Claim received
An email or letter with a damage amount. What a claim should contain and which costs are allowed.
There is no single EU deadline for a rental company to send a damage claim, so a claim weeks later can still be sent. But the later it comes, the more the company has to show that the damage happened during your rental and not afterwards. Ask when and where the car was inspected, compare that with your return time and your photos, and object in writing.
A rental car is used by many people, so some marks are normal wear and tear. The Swedish consumer agency says small stone chips, minor paint scratches and scratches that can be polished out should not be charged to you. If a claim is about a mark like that, ask the company why it counts as damage and how the repair is justified.
Many rental waivers exclude the windscreen, tyres, wheels and underbody, so damage there can be charged even if you bought cover. Check your contract for these exclusions before you drive, and photograph these parts at pick-up and return. If you receive a claim, ask for photos, the repair invoice and the clause that excludes the part.
Rental companies often charge damage based on an estimate or a fixed price list, not on a repair invoice. Your contract may allow that, but you can still ask what the amount is based on: photos, a repair quote, an invoice or a price table. Consumer centres advise asking for a repair certificate or invoice. If the amount looks high, a quote from an independent garage can help your objection.
Some rental companies now scan cars at return with cameras and software that flag small dents and scratches. A scanner image is evidence, but it does not settle whether the damage happened during your rental, what it costs or whether every fee is allowed. Ask for the scan images from pick-up and return, the repair basis and a breakdown of fees, and do not let a short payment discount rush you.
A solid claim shows what is damaged, that it happened during your rental, and what the repair costs, ideally with an invoice or quote. Extra costs such as administration fees or loss of use should be itemised and based on your rental terms. If something is missing, you can ask for it before you pay.
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