More companies are planning to tighten up employee accidental damage recharge policies after it was revealed almost 95% of businesses regularly receive cars back with unexplained dents and scrapes.

As a result, companies are seeking to protect themselves from additional end of life repair costs by passing on the excess recharges to drivers.

The survey of more than 100 companies conducted by Masterlease revealed that 52% had written policies in place about recharging for damage.

“Getting this strategy right is important because remarketing a vehicle is a sure fire way of realising its value,” said Gavin Jones, accident and rental service manager at Masterlease.

Intent on tackling the issue, 30% of companies said they were now thinking about introducing a re-charging scheme, while a further 18% said it was something they will definitely be taking up.