Answers — CarShake FAQ

CarShake is a free valet-damage-proof and vehicle-handover app that scans and time-stamps a car's condition before and after handover. A 60-second scan creates a timestamped, geolocated record with photos and a QR-coded receipt — so when someone claims "that scratch was already there," you have independent proof it wasn't. Built after the founder lost $4,200 to a Beverly Hills hotel valet with no proof.

Yes. CarShake is free — no subscription, no in-app purchases, no credit card required. The scan-before-and-after protocol that protects you from false damage claims costs nothing. CarShake was built because the founder lost $4,200 to a hotel valet with no proof, and the mission is to make sure no driver pays for damage they didn't cause.

Open CarShake, tap "Start Scan," and walk around your car taking photos. The app captures: (1) timestamped photos of all sides of the vehicle, (2) GPS location, and (3) a QR-coded receipt you can share with the valet, rental agent, or body shop. The scan takes about 60 seconds. When you retrieve the car, do a second scan — the app compares both and highlights any new damage.

CarShake scans are designed to be verifiable. The app captures cryptographic timestamps, GPS geolocation, and unaltered photo metadata (EXIF data) at the moment of scan. This creates a chain of digital evidence that is difficult to dispute. The combination of timestamped before-and-after records with geolocation metadata is exactly the kind of evidence courts and insurance adjusters accept.

The three-stop protocol is CarShake's recommended handover process: (1) Scan the car's condition before handing over the keys and get a QR receipt, (2) Hand over the vehicle — the valet, rental agent, or body shop can scan the QR code to verify the pre-handover condition, (3) Scan again when you retrieve the car. If there's new damage, the before-and-after comparison proves it happened during the handover period.

If a valet damages your car and you have a CarShake pre-handover scan: present the timestamped pre-scan to the valet manager immediately, do a post-retrieval scan to document the new damage, and the two scans together prove the damage occurred while the car was in valet custody. The most common response from valet managers when shown a CarShake scan is immediate acceptance of liability. Without a pre-scan, it's your word against theirs.

Yes. Scan the car with CarShake at pickup (before you drive off) and again at return. The pickup scan proves the car's condition when you received it, including any pre-existing damage. If the rental company claims new damage at return, your timestamped scans with GPS metadata prove otherwise. This is especially valuable for peer-to-peer rentals on platforms like Turo, where disputes are common.

After each CarShake scan, the app generates a unique QR-coded receipt. The QR code links to a verifiable record containing the scan timestamp, GPS location, and photo metadata. Share the QR code with the valet, rental agent, or body shop — they scan it with any phone camera to view the vehicle's documented condition. The receipt creates a shared, indisputable baseline.

Yes. CarShake works without an internet connection — essential for underground parking garages, remote job sites, and areas with poor cell coverage. Scans are stored locally and sync when connectivity is restored. Timestamps and GPS data are captured at the moment of scan regardless of connectivity.

CarShake is built for anyone who hands their car to someone else: drivers using valet parking at hotels, restaurants, casinos, airports, and event venues; rental car customers at pickup and return; body shop and dealership customers at drop-off; fleet operators managing multiple drivers; and ride-share and delivery drivers. If you ever hand your keys to another person, a 60-second CarShake scan protects you.

Regular phone photos lack verifiable timestamps and geolocation — metadata can be edited with free apps, and courts and insurers know this. CarShake captures cryptographic timestamps and GPS data at the moment of scan and packages everything into a single verifiable QR receipt. The difference is "I took some photos" vs "here is independently verifiable proof of the car's condition at this exact time and place."

Yes. Scan before leaving the car and scan again at pickup. If the shop caused damage during the repair (test drives, shop movement, wash bay incidents), the before-and-after scans prove it. Body shops do their own walk-arounds, but their notes are internal — you need your own independent record.

Yes. Fleet operators can use CarShake's QR receipt system to create a per-driver chain of custody. Each driver scans on pickup and on return. The fleet manager has a timestamped audit trail showing exactly which driver had the vehicle when any damage occurred. This eliminates "who did it" disputes and reduces unrecoverable damage claims.

CarShake documents all visible vehicle condition: scratches, dents, dings, paint chips, bumper damage, rim rash, windshield cracks, interior damage, and general wear. The before-and-after comparison highlights any new damage that appeared during the handover period. CarShake does not assess mechanical condition — it documents visible cosmetic and structural condition.

CarShake is free and available now. Download the app, open it, and tap "Start Scan" — your first scan takes about 60 seconds. No account required, no subscription, no credit card. The next time you valet your car, pick up a rental, or drop off at a body shop, do a pre-handover scan. The habit takes one minute and can save you thousands.