Bump in Hire Car

hurricanewyn

was just wondering if anyone could advise please?
My mum flew over to visit us over Christmas, and picked up a car from Hertz on christmas eve at the airport. That same day, while we were out shopping (actually putting our bags in the boot), the car in the space next to us hit the rear bumper.
Now, damage was minimal (a very small scratch), and the other driver jumped straight out and apologised immediately. We phoned hertz on the spot, who said that once we had the other driver's details and he admitted liability there wouldn't be a problem.
The other driver didn't have his insurance documents on him, but gave us his name, address, home and mobile number and his car registration. The car was dropped back the following Sunday to the office, but as it was empty my mum left a letter with all the details enclosed.
However, Hertz have yet to charge her for the rental and when she phoned to enquire about it, she was told that they were still assessing the damage and deciding how to proceed. Surely though, if the other driver has given us his details and admitted liabilty there is no need to involve my mum in that? Or is she still liable and does she have to claim the costs back through this guy's insurance?
She's worried about this as the excess on the policy with the hire company is quite high. I've advised her to cancel the card she booked with, so that when they do charge her they'll have to write to her to request payment and that way she'll know how much they was to take, but she feels this is dishonest.....
Any ideas?

headpin

My experience of Hertz is that they will not bother too much with the hassle of chasing the other driver but will charge your mum's CC for as much as they think they can reasonably get away with. If they do that get her CC issuer involved and have it marked as a disputed payment until it is resolved. Do not let Hertz get away with doing nothing to recover from the other party.

My experience with hiring cars across the world for the past 15+ years is that Hertz are by far and away the worse when it comes to trying to take money off your CC for damage. They'll even try it when you have an excess waiver insurance taken out with them with a zero excess on it! As I say, if they do try it on tell your mum to fight it and to also get her CC issuer involved.

Good luck

Hintza

Other things to consider if you are really stuck. Ask other guy to pay the cost especially if it is within an excess amount. If not you can always take him to small claims court to recover your losses.

Of course headpin is correct Hertz really should chase it up and pursue the other party. What about a strong letter explaining that you are no way liable and will institute a chargeback via your CC if they don't follow it up.

happyhappydays

Hertz are only doing what would happen even if it was your own car that got damaged by a third party and will need to a)assess the damage and cost to repair it and b) contact the other sides insurance to get their agreement to pay for the repair. Assuming that the other person does have valid insurance then the usual procedure will be for Hertz to bill your mum for the repair and then to reimburse her once they have recovered their costs. Your mum will not have to deal with the other sides insurance as hertz/their insurers will do this.

I've had this type of thing happen twice and on one occassion the other sides insurers reacted very quickly and I didn't have to pay out anything and on the second occassion I paid for the repair and then had to chase the insurers a few times to speed things up. Good luck and I hope everything is resolved quickly.