Terms of Service

Wisecars is an international vehicle rental broker. These Terms of Service, together with the Wisecars Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the agreement between Wisecars and you governing the services Wisecars provides in connection with car rental. By using the Wisecars website, you confirm that you accept and understand these Terms of Service, the Wisecars Privacy Policy, and the Cookie Policy. Wisecars may change these Terms of Service from time to time, and you are advised to check the website for any changes to these Terms of Service that may apply to you.

Wisecars does not own or operate any rental vehicles or car rental companies. Acting as a broker and intermediary, Wisecars arranges for the rental vehicle to be provided directly to you by one of its partner car rental companies. The contract for car rental will be between you and the car rental company. Your signature on any rental agreement constitutes conclusive evidence that you have accepted the services provided and the terms imposed by the car rental company and agreed to comply with the applicable laws of the country in which the car rental will take place.

Both these Terms of Service and the terms of the car rental companies Wisecars works with contain exclusions and limitations of liability. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you must not proceed with your reservation. Please note that the contract for car rental at the price offered will not be concluded until your reservation has been confirmed and the necessary payment has been received. If you have any questions, please contact Wisecars.

Reservation confirmation and voucher

You should have your Wisecars reservation confirmation or voucher available, in digital or printed form, together with all documents required by the car rental company when picking up the vehicle. Your voucher is normally issued 48 hours before the pickup time. 

Please carefully read the summary of your car rental reservation set out in the voucher. If you discover any discrepancies in the information contained in the voucher, please inform Wisecars as soon as possible.

Your rental agreement may require you to have mandatory local insurance, for which additional charges will apply at pickup. Please verify whether you have existing insurance coverage that applies to the rental vehicle and for which you can provide supporting documentation.

Car rental company terms and conditions

Car rental company terms and conditions vary depending on the selected offer and location. These are displayed during the reservation process, and you are responsible for reviewing the terms that apply to your selected offer. Key conditions may include payment and deposit requirements, insurance coverage, mileage limits, geographic restrictions and local charges. For further information about these conditions, please visit the Wisecars FAQ.

Car rental agreement

The rental is subject to the terms of the rental agreement entered into between you and the car rental company at pickup. Please carefully read the terms of the rental agreement before signing it. If you find any discrepancies between the reservation details set out in your voucher and those set out in the rental agreement, please notify Wisecars as soon as possible and before signing the rental agreement.

It is recommended that you keep a copy of the rental agreement and any other documents relating to your rental, including documents relating to the return of the vehicle, in case of any future inquiry about your rental.

Age limits for drivers

The policy relating to the age of the main driver and any additional drivers, as well as any minimum driving experience requirements, is determined by the car rental company at its sole discretion, subject to the applicable laws and regulations in the relevant country. You must verify in advance that you meet the minimum age requirements specified in the car rental company’s policy.

In most locations, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21. Additional fees may be charged by certain car rental companies and in certain countries for drivers under 25 or over 65. Minimum age requirements for larger vehicles may also be higher at some locations. In addition, most car rental companies require that the main driver and any additional drivers have held a valid driver's license for at least 12 months.

Additional drivers

Only drivers authorized and named in the rental agreement may drive. Additional driver fees may apply and are payable at the rental counter, unless specified otherwise on the Wisecars voucher. Please note that all additional drivers must also present a valid driver’s license at pickup.

Driver's license

Every driver must have a valid driver’s license that they have held for at least one year (two or more years may be required at certain locations; this will be confirmed during the reservation process). Expired or provisional licences will not be accepted. At pickup, every driver must present their driver’s license. In certain countries, some car rental companies may also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is an official translation of your driver’s license that may be required when driving in other countries. It does not replace your driver’s license, so you must carry both documents where an IDP is required. All drivers must also carry their driver’s license at all times during the rental period so that they can present it to local authorities if required.

No refunds will be issued if a car rental company refuses to provide a vehicle because of undisclosed driving offenses, or because you cannot provide a valid driver’s license or the required information about your driving record.

Optional extras

Optional extras, such as child seats, GPS devices, ski racks, additional equipment or other services, are subject to availability, and the associated charges are generally paid directly to the car rental company at the time of pickup.

