1. What is included in the rental price?

Compulsory traffic insurance (Jiaoqiangxian): mandatory, covers the other party only. Death/disability limit 180,000 CNY; medical 18,000; property 2,000.

Commercial third-party (Shangye Sanze): on top, 500,000 CNY cover, also for the other party.

Neither covers damage to the rental car itself.

2. Damage to the rental car

Under 1,500 CNY: you pay (this is the excess). A door scratched while parked, a small reverse dent — you cover it.

Over 1,500 CNY: insurance pays 70%, you pay 30%. Example: reverse into a bollard, 2,200 CNY repair; insurer pays 1,540, you pay 660.

Paint-saving scratches: stone chips, twig marks that do not break the primer — free.

No downtime or depreciation on paintwork or parts. Major damage: we cover downtime for the first 5 days.

3. Four real cases

1. Door scratched by a hit-and-run in your hotel lot: 400 CNY, under the excess, you pay 400.
2. Reverse into a flower bed, rear bumper cracked: 2,200, over the excess, insurer 1,540, you 660.
3. Stone chip cracks the windscreen: 1,200, under the excess, you pay 1,200.
4. Rear-ended by another driver: their insurance pays everything, you pay nothing and we help you liaise.

4. Not covered at all

Drink or drug driving; unlicensed driving (including forgetting your temporary permit); single-car accident with no police report; illegal modifications; lending the car to an unlicensed person; using it for paid taxi work; hit and run.

5. At the scene of an accident

  1. Check injuries; call 120 for serious injuries.
  2. Call 122 traffic police — they determine fault.
  3. Photos: both cars in full, close-up of impact, other plate, other licence, surroundings.
  4. Message us on WeChat qxzj7557.
  5. Do not accept a cash private settlement from a Chinese driver — always call police and go through insurance.

6. How the deposit relates

We hold 3,000-5,000 CNY. It is not insurance. After return we wait 5-7 working days for fines; if there is an unpaid accident or fine, we deduct it first and refund the rest.

7. Avoiding rental scams

Some Chinese operators invent scratches on return. Our process: we take six photos and a video at pickup and compare on return. We do not force extra top-up insurance. We meet you at the fuel gauge on pickup and return. We allow a one-hour grace on return time.

8. How China differs from Europe/US/Australia

Excess is around 1,500 CNY (~200 USD) vs 500-1,000 euros abroad; cover is bundled into the rental price by the operator; third-party minimum is 500,000 CNY; glass and tyres are inside the car cover.

9. Questions

Q: Should I buy extra top-up cover? A: Optional zero-excess waiver is +50 CNY/day. Q: Car stolen? A: we claim on insurance but you must hand over the keys. Q: Can I lend the car to a friend? A: No, only the named driver, and tell us if you add someone.

Questions about a contract clause: WeChat qxzj7557 (WhatsApp +86 137-5915-5671).