"How much is the deposit?" is the question we hear most, right after "is the car free on these dates?". It is a fair question: the deposit is real money, and the rules around it are often written in language nobody reads. Here is how it works at Lindenway, in plain words.
What the deposit is for
The deposit is a guarantee. It covers things that can only be checked once the car is back: a new scratch, a missing fuel cap, a traffic fine that arrives weeks later. It is not a payment. If the car comes back as it left, you get all of it back.
How much it is
The amount depends on the car class, because repairs on a sports saloon cost more than on a city car:
- Economy and compact cars: €200
- Estates and SUVs: €400
- Business saloons and minivans: €600
- Sports cars and convertibles: €1,000
The confirmation for your booking names the exact amount, so you know it before you arrive.
How it is taken and returned
We block the amount on a credit or debit card in the driver's name at pick-up. Nothing leaves your account; the money simply cannot be spent while the block is on. You can also leave the deposit in cash if you prefer.
After the return we check the car together with you. If all is well, we release the block the same day. Your bank then takes a few working days to show the money as available again; that part is out of our hands.
What the insurance covers
Every car comes with the compulsory third-party liability insurance (RCA), which pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. On top of that every Lindenway car has comprehensive cover (CASCO), which pays for damage to the rental car itself.
Comprehensive cover always comes with an excess: the part of a repair you pay yourself. With us the excess equals the deposit for your car class. That is the most you would pay for damage, even if the repair costs much more, as long as you followed the contract.
What is not covered
Insurance never covers everything. These are the usual exceptions, at Lindenway and elsewhere:
- damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- a driver who is not named on the contract;
- damage to tyres, wheels and the underside of the car from driving off paved roads (the Duster 4x4 is the exception for gravel roads);
- lost keys and documents;
- fines and towing costs.
How to keep your deposit
- Photograph the car at pick-up and return (our checklist helps).
- Return it with a full tank, as you received it.
- Report any incident straight away, with photos and, after an accident, the police report. Reporting late is the most common reason a claim is refused.
Questions before you book?
Ask us. A short message is enough, and the answer comes in writing, so it is clear for both sides. All the details are also in our rental terms and the terms and conditions.