Electronic signature is a differentiating factor for car rental companies

One of the great challenges facing the car rental sector is to return to pre-pandemic figures. In the near future, the companies that will lead the new market will be those that decide to commit to an efficient digital transformation and to improving the customer experience.

In this scenario, the use of electronic signatures in car rental companies becomes a key tool to differentiate and boost business. If you are interested in finding out how electronic signatures guarantee a 100% digital experience with agile and secure processes, be sure to read this post.

The car rental sector, 50% of pre-pandemic figures

The car rental sector, 50% of pre-pandemic figures The tourism sector has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis. As a result of the drop in the number of travellers, most of the companies in the sector have been seriously affected. In countries such as Spain, the rent-a-car sector ended 2021 with between 50% and 55% less turnover than in 2019, as revealed by the president of the National Federation of Car Rental with and without Driver (Feneval), Juan Luis Barahona.

Currently, the market is returning to its usual activity and the number of users who rent a vehicle for their holidays, for occasional use such as a removal or to cover a specific need with a rental for just a few hours is increasing. 

In any case, users are looking for a fast and agile service, avoiding long or difficult to manage processes. If the service is also 100% online, user consideration levels increase.

This is why many leasing companies have wanted to offer a quality service to their customers, streamlining all procedures online. In the market, there are already car rental companies that have digitalised all the phases of the rental process, including the moment of handing over the keys, where a virtual app becomes the digital key to the vehicle. 

Traditionally, the signing of paper documents also became a formality that, although necessary, delayed the whole process. On the contrary, and as we discuss below, the electronic signature is an easy-to-use tool that allows the customer to sign all the necessary documents for the rental of their vehicle 100% online and without paperwork. 

What is an electronic signature? 

According to Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 (eIDAS), which establishes the common legal framework for trust services in the European Union, electronic signatures are the "data in electronic form attached to or logically associated with other electronic data used by the signatory to sign".

More simply, an electronic signature can be defined as the set of electronic data accompanying or associated with a document with the function of identifying the signatory. It ranges from the most basic electronic signature and the one that provides the least security to the user, to the most legally secure and legally backed up level of qualified electronic signature:

▪️ Simple electronic signature: this is the most basic, and cannot be equated with a handwritten signature. 

▪️ Advanced electronic signature: this type of signature is at an intermediate level of security and cannot be compared to a handwritten signature.

▪️ Qualified electronic signature: of the three types of signature recognised by the eIDAS regulation, this is the only one equivalent to a handwritten signature. 

Choosing the right type of signature to avoid unnecessary risks 

In general, for both chauffeur-driven and non-driver-driven vehicle rentals, both parties must sign a rental contract that guarantees compliance with the terms of the contract. In this way, the contract will regulate both the correct use of the vehicle by the user and the conditions and condition of the vehicle, with guarantees for both parties.

In terms of legal guarantees, the type of signature used for signing contracts is extremely important. This means that depending on the risk we are willing to take, one type of signature or another should be chosen. 

In the face of any litigation, the qualified electronic signature is the most robust in its evidentiary quality, reversing the burden of proof. This means that it is the person who has made the signature who must prove the veracity of the signature. 

In cases where it is not necessary to achieve the highest level of security but there are high levels of risk, for example in the signing of a car rental contract, Uanataca is able to provide unqualified but sufficiently robust and reliable electronic signatures for the secure execution of business transactions. 

In terms of legal guarantees, the type of signature used for signing contracts is extremely important. This means that depending on the risk we are willing to take, one type of signature or another should be chosen. 

In the face of any litigation, the qualified electronic signature is the most robust in its evidentiary quality, reversing the burden of proof. This means that it is the person who has made the signature who must prove the veracity of the signature. 

In cases where it is not necessary to achieve the highest level of security but there are high levels of risk, for example in the signing of a car rental contract, Uanataca is able to provide unqualified but sufficiently robust and reliable electronic signatures for the secure execution of business transactions. 

In which services can electronic signatures be used?

The electronic signature allows you to remotely sign any type of document related to the vehicle rental:  

- Pre-reservations and reservations
- Authorisations
- Signing of contracts
- Deposits
- Insurance

In this way, the use of electronic signatures in car rental agencies helps their customers to start their journey faster. This means that, regardless of whether the vehicle delivery is virtual, unattended or in person, it is possible to speed up the collection and return of vehicles with an electronic signature process. 

Advantages of the use of electronic signatures in vehicle rental

Electronic signatures are one of the primary tools that companies incorporate into their business processes to achieve effective digitisation. Below is a list of some of the advantages of its use:

1.- Streamlining contracting processes, reducing waiting time, approval and personnel costs. 
2.- Close transactions at any time and from anywhere. 
3.- Peace of mind and confidence for the client.
4.- Fast and efficient service.
5.- Protect documents against loss or possible vulnerabilities and save physical space for archiving documents.
6.- Reducing the risk of human error, such as duplication or alteration of the document itself.
7.- Improve the user experience.
8.- Reduce the environmental impact and costs of printing, sending, scanning and managing multiple copies of paper documents.

Once all documentation is managed and signed online, companies can offer more flexible services to customers as an added value: 

- Check-in/Check-out
- Virtual key handover
- 24/7 unattended key handover and key return
- Express vehicle collection

Uanataca's solutions for electronic signature in rent a car: the best user experience with maximum guarantees.

When choosing the best electronic signature solution, it is advisable to consider that it is a solution adapted to the business and that the provider offers specific guarantees. Uanataca, Qualified Trust Service Provider in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 910 / 2014 (eIDAS), has designed solutions with the best signature experience, 100% online, flexible and scalable and that also ensure the maximum legal guarantees. 

OUR SOLUTION FOR E-SIGNATURES IN RENT A CAR: 👨🏼‍💻 ONE-SHOT SIGNATURE 

Electronic signatures based on digital certificates offer the highest legal guarantees. However, customers do not always have a digital certificate. 
Thanks to the One-Shot Signature, customers can instantly sign any document with a digital certificate without the need to already have one.  

Getting started with the service is quick, easy and requires no initial investment. After a simple implementation via API in any flow or process of your business, you will incorporate the signature process into your corporate applications or document flow.  

Once incorporated, the customer will be able to sign any type of document from PCs, tablets or smartphones, offering an easy and intuitive user experience without the need to install any additional application. Plus, you only pay for what you use. 

The One-Shot Signature service now incorporates a unique novelty in the market: the possibility of identifying the signer through Video Identification. Request a personalised demo and start digitising your business today.