Rental car renters urged to photograph vehicles to beat AI damage claims
A consumer group director says artificial intelligence scanners can mistake dirt for dents, making personal documentation essential for avoiding surprise fees.
By Vikram Harrison ·
Rental car renters should document every inch of a vehicle themselves to avoid surprise bills from AI damage scanners.
Several major rental companies now operate automated scanning systems at their lots. These setups resemble car washes, using cameras to capture photos and video from multiple angles during pick-up and drop-off.
Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, said the technology has flaws. She noted that artificial intelligence can hallucinate or fabricate data. In a rental context, a splotch of dirt might register as a dent, or a shadow could appear as major damage. Murray described the system as definitely not perfect.
Murray advised renters to spend five to 10 minutes inspecting the car before leaving the lot. This holds true whether a live employee or an AI system handles the vehicle. She recommended taking pictures of every single part. Renters should also record a walk-around video. This includes crouching down to check under the car, the wheels, hubcaps, interior, trunk, and glass.
If a company uses an AI scanner, Murray said renters should perform the same inspection before and after the trip. Having personal photos and video creates a record to challenge a damage charge if one arrives later.
