Your inspection photos are more than a record — they're the evidence that backs a damage claim. When a unit comes back with new damage, Patriot Hauls lets you compare before-and-after photos and open a dispute with those exact images attached.
Compare before and after
On the booking, open the Inspection Photos view. You'll see the pre-rental and post-return inspections together, and you can switch between:
- Side by Side — each photo type with its pickup shot next to its return shot.
- Pre or Post only — to focus on one inspection at a time.
Lining the two up makes new damage obvious — a tire that was fine at pickup and gouged at return is right there, side by side. The renter's condition notes from each inspection appear underneath the photos too.
Good to know: A clear pre-rental inspection is what makes a return photo persuasive. Without a "before," a "after" only shows the unit is damaged — not that the renter caused it.
Flag damage to open a dispute
When you spot damage on a photo pair that exists in both the pre and post inspection, use Flag Damage on that photo. Patriot Hauls opens a dispute for the booking and automatically attaches the matching pickup and return photos as evidence, with the affected area noted (for example, "Damage detected in Tire — Driver Rear").
That dispute is your documented case for charging against the renter's security deposit: you have time-stamped, side-by-side proof that the damage happened during this rental.
Practical tips
- Always do the pre-rental inspection. It's the half of the evidence you can't recreate later.
- Get clear, well-lit photos. Blurry shots weaken your case — both you and the renter can retake a photo before submitting.
- Flag damage promptly, while the return is fresh and the deposit hold is still in place.
Related
- Pickup and return inspections — how to capture the photos in the first place.
- Deposits and holds — how the security deposit authorization and release work.
Still need help? Tap the Support button inside your dashboard.