The optional extras available for your rental may be displayed during the reservation process. Please note that the availability, type, and cost of extras are determined by the car rental company and may vary by location. If a specific optional extra is not offered during the reservation process, you may contact the car rental company directly to inquire whether it is available for your rental and, if so, what charges may apply. It is recommended that you confirm availability in advance, as extras cannot be guaranteed unless confirmed by the car rental company.

Additional products offered by the car rental company

The car rental company may offer you additional products, services, insurance, upgrades or other optional extras before or at pickup. These products and services are separate from your Wisecars reservation unless they are expressly identified as mandatory in the terms and conditions applicable to your offer.

The car rental company may explain or recommend additional products at pickup. You are not required to purchase optional products or services simply because they are offered to you, unless the applicable terms and conditions state that a particular product or charge is mandatory.

Please carefully review any documents, agreements or charges presented to you by the car rental company before signing or making a payment. By signing a document or purchasing a product or service at the rental location, you are entering into a separate agreement directly with the car rental company and accepting its applicable terms and charges.

If you are unsure about what you are being asked to sign or purchase, please ask the car rental company to explain the product, service, or charge before proceeding.

Fuel policies

As part of the commitment to provide competitive, honest, fair and transparent pricing, Wisecars aims to work only with car rental companies that offer a fair fuel policy, helping you avoid unexpected charges. This type of fuel policy is available in most countries; however, you should always check the car rental company's fuel policy. 

Full-to-full fuel policy

You are given the vehicle with a full tank of fuel and must return it with a full tank. If you do not return the vehicle with a full tank, you may be charged a refueling fee plus a higher rate for the fuel needed to refill the tank.

Same-to-same fuel policy

At pickup, the vehicle will have a certain amount of fuel, which will be recorded in your rental agreement. You must return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at pickup. Always check that the fuel level in the vehicle’s tank matches the level shown in the rental agreement before you leave the rental location.

Prepaid fuel policy

If you choose this option, you pay for the fuel at pickup and return the vehicle with as little fuel as possible. This option may be convenient if you are short on time when returning the vehicle, as you will not need to find a gas station before returning it to the rental location.

Please note that fuel is not included in the rental price under any circumstances. It is recommended that you check the fuel gauge at pickup to ensure that the fuel level matches the level specified in the rental agreement.

Wisecars products

When renting a car, you will need insurance coverage. If you purchase coverage from the car rental company, make sure you check its exclusions before making your purchase. Please note that additional coverage from the car rental company may cost up to three times more than other available options.

Coverage provided by the car rental company may exclude damage to tires, windows or the undercarriage, as well as lost keys. You can protect yourself against these costs by purchasing Wisecars protection packages or RentalCover products before your rental begins. A security deposit may still be required. If you extend your rental directly with the rental company, coverage under the protection package will apply only to the rental period originally reserved through Wisecars.

If you purchase any product from RentalCover, you will receive your policy details by email. You are responsible for presenting the required documentation at the rental counter. By purchasing the product, you confirm that you have read and accepted the applicable terms and conditions.

Wisecars is not responsible for additional charges resulting from your failure to provide the required RentalCover documentation. Any claims must be submitted directly to RentalCover in accordance with its claims process.

Protection packages

Wisecars offers five packages to suit different protection needs: Lite, Basic, Flexible, Advanced Protection and Zero Deductible.

Each package offers a different cancellation period and level of coverage, which may include protection for the vehicle deductible and costs relating to tires, windows, the undercarriage, lost keys and other potential car-rental-related costs. The exact coverage, exclusions, limits, and inclusions vary by package and car rental offer.

The packages available for your reservation, together with their applicable coverage and terms, are clearly displayed during the reservation process. Please review these details carefully before selecting a package.

Collision Damage Protection from RentalCover

This includes:

• Primary coverage up to the applicable limit stated in your RentalCover policy, so you do not need to make a claim against your personal auto insurance.
• No deductible to pay.
• Cancellation at any time before pickup.
• Coverage for common loss-of-use charges.
• Cover for collision damage to the rental vehicle’s windshield and tires.

Full Protection from RentalCover

This includes:

• Coverage up to the market value of the rental vehicle at the time of your claim.
• Coverage for collision damage to the vehicle’s bodywork, windows, wheels, lights and more, with no deductible to pay.
• Reimbursement for certain charges, including roadside assistance, loss-of-use charges, towing and vehicle relocation costs.
• Coverage for damage caused by natural disasters, vandalism and theft.

