What amount should you collect as a deductible if a customer returns a damaged car but the amount is not verified?

When determining the appropriate deductible to collect for a returned damaged vehicle, the amount is often based on company policies and standard industry practices regarding damage assessments. In many cases, a deductible of $500 is typical for vehicle rentals or damage waivers. This amount serves as a balance between protecting the business from loss due to damage while still being reasonable for the customer.

A deductible is intended to share the risk between the customer and the company; if no verification of the damage amount is available, collecting the higher standard deductible reflects a precautionary measure. The choice of $500 here is also likely because it represents a common threshold in such scenarios, ensuring that minor damages are covered without placing an excessive burden on the customer.

Understanding that less commonly utilized deductibles in this context, such as $100, $300, or $1000, could misrepresent industry norms or scenarios, helps clarify why $500 stands out as the most logical and justifiable option in the absence of verification.