Many travelers rely on rental cars for mobility away from home. The requirements for renting a car vary depending on your method of payment. If you pay with a debit card, the rental company could require a credit check, and that could have an impact on your credit. You can rent a car without a credit check, but you will have to plan ahead.
Why Do Car Rental Companies Check My Credit?
A car rental company isn’t lending you money, but they are letting you use an expensive vehicle. They want to know if you have a track record of responsible behavior and whether you have the financial capacity to cover any extra charges or damage to the car.
If you have a credit card, the rental company knows a card issuer has investigated you and decided that you’re most likely a good credit risk. If you incur extra expenses, they can charge your card even if you aren’t present.
Rental companies may see a debit card as a warning. You could be using a debit card because you can’t get a credit card. That could indicate a history of financial problems or bad decisions. You could return the car with damage that insurance won’t cover, or run up toll fees or parking charges. You could return the car with an empty tank or a mess inside that needs professional cleaning. You might not return it at all.
If your deposit won’t cover the extra charges and your account is empty, the company could end up covering those costs. Some debit cards also require you to put in a PIN before charges are approved. That can make it difficult for the company to make extra charges if you’re not there.
Rental companies want to avoid these problems, so they want to know if you’re a reliable customer. A credit check is one way for them to find out.
Different car rental companies use different credit standards. Some may look for a specific credit score. Others may check for a pattern of delinquencies or other items that suggest risk.
Renting a Car Can Affect Your Credit
When a car rental company checks your credit, a hard inquiry may be recorded on your credit report. Hard inquiries stay on your credit for two years and can influence your credit score for up to a year. A single hard inquiry is not a major factor, but if you’re a frequent renter or if you’ve generated other credit checks recently, the inquiries can pile up. That could have a serious impact on the health of your credit score.
Hard inquiries have a greater impact on your credit if you have a short credit history and only a few accounts. If you have a limited credit history, you should avoid hard inquiries whenever you can.
There’s another downside to a credit check. If you don’t meet the company’s credit standards, you could be stranded without a car!
How to Rent a Car Without a Credit Check
The simplest way to avoid a credit check is to use a credit card. Rental companies do not usually run credit checks on credit card users. They trust the card company to keep track of your record.
If you have a credit card but prefer to pay with a debit card, you may be able to use your credit card details to secure your rental without a credit check. You can then use your debit card to pay for the rental.
If you don’t have a credit card, you can still use your debit card without a credit check. Many rental companies don’t require credit checks for debit card users, though they often impose other requirements. These policies vary from branch to branch and may change without warning. Always contact the branch you will use to confirm their current policies on debit card use!
Look for companies that have frequent renter programs. If you rent often, consider joining one. Membership could help you avoid a credit check.
Consider These Issues If You Rent a Car With a Debit Card
Rental companies that don’t do credit checks often impose extra requirements on debit card users. You may have to be over a specific age. You may need to have or buy extra insurance. You may need to show proof of your travel arrangements. You may need extra identification or other documents. Your rental may take extra time to process.
The rental company will usually block the entire amount of the rental plus a deposit from your account. The deposit may be several hundred dollars. If you return the car in good condition, you will get the deposit back, but you may have to wait several weeks.
Putting your bank details in a rental company database could be risky. Credit cards offer more fraud protection than debit cards. Security breaches happen. If someone gets into your bank account, you may not be able to recover your losses.
Some companies will not rent high-end vehicles to debit card users. What you thought was going to be a comfortable full-sized sedan may turn into a compact car with no legroom.
Know Before You Go
Always call the branch you intend to use and ask for their current policies on renting with debit cards. Ask whether they will do a credit check and what other requirements they have. Write down the name of the person who provides the information and the date and time of the call. List the requirements and be sure you have what you need before you travel.
Renting a car with a debit card does not have to harm your credit. Avoiding a credit check may take some advance work, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll be sure there’s a car waiting for you and you’ll help your credit at the same time!