Extra Cover from RentalCover

This includes:

• Coverage for roadside assistance, lost keys, towing and impound fees.
• Coverage for vehicle relocation and loss-of-use charges.
• Coverage for repairs to windshields, headlights, tires, mirrors and other glass.
• Coverage for damage caused by vandalism and theft.
• Coverage for all drivers named on the rental agreement.
• Coverage of up to €2,200 per incident.

Cancellation Protection

Usually, you can cancel your reservation up to 48 or 24 hours before pickup. With Wisecars Cancellation Protection, the cancellation deadline is extended until two hours before pickup. Cancellation Protection is a non-refundable product.

Changes to your reservation and rental period

Changes can only be made up to 48 or 24 hours before pickup, depending on the deadline applicable to the selected offer.

No fee will be charged for changes made within the permitted change period. This does not include any difference in price resulting from a change to the reservation, such as a change to the duration of the rental period or the vehicle class, or where the car rental company’s rates have changed since the original reservation. For reservations with certain car rental companies, changing the driver’s name or the pickup location may require canceling the reservation and making a new reservation. Please note that the terms and conditions vary by car rental company, but they will be clearly communicated during the reservation process.

The rental period may be extended either through Wisecars or directly with the car rental company. Wisecars can modify your reservation to extend the rental period up to 48 or 24 hours before pickup, depending on the cancellation deadline applicable to the selected offer. Please note that rates and availability are subject to change in real time, so extending the rental period may change the reservation price or result in a different car rental company. Once your rental has started, any changes to the rental period must be arranged directly with the car rental company. Additional days will be charged by the car rental company at the applicable local daily rate, which may be higher than the daily rate for your original reservation. Other changes may also result in additional charges.

Once your car rental has started, any extension to the rental period must be arranged directly with the car rental company. Returning the vehicle later than the agreed return time without an agreed extension may result in additional charges or penalties.

If you return the vehicle earlier than the return date stated on your voucher or in your rental details, Wisecars will not refund any amount for unused rental days, and an early return fee may apply. Any refund for unused rental days is entirely at the discretion of the car rental company.

Cancellation

If you wish to cancel a reservation, you must contact Wisecars customer support. Do not cancel your reservation directly with the car rental company, as additional fees may apply. Depending on the car rental company, you can cancel your reservation up to 48 or 24 hours before pickup. If your reservation is canceled by the car rental company due to vehicle unavailability or any other issue for which it is responsible, a full refund will be issued to the person who originally paid for the reservation.

No refund will be issued if:

• you end the car rental early;
• you arrive late to pick up the vehicle;
• you fail to pick up the vehicle;
• a cancellation is made less than 48 or 24 hours before pickup (depending on the package selected);
• you do not have a valid driver’s license that meets the car rental company’s requirements;
• you cannot present a credit card accepted by the car rental company in the main driver’s name with sufficient available credit to cover the security deposit.

Please note that car rental companies have different requirements regarding accepted methods of payment and deposit authorization.

All reservations include free cancellation up to 48 or 24 hours before pickup, depending on the car rental company and the selected offer. Where different cancellation terms apply, they will be presented during the reservation process.

Wisecars reserves the right to cancel your reservation if it has reasonable grounds to believe that the reservation is fraudulent. In such circumstances, Wisecars will not be liable to you as a result of the cancellation.

Wisecars will process your refund within 14 days. Your bank may take additional time to credit the refund to your account. If this happens, please contact your bank for further information.

Rental Credit

Rental Credit can only be used toward the prepaid amount of your reservation. Any amount payable locally must be paid directly to the car rental company. Please note that Rental Credit expires two years after it is added to your account if it has not been used.

To use the Rental Credit available in your account, log in to your Wisecars account and follow the usual reservation process. Before making payment, select the Rental Credit option above the payment details. You can check your available balance under My Profile.

Refer a Friend Program

The Refer a Friend Program allows registered users to earn Rental Credit by inviting friends to join MyWisecars. Referred friends receive $15 in Rental Credit when they register for an account. The referring user earns Rental Credit equal to 1% of the value of their own reservations and 2% of the value of reservations made by friends they have referred.

The Refer a Friend Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available through MyWisecars.

