Yes. A lot of people don’t know this, but it’s true: most rental cars have tracking devices. These are used by the rental company to make sure that you return the car to the right place and that they can keep track of their vehicles when they’re out on the road.
They can also help in the event of a theft or accident, so that police can locate the vehicle more quickly.
What is the history of the rental car tracks?
The history of rental car trackers is a bit of a mystery. We know that they’re not new rental companies that have been using them since at least the early 2000s but we don’t know where they came from or who started using them.
It’s possible that the first company to use tracking was Hertz, which began offering GPS technology in its vehicles in 2001. They designed this system to help employees find cars and collect data on how often those cars were used, but it could also be used for tracking purposes.
Many other companies have followed suit—so much so that it’s now common practice for all major car rental companies to use some kind of device that tracks your vehicle.
How does rental car tracking work?
Rental car tracking is a relatively new technology, and it can be a little confusing at first. But we’re here to help you figure it out. Though many people think of rental cars as being like their own, they’re not. In fact, rental car companies have the right to install trackers in any vehicle they rent out and they do.
These trackers are usually just small boxes that are installed under the dashboard or in the trunk. The box sends information about where the car is located to a database that can only be accessed by law enforcement agencies.
The GPS location data is generally sent once every hour or two, so it’s not nearly as accurate as something like a smartphone app would be.
Can you opt-out of the rental car track?
When you rent a car, the company that owns it is required to track the location of the vehicle. This helps them keep tabs on their fleet and make sure that vehicles aren’t being used for any illegal activities.
If you don’t want your location tracked, then you should consider renting from a private owner.
How do rental car companies use the data from their trackers?
The most obvious way that rental car companies use the data from their trackers is to market directly to customers. That’s why they often register you with a loyalty program when you rent a car, and then send you discounts or coupons via email or postal mail.
What are the benefits of trackers?
There are many benefits to having a tracker in your rental car. The most obvious is that it’s much more convenient to know where your vehicle is at all times. This can be especially important if you’re renting out a vehicle to someone else, or if you’re an employee who needs to use a company-owned car for work-related activities.
A tracker will also help you avoid paying extra fees when you return the car late the tracker will let you know exactly where the car is so that there’s no confusion about when it should be back in its spot and ready for pickup.
Another benefit of trackers is that they can help prevent theft or vandalism of your rental car. Even if the vehicle isn’t stolen, having a tracker installed means that you’ll know right away if someone damages it while it’s being used by someone else.
That way, if something happens while it’s not in your possession, there won’t be any confusion or arguments about who should cover the damage costs you’ll just need to contact local authorities and provide them with information from your tracking device.
Conclusion
Rental car companies use trackers to monitor the location and speed of their cars. These trackers are used to ensure that you aren’t abusing the vehicle, or acting in a way that could lead to it being damaged or stolen.
They can also be used by law enforcement to locate your vehicle if it is stolen.
