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Orbit's Travel Blog - 27.02.2024.

Car Hire Without a Deposit

Embark on a deposit-free adventure! Your guide to carefree car rentals—seamless, stress-free, and ready for the open road. Drive with peace today!

What is the security deposit?

Understanding the security deposit is crucial for a smooth and hassle-free experience when it comes to the nitty-gritty details of car hires. The security deposit is a certain amount that the car hire agency blocks on the credit card of the renter at the time of pick-up for the duration of the rental. It is then released back to the credit card after the rental if the vehicle is brought back in the same condition as when received.

Why is the deposit needed?

The security deposit safeguards the rental company, covering potential damages or additional charges incurred during the rental period.

The amount of the security deposit can vary based on several factors. Typically, it is influenced by the type of vehicle rented, the duration of the rental, and the rental company's policies. Standard practice is to put a hold on the specified deposit amount on the renter's credit card, ensuring that any potential issues can be covered without disrupting the travel plans.

Travelers need to be aware of the specific security deposit requirements outlined by the car hire broker company. Being well-informed about this aspect ensures a transparent and stress-free rental process, allowing you to focus on the joy of the journey rather than the intricacies of financial transactions. Always check the terms and conditions beforehand to avoid surprises and maximize your car hire experience.

Advantages of zero deposit

When hiring a car for your adventures, we often look at all the costs that come with it – hiring a vehicle with zero deposit is an attractive choice to minimize those expenses at the beginning of your trip. Let us look at what some of the advantages might be with zero deposit car hires:

  1. Cost Savings: that deposit you avoided, can now be spent on that delicious cuisine and once-in-a-lifetime experiences you were eyeing but weren’t quite sure will fit your budget.
  2. Simplified Rental Process: Without the need for a security deposit, the rental process becomes more straightforward. You can pick up and drop off the car without the additional step of waiting for a deposit to be released.
  3. Easier Planning: Knowing that there's no security deposit requirement allows you to plan your expenses more accurately. This transparency in pricing helps you to budget for your trips with greater precision.
  4. Reduced Stress: Eliminating the need for a security deposit reduces potential stress and concerns associated with the return of the deposit. You can enjoy your journey without worrying about any disputes or delays in getting your funds released.
  5. Accessible to a Wider Audience: A car hire with zero deposit can make car rentals more accessible to a broader range of travelers, including those who might be on a tighter budget or those who prefer not to have funds temporarily held.
  6. Flexible Payment options: Oftentimes, when there is no security deposit, there is also a wider variety of payment options, such as debit cards, that are often not accepted. 

What is the difference between car hire with a deposit and with no deposit? 

Something that you should consider and double-check in the terms & conditions of your reservation is that while the deposit is zero, the excess amount might not be zero – simply put, if you’re not careful and scratch the car during your rental period, you can still be held responsible for covering the expanses of it when you return the car.  While that is not always the case, it’s good to keep in mind zero deposit does not always mean zero excess.

While hiring a car with us is transparent and all the fees are visible before you make the booking, it's crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions of the rental agreement prior to your rental, so you don't stumble into any surprises when picking up your vehicle.

Credit card VS debit card deposits

Choosing a car with no deposit is often the more attractive option, it’s not always going to be available, especially in some locations. An important thing you should consider is the card you have available: most agencies will only accept a credit card to cover your deposit, but more and more car hire agencies allow debit card deposits, as credit cards are going ‘out of fashion’.

What is the difference, you ask?  This is mostly for security reasons, as on a credit card, the deposit can be blocked for the duration of your rental, which is not the case with debit cards. The sum cannot be blocked or held on a debit card but must be charged and is later refunded back after your rental.

I don’t have a credit card, what now? Searching for cars available that offer a debit card deposit option on our webpage couldn’t be simpler. With a few clicks, you can find a car most suitable for your needs!

So, how do I find rentals that allow debit card deposits? That couldn't be easier with using the filters on our webpage!

  • Put your rental location and rental dates into our search engine and press Search,
  • On the left side of our web page, you'll find many different filters, with which you can adjust your results,
  • Under the subsections 'Special offers' you can choose the filter 'Accepts debit card' and you'll only see offers for cards for which you can present a debit card for the security deposit, instead of a credit card.

Car hire with debit card deposit

How to find car hires with no deposit?

Same thing applies for researching options by suppliers which offer zero deposit rentals:

  • Put your rental location and rental dates into our search engine and press Search,
  • On the left side of our web page, you'll find many different filters, with which you can adjust your results,
  • Under the subsections 'Special offers' you can choose the filter 'Zero deposit' and you'll only see offers for cards for which you can present a debit card for the security deposit, instead of a credit card.

Car hire with zero deposit

Book your Rental Car with Orbit Car Hire

Now that you know exactly how the security deposit works with your next car hire, you can compare the prices of the offers available for your next trip! If you want more tips and tricks regarding car hires, check out our other blogs or shoot us a message 24/7!

Compare prices with Orbit Car Hire

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