What happens if a rented Starlink is damaged, lost, or stolen?

You pay. All eight rental companies whose terms we read say you can be charged, or held responsible, if a kit comes back damaged. Five also say they can charge you for a kit that is lost or never returned. Several take the cost from your deposit first and bill your card for any balance. Two of the eight offer optional insurance. Read the terms before you book. We're a directory. We don't rent, ship, or set up kits, and we don't take bookings.

What do eight rental companies say?

We read each company's public terms on Oct 27, 2026. This table sums up what each page says. “Not stated” means the page doesn't say. We left out dollar and pound amounts, so check each company's site for those.

Terms pages as read Oct 27, 2026. “Lost kit” means the page names a charge for lost or unreturned equipment. “Insurance” means cover offered to you.

What does each company say?

Everything in this list comes from the company's own terms page, as read Oct 27, 2026.

• Rent A Starlink. It says you're responsible for the kit from the moment the carrier delivers it until the return scans back. Damage beyond normal wear is billed for repair. A kit that never comes back is billed at replacement value, which it says is the real retail cost of the hardware. It says the deposit is charged at checkout, not held, and that damage and missing pieces come out of it first. Any balance goes to your card. It asks you to report damage or failure as soon as it happens, and says it would rather swap a unit than argue. Rent A Starlink terms.
• CascadiaLink. It says you accept full responsibility for any damage to or loss of the equipment, including the case. You cover repair or replacement of anything damaged or not returned. It says those charges may exceed the deposit, and that your card may be charged if no deposit was collected. It lists a replacement cost for each item. It also says a tracking device may be inside the case to help recover lost or stolen equipment, and you can ask to have it removed. CascadiaLink terms.
• Optinet. It says a security deposit is required for the standard set, with a separate deposit for each add-on. On a card, the deposit is a temporary hold until the kit is returned and inspected. It says deductions may be made for damage or missing items, and that you pay to repair or replace lost or damaged equipment, from the deposit or billed separately if the deposit falls short. Damage from misuse or neglect is yours to cover. Optinet terms.
• LEOLinx. It says standard rentals have no deposit, and festival rentals, including Burning Man, do. Extra charges apply if equipment is damaged or missing parts, and you keep it in good repair at your cost, allowing for reasonable wear and tear. It says optional damage insurance covers damage, loss, theft, or other issues, and is void if LEOLinx decides gross negligence caused them. LEOLinx terms.
• Tel-Loc (Canada). It says you're responsible for the equipment from the moment you receive it until it's returned. For loss, theft, or damage, it may charge the replacement value. Optional insurance can be bought when you order, and the page doesn't say what it covers. If no deposit is required, your card can cover unpaid fees or damages. Tel-Loc terms.
• Satellite Rentals UK. It says a refundable deposit confirms every booking and comes back when the kit returns in the condition it left. You're responsible for the equipment during the rental and for any damage beyond fair wear and tear. It says returning the kit without its original cardboard box may mean extra charges. Its Insurance heading says the company carries public liability insurance, and doesn't say that covers your damage. Loss and theft: not stated on its site as read Oct 27. Satellite Rentals UK terms.
• Marstar (Australia). It says to check the product when it arrives and report damage or defects within 24 hours. If it isn't returned in the same condition, additional charges may apply, and damage from negligence or misuse may bring more. It says it may require a security deposit, refunded on safe return in acceptable condition, minus charges. Loss and theft: not stated on its site as read Oct 27. Marstar terms.
• Satellite Phone Store. Its rental agreement covers all of its satellite products, not only Starlink. It says you're responsible for any product it owns that is lost, or damaged by fire, water, theft, or “force majeure” events. If you don't return a product, or return it damaged, it may charge the repair cost or the suggested full retail price, which it says may be more than the price you paid. It says it may require a deposit, refunded at the end of service once you've paid what you owe. Satellite Phone Store terms.

What counts as normal wear?

Three companies name it. Satellite Rentals UK says “fair wear and tear,” LEOLinx says “reasonable wear and tear,” and Rent A Starlink says “normal wear.” Marstar uses different words: it wants the product back in the “same condition as when rented.” Only Rent A Starlink gives an example, and it's a good one to remember. It says water damage from leaving the dish in a lake isn't normal wear. Optinet and Marstar both put misuse and neglect on you. So before you book, ask what the company counts as wear, and what counts as damage.

How does the deposit pay for it?

It depends on the company. Rent A Starlink says its deposit is charged, then refunded after inspection. Optinet says a card deposit is a hold that's released after the kit comes back in good condition. LEOLinx says standard rentals have none.

A deposit isn't a cap, either. CascadiaLink says damage or loss charges may be more than the deposit. Rent A Starlink says any balance goes to your card, and Optinet says it bills the rest separately. For how the check-in works, see how to return a rented Starlink kit.

What do they say about late returns?

A late kit can cost extra. Rent A Starlink says the rental ends when the carrier scans the return label, and a daily late fee applies after the last day, though not on Sundays or federal holidays. CascadiaLink says late returns bring a daily penalty, and that extending costs less. LEOLinx says a return more than three hours past the scheduled time gets a daily late fee, which it can adjust or waive. Marstar says the rental runs until the product is back in satisfactory condition, with a daily late fee. Optinet and Tel-Loc say late returns may cost extra. Satellite Rentals UK collects the kit the day after your rental ends, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Satellite Phone Store asks for rented products back within seven days after the term ends.

What should you do when the kit arrives?

1. Open the box right away and check every part against your order. Our return guide lists what Starlink puts in its own kits.
2. Photograph the kit, including the case and the cables. This is our suggestion, not a company rule.
3. Tell the company about any damage or defect at once. Marstar says to do it within 24 hours of receiving the product.
4. Keep the original box if the company wants it back. Satellite Rentals UK says a missing box can mean extra charges.
5. Don't open the dish or its electronics. Rent A Starlink's terms forbid it.

What if it breaks or goes missing on the trip?

Contact the company first. Rent A Starlink says it would rather swap a unit than argue, and asks to hear about failures as soon as they happen. For a lost or stolen kit, don't wait for the return date. Tell the company. Rent A Starlink and Tel-Loc both say you're responsible from the moment you receive the kit. Ask who you call for help mid-trip before you book. Our guide to choosing a rental company covers that question.

What should you ask before you book?

• What happens if the kit is lost or stolen? Is that in writing?
• Who is responsible if the carrier loses the return box? Rent A Starlink says you are until the carrier scans the return. We didn't find that spelled out on the other seven pages.
• Is there a replacement-cost list, and does it include the case, cables, and router?
• Is the deposit charged or held, and what can be taken from it?
• Is insurance offered? What does it cover, and what voids it?
• Is there a time limit to report damage when the kit arrives?
• What happens if you return late? See how long you can rent Starlink for extensions.

For the full list, use what to confirm before you book, then compare companies in the Starlink rental directory.

Things you should know

Terms change, and your own agreement wins over anything on this page. This isn't legal advice. These eight are examples, not a full list. We read the public pages only. We didn't contact the companies, and we haven't seen anyone's private rental agreement.

Sources: the public terms of Rent A Starlink, CascadiaLink, Optinet, LEOLinx, Tel-Loc, Satellite Rentals UK, Marstar, and Satellite Phone Store. All read Oct 27, 2026. These pages can change, so confirm the details with the rental company.

Rentals by region and kit: US · Canada · UK · Australia · Starlink Mini · Starlink Standard · Events · Maritime