Policies and Renter Requirements for Rent-A-Wreck Winston Salem

These are the local terms and conditions posted for the Winston-Salem Rent-A-Wreck location.

United States Residents and U.S. Military Personnel:

A renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver who is a resident of the United States, must present at the time of rental a driver's license issued by any state, territory or possession of the United States that is valid for the entire rental period.  Rent-A-Wreck will accept a valid U.S. military identification card plus an expired state issued driver's license for active duty U.S. military personnel in those states where active duty U.S. military can drive on an expired driver's license. Rent-A-Wreck will accept a state issued temporary driver's license when valid for the entire rental period, or a traffic citation issued as a temporary license when valid for the entire rental period, the court date being the expiration date, both when accompanied with an additional form of identification with signature, other than the payment card used for the rental security. Rent-A-Wreck does not accept learners permit as a valid driver’s license.

International Driver’s License:

A renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver who is a resident of a country outside the United States, must present at the time of rental a driver's license issued by the country of residence that is valid for the entire rental period. If the driver’s license in not in English, the renter and any additional renters or drivers will be required to present both the foreign issued driver’s license and a current International Driver’s Permit (“IDP”); or, if from Japan, a Japanese Translation Service. An IDP does not give a person the right to drive, but provides a certified translation of the valid foreign driver’s license. An IDP can be obtained in the driver's country of residence only with a valid driver’s license. An IDP (or certified translation) without the foreign issued driver’s license is not acceptable. The renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver may be requested to show a passport, visa or other current U.S. issued documentation at the beginning of the rental authorizing each person to be present in the USA for the entire rental period.

To qualify to rent a Rent-A-Wreck vehicle, the renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver must present at the time of rental a payment card (credit, debit or prepaid debit card) in each individual’s own name with the required available funds. The name and signature on the driver’s license and payment card must be the same. Eligible payment cards are American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. Rent-A-Wreck does not accept the small “key ring” payment cards issued by these companies.)

A.  Credit Card User – Quickest Rental Process:

The quickest way to complete the rental process is to present your driver’s license and credit card at the beginning of the rental. Debit cards and prepaid debit cards are also accepted, but require a potentially lengthy insurance verification when presented for deposit purposes at the beginning of the rental process.

When a renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver presents an eligible credit card at the beginning of the rental to qualify to rent, Rent-A-Wreck will perform a review of the credit card issuer’s rental car damage benefits and advise the customer of the card issuer’s damage coverage on the type of vehicle chosen. Most credit card coverage will pay a claim only after the renter’s personal or business insurance has been used. Each credit card issuer has different vehicle exclusions and you should call the card issuer with questions about vehicle coverage. An alternative source of card issuer rental car damage benefits information can be found at http://www.cardhub.com/edu/rental-car-insurance-credit-card-study/. When the renters credit card does not provide rental car damage benefits because the vehicle is “excluded” the insurance verification process must be completed to confirm coverage for the rented vehicle. Renters using the credit card quick rental process may also choose to purchase the optional Rent-A-Wreck Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)..

At the beginning of the rental, we will charge all estimated charges of the rental, plus the security deposit. 

B.  Debit Card User - Insurance Verification: 

When a renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver presents an eligible checking account debit card at the beginning of the rental to qualify to rent, Rent-A-Wreck will perform an insurance verification with the customer’s personal or business auto insurance carrier to verify that the insurance policy has been prepaid for a minimum of 30 days from the date of the rental and will provide collision insurance benefits to cover the rented vehicle and does not have a deductible greater than $500. If the customer's auto insurance policy fails to provide collision insurance benefits for the Rent-A-Wreck vehicle, the rental agreement will not be processed unless the customer provides a major credit card with verifiable rental car damage coverage or chooses to purchase the optional Rent-A-Wreck Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).

When a renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver presents an eligible checking account debit card at the beginning of the rental, a debit will be processed on the card provided, to cover all estimated charges of the rental, plus an additional security deposit of $75.00.

These funds will not be available for your use until after you return the vehicle and your bank releases the funds. Some banks take up to 14 days to return debit card funds.

When a debit card is accepted as a form of payment, at the start of the rental, three (3) forms of identification must be presented.

A valid Driver’s License issued in North Carolina with an address in Forsyth, Stokes, Davie or Surry counties of our Winston-Salem Rent-A-Wreck office where you intend to rent a vehicle.  When any renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver’s license is issued from a non-bordering state an official return travel confirmation on a scheduled mode of public transport  must be presented at the time of rental and:

Any Two (2) of the following forms of residential address verification. The address on the driver’s license and the additional forms of address verification must be the same and the documents must be dated within 30 days of date of rental:

A.   Bank or Payment Card Statement with same home address as driver’s license.

(Digital version accepted)

B.    Mobile Phone or Telephone Company Invoice with same home address as driver’s license and not more than $100 past due. (digital version accepted)

C.   Utility Invoice with same home address as driver’s license and not more than $100 past due. (digital version accepted)

D.   Mortgage Statement or Auto or Home Insurance Invoice with same home address as driver’s license. (digital version accepted)

E.    Government Issued ID or United States Military Identification Card, in the same name as the driver’s license and payment card.

