How the damage liability cap works

Every listing carries a damage liability cap the owner sets when they list, and you see it before sending a request. It's the most you could ever owe for damage on that rental. Cache securely saves your card with Stripe; nothing is charged or held against it unless a damage claim is reviewed and approved.

The owner sets the liability cap when they list the item - any dollar amount from $0 up to the item's replacement value. Percentage presets (25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the replacement value) make it one tap, but any amount inside that range works.

• Capped at replacement value - the cap can never exceed what the item would cost to replace.
• No cap - a $0 liability cap means damage claims are disabled for that listing. The renter still owes the rental total and the normal return process.

Sending a request doesn't charge you. When the owner accepts, Cache charges the rental total and locks the dates. The liability cap is never charged or held - your card simply stays on file for the rental. After a confirmed return, the owner has 12 hours to file a documented damage claim. If no claim is filed, the rental closes and the cap simply expires - there's nothing to release, because nothing was ever taken.

If the item is returned damaged beyond normal wear, the owner has 12 hours after the return is confirmed to file a claim with:

• Photos showing the damage and the pickup/return condition record.
• A written description and the expected repair or replacement cost.
• Receipts or estimates, which may be added during review if they are not yet available.

Claims can't exceed the liability cap shown for the rental. Normal wear and pre-existing damage are never chargeable.

A filed claim goes to Cache for review with the condition photos and supporting documents. If the claim moves forward, the renter is notified and has 72 hours to accept it or contest it with their side of the story. A contested claim returns to Cache for a decision. No amount is charged during the response or review period. If compensation is approved, only the approved amount is charged to the saved card, never more than the stated liability cap.

Listings with a $0 liability cap can't be damage-claimed - the owner has waived Cache's damage-claim process for that rental. The renter still pays the accepted rental total and remains responsible for following the rental agreement and return process.

Renters can cancel within 2 hours of acceptance for a full, fee-free refund, as long as pickup is more than 24 hours away. Outside that grace window:

• Renter cancels > 48h before pickup - full rental refund minus the Stripe processing fee (~2.9% + $0.30), which Stripe does not return on refunds.
• Renter cancels 24–48h before pickup - 75% of the rental price is refunded. The Cache service fee is retained.
• Renter cancels inside 24h - 50% of the rental price is refunded. The Cache service fee is retained.
• Owner cancels at any time - the renter is refunded in full. The owner covers the Stripe processing fee, and inside 72 hours also covers the platform fee that Cache would have earned. A card on file is required to cancel when a fee is owed.

Cancellations after the pickup date are treated as no-shows and reviewed case-by-case. Documented emergencies on either side can be reviewed - email support@cachekits.com.