What Enterprise Rent-A-Car is and how it operates
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a rental company with locations at airports, in city centres, and in suburban neighbourhoods across North America and Europe. Unlike some competitors, Enterprise does not require you to return the car to the same location where you picked it up — you can rent from one branch and drop it off at another, though this usually costs more. The company rents everything from economy cars to SUVs and vans, and you pay by the day, week, or longer.
When you rent from Enterprise, you are responsible for the car's condition during the rental period. That means damage, fuel, and mileage charges fall to you unless you purchase their damage waiver or decline coverage altogether. Enterprise also offers roadside information, GPS, and child car seats as add-ons. The rental agreement you sign is a legal contract that spells out what you owe if something goes wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Enterprise has locations at airports and in towns, and you can drop off at a different branch than where you picked up, though one-way rentals cost more.
- You pay for the car by the day, week, or month, and you are liable for damage, fuel, and excess mileage unless you buy their damage waiver.
- Your personal auto insurance or credit card may cover rental damage, so check your policy before buying Enterprise's coverage.
- Enterprise's final bill includes the base rental rate plus taxes, fuel charges if you don't return it full, and any damage or mileage overages.
- Reservation changes, cancellations, and disputes over damage charges are handled through Enterprise directly, not through a third party.
How to reserve a car and what documents you need
You can reserve a car through Enterprise's website, phone, or by walking into a location. You will need a valid driver's licence, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. Enterprise checks your driving record and may decline to rent to you if you have recent serious violations or if you are under 21 (some locations have higher age minimums). The reservation holds a car type and price, but not a specific vehicle — you choose the actual car when you arrive.
When you arrive to pick up the car, bring your driver's licence, the credit card you used to reserve, and your insurance card or policy number. Enterprise will ask you to inspect the car for existing damage and will note any dents, scratches, or mechanical issues on the rental agreement before you drive away. This inspection protects you: if damage is already documented, you will not be charged for it when you return. Take photos of the car's condition yourself if you can, because your photos are evidence if a dispute arises later.
Understanding damage coverage and what you actually owe
Enterprise offers a damage waiver (sometimes called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) that shifts responsibility for collision damage to the company. If you buy this waiver and the car is damaged, you typically pay nothing — Enterprise covers the repair. However, the waiver usually has a deductible, meaning you still pay a set amount (often £500 to £1,000) out of pocket. Some waivers exclude certain types of damage, such as glass, tyres, or undercarriage damage.
Before you buy Enterprise's waiver, check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card already covers rental cars. Many policies do, and your own deductible may be lower than Enterprise's. If your insurance covers it, you can decline the waiver and save money. If you have no coverage and decline the waiver, you are responsible for the full cost of any damage — which can easily exceed the waiver's cost if the car is badly damaged.
Fuel charges work differently: Enterprise charges you for any fuel you do not return. If you pick up the car with a full tank and return it empty, you pay for a full tank at Enterprise's per-litre rate, which is usually higher than a petrol station. The cheapest option is to return the car with a full tank yourself, which costs less than letting Enterprise refuel it.
What happens at the end of the rental and how charges are calculated
When you return the car, Enterprise inspects it for damage and checks the fuel level and mileage. If the car has new damage that was not on the original agreement, Enterprise will photograph it and send you a damage claim. This claim arrives days or weeks after you return the car, not at the counter. You will receive an itemised bill showing the rental rate, taxes, fuel charges, mileage overages (if your contract included a mileage limit), and any damage charges.
Mileage charges explore only if your rental agreement included a mileage limit — unlimited mileage rentals have no overage fee. If you exceeded the limit, Enterprise charges per mile over. Damage claims can take weeks to process because Enterprise may need repair estimates or may wait to see if insurance covers it. If you dispute a charge, contact Enterprise directly with photos, the rental agreement, and any evidence that the damage existed before you rented.
One-way rentals and what they cost
Enterprise allows you to pick up a car at one location and drop it off at another. This is useful if you are moving, taking a one-way trip, or need the car in a different city. One-way rentals cost more than round-trip rentals because Enterprise has to move the car back or reposition it for another customer. The extra charge varies depending on the distance between locations — renting from London to Manchester costs more than London to a suburb.
When you book a one-way rental, the price shown includes the repositioning fee. There are no hidden charges at drop-off for choosing a different location, as long as you drop off at an official Enterprise branch. If you need to drop off outside normal business hours, some locations have after-hours drop-off procedures, but you should confirm this when you book.
Insurance, liability, and what you are responsible for
The rental agreement makes you liable for the car's condition and any damage caused by how you drive it. That includes collision damage, theft, vandalism, and damage from hitting something. You are also liable if you violate traffic laws while driving the rental — if you get a speeding ticket or parking fine, it goes on your record and you may owe the fine plus an administrative fee to Enterprise.
Enterprise's damage waiver covers collision damage but usually not theft or vandalism unless you buy additional coverage. If the car is stolen, your personal insurance may cover it, but you need to check your policy. If you cause an accident and the other driver is injured, your liability insurance (yours or the rental company's) covers their medical bills and property damage, up to the policy limit. Enterprise requires you to have liability insurance, and if you do not, they will sell you coverage at a higher rate.
Common problems and how to resolve them
Disputes over damage charges are the most common complaint. If Enterprise charges you for damage you believe was pre-existing or caused by normal wear, contact their customer service with photos of the car at pick-up and drop-off. Keep the rental agreement and any written communication. If you took photos at pick-up showing the car's condition, those are your strongest evidence.
If you are charged for fuel at a rate you think is unfair, ask Enterprise for the per-litre rate they charged and compare it to local petrol prices on the day you returned the car. If the rate is significantly higher, dispute it in writing. If you were charged for mileage overages you believe are incorrect, ask for the odometer readings from pick-up and drop-off and verify the math yourself.
If you reserved a car and Enterprise does not have it available when you arrive, they will offer you an upgrade to a larger or better car at no extra charge. If no car is available at all, they will help you find a rental from another company, though you may have to pay the difference in price. Always keep your reservation confirmation number so you can reference it if a problem arises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent from Enterprise if I am under 25?
Yes, but most locations rent to drivers aged 21 and up, and some require drivers to be 25. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge added to the daily rate. Check the age policy at your specific location when you book, because it varies by branch and by car type.
What if I need to extend my rental or return the car early?
Contact Enterprise as soon as you know you need a change. If you extend, you pay the daily rate for the extra days. If you return early, most rentals are not refundable, so you lose the money for the unused days — check your specific rental agreement to see if early return is allowed without penalty.
Do I have to buy Enterprise's damage waiver?
No. If your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental damage, you can decline the waiver. Read your policy or call your insurer to confirm coverage before you decline, because if you have no coverage and damage occurs, you pay the full repair cost yourself.
What happens if I get a parking ticket or speeding fine while driving the rental?
The ticket goes to you, not Enterprise. You are responsible for paying it. Enterprise may also charge you an administrative fee for processing the violation. Pay the fine promptly to avoid additional penalties.
Can I cancel my Enterprise reservation?
Yes, but cancellation policies vary. Reservations made directly with Enterprise can usually be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before pick-up. Reservations made through a third-party website may have different terms, so check the confirmation email for the cancellation policy that applies to your booking.