What happens if rented equipment is damaged?
Short Answer:
If hired equipment is damaged, lost, or stolen, the hirer is normally liable for repair or replacement costs, which is why insurance is usually required. The exact process — reporting, assessment, and whether your insurance or the provider's cover applies — is set out in the rental agreement. Accidental damage is typically covered by a proper hired-in equipment policy, subject to any excess.
Overview
Responsibility for hired kit sits with the hirer while it is in their care, so damage is handled through the rental terms and insurance. Understanding this before you book avoids nasty surprises.
Detailed Explanation
If equipment is damaged
Report promptly: notify the provider as soon as possible.
Liability: the hirer is generally responsible for repair or replacement.
Insurance: a hired-in equipment policy usually covers accidental damage, minus any excess.
Assessment: the provider assesses the damage and quotes repair or replacement.
Fair wear: normal, minor wear is expected; negligence or misuse is not.
Read the agreement: the rental contract defines the exact process and charges.
The best protection is adequate insurance and careful handling. Checking the equipment on collection and flagging any pre-existing issues also protects you from being charged for damage you did not cause.
Example
If a lens is knocked and damaged during a shoot, you would report it to the provider, who assesses the repair cost — which your hired-in equipment insurance would typically cover, leaving you to pay only the policy excess.