F.    Employment ID card, in the same name as the driver’s license and payment card.

Since the debit card requirements vary by location, please refer to the location's local terms and conditions for specific information on the acceptance and usage of debit cards at the Rent-A-Wreck office where you intend to rent a vehicle.

C.  Pre-Paid Debit Card User - Insurance Verification: 

When a renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver presents an eligible pre-paid debit card at the beginning of the rental to qualify to rent, Rent-A-Wreck will perform an insurance verification with the customer’s personal or business auto insurance carrier to verify that the insurance policy has been prepaid for a minimum of 30 days from the date of the rental and will provide collision insurance benefits to cover the rented vehicle. If the customer's auto insurance policy fails to provide collision insurance benefits for the Rent-A-Wreck vehicle, the rental agreement will not be processed unless the customer provides a major credit card with verifiable rental car damage coverage or chooses to purchase the optional Rent-A-Wreck Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). Renters choosing to purchase CDW while using a pre-paid debit card to qualify are permitted to rent only Economy through Full Size Vehicles, Intermediate SUVs, Mini Vans, Work Pick-up Trucks, Cargo Vans and Cargo Trucks.

When a renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver presents an eligible pre-paid debit card at the beginning of the rental, a debit will be processed on the card provided, to cover all estimated charges of the rental, plus an additional security deposit of $300.

These funds will not be available for your use until after you return the vehicle and your bank releases the funds. Some banks take up to 14 days to return pre-paid debit card funds.

When a pre-paid debit card is accepted as a form of payment, at the start of the rental, three (3) forms of identification must be presented.

A valid Driver’s License issued by North Carolina with an address local to Winston-Salem.  When any renter, additional renter, or authorized additional driver’s license is issued from a non-bordering state an official return travel confirmation on a scheduled mode of public transport  must be presented at the time of rental and:

Any Two (2) of the following forms of residential address verification. The address on the driver’s license and the additional forms of address verification must be the same and the documents must be dated within 30 days of date of rental:

A.   Bank or Payment Card Statement with same home address as driver’s license.

(Digital version accepted)

B.    Mobile Phone or Telephone Company Invoice with same home address as driver’s license and not more than $100 past due. (digital version accepted)

C.   Utility Invoice with same home address as driver’s license and not more than $100 past due. (digital version accepted)

D.   Mortgage Statement or Auto or Home Insurance Invoice with same home address as driver’s license. (digital version accepted)

E.    Government Issued ID or United States Military Identification Card, in the same name as the driver’s license and payment card.

F.    Employment ID card, in the same name as the driver’s license and payment card.

Since the pre-paid debit card requirements vary by location, please refer to the location's local terms and conditions for specific information on the acceptance and usage of pre-paid debit cards at the Rent-A-Wreck office where you intend to rent a vehicle.

The renter, additional renters, or authorized additional drivers are fully liable for any loss or damage to the rental vehicle, even if someone else caused it or the cause is unknown, whether due to theft, fire, hail, flood, collision, vandalism, or any other cause, subject to any limitations imposed by the law where the vehicle is rented. This liability will not exceed the full value of the vehicle, plus; actual towing and storage charges; loss of use; diminution in value (regardless of whether the vehicle is repaired), a reasonable administrative fee, pro-rata license fees, all rental charges through the date you report the incident if not returnable or the contract return date, whichever is later, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Rent-A-Wreck as a result of the loss or damage to the vehicle.

The renter and or any additional renter and or authorized additional driver (and the respective insurance companies of each) is primarily responsible for all third party claims of personal injury, including death, and property damage caused or arising from the use and operation of the Rent-A-Wreck vehicle during the rental. If Rent-A-Wreck is required to provide primary coverage, it shall only be in an amount necessary to satisfy the minimum financial responsibility limits required by law. Where permitted, Rent-A-Wreck does not provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. In those states where Rent-A-Wreck must provide such coverage, Rent-A-Wreck will only provide such coverage up to the minimum limits required by law.

All renters must have verifiable collision coverage for the rented vehicle. The most common method of providing collision coverage is through the renter’s personal or business auto insurance policy.  Another common method to provide verifiable collision coverage is through the car rental damage benefits provided by a credit card issuer.  When the renters credit card does not provide rental car damage benefits because the vehicle is “excluded” the insurance verification process must be completed to confirm coverage for the rented vehicle including, but not limited to, renters insurance deductible not being over $500. Renters may choose to purchase the optional Rent-A-Wreck Collision Damage Waiver, if available at the location where you intend to rent the Rent-A-Wreck vehicle.

Optional Protection Packages and Coverage:

At the beginning of the rental Winston-Salem Rent-A-Wreck offers for an additional daily charge, Collision Damage Waiver ("CDW"). A separate brochure is available at the rental location to summarize the optional product. The cost, coverage, provider and availability vary by location, vehicle category and rate. The optional products offered by Rent-A-Wreck may duplicate coverage provided by the renter's personal automobile insurance or insurance the renter may have through another source. Purchase of optional products is not required to rent the vehicle, however all renters must have verifiable collision coverage for the rented vehicle.

