Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can protect yourself to avoid finding yourself in this situation. You can:

Carefully document every detail of the rental transaction, including the time you pick up the rental vehicle, the car’s condition and the time of return.

Take photos and videos of the car before you drive it off the lot and when you return it — along with the location of the return. Make sure they’re time-stamped.

Save all of your rental car documents and read them carefully.

Take notes of everyone that you talk to, especially if you become involved in a dispute.

Try to return the vehicle to an in-person agent when possible so you can get written confirmation of the return.

Research rental car companies to make sure they don’t have a bad reputation for customer service.

By following these steps, you’ll hopefully have no mess to untangle when you arrive home.