Zipcar's Fee Policy governs deposits and charges for U.S. members, including violation fees up to $500 ($500 CAD) or $150 ($165 CAD) per violation and incident or damage fees up to the maximum Damage Fee unless a Damage Fee Waiver is purchased. Official sources do not confirm automatic refunds or specific timelines for deposits. Contact support at 1-866-4ZIPCAR to check your account status and resolve issues.
What Controls Zipcar Deposits and Charges
Zipcar membership requires payment of costs, charges, fees, and expenses outlined in the Fee Policy and on Zipcar.com. These include fees for violations of Zipcar Rules, charged up to $500 ($500 CAD) or up to $150 ($165 CAD) per violation. Incident and damage charges can reach the maximum Damage Fee unless you purchased a Damage Fee Waiver (DFW).
Charges represent Zipcar's estimates of incurred costs and may change at Zipcar's discretion. Deposits or holds fall under this policy, but official sources do not specify refund conditions or processes beyond account review.
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Violation fees | Up to $500 ($500 CAD) or $150 ($165 CAD) per violation | For breaking Zipcar Rules |
| Incident/damage charges | Up to maximum Damage Fee | Unless DFW purchased |
What Does Not Control Deposit Refunds
Zipcar deposits follow the membership and Fee Policy, not general retail product refunds, merchant return timelines, or norms from other car rental services. Official U.S. Zipcar sources do not confirm automatic refunds.
Credit card chargebacks or the Fair Credit Billing Act apply only secondarily if the deposit was paid by credit card and support does not resolve the issue. Rules from UK Zipcar or unrelated entities like Zip.co do not apply to U.S. members.
Next Steps to Resolve Your Deposit Issue
Contact Zipcar support using these official channels:
- Phone: 1-866-4ZIPCAR (U.S.)
- Help Center (24/7 searchable)
- Mobile app: Account > Call Zipcar
- Social media: Direct message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
Gather this evidence before contacting:
- Account details and membership ID
- Trip or charge dates
- Payment method and receipts
- Any violation or damage notices
Ask support to review your account for applied charges and deposit status. Email responses take 2-3 business days. If unresolved and the deposit was paid by credit card, note your issuer for a potential billing dispute. For broader unfair practices, consider your state Attorney General or the FTC as general escalation options.
FAQ
Does Zipcar automatically refund deposits?
Official policy does not confirm automatic refunds; it depends on your account status after support review.
What fees might prevent a deposit refund?
Violation fees up to $500 ($500 CAD) or $150 ($165 CAD) per violation, or damage fees up to the maximum unless DFW purchased.
How long to hear back from Zipcar support?
Phone and app offer immediate access; email responses take 2-3 business days.
Can I dispute via credit card if the deposit was charged?
Possible if paid by credit card; contact your issuer after trying Zipcar support.