6 hidden fees and risky clauses in Hertz rental contracts that catch travelers off-guard — and how to avoid paying them.
If you damage the car, Hertz charges the daily rental rate for every day the vehicle is off the road for repairs — even if repairs only cost $200 but take 2 weeks.
'Loss of use' in the damage terms section. Usually listed separately from repair cost reimbursement.
Your personal auto insurance and most credit card rental coverage specifically excludes loss of use. Verify your coverage before declining CDW. If uninsured, consider purchasing CDW.
Hertz uses a pre-set 'damage fee schedule' where each type of damage has a fixed charge (e.g., $500+ for a door ding) that can be 3-5× the actual repair cost.
Attached damage fee schedule or references to 'published repair rates' in the agreement
Photograph every inch of the car — including roof, undercarriage, and wheel rims — before driving. Share photos with a timestamped cloud upload immediately.
On top of actual tolls, Hertz charges a $5.95/day 'PlatePass' administration fee just for the ability to use electronic toll lanes — even if you use their transponder zero times.
'PlatePass', 'toll administration fee', or 'traffic violation fee' in the contract
Ask specifically whether the daily fee is charged even if you decline their transponder. Bring your own EZ-Pass or avoid toll roads. Opt out in writing at pickup.
Hertz offers to pre-charge you for a full tank at above-market per-gallon rates, with no refund for unused fuel. Most travelers return with at least a quarter tank wasted.
'Fuel Purchase Option', 'pre-paid fuel', or any fuel option offered at the counter
Always decline. Return with a full tank — fill up within 5 miles of the return location. The only time pre-pay makes sense is if you literally return on empty.
Drivers under 25 face an additional daily surcharge of $15-$30 that is often not disclosed clearly in the advertised rate and can double the rental cost.
'Young driver fee', 'underage surcharge', or age-related daily additions
For drivers 18-24, always request the full out-of-pocket cost including all surcharges before confirming. Some employers or AAA memberships waive young driver fees.
Counter staff are trained to pressure renters into accepting CDW/LDW and PAI insurance bundles costing $30-$60/day, even when the renter is already fully covered.
'Loss damage waiver', 'personal accident insurance', 'personal effects coverage' — bundled or individually pushed at pickup
Before renting, call your credit card issuer and personal auto insurer to confirm exact coverage for rentals. Know your coverage so you can confidently decline.
Take a photo of any agreement and get an instant plain-language breakdown. No legal knowledge required.
download_for_offline Download for iOS — Free