344.578 Credit card for deposit or damages.
(1) Prohibited deposits; collection of damages. Except as provided in this subsection, in sub. (2), or in s. 345.28 (5w), a rental company may not charge a credit card belonging to a renter as a deposit for damages for which the renter may be held liable under the rental agreement or under s. 344.574 (2) (a) or for any other charges. If a rented private passenger vehicle is damaged or if the renter owes any other charges provided for in the rental agreement, the rental company may charge a credit card belonging to the renter as payment for the damages for which the renter is liable under s. 344.574 (2) (a) or for any other charges provided for in the rental agreement only if the rental company obtains the renter's authorization to use that credit card for payment and the authorization is obtained after the total amount of the renter's liability or other charges is determined and before the rental company processes the credit card charge.
(2) Deposit for rental fees. If authorized by the renter, a rental company may charge a credit card belonging to the renter as a deposit for the estimated cost of the rental, as determined under this subsection. The estimated cost of the rental may not exceed an amount equal to the daily rental rate specified in the rental agreement, which may include the daily charge for a damage waiver if purchased by the renter, multiplied by the number of days specified in the agreement for which the private passenger vehicle is being rented.
History: 1989 a. 328; 2005 a. 173; 2007 a. 207.
Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 344 - Vehicles — financial responsibility.
344.01 - Words and phrases defined.
344.02 - Hearing on suspension or impoundment.
344.04 - Power of court to stay suspension of registration or impoundment of vehicles.
344.05 - Courts to report nonpayment of certain judgments.
344.07 - Responsibility law not to prevent other process.
344.08 - Suspension for failure to report accident.
344.09 - Reinstatement of operating privilege and registration.
344.12 - Applicability of provisions relating to deposit of security for past accidents.
344.14 - Suspension for failure to deposit security; impoundment of vehicle; exceptions.
344.15 - Requirements as to policy or bond.
344.16 - Requirements as to self-insurers.
344.17 - Requirements as to form and amount of security.
344.18 - Duration of suspension for failure to deposit security.
344.185 - Duration of impoundment of motor vehicle; disposition.
344.20 - Custody, disposition and return of security.
344.21 - Matters not to be evidence in civil suits.
344.24 - Applicability of sections relating to proof of financial responsibility for the future.
344.25 - Suspension for nonpayment of judgment; exceptions.
344.26 - Suspension after judgment for money damages.
344.27 - Installment payment of judgments; suspension upon default.
344.29 - Proof of financial responsibility for the future required.
344.30 - Methods of giving proof of financial responsibility.
344.31 - Certification of insurance as proof.
344.33 - “ Motor vehicle liability policy" defined.
344.34 - Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy.
344.35 - This chapter not to affect other policies.
344.37 - Money or securities as proof.
344.38 - Owner and leasing company may give proof for others.
344.39 - Substitution of proof.
344.40 - Revocation or suspension for failure to maintain proof; other proof may be required.
344.41 - Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned.
344.42 - Submission of certifications and recertifications by insurers.
344.45 - Surrender of license and registration upon suspension.
344.46 - Transfer of vehicle ownership to defeat purpose of chapter.
344.51 - Financial responsibility for domestic rented or leased vehicles.
344.52 - Financial responsibility for foreign rented vehicles.
344.55 - Insurance for human service vehicles.
344.57 - Definitions applicable to ss. 344.57 to 344.579.
344.572 - Applicability to rental agreements.
344.574 - Limited liability for damage.
344.577 - Advertisement or representation.
344.578 - Credit card for deposit or damages.
344.62 - Motor vehicle liability insurance required.
344.63 - Exceptions to motor vehicle liability insurance requirement.