💥Damage policy

At the end of a rental you might notice new signs of wear and tear or damage.

We will support you to make sure you receive compensation for any damages but don’t forget that normal wear and tear arises naturally over time as a result of normal use and if your vehicle is being hired out on a regular basis, this will expedite the process.

Damage is deterioration due to an incident such as a bump or a scrape or an accident with a third party. You can settle such cases amicably thanks to the additional payment feature.

Normal wear and tear arising from the correct use of the vehicle is a standard part of hiring out a car and certain circumstances can accelerate wear and tear, such as street parking.

Don’t forget that as the Owner you are responsible for maintaining the cosmetic appearance and mechanical integrity of your vehicle. Let’s take a look at the different scenarios.

Paint and Body

The paint and body of a vehicle will wear naturally over time. This includes minor scratches or dents to bumpers and attached components. Vehicles that are not garaged, street parked and/or left susceptible to the elements may experience accelerated wear.

Chips

Wear and tear: small chips to the paintwork that do not expose the metal underneath.

Example: the bottom of the driver side door is chipped in several places due to gravel.

Damage: chips to the paintwork that leave the metal exposed, resulting from an impact against a solid object or another vehicle.

Dents

Wear and tear: Up to a maximum of two depression or contouring on a single panel 5 cm or less in diameter.

Example: you notice 2 dents 5 cm or smaller on your roof, where the paint is not chipped - this is wear and tear.

Damage: dents larger than 5 cm in diameter with chipped paint, regardless of their location on the car.

Scratches

Wear and tear: scratches and scrapes up to 7 cm in diameter where the paint is not clearly chipped is considered wear and tear.

Example: you notice a scratch 7 cm in diameter that is smooth and cannot be felt when you run your finger over it.

Damage: scratches measuring more than 7 cm that can be felt when you run your finger over it (these are not micro-scratches – the top coating or paintwork has come off).

Windshield, windows and lights

Windshield and windows will sustain wear over time both through the course of routine driving and routine use. Existing issues such as cracks or bullseyes may show accelerated wear if neglected over time. Any damage that compromises the car’s safety must be repaired ex: driver's vision and incorrect head and tail lights.

Wear and tear: micro-scratches, scuffs or 1 to 2 minor chips on any glass elements that does not affect the field of vision are acceptable. Furthermore, cracks originating from a chip that has gone unattended and increased in length or severity over time or after successive trips. Dry, cracked, brittle, or loose weather stripping around windshield/windows due to aging as well as peeling or nicks to window tint.

Damage: Any element that may affect the safety of the car. Any impacts that are larger than 23 mm.

Rims and hubcaps

Rims and hubcaps play an important role in the protection of your vehicle’s wheels; thus making them more prone to scratches and scrapes. This means that the amount of wear and tear they endure will be greater than some other areas of your vehicle.

Wear and tear: any light scratches, scrapes or scuffs, as long as the rim or hubcap is not cracked or broken.

Damage: any scratch or scrape which is deep in nature and where it is clear it has occurred due to a collision with another surface e.g. the footpath. When the hubcap or rim is cracked or broken.

Interior / Exterior trim, Carpet, Upholstery, and Controls

Interior items within a vehicle will deteriorate and/or break as a result of repetitive normal use. Don’t forget that some vehicles are more prone to accelerate wear and tear due to their functionality ex: vans.

Wear and tear: controls, window regulators, hinges, compartments, panels, trims, handles, latches, and locks coming loose or falling out. Carpet and upholstery becoming weathered, soiled, torn or worn out. All permanently and non-permanently attached equipment and accessories.

Damage: clear breakage of an internal part, or deep scratches, holes, dents or burn marks.

Mechanical and Transmission

Mechanical systems and their parts experience wear through the course of routine driving. It is the responsibility of the owner to maintain the mechanical integrity of the vehicle. Vehicles that are not maintained to the manufacturer's guidelines may experience accelerated wear during operation.

Drivetrain: The system that connects the transmission to the drive axles. This includes the transmission, gearbox, differential, and drive shaft.

Brakes: The system that slows or stops a vehicle. This includes parking brake cables, park brake lever, master cylinder, brake lines, caliper, reservoir, pads, hoses, drums, rotors, shoes, and pedal.

Suspension: The system that cushions a vehicle from road conditions. This includes springs, shocks and struts, linkages, bushings, control arm, leaf spring, torsion bar, anti-sway bars, tie rod, and knuckle.

Clutch: The system that connects and disconnects a vehicle engine from its transmission system. This includes the clutch disc, pressure plate, flywheel and pedals with piston or pulley system.

Please be aware that's your responsibility to maintain your vehicle.

Vans

Vans are more prone to accelerated wear and tear as they are predominantly used to move items from A to B. The body of the vehicle has the same guidelines as above, however, as the inside of the vehicle is more susceptible to scratches and dents FlynCar considers these to be wear and tear rather than damage.

Wear and tear: Scratches and dents to the inside of the van. This is considered normal wear and tear as the vehicle is used to haul cargo.

Damage: Clear scratches bigger than 7cm on the outside of the van where the cargo may have been dropped and damaged the vehicle. If the inside of the vehicle has clearly been cracked or broken.

Vehicles over 10 years.

Vehicles over 10 years have endured more in their lifetime and therefore have experienced more wear and tear. It is not surprising if the body of the car has a few more bumps and scrapes than a newer vehicle. With older cars, it is necessary that the car's mechanical components undergo regular maintenance. Just like the above guidelines, the car’s safety is the most important. All damage that affects the car’s safety must be repaired before it can be hired out again.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Hybrid and electric vehicles experience wear and tear similar to gas powered vehicles and require the same routine maintenance. Furthermore, like any other battery, its life will get shorter over time.