All How To Guides
Browse our complete collection of how to resources for CarShake users.
- How to Document Your Car Condition Before Valet Parking — Use a repeatable photo route before leaving the keys, including full sides and close views of existing marks.
- How to Dispute Valet Damage Charges and Win — Organize the before-and-after record, written timeline, and communications before raising a damage dispute.
- How to File an Insurance Claim for Valet Damage — Prepare the condition photos and supporting information an insurer may request after valet damage.
- How to Do a Proper Rental Car Walkaround Inspection — Inspect the rental at pickup in a consistent order and record anything already present before driving away.
- How to Spot Pre-Existing Damage on Any Vehicle — Look for paint, wheel, glass, light, trim, and interior issues while preserving wider context photos.
- How to Take Damage Photos That Insurance Accepts — Capture clear overview and detail images so a reviewer can locate and understand the damage.
- How to Write a Valet Damage Claim Letter — Turn the timeline, evidence, and requested resolution into a concise written claim.
- How to Scan Your Car After Parking — Repeat the original photo route after parking so new observations are easier to compare.
- How to Prevent False Valet Damage Claims — Create a shared condition record at handover instead of relying on memory after a dispute starts.
- How to Negotiate with Valet Companies Over Damage — Keep the discussion tied to the timeline, condition evidence, and a specific requested next step.
- How to Document Fleet Vehicle Handovers — Standardize the views, driver details, mileage, and record-retention step at every shift change.
Choose the guide for the handover in front of you
These guides turn vehicle-condition documentation into a practical sequence. Start with the moment you are dealing with now: before a valet handover, during rental pickup, after parking, at a fleet shift change, or while preparing a claim. Follow one guide from beginning to end instead of mixing unrelated steps.
Use wide photos to show location and close photos to show detail. Preserve the original files, note when responsibility changed, and keep communication factual. The guides explain documentation practices; they do not guarantee that a valet company, insurer, rental agency, or court will accept a claim.
How-to guide FAQ
Which guide should I read first?
Choose the guide that matches the current stage. If no damage has occurred, start with prevention and handover documentation. If damage is already disputed, start with the dispute, claim, or letter guide.
Do I need special camera equipment?
No. A phone camera is enough for the workflows described here when the vehicle is visible, the lens is clean, and the photos include both overview and detail views.
Are these guides legal or insurance advice?
No. They provide practical documentation guidance. Requirements vary, so check the relevant contract, insurer instructions, and local rules for your situation.