How the Security Deposit Works
What it is, what it is not, and when it comes back.
A refundable security deposit is standard across this industry and it is the part of a rental people most often misunderstand. It is not a fee, it is not a charge, and in the overwhelming majority of rentals the entire amount goes back to you within a working week.
What it is for
It covers the gap between something going wrong and it being resolved — a chip, a kerbed wheel, a toll that arrives three weeks later, fuel that came back lower than it left. Holding a deposit means those things can be settled without a difficult conversation, and returning it means the conversation usually never happens at all.
How much
It depends on the vehicle, and the figure is shown to you before you commit — on the car’s page when you check your dates, and again when we call you back to confirm. A more valuable car carries a larger deposit. There is no separate deposit hidden anywhere in the process.
When it is taken
When the reservation is confirmed, alongside the rental payment. Not when you enquire, and never through this website — no payment of any kind is taken here. We call you back, confirm the car is genuinely free for your dates, and arrange payment properly at that point.
When it comes back
Within five business days of the vehicle being inspected on its return. The inspection is not a formality we do out of sight — it is the same walk-round we did with you at the handover, and if there is anything to discuss you will hear about it from us before you hear about it from your bank.
What would reduce it
Damage beyond ordinary wear. Fuel returned lower than it left, billed at cost plus a service fee if we refuel it. Tolls incurred during your rental, at cost. A deep clean, only if the car needs one — smoking, vaping and pets are not permitted and that charge is $350. Late returns beyond the agreed time. Every one of these is avoidable, and none of them is a surprise if you read your rental terms.
What will not reduce it
Ordinary use. Miles inside your allowance. Bugs on the front of the car in July. Sand in the footwell after a day at the beach. We rent these cars to be driven and we do not go looking for reasons to keep your money.
How to make sure it comes back whole
Four things, and none of them are difficult. Bring it back with the same fuel it left with — the gauge is the easiest thing in the world to check and refuelling it ourselves costs you cost plus a $95 service fee. Do not smoke or vape in it, and leave the dog at home. Be back at the time you agreed, because after four hours late it becomes a full extra day. And if something happens, tell us when it happens rather than at the handover — a kerbed wheel you mention on the phone is a conversation, and the same wheel discovered on inspection is a different one.
If something does go wrong
Call the number on this site. Not a form, not an email — the phone. Whatever it is, it is almost certainly less serious than it feels, and the sooner we know the more options there are. We would far rather come out to you than have you drive somewhere on a flat tyre because you were worried about the deposit.
Common questions
- Is the deposit taxed?
- No. Sales tax applies to the rental, not to the deposit — a deposit is money we are holding rather than a charge, so there is nothing to tax.
- What if there is a dispute about damage?
- We photograph every car before it goes out and we walk round it with you at the handover, so both of us have seen the same car at the same moment. If something is found on return, you will see the same evidence we do.
- Can I use a different card for the deposit?
- Yes. Tell us when we call you back to confirm and we will set it up that way.