Picking up and returning the vehicle

Please note that the car rental company is not required to wait for you to arrive. If you fail to arrive at the pickup location at the time indicated on the voucher, this may be treated as a no-show. At the end of the rental period, you must return the vehicle undamaged and in a clean condition to the agreed location at the agreed time. Please make sure that you return the vehicle as specified in your rental agreement.

If the vehicle is returned in an unreasonably dirty condition, as determined by the car rental company at its sole discretion, it may charge you an additional cleaning fee.

No-Show

A “No-Show” occurs if you:

• wish to cancel your reservation but do not notify Wisecars before the applicable cancellation deadline;
• fail to pick up the vehicle on the agreed date and at the agreed time;
• fail to provide the documentation required to pick up the vehicle;
• you cannot present a credit card accepted by the car rental company in the main driver’s name with sufficient available credit to cover the security deposit.
• fail to meet the car rental company’s terms or requirements.

In all these cases, you will not be entitled to a refund of any amount paid.

The car rental company reserves the right to refuse to provide a vehicle if you fail to arrive on time, fail to provide the required documentation or cannot present a credit card accepted by the car rental company with sufficient available credit to cover the security deposit. In such circumstances, unless you canceled the reservation in accordance with the applicable cancellation terms, you will not be entitled to a refund.

Flight delays or late arrival

Each car rental company has its own grace period for pickup, which is usually one hour. If you arrive after the applicable grace period, the car rental company is not required to keep the vehicle available or wait for you, and the reservation may be treated as a No-Show.

If you expect to arrive late due to a delayed or canceled flight, you should notify the car rental company as soon as possible and, where applicable, provide your flight number. However, notifying the car rental company of a delay or providing a flight number does not guarantee that it will wait for you beyond the applicable grace period. Any arrangements for late pickup remain subject to the car rental company’s policies and availability.

Please note that Wisecars is not responsible for reservations that are canceled or treated as No-Shows as a result of flight cancellations, flight delays, or late arrival, including where the car rental company is unable or unwilling to keep the vehicle available beyond the applicable grace period.

After-hours service

Please note that if you pick up or return the vehicle outside the applicable rental location’s hours of operation, you will be charged an additional fee for the after-hours service in accordance with the rate stated in your voucher. Please note that this service must be requested in advance and confirmed by the car rental company. Wisecars will inform you whether an additional fee applies when you provide your pickup and return times as part of your reservation request. Wisecars accepts no responsibility if after-hours service is unavailable.

Force majeure

Force majeure events may include acts of God, war, government action, pandemics, or other extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances beyond Wisecars' reasonable control. In such circumstances, Wisecars will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations or for any additional expenses you incur as a result.

In the event of force majeure or other circumstances beyond Wisecars' control, Wisecars reserves the right to issue a partial refund and may retain at least 10% of the reservation value. However, in exceptional circumstances, Wisecars may retain the full amount and will not be liable for any additional expenses you incur as a result. Please note that refund processing may be delayed due to such circumstances.

Wisecars will make reasonable efforts to notify you promptly if a force majeure event affects your reservation. Notifications will be sent by email or using any other contact details you have provided. You are encouraged to check these communication channels regularly for updates.

If the car rental company is unable to fulfill its obligations due to force majeure, Wisecars will endeavor to arrange an alternative reservation with another car rental company. However, alternative arrangements may not always be possible, particularly during peak periods or where suitable alternatives are limited.

Where circumstances permit, Wisecars may offer you the option to modify your reservation or explore alternative reservation options, subject to availability and any additional costs.

This force majeure clause is subject to applicable laws and regulations.

Complaints

Contact methods

If you are not satisfied with any aspect of Wisecars’ services or products, you can submit a complaint in the following ways:

• By email: support@wisecars.com
• Through the Wisecars self-service portal: https://customer.wisecars.com/
• By telephone or through a messaging platform: https://www.wisecars.com/en-us/faq#contactSection

If you initially contact Wisecars by telephone or through a messaging platform, you may be asked to submit your complaint by email, including a written description of the complaint and any relevant supporting documentation.

Complaints relating to the responsibilities of a car rental company should be addressed directly to that company. Wisecars will advise you on how to proceed where necessary.

Complaint procedure

Wisecars aims to resolve complaints promptly and will confirm within five business days of receiving your complaint whether it has been resolved or remains under investigation.

