K15 Car Rental

[mrolih]

I rented a car from Hertz for the fly in. Turned in the car Sunday morning at the airport (10/27) and thought all was well. Last Friday (11/6) I get a phone call and an e-mail from some collection type agency saying I damaged the car and will have to pay for repair. The damage they claimed is on the underside of the front bumper, completely not visible and certainly does not preclude use of the car.

The fact that it took so long to inform me of this "damage" makes me suspicious. I was just wondering if any one else had a similar situation.

 

[Airotto370]

Re: K15 Car Rental

Hi Mark,
I rented a minivan from the local provider (not Enterprise, et.al.), have had no problems.

 

[FS]

Re: K15 Car Rental

I rented from Hertz as well, and no problems. I returned the car a day early and was appropriately credited on the invoice.

You'll want to get a copy of the damage inspection report performed by the person that picked up the car at K15. I'd also be suspicious that it took this long, and that you received no contact from Hertz directly. Make sure this isn't some sort of third-party scam trying to get money from you.

 

[davloose]

Re: K15 Car Rental

Also, your own car insurance should cover you, and by turning it over to them you can be sure they'll make sure its not a scam...

 

[barrett2]

Re: K15 Car Rental

Mark Hertz cannot prove that the damage to the rental car was a result of any negligent use on your part. Wasn't a visual inspection done both upon rental and turn in? Who's to say that the damage wasn't caused by a prior or subsequent renter. I am a personal injury attorney and deal with property damage vehicle claims and rental cars on a regular basis. I would contact Hertz directly and inquire as to what you received. I would adamantly deny causing any damage and refuse to pay anything. It will most likely go away. Should it not, then of course report it to your insurance company and pass on to them the expense of fighting it. Good luck.

 

[mrolih]

Re: K15 Car Rental

Actually there was no pre-rental inspection. The car was left at the airport by the rental agency which is a franchisee not a Hertz office. I signed the contract, was given the keys and we left. Upon return I gave the keys to the airport manager and departed.

After contacting the collection agency they found it odd that it took 6 weeks for the franchisee to contact us. The rep asked that we send a letter indicating all the discrepancies and she'd look into it. I did contact Bank of America whose card I used for the rental and they will also cover it. It's not so much the money since it will be covered it's just the principal of it all.

I wanted to post this in case someone else had a similar situation with this agency and to see if it's a pattern with them.

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: K15 Car Rental

I rented a car from Hertz for the fly in. Turned in the car Sunday morning at the airport (10/27) and thought all was well. Last Friday (11/6) I get a phone call and an e-mail from some collection type agency saying I damaged the car and will have to pay for repair. The damage they claimed is on the underside of the front bumper, completely not visible and certainly does not preclude use of the car.

The fact that it took so long to inform me of this "damage" makes me suspicious. I was just wondering if any one else had a similar situation.

Mark,
Scary, I had the exact same thing happen to me when I picked up 4JA a few years ago in N C.
Scares the crap out of you and then the hassle begins. Rental folks (don't recall the outfit) 'dropped off' the vehicle at the FBO, FBO issued me the truck at an official looking desk/counter. Next morning I returned the truck and the FBO agent went and took an odometer / fuel reading and gave me my copy of the agreement. That was on a weekend. Tuesday I get a demanding phone call from the agency (downtown office) about damage.
Couple things worked out for me. 1) the truck remained in the custody of the FBO for the remainder of the weekend and, 2) the agent working my 'case' was a pilot and could relate to an FBO having potential access to the vehicle.
They closed my case but dealing with an outfit 600 miles away made you feel helpless to some extent.
Sounds like a racket to me.
My wife or I now video the cars via our cells when we turn them in.
Good Luck!
John

 

[TKutchera]

Re: K15 Car Rental

"My wife or I now video the cars via our cells when we turn them in".

Excellent advice!

Ive only had one problem but not damage. I got a bill from a car rental for a speeding ticket and another one from some contract company that worked for the agancy saying they were collecting the ticket value and fining me for not paying it.

Simple fix - I had turned the car in the day before and per the time stamps on the ticket and my return receipt proved it was not me. Not as unnerving as your situations but makes you wonder how to protect yourself better...

I like the video idea a lot

Tim

 

[davloose]

Re: K15 Car Rental

I often take pictures of all four quadrants... Nothing like always having a camera in your pocket!

 

[N4843W]

Re: K15 Car Rental

I do the same, David. It saved me from getting nailed on a charge when I picked up an Enterprise car after hours at a small airport. Also on a National car from KSAT.

 

[gmores]

Re: K15 Car Rental

And while you have your cell phone camera out it's also a good idea to snap a picture of the odometer

 

[mrolih]

Re: K15 Car Rental

Some times life just works out. I received an e-mail this morning from Hertz to "become a member of the Hertz Hub, a private online community built to connect, collaborate and engage with Hertz".

Hoo boy, I think they invited the wrong person at the wrong time!

 

[TSHEMMEN]

Re: K15 Car Rental

I'm glad Mark had the BOA credit card. I had a similar situation in Carson City Nev....went site seeing in Lake Tahoe..stopped at an overlook to take pictures. When I got back to the car, the jerk next to me backed out hitting my quarter panel and took off. Hertz was very understanding...had a Chase card which I filed under..my cost out of $900 was $150 for administration fees from Hertz that Chase would not cover...Didn't even have to report it to my insurance. If your credit card doesn't have this feature, you might want to check it out. I was extremely happy!