Hire Car Damage

drussmonkey

Recently hired a car for 2 days from a well-known hire car company. Didn't opt for the stupidly expensive Super Collision Damage Waiver but drove the car incredibly carefully and returned it to their offices at the time it was due.

Imagine how annoyed at myself I was when I reversed the car up to their front door and made contact with the metal post in front of it. Arragh! It made a noise (which they heard in the office), but the resulting damage was a very small scuff, without a dent. Basically, a light scratch to the paintwork no more than 2cm across.

While I was handing my keys in at the counter the 'branch supervisor', without speaking to me, when outside to look at the damage, came back inside and said to the clerk I was dealing with 'Yeah, that'll be a full respray'.

He then asked me to sign an 'incident report' (which, in retrospect, I probably shouldn't have) that confirmed I'd 'hit' the post on returning the car. This form did state '£0 charge', but he did say their claims team may be contacting me about the damage, and I was left with the impression they were very much going to charge me for it.

The available balance on my card this morning seems to be about £200 lower than it should be, which leads me to believe a debit for around this amount has been charged for this tiny scuff. I know hire companies are notorious for charging top whack for minor damage that isn't actually repaired (they will wait until the car has many such scuffs before paying for any work), so the amount charged is even more unfair.

I am an honest bloke and won't try to deny I tapped the post, but nor am I going to roll over and pay some horrendous rip-off fee for a small graze that in all likelihood won't even be resprayed before they rent it out again.

What can I do? My initial thought would be to dispute with them directly, and then failing that small claims court action. I would be willing to pay a small amount comensurate with the actual scale of the damage, but I won't stand for 'hundreds' of pounds taken off my card.

xyellowx

a had a small scratch patched up cost me £40 cash was £80 with a invoice so tell them the fee seems excessive but if its a brand new car they will want the job done properly
best of luck

spiro

stupidly expensive Super Collision Damage Waiver v £200 (assuming thats what it is) :think:

Strider590

I wonder how many people hit the conveniently placed metal post.........

drussmonkey

Strider590 wrote: »

I wonder how many people hit the conveniently placed metal post.........

It's positioned below the visible level of the rear-view mirror.

I don't object to the idea of paying for damage, but not a blanket over-the-odds fee.

ridethelightning

Read a v funny post on here a while ago whilst researching best hire car firms. One person returned the car and was told he would have to pay his £350 excess for a minor scuff that he didnt cause. He knew that he was going to end up having to pay it so mentioned he was early dropping the car off and would return before the deadline to return it. He drove up the road and scraped the side of the car all the way along the wall, turned round and did the same to the other side! drove back to the hire depot and told them "sorry had an accident, guess Ill have to pay the excess".

I ALWAYS take the zero excess option, I include this when comparing prices, makes the whole thing far more pain free!

EdGasket

Yes but even the 'Zero' excess option excludes a lot of things. Typically damage to the underside of the car, clutch, door mirrors, glass; the list goes on. However I agree the zero excess is better than nothing. It's best to use companies that have good reviews and avoid the hire companies that have bad reviews. But unfortunately it seems that anyone can become a victim of an unscrupulous local office these days. Also best to thoroughly check the vehicle beforehand and get all damage noted in writing.

Crabman

It is possible to take out a separate insurance policy which covers the excess & damage to tyres and glass. Much cheaper than buying the hire company's own "zero waiver" insurance.

This is one of the insurers:

http://www.insurance4carhire.com

rs65

Crabman wrote: »

It is possible to take out a separate insurance policy which covers the excess & damage to tyres and glass.

Thanks very much for that. I had forgotten to take out a policy for a hire which starts in Spain tomorrow. I opted for icarhireinsurance as there is no distance restriction from main residence - I often hire in Belfast which wouldn't be covered by some insurers as its too close to home. £40 for annual european cover and policy documents arrived by email in minutes. The last time I hired in Spain it was about €10 per day.