Guarantee cheques in car rental in Morocco: the risk and the alternatives
Many agencies still keep a cheque as a deposit. Moroccan commercial law forbids accepting a cheque as a guarantee. Here are safer options.
Why the guarantee cheque is a problem
In Morocco a cheque is a means of payment payable on sight, not a guarantee. The Commercial Code (article 316) also penalises whoever knowingly accepts a cheque on condition it is kept as a guarantee and not cashed. The agency itself takes a legal risk, and a bounced cheque is often hard to recover months later.
Safer alternatives
- Cash deposit with a signed, numbered receipt.
- Card pre-authorisation on a payment terminal (amount blocked, not debited).
- Bank transfer refunded on return.
- Lower deposit combined with GPS and a verified customer file.
Write the rules in the contract
State the deposit amount, what can be deducted (damage, fuel, fines, delays) and the refund delay. Do the check-in inspection with photos before deciding.
With Rentiffy
The deposit is recorded on the booking, then released or partly kept at return sign-off with the reason shown on the receipt. Fines found later can be deducted from the deposit still held.
Read also
Rental deposit: cash, cheque or card hold?
The pros and cons of each deposit method for a car rental agency in Morocco, and how to return or keep a deposit cleanly.
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