Question:
I rented a car, from a Jewish company in Israel, and I scratched it. Am I required to halacha to tell them that I damaged it? I ask because perhaps they will not notice and thus they are “mochel” the damages, meaning they don’t demand payment. On the other hand, if I would point it out to them, they probably would request a fee.
Answer:
If it is a real damage and the value of the car went down, even slightly, then you have to pay for it. However if it is a scratch that people don’t fix and the value of the car doesn’t go down you don’t have to report it since there is nothing you need to pay for.
