Demystifying the Process: How Vehicle Damage Assessment Really Works
Hiring a car is a fantastic way to explore a new country. It uncovers endless possibilities – depending on where you are, you can discover untouched beaches, drive across rural mountain roads, and explore local towns that the tourist buses don’t reach.
It can also be a nerve-wracking experience for some. Taking care of a car is a big (and expensive) responsibility, so the possibility of incurring unexpected hefty fees can be offputting. While we always recommend adding excess coverage, a Vehicle Damage Assessment further protects you from liability, unnecessary paperwork, and time spent manually checking the vehicle. Most renters want to be in and out of the car hire office as quickly as possible, and a comprehensive Vehicle Damage Assessment enables an efficient, seamless process. We’ve collaborated with automotive AI experts Inspektlabs to offer all our customers refreshed, cutting-edge damage-detecting technology.
What is a Vehicle Damage Assessment?
A Vehicle Damage Assessment detects damages to the vehicle. Generally, renters are advised to take pictures of the vehicle before setting off, to protect them from future questioning. However, phone cameras don’t always pick up on certain scruffs, scratches, or dents that might come up further down the line. Enter: Inspektlabs’ Vehicle Damage Assessment. The damage inspection system detects 19 types of damages across 81 metal, plastic, fibre, glass and rubber car parts.
The car hire supplier might not have a record of which damages were pre-existing, so this can cause issues upon returning the vehicle. Not only does the assessment confirm to both the supplier and you that any damages were pre-existing, but it also provides peace of mind. Admidst your journey, when you’re revelling in the adventure of taking to the open road, noticing a scratch can dampen your spirits. But with a comprehensive report detailing all existing damages, with supporting images, you can confirm that the scratch was already there and therefore not your responsibility.
How does a Vehicle Damage Assessment work?
Cutting-edge technology might sound intimidating, but Inspektlabs have worked hard to ensure their system is accessible to everyone. The process does not require you to install an app on your phone, it all works via a web browser. On your smartphone, will receive a secure link which will have everything you need to carry out the Vehicle Damage Assessment.
It’s a straightforward process: take a 360 video of the car – you can also include photos – and the system will leverage AI to scan the video and photos for signs of damage. The technology seeks out signs of scratches, dents, scruffs, and more, by zooming in on every detail.
Close-up images of the damages will automatically save and compile into a report, so you don’t have to do anything further. The technology will also determine the severity of the damage and the probability of further damage – this will be included in the report. Despite being an intricate system, the whole process is done in seconds. The results of the assessment will be sent to your phone in a PDF report almost immediately. The effortless system makes picking up and dropping off a hire car quick and easy.
What types of damage does a Vehicle Damage Assessment detect?
The Inspektlabs technology detects different types of damages across the metal, plastic, fibre, glass, rubber, and interior parts of the vehicle. Types of damages detected by a Vehicle Damage Assessment are categorized as: scratches, spots, dents - shallow, deep & design, stitch/screws, broken, rust, dislocation/separation of parts, missing parts, tears, chip off, small crack, large crack, spider crack, puncture and leakage.
What are the steps to carrying out a Vehicle Damage Assessment?
Carrying out a Vehicle Damage Assessment is a simple, 5-step process.
- We will send you an email with a secure link to the assessment.
- The web page will include instructions on how to use the technology – all that's required of you is to take a 360 video of the car.
- You can register any damage with photos, which is particularly useful for interior damage or hidden damage.
- You can also upload a photo of the dashboard to register the mileage and fuel levels when you pick up the vehicle.
- Wait for the PDF report to appear in your inbox – it will arrive in seconds. The report will include images of any pre-existing damage, as well as images you might have inputted, such as mileage or hidden damages.
Please bear in mind you will need a smartphone to carry out a Vehicle Damage Assessment.
How can a Vehicle Damage Assessment save me money?
A Vehicle Damage Assessment protects you from liability for pre-existing damage to the vehicle. The assessment confirms, in no uncertain terms, which damages to the vehicle were there before you hired the car, and which occurred after. Additionally, the technology can determine how probable further damage is based on existing damage. So, if a scratch or dent looks worse upon returning the car than it did when you picked it up, you might not be liable for it. Without this proof, a car hire supplier might try to charge you for pre-existing damage. While this is a rare occurrence, a Vehicle Damage Assessment eliminates the possibility of it happening. So, you can relax and enjoy the journey.