Rental Car Counter a Good Place to Be on Alert
1/25/08
Don’t Let It-Won’t-Happen-To-Me Syndrome Catch Up With You
Last fall, my husband went on a business trip. He rented a car and had only driven about five miles on the highway before the car’s “check engine” light came on and the car stalled. He pulled over safely and everything seemed to be OK (outside of the inconvenience). The rental car agency brought a new car for him to drive and towed away the first one. All in all, not a big issue, just a hassle.
This wouldn’t be a very good story if that were the end of it, would it? Well, unfortunately, it’s not. We recently got a letter — no, a portfolio — in the mail from the rental car agency that said we were being held accountable for the damage to the car. Included in that portfolio were pictures of some hefty body damage and copies of receipts from the towing company and repair shop. What made the claim really sketchy was that it didn’t just cover the towing and mechanical repair, but also that body damage, which my husband had nothing to do with. I would argue that he didn’t actually cause ANY damage, as all he did was drive the car then get stuck on the highway with a lemon.
Worse, my husband didn’t accept the damage waiver, as it’s his company’s policy not to. Let it be said now that the car was a Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible. Let it also be said that replacing the vehicle would cost around $19,000. The total damage claim billed to us? $18,578.98. They even included a form for us to fill out so we could pay with our credit card. Can you imagine? $18K on the ol’ Visa?!
My hubby confessed that he hadn’t done a proper walk-around of the car before getting in and heading off into the sunset. As a result, we were kind of freaking out because there would be no way to prove he didn’t cause the damage. Fortunately, his company is taking care of the claim. I’m also pretty sure our credit card company would have taken care of any claims that may have shown up in our mailbox, but the stress of this incident totally sucks. We’re still a little alarmed and more than slightly peeved. Plus, my husband’s thinking twice about renting from that company again. Does he have a record now? Is he an easy mark? I just told him to be sure to check the car out next time before going on his merry way.
The moral of the story is, if you’re not sure whether to sign the damage waiver next time you rent, just be sure you have coverage somewhere else in case you get in an accident, or get nailed for some damage you aren’t responsible for. I know we all get It-Won’t-Happen-To-Me syndrome from time to time, but it’s imperative to check that car out before you leave the lot, people — unless you want to buy a car you’ll never drive, that is.
Comments
What a nightmare! And to sneak up on you later like that. Unbelievable.
Posted by: Sara Lacey | Jan 25, 2008 4:54:30 PM
I think replacing a PT convertible would cost more than $19,000.How much damage was done for $18,000? My goodness,there must not have been a recognizable panel left on it.Maybe it had an "accident" while the tow operators had it? Heck,if I was made to pay $18,000 to fix any vehicle,I think I would at least want the vehicle in exchange....maybe you could part it out and get some money back.
Posted by: Paul | Jan 26, 2008 4:44:05 PM
I think if a vehicle is damaged over 80% of book value it's TOTALED. I think somebody at the rental company is trying to run some sort of scam. Lucky for you it was a buisness rental and your companie's inusrance carrier will be unleashing the law-dogs on this matter. I could see a private individual getting royaly hosed too.
BTW they sent you a Visa form? that really seems odd since they probably should have the car on file.
I think this might have been some sort of Identity theft scam.
Posted by: Infosaur | Jan 27, 2008 10:27:34 AM
When I rent, I drive those check-out guys crazy. They marking every little existing scratch on that paper. But now I will require them to shome that oil and other liquids in the car at the normal level.
Posted by: Tony | Jan 27, 2008 5:36:08 PM
judt recently my son, who has been driving for more than 14 years, has never had a ticket or accident in his driving career. He rented a car from a major rental company, at a small airport in idiana. the rental policy when returning the car, is just to part it in the stall and drop the keys off at the counter with a form stating the time and mileage. Well my son did that and left. Well about a week later he receives a phone call, supposedly from the rental company that he was being sued for major damages to the car. The contact person was very rude, emphatic, and refused to listen to my son. He stated that he always check to see if there is in scratches or damage to the car prior to getting the car, and before returning the car to the rental company. He told them that he was positive that he had not done any damage and if he had he would be honest enough to pay for it. He then asked to see pictures of the vehicle, which he supposedly had wrecked. Well they sent him an e-mail of a blue car, with several dents on the right side across the door. Well to say the least my son was surprised, because his car was definitely a RED one. which brought a smile on his face. as a matter of fact when he got the car the agent said it was red, and he asked her if he could get another color, because it is a know fact that red cars get more tickets. The agent said sorry we only have red cars today. I then took my soon to the parking lot to pick up the car, and I made the comment, laughingly, that red cars look like they are speeding when they are sitting still. Well my soon soon was to get discouraged big time for the second time. He called the contact person for the rental car service and explained to them that he was given a red car not a blue car. The contact person preceeded to tell him that, O! the women who's car he supposedly hit, said it was a red car. he asked why did you send me pictures of a blue wrecked car. they preceeded to say O! that was just a mistake. I am in the process of helping my son find a good lawyer, I plan to contact the better business bureau, the radio andtv stations, and anyone else I can think of, because this is a serious scam going on here. So if anyone reading this e-mail has a similiar experience and was able to win the case please write and tell us what you did. We will be forever thankful. Maggie
Posted by: maggie | Feb 23, 2008 8:04:44 AM
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I had a nightmare with a rental company but in a different way and it wasn't one of the major rental companies. I had a transmission go out in my car years ago when I was 21. I had to rent a car for three weeks but since I was under 25 it was an issue. I finally found a little rinky-dink place that would rent to me being under 25 and I didn't have to pay a huge fee. Long story short, I went through 4 cars - all of them either had check engine lights that came on, one had a bent wheel, etc. Within the 1st week I was on my 4th car and even that one I had to stop at an auto parts store and put windshield wiper blades on the car and replace a couple of fuses. They told me that they would only charge me for one week worth of rental and wave the under age fee completely for all the touble I had. TWO YEARS LATER I get a letter from a collection agency saying I owed a couple hundred dollars to this rental company! I typed up a long detailed letter regarding my experience and sent it to the collection agency, the local rental car office, the rental car agencies main office and the better business bereau. I never heard another word about it!
Posted by: L | Jan 25, 2008 1:07:30 PM