In this article we answer questions about the deposit, and how to get your deposit back.
Why do I pay for a deposit?
For a long time, we have made it possible to rent a SnappCar without paying a deposit. However, we have noticed that a small proportion of our renters cannot afford their costs. This concerns costs such as for example extra mileages, parking fines, extensions or deductibles in the event of damage. These are extra costs that will ultimately be borne by SnappCar if the renter is unable to pay them.
In addition, it is in the interest of renters to prevent them from unknowingly ending up in debt and it is our responsibility as a platform to protect them from this. A deposit or credit card helps to prevent this.
Another important topic is that we want to keep our platform as safe as possible and where owners and renters can rely on each other. Identification by means of a driver's license alone is not always a guarantee that renters will continue to behave properly. By requesting a deposit or credit card, we encourage renters to behave better and we keep the quality of the platform.
How does the deposit work?
If you don’t pay by credit card, we ask for a deposit. You can request a refund in your deposit dashboard, directly after the rental has ended. After the request, it takes up to 8 days to get the money back. You can also just leave it on your account and use it for your next rentals to make life easy. Don’t want to wait for your €250? Simply use a credit card!
The deposit you paid remains on your SnappCar account until you request a refund. As long as you don’t ask for a refund, you can use this deposit for all of your upcoming rentals. Have you paid a deposit and do you want to request a refund for your deposit? For example when you decide not to use SnappCar (for the time being) anymore. Submitting a request for the deposit to be returned can exclusively be done via your SnappCar profile directly after your last rental has ended (among other requirements listed on your profile). Any additional charges will not automatically be settled with your deposit.
If you’re using our website, click on your profile picture at the top right corner and select ‘Edit Profile’ from the menu. On this page you will find a tab on the left named ‘Deposit’, where you’re able to request it back if you fulfil all the requirements. Note: you can insert an IBAN by going to the ‘Payout Settings’ tab on the left.
If you’re using the SnappCar app, you can click on the ‘Profile’ section and then click on the ‘Deposit’ option on the menu. There you’re able to request your deposit back.
Are you (still) unable to request the deposit back? Then you do not (yet) meet the conditions for requesting back your deposit. For example, because you have recently rented a car for which the period has not ended yet, you already made a new booking, because you have an open damage claim process or that there are still outstanding debts in your profile that have yet to be paid.
If you have successfully submitted the request for the deposit to be returned, within 8 days we will refund the deposit paid on your bank account.