Hertz’s AI Scanners Find Hidden Damages on Rentals
Hertz has begun using AI vehicle scanners, developed by UVeye, to automate damage detection before and after rentals. This system is live at select locations, including Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport. A customer named Patrick shared his experience with the tech after being charged \$440 for minor wheel damage—including fees that were not clearly explained.
The process is handled through a web app, which shows before-and-after images of the vehicle. Patrick was offered a discount if he paid quickly, but found the claims process frustrating due to a chatbot that doesn’t allow immediate access to a human agent. This limited transparency, combined with vague fee structures and time-sensitive discounts, made the situation feel more opaque despite Hertz’s claims of increased clarity.
Hertz did not respond to questions about whether AI-equipped locations charge more than others or provide upfront cost estimates. It plans to roll out this AI scanning system to 100 U.S. airport locations by the end of 2025. The story highlights growing pains for consumers as the car rental industry adopts AI-driven processes.