By the Airport Rent a Car team
Car Rental Without a Deposit in Montenegro: How It Works
What a rental deposit is, why most companies block money on your card, and how renting with no deposit works with us: payment, insurance, damage and fuel, explained plainly.
Renting without a deposit means no money is blocked on your credit card when you collect the car. With us you pay only the rental and the extras you choose, shown line by line before you confirm, and payment is made at pick-up. You do not need a credit card with a high limit.
What a rental deposit is
Most rental companies place a hold on your credit card when you pick up the car. The amount is often several hundred euros, sometimes more for bigger cars. It is not charged, but it is blocked: you cannot use that part of your card limit during the holiday, and after you return the car it can take days or weeks before the bank releases it.
For many travellers this is the most stressful part of renting a car: a debit card is refused, the card limit is too low, or the release takes longer than expected.
How renting without a deposit works with us
- No deposit and no hold: nothing is blocked on your card, at any point.
- Every price line (rental, insurance, extras, any fees) is shown before you confirm.
- Payment is made at pick-up, unless we agree otherwise in writing.
- You get exactly the car you booked, and a confirmation by email straight away.
Insurance without a deposit
The basic insurance required by Montenegrin law is included in every rental. On top of it you can add full insurance when booking.
With full insurance, damage to the car is covered in full with €0 excess; tyres (punctures, damage or replacement) are not covered. For the cover to apply, any damage, however small, must be reported to the police, and you hand us the official police report. Without the report, full insurance does not apply to that damage.
Full insurance also does not apply to damage caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, gross negligence, intent, use for racing, an unregistered driver or lost keys. These rules are in the rental terms, which you can read before you book.
What happens if something is damaged
Call the police so they can make an official report, then call us on the 24/7 number. With full insurance and a police report, you pay nothing for the damage to the car itself (tyres excluded). Without full insurance, or for excluded cases such as tyres, damage is charged at its actual cost.
At pick-up you check the car together with our staff member. Point out any existing marks then, so they are noted before you drive off.
Fuel and other costs
The fuel policy is same-to-same: return the car with the same fuel level you received it with. A difference in fuel is charged at actual cost. Tolls (the Sozina tunnel and the A1 motorway), parking and traffic fines are paid by the driver, as with any rental.
Why we rent without a deposit
A deposit protects the rental company, but it costs the guest time and worry. We prefer clear rules: the price and every extra in writing before you book, a car check together at pick-up, and insurance options explained in plain words.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car in Montenegro without a credit card deposit?
Yes. We take no deposit and block nothing on your card. You pay the rental and the extras you choose, shown before you confirm.
Is full insurance required to rent without a deposit?
No. Basic insurance required by law is included; full insurance is optional. It covers damage to the car with €0 excess, tyres excluded, when you provide a police report.
When do I pay for the rental?
At pick-up, unless we agree otherwise in writing. The total, with every line item, is shown in the booking before you confirm.