What is the security deposit for a self-drive car rental in India?
Updated May 2026 · Based on partner policies across the Zymo network
Security deposit on a self-drive car rental in India ranges from ₹3,000 to ₹15,000 depending on the car class, partner, and trip duration. The deposit is held (not charged) on your credit or debit card for the rental period and refunded within 5-7 working days after the car is returned without damage and with the correct fuel level. Some partners offer no-deposit or low-deposit bookings on specific cars.
Typical deposit ranges by car class
Hatchback (Swift, i20, WagonR): ₹3,000-5,000. Sedan (Dzire, Aura, Verna): ₹5,000-8,000. Compact SUV (Brezza, Nexon, Punch): ₹6,000-10,000. Tier-1 SUV (Creta, Seltos, XUV700): ₹8,000-15,000. Premium/luxury cars: ₹15,000-30,000. Outstation and inter-state bookings carry a higher deposit than city-only bookings on the same car.
How the hold works
Most partners place a pre-authorisation hold on your card at pickup — the amount is reserved but not actually charged. The hold is released back automatically after the rental period if the car is returned without issues. Some partners debit the deposit and refund within 5-7 days; the booking page lists the exact policy before you confirm.
What can be deducted from the deposit
Visible damage caused during the rental (verified against the pre-pickup damage report), missing fuel below the agreed return level, late return penalty if you exceed the booked time, and any unpaid traffic fines or toll evasions during the rental. The deposit is refunded in full when none of these apply, which is the case on most bookings.
Related questions
- How long does it take to get the security deposit back?
- 5-7 working days from the time of return. Some partners refund within 24-48 hours if the car was returned without damage. The exact refund timeline is on the booking confirmation page and the partner's return policy.
- Is the security deposit charged or just held?
- Most partners pre-authorise a hold on your card without actually charging. The hold is released back automatically after the rental period if there are no issues. Some partners debit and refund — confirm the model on the booking page.
- Can I pay the deposit in cash?
- Most partners require card-based deposits (credit or debit) for fraud protection. Some partners allow UPI hold; cash deposits are unusual on metropolitan partner inventory. Confirm with the partner at booking.
- What if my card limit is below the deposit amount?
- Switch to a card with a higher limit, use a credit card if the deposit was held against a debit card, or pick a partner with a lower deposit on the same car. The deposit amount is visible on the booking page before you confirm.
- Are there no-deposit self-drive bookings?
- Yes. Some partners offer no-deposit or low-deposit (₹1,000-2,000) variants on specific cars. Visible on the booking page as a filter option. The no-deposit variant typically carries a slightly higher daily rate.
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