Hertz security deposits and what they cover

Hertz does not charge a separate security deposit at the time you rent. Instead, the company places a hold on your credit or debit card — typically $200 to $500 depending on the vehicle class and your location — to cover potential damage, fuel, tolls, and late fees. This hold is not a charge; it is a temporary reservation of funds that should release back to your account after you return the car.

The hold amount varies. Economy cars usually trigger a $200 hold, while SUVs and premium vehicles can see holds of $300 to $500 or more. Hertz does not publish a fixed schedule, so the exact amount depends on the rental location, the specific vehicle, and current company policy. If you use a debit card instead of a credit card, the hold can take longer to release — sometimes up to 30 days — because banks process debit holds differently than credit card companies do.

Key Takeaways

  • Hertz places a temporary hold on your card at pickup, not a separate deposit you pay upfront, and the hold should release after you return the car in good condition.
  • Hold amounts range from $200 to $500 depending on vehicle size and location, but Hertz does not publish a fixed schedule for these amounts.
  • Debit card holds can take up to 30 days to release, while credit card holds typically clear within 3 to 5 business days.
  • Damage charges, fuel shortages, tolls, and late fees are deducted from the hold before it releases, so you may not see the full amount returned.
  • If the hold does not release within the expected timeframe, contact Hertz customer service with your rental agreement number and the date you returned the vehicle.

When the hold gets reduced or kept

Hertz releases the full hold only if you return the car on time, in the same condition you received it, with a full fuel tank (or the fuel level you agreed to at pickup), and with no unpaid tolls or parking violations. Any damage — even minor dents or scratches — can trigger a damage claim that reduces the hold amount.

If you return the car late, Hertz charges late fees at the daily rate or a higher hourly rate depending on how late you are. These fees come out of the hold. Similarly, if the fuel tank is not full, Hertz charges a refueling fee that is typically higher than the local gas station price — often $5 to $8 per gallon depending on location. Tolls and parking citations discovered after you leave also reduce the hold.

The company may also place additional charges on your card if damage claims or other fees exceed the original hold amount. This is why it is important to document the car's condition at pickup and return, and to photograph any existing damage before you drive away from the lot.

How long the hold takes to release

Credit card holds typically release within 3 to 5 business days after you return the car, assuming no damage claims or other charges explore. The hold disappears from your available balance faster than the money actually returns to your account — your credit card company may show the hold as cleared within days, but the funds themselves can take another week to post.

Debit card holds are slower. Banks can take up to 30 days to release a debit hold, even if Hertz has already cleared your rental. This is a bank policy, not a Hertz policy, and there is little you can do to speed it up. If you are renting with a debit card and need the funds quickly, a credit card is the better choice.

If more than 30 days have passed since you returned the car and the hold has not released, contact Hertz directly. Bring your rental agreement number, the return date, and the amount of the hold. Hertz can confirm whether charges were applied and request that your bank release the hold if no charges are pending.

Damage claims and how they reduce your hold

Hertz inspects the car after you return it. If the company finds damage, it files a claim against the hold. Minor damage — small dents, light scratches, chipped paint — may not trigger a claim if it falls below the company's damage threshold, which varies by location. Major damage, broken windows, or mechanical issues will definitely result in a charge.

You should receive an itemized damage report by email or mail within a few days of return. The report lists each damage item, the repair cost, and the amount deducted from your hold. If you disagree with the damage assessment or the repair cost, you can dispute it with Hertz customer service, though the company has the final say on whether damage existed and what it cost to repair.

To protect yourself, take photos of the car's exterior and interior at pickup, including the odometer and fuel gauge. Take the same photos at return. If Hertz later claims damage you did not cause, these photos are your evidence. Many renters also decline the damage waiver offered at checkout, relying instead on their personal auto insurance or credit card rental coverage — but read your policy first, because not all insurance covers rental cars.

Fuel charges and refueling fees

Hertz offers several fuel options at checkout. The most common is "full to full" — you receive the car with a full tank and return it full, paying only for the fuel you use. If you return the car with less than a full tank, Hertz charges a refueling fee. This fee is not the cost of the fuel itself; it is a service charge on top of the fuel cost, and it is typically $5 to $8 per gallon depending on location.

Some Hertz locations offer a prepaid fuel option where you pay for a full tank upfront at a set price per gallon. If you do not use all the fuel, you do not get a refund — you are paying for the convenience of not having to fill the tank yourself. Compare the prepaid price to local gas prices before you choose this option.

The refueling charge comes directly out of your hold. If the charge exceeds the hold amount, Hertz charges your card for the difference. Always return the car with the fuel level you agreed to at pickup to avoid this fee.

Tolls, parking citations, and other fees

If you use toll roads or parking meters during your rental, you are responsible for paying those charges. Hertz may discover tolls or parking citations days or weeks after you return the car, especially if the citations were issued to the rental company rather than to you directly. When Hertz receives these bills, it deducts the amount from your hold or charges your card directly.

Some Hertz locations offer a toll pass or parking management service that bundles these charges into your rental bill, but you have to opt in at checkout. If you do not opt in and incur tolls or citations, expect to see them deducted from your hold or charged separately.

Late fees work the same way. If you return the car after your agreed return time, Hertz charges a daily rate (usually the daily rental rate) or an hourly rate for shorter overages. These fees reduce your hold before it releases.

Disputing charges and getting your hold released

If you believe Hertz charged you incorrectly or applied damage claims you do not agree with, contact Hertz customer service with your rental agreement number and a description of the dispute. You can reach them by phone, email, or through the Hertz website. Provide any photos or documentation you have from the rental period.

Hertz will review your case and either confirm the charges or reverse them. If the company reverses charges, it will request that your bank release the hold or issue a refund. This process can take 1 to 2 weeks.

If Hertz refuses to reverse charges and you still believe they are wrong, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Credit card companies have a formal dispute process (sometimes called a chargeback) that can take 30 to 60 days. Debit card disputes follow a similar process but may take longer. Provide your bank with the rental agreement, photos, and any correspondence with Hertz.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card for the hold?

Yes, Hertz accepts debit cards for the hold, but the hold takes much longer to release — up to 30 days instead of 3 to 5 days. If you need the funds quickly or are renting with limited available balance, a credit card is the better choice.

What if I return the car with damage I did not cause?

Take photos of the damage at pickup and include them in your dispute with Hertz. If the company claims you caused damage that existed before your rental, your photos are your evidence. Hertz will review the dispute, but the company makes the final information. If you disagree with the outcome, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank.

Does my personal auto insurance cover damage to a rental car?

Many personal auto insurance policies cover rental cars, but not all do. Check your policy or call your insurance company before you rent. Some credit cards also offer rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit. If you have coverage through either source, you may not need Hertz's damage waiver.

How do I know if a toll or parking citation will show up after I return the car?

You cannot know for certain, but if you used toll roads or parked on metered streets, assume a charge may appear. Ask Hertz at checkout whether the location offers a toll pass or parking management service. If it does, opt in to bundle these charges into your rental bill rather than discovering them later.

What if the hold has not released 30 days after I returned the car?

Contact Hertz with your rental agreement number and return date. Hertz can confirm whether charges were applied and request that your bank release the hold if no charges are pending. If Hertz does not respond or your bank does not release the hold, dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank.