Glossary
Glossary rental voices with the most common terms used in the rental car world and short-term rental
CAR RENTAL
Company that practices car rental.
BASIC INSURANCES
Insurance always included in the rental rate, includes: RCA, CDW and TP.
CREDIT CARD
Payment instrument that can also be used as a guarantee for car rental. The most common are Visa, MasterCard, American Express.
DEBIT CARD
An instrument used only for payments for rental purposes, it can also be used as a guarantee, in the only case that the debit card has the Visa or Mastercard logos on it.
CDW
Insurance that protects part of any damage on the vehicle
RENTAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and conditions which govern the rental agreement
DEPOSIT
Amount that is normally required as a precautionary measure at the beginning of the rental
DESK
In the case of car rentals present at the airport, a counter intended for the public to use to perform services
DROP-OFF
Location where the car is released at the end of the rental. (Drop-off location).
EXR1
Insurance that limits the client’s liability to zero in the event of both damage and theft
FRANCHISE
Amount of that portion of damage that remains at the renter’s expense (maximum amount not covered in the event of a loss at a claim and for which the renter is responsible)
OFF HOURS
Delivery of the automobile outside of common office hours
VAN RENTAL
Company that practices van rental
YOUNG DRIVER
Insurance that allows drivers under the age of 25 to drive vehicles
SENIOR DRIVER
Insurance that also allows drivers over the age of 75 to drive vehicles
KEYBOX
Safety box that allows keys to be handed over even when the rental office is closed
DAMAGE LIMITATION
Amount up to which the customer is responsible for damages on the car
THEFT LIMITATION
Amount up to which the customer is liable for theft of the automobile
MISSED DELIVERY
Means when the car is not returned to the rental location at the agreed time plus tolerance without any notice
MOTORENTAL
A company that practices the rental of motorcycles and scooters
NO-SHOW
Customer who has paid for the rental and has without notice not shown up to pick up the vehicle
OVERBOOKING
Overbooking of reservations compared to actual availability of cars
PAI
Insurance that also protects the driver of the vehicle.
PGC
Policy that insures the vehicle’s windows against accidental or third-party damage, as well as the tires
PICK-UP
Location where the car is picked up at the beginning of the rental. (pick-up location)
PRE-AUTHORIZATION
Temporary blocking of a specified amount on the credit card
PREPAID
Paid in advance of the actual rental beginning date
RCA
Third-party auto liability auto insurance
REFUND
Amount of money that is returned to the customer if the rental is cancelled
CHILD SEAT
Child safety system
PRACTICE HANDLING FEES
Amount for processing fees related to the handling of documents such as fines and/or penalties. Sometimes refunds
OVERNIGHT SUPPLEMENT
Supplement for picking up the car during nighttime hours.
TP
(Theft Protection) Insurance that protects against possible theft of the vehicle
UPGRADE
The delivery at the beginning of the rental, at no extra charge, of a car of a higher class than the one booked
TRIP TO LEAVE OR ONE WAY
Drop-off of the rented automobile outside its pick-up location
ZTL
Limited traffic zone