How Much Is a Car Rental Deposit? Answers by Rental Company

Short Answer — Car rental deposits vary by the company and other factors like vehicle class but generally range from around $150 to $500. Some companies charge up to $1,000 or more.

How Much Is a Car Rental Deposit?

Most car rental companies charge deposits at the time of pick-up to ensure coverage for things like accidents, damage to the rental, non-payment, and cleaning fees.

The company will consider several things when calculating your deposit. The most common deposit pricing factors include:

• Payment method: Some rental agencies consider cash and debit cards to be higher risk and charge higher deposits for those payment methods.^[1][2]
• Location: Deposits generally vary by location even within the same rental company. Many rental counters are individually owned, meaning the location manager sets their own prices and rental guidelines.^[3][4][5]
• Vehicle class: You may pay a higher deposit when renting certain vehicle classes, such as electric, luxury, and specialty vehicles.^[6][7]
• Insurance coverage: Some car rental companies charge a smaller deposit if you provide proof that your personal car insurance offers rental coverage.^[8] For example, Turo gives a $250 deposit discount when you provide car insurance information during booking.^[9]

Once you return the vehicle clean and damage-free, you’ll receive a refund for the deposit amount.

Keep in mind, it can take several business days for charges to post to your account or credit card.^[10][11]

Comparison Table

Use the table below for a quick comparison of each company’s deposit amount or select the rental company name to find more details in our list below.

Note that you can use the arrows at the top of each column to sort the data.

Deposits by Rental Company

Below, we list the acceptable forms of payment, deposit price ranges, and deposit return times for each major U.S. rental car company.

Note that acceptable payment types represent what the company allows for deposits at pick-up. The company may allow other forms of payment at the time of return.

Additionally, deposit refund times begin after you return the vehicle.

ACE Rent a Car

• Deposit amount: Varies by location; generally $200 to $400 for credit card payments and $300 to $750 for debit card payments^[12][13]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card and debit card^[4][14]
• Refund timeframe: Seven to 10 business days^[15]
• Find a rental

Alamo Rent a Car

• Deposit amount: No deposit at airport locations when you show a ticketed return itinerary; otherwise, generally $300 to $400,^[16][17] and up to $850 for certain vehicle classes^[6][18]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card at all locations; debit card at airport locations only^[19][17]
• Refund timeframe: Three to five business days^[20]
• Find a rental

Avis Rent a Car

• Deposit amount: $200 to $300^[21][22]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card at all locations; debit card with the Visa or Mastercard logo at most locations^[23][24]
• Refund timeframe: Up to two weeks^[11]
• Find a rental

Budget

• Deposit amount: $100 to $300^[10][25]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card and debit card^[10][25]
• Refund timeframe: Up to two weeks^[10]
• Find a rental

Dollar Car Rental

• Deposit amount: $200 for credit card payments, $500 for debit card payments,^[26][2] and up to $500 for cash payments^[27]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card, debit card, and cash; cash payment requires a Cash Deposit Identification Card.^[28][2]
• Refund timeframe: Seven to 10 business days^[29]
• Find a rental

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

• Deposit amount: Varies by location;^[3][30] generally $300 to $850^[31][32]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card, debit card, cash (at some locations), and money order (at some locations)^[33][34]
• Refund timeframe: Immediate for credit card payments; seven to 10 business days for debit card payments and up to 20 business days for cash or money order payments^[35]
• Find a rental

Fox Rent A Car

• Deposit amount: Varies by location, vehicle class, and payment type; generally $150 to $1,000^[36][37][38]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card, debit card (at some non-corporate locations), and cash (at some non-corporate locations)^[36][37]
• Refund timeframe: Two to five business days for credit or debit card holds;^[39] cash deposits will receive a check by mail within two weeks of returning the rental.^[36]
• Find a rental

Getaround

• Deposit amount: Varies depending on the details of your rental; some rentals require no deposit, while others are around $150^[40]
• Accepted forms of payment: All major credit cards, plus debit cards that have the Mastercard or Visa logo^[41]
• Refund timeframe: Seven days; note that it may take an additional seven to 10 days for your financial institution to process the refund.^[42]
• Find a rental

Hertz

• Deposit amount: Up to $200 for credit card payments and up to $500 for debit card or cash payments^[43][1]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card, debit card, and cash; cash payment requires a Cash Deposit Identification Card.^[43][1]
• Refund timeframe: Seven to 10 business days^[44]
• Find a rental

National Car Rental

• Deposit amount: Varies by location; generally $300 to $400^[45][46]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card and debit card^[45][46]
• Refund timeframe: Generally two business days, but it may take up to five business days^[47]
• Find a rental

Payless Car Rental

• Deposit amount: Usually $250 for credit cards and $300 for debit cards^[48]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit and debit cards^[48]
• Refund timeframe: Immediate for credit cards and up to 14 days for debit cards^[49]
• Find a rental

SIXT

• Deposit amount: Ranges from $200 to $1,100 depending on the location, payment method, and vehicle class; debit card deposits are generally higher.^[50][51]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card at all locations; debit card at some locations^[50][51]
• Refund timeframe: Up to 10 business days for credit card payments and 15 business days for debit card payments^[51][52]
• Find a rental

Thrifty Car Rental

• Deposit amount: $200 for credit card payments, $500 for debit card payments^[53][54][55]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card, debit card, and cash; cash payment requires a Cash Deposit Identification Card.^[55][56]
• Refund timeframe: Seven to 10 business days^[57][58]
• Find a rental

Turo

• Deposit amount: $200 if Turo’s security system chooses your booking as eligible for a deposit; $750 if you’re under the age of 30 renting a Deluxe class vehicle; $250 deposit discount available if you provide your personal car insurance information ^[9]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card and debit card^[59][60]
• Refund timeframe: 80 hours^[9]
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Zipcar

• Deposit amount: None, but you must have an active membership;^[61] membership costs about $9 per month or $90 per year^[62]
• Accepted forms of payment: Credit card and debit card^[63][61]
• Refund timeframe: N/A
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