Recently my parents visited Samui and hired a car, unfortunately i managed to hit a piece of concrete concealed by some long grass. The plastic panel below the front and rear passenger doors was damaged beyond repair. I gouged out a good chunk of it.

When hiring the vehicle we put down a 20,000 Baht security for potential damage on the credit card and duly expected it would be claimed.

Upon returning the vehicle we were asked to write down what happened, sign it and the credit card slip with the security deposit was ripped up. "It's ok we have full insurance"

This was a brand new, fully optioned, Toyota sedan.

I personally believe this was an act of goodwill and wanted to share it's not to often we hear the good stories about Samui on TV. I then thought some people might think it was probably too much paperwork, but if the damage is done there is paperwork either way?

Well done Bob - always nice to hear a good story.

Probably all true.

As I understand it - Full insurance is only available on new to 2 year old cars. After that, there is an excess.

So, reputable company - no pain.

The others, who knows?

The cynics might ask - why take a deposit if it is fully insured? The answer is - for the renters who do a runner. Then there will be a LOT of additional paperwork. It is not only the locals who do the scamming.

Now that might be an interesting topic on TV - "what did your customer get up to yesterday?"

^ Try 10 years not 2...