to have an unexpected damage repair cost on their bill when they return the vehicle. Communicating with rental service providers and understanding what they may be charged for can help renters to avoid frustrating financial surprises.
Ian Francis is a automative writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Flex Fleet Rental.