Wisecars will review your complaint and aim to reach a decision within 28 calendar days of receiving it. In rare cases, this period may be extended while Wisecars awaits comments or documentation from the car rental company. Wisecars cannot control or accept responsibility for delays caused by the car rental company's response time.

Wisecars reserves the right not to process complaints submitted more than 28 calendar days after the return date.

Breakdowns, technical problems and accidents

In the event of a breakdown, technical problem or accident involving the vehicle, you must contact the car rental company immediately for instructions and assistance. Its contact phone number can be found in the rental agreement. You must not arrange any repairs to or replacement of the vehicle without the car rental company’s prior authorization.

If you are involved in an accident, you must also contact the local police. Police involvement is strongly recommended even if the damage appears to be minor. You must retain copies of all relevant documentation that you are asked to complete, as these documents may be required if you wish to make a claim.

If you fail to follow these requirements, the car rental company may charge you for any losses or costs it incurs as a result. If an accident is caused by your negligence or occurs in circumstances in which insurance coverage does not apply, you will be responsible for any resulting losses or costs incurred by the car rental company.

Wisecars will not reimburse the cost of any vehicle repairs.

Vehicle availability

While Wisecars makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information about vehicles available through car rental companies, a reserved vehicle or vehicle class may become unavailable due to circumstances beyond Wisecars’ control. Vehicle unavailability may occur when a specific vehicle or vehicle category cannot be provided due to unforeseen circumstances.

In the event of vehicle unavailability:

• Wisecars will make reasonable efforts to notify you as soon as possible that the reserved vehicle or vehicle class is unavailable.
• Wisecars will make reasonable efforts to offer an available alternative that matches your reservation requirements as closely as possible.
• You may accept an available alternative or cancel your reservation and receive a full refund.
• Wisecars is not responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of the vehicle being unavailable, such as transportation or accommodation costs.

If you believe that the vehicle unavailability was caused by the car rental company’s actions or negligence, please provide Wisecars with any relevant documentation, photographs or other evidence. This information will assist Wisecars in reviewing the matter.

If Wisecars identifies a consistent pattern of such issues at a particular location, it may take appropriate action to maintain service quality, including removing that location from the Wisecars website.

Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The sole and exclusive venue for any claim or dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms of Service or Wisecars’ services shall be a California state or federal court of competent jurisdiction.

Privacy

Wisecars takes the privacy of its customers very seriously and does not sell or provide personal data to third parties for their own commercial use. Sensitive data received from customers, such as personal data and credit card information, is encrypted and protected when transmitted over the internet. Wisecars does not store credit card details.

Cookies

To improve its services and website, Wisecars may use small data files known as cookies. Some cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function correctly, while others are used to improve the website’s performance and user experience. Wisecars uses cookies only where necessary or appropriate for the operation and improvement of the website. You can configure your browser settings to notify you before cookies are stored on your device.

Termination of access

Access to all or part of the Wisecars website may be suspended or terminated at any time, without notice and for any reason.

Use of the website

The Wisecars website may only be used for personal purposes in connection with making a car rental reservation. Wisecars monitors activity on and use of the website, and any activity deemed suspicious or abnormal may result in access being denied or suspended. By using the Wisecars website, you confirm that you accept these Terms of Service.

Third party disclosure

Wisecars does not disclose customers’ personal data to third parties without prior consent, except where required by law or in an emergency. Wisecars does not sell personal data or provide it to third parties for their own commercial use. Wisecars may provide third parties with aggregated statistics about customers, sales and reservation patterns, and other related information, provided that such information does not identify individual customers.

Wisecars only deletes personal data at the request of the individual to whom the data relates and does not delete personal data at the request of a third party.

Vehicle images

The Wisecars website contains AI-generated vehicle images. These images are created using artificial intelligence and are used for illustrative purposes only. They do not necessarily represent the exact make, model, trim, color, specifications or features of the vehicles available for rental. The images may not depict actual vehicles available through Wisecars or provided by car rental companies.

Currency conversion and bank charges

Please note that, due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and any applicable bank charges, Wisecars is not responsible for any difference between the amount displayed on the website and the amount charged for the reservation.

Wisecars is not responsible for any bank fees or for any reduction in the amount refunded as a result of currency conversion.