Summer Vacation Season Rental Car Consumer Damage Focused... Warning Issued

Consumer Agency Analyzes 1,335 Cases of Damage Relief Over 4 Years

On the 30th, the Korea Consumer Agency warned that there are many cases of excessive cancellation fees charged to rental car users during the summer vacation season and urged caution.

According to an analysis of a total of 1,335 rental car-related damage relief applications received by the Consumer Agency from 2019 to last year, 30% (401 cases) occurred during the summer vacation season from July to September.

By type of damage, contract-related issues such as cancellation fees accounted for the largest portion with 591 cases (44.3%). This was followed by accident-related damages such as accident handling costs with 471 cases (35.3%), and vehicle problems such as defects or poor maintenance of rental cars with 102 cases (7.6%).

By region, Jeju had the highest number of damages with 535 cases (40.1%). However, the Consumer Agency explained that damages are gradually decreasing, with a 33.5% decline compared to the previous year.

The Consumer Agency advised that when using rental cars, consumers should carefully review transaction conditions such as cancellation fees and the scope and limits of vehicle damage liability before signing a contract, and check the vehicle’s exterior and functional operation upon receipt.

They also guided that in case of an accident, users should immediately notify the rental car company and request repair estimates and maintenance records when getting repairs done. Furthermore, they emphasized that vehicle returns must be made at the designated location.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.