Glossary
Security deposit
A refundable amount the renter pays upfront and recovers in full if no damage, fuel shortfall, or contractual penalty is owed at return.
A security deposit is a refundable hold the renter pays at pickup as collateral against the rental agreement. Unlike the rental fee, the deposit is not earned revenue — it's a custodial amount the rental company holds until the booking closes. Typical amounts range from €200–€1,000 for a standard car, often tied to the vehicle's value and the renter's payment method (cash deposits are higher than card holds).
The deposit interacts directly with the excess on the customer's CDW or insurance. If the customer returns the vehicle with damage that falls within the CDW excess, the rental company deducts the damage from the deposit and refunds the remainder. If there's no damage, fuel shortfall, mileage overage, or unpaid fee, the deposit is returned in full.
Handling deposits cleanly is one of the highest-friction parts of the rental workflow — the same amount needs to be visible across the booking, the agreement, the inspection, and the final invoice. In renviq, the deposit is captured on the booking record, mirrored into the rental agreement, and reconciled against post-rental charges through the same line-item flow that handles all other money on the booking. The customer always sees the same number across pickup, return, and email.