Collision Damage Waiver ("CDW"):

If the renter purchases one of the optional CDW plans, Rent-A-Wreck will agree to waive the renter's responsibility for loss or damage to the vehicle in full or in part (depending on the CDW plan accepted). CDW is not insurance or an insurance product. CDW does not apply if: (1) the renter uses the vehicle in violation of the rental agreement; or (2) the vehicle is stolen or vandalized; or (3) the renter fails to notify Rent-A-Wreck and the police immediately after the loss; or (4) the renter fails to pay the charges under the rental agreement.

Before deciding whether to purchase CDW, the renter may wish to determine whether their own automobile insurance or credit card agreement provides coverage for rental vehicle damage or loss and determine the amount of the deductible under that insurance coverage. The purchase of CDW is not mandatory, however all renters must have verifiable collision coverage for the vehicle being rented. CDW is not insurance.     

The Rent-A-Wreck vehicle may be driven only by a renter, additional renter or an authorized driver listed in the rental agreement. All renters, additional renters or authorized drivers are required to qualify to drive the Rent-A-Wreck vehicle. To qualify, Rent-A-Wreck requires that all renters, additional renters and additional drivers (including spouses) appear at the time of rental and provide; a valid driver’s license, a physical street address (residence), an accepted payment card in their own name with funds available, sign the rental agreement and pay an additional renter or driver fee. All renters, additional renters or authorized drivers may be subject to a driver record check and or a credit record check. Government renters on official orders, corporate account customers renting on corporate rate plans, and drivers or companions of physically impaired customers do not need to pay an additional driver fee. The additional renter or driver may also be subject to an underage 25 driver's fee. No other persons are authorized to drive the vehicle. Because the requirements vary by location, please refer to the location's terms and conditions for specific information on additional driver qualifications and fees at the Rent-A-Wreck location where you intend to rent a vehicle.

The minimum age to rent a vehicle at most Rent-A-Wreck locations is 21 years of age. Renters, additional renters and or authorized additional drivers that are 21 to 24 years of age will be charged an underage 25 driver fee because of such driver's age and in addition to any additional driver fee, if applicable. Renters 21 to 24 years of age are permitted to rent only Economy through Full Size Vehicles..

On a limited basis, our Winston-Salem location can accept drivers 18 to 21 years old.  The same insurance rules and underage driver fees apply, but insurance company policies vary significantly in coverage of these drivers.  Contact us to help understand your options for 18 – 21 year olds.

The renter must refill the fuel tank to the same level as when the vehicle was rented, within a 10-mile radius of the rental return facility and present a fuel receipt to avoid a refueling charge.

Renters that choose the prepaid fuel option, if available, will pay the specified charge as set forth in the rental agreement and have no obligation to return the vehicle with any fuel. There is no credit or refund given for any fuel in the tank at the end of the rental.

Renters that do not choose the prepaid fuel option and do not return the vehicle at the same fuel level as when rented, with a re-fueling receipt with 10 miles, will be required to pay a fuel charge for the cost and service of refueling the vehicle. The fuel charge is based on the estimated number of gallons needed to refill the tank multiplied by the rate per gallon charge specified on the rental agreement plus a refueling convenience fee.

Rental Rates:

Most Rental rates are based on a 24 hour "rental day" starting at the time of rental. The minimum charge is one day, plus mileage, if applicable. The renter will be charged for each hour and/or any part of an hour in excess of a rental day the renter keeps the vehicle, until the vehicle is returned, up to the applicable daily rate. Mileage charges, if applicable, will be the number of miles driven as determined by the odometer readings at the beginning and end of the rental. If the renter fails to comply with the minimum or maximum keep conditions applicable to the rental rate, including any geographic driving restrictions, a mileage charge, rate surcharge or other rate plan may be charged. Calendar day pricing will be disclosed when in effect.

Geographic Driving Limits: 

Driving is restricted to the continental United States and Canada. A Canadian resident is prohibited from driving a U.S. owned vehicle into Canada.

At many Rent-A-Wreck locations, the renter may incur one or more of the following charges and fees; an on-airport or off-airport concession recovery or access fee, an airport consolidated facility charge, an airport transportation facility charge, frequent flyer surcharges, and vehicle license fees (which are the estimated average per day portion of our annual vehicle tax, license, title, inspection and registration costs). There may also be other government imposed fees and charges on total rental charges. These charges may be calculated either as a percentage, or a per day charge, or a per rental charge.

If the renter will require driving aids to operate a vehicle, please contact Rent-A-Wreck customer care at (888) 898-0808 at least 5 days in advance of your rental. This will ensure availability of equipment and allow Rent-A-Wreck personnel to install such equipment prior to arrival. If a traveling companion shall serve as the driver during the rental, please advise the Rent-A-Wreck representative at the time of rental. There is no additional charge for an authorized additional driver accompanying a non-driving disabled renter.

Rent-A-Wreck will not be financially responsible for any personal belongings left in the rental vehicle, shuttle vehicle or within the location premises. If you have lost items, please call Rent-A-Wreck customer care at (888) 898-0808 or use this link as soon as possible.