Hire car recalled early - potential refund of fuel?

elle_gee

My partner's car was in a small accident - other driver's fault which they admitted straight away. Their insurer was on the phone straight away, arranged for my partner's car to go in to have bumper replaced and a hire car was arranged.

Partner took his car into the garage on Wed before Easter weekend, was given hire car (3.5l Chevrolet Captiva) and told his car was likely to be ready the following Wed. Partner filled hire car to the top as we were expecting to do several long journeys over the Easter weekend (hire company knew this). Late on Thursday we got a call to say they wanted the car back as someone wanted to hire a 4x4 and it was the only one in the area. They collected the car early on Fri morning and replaced it with a Vauxhall Astra, tank almost empty. My partner raised the issue of the paid for fuel remaining in the first hire car and the hire company rep said he would mention it to his manager.

I spoke to the manager on Friday, he was calling to mention he was about to take £6 for extra insurance from partner's card. I asked about the fuel issue and he knew nothing about it (turns out the guy who'd come to do the car switchover was the assistant manager). He said he'd write off the £6 and would probably only be able to offer a £25 fuel voucher against a future hire. He'll phone partner tomorrow with a final answer.

We both have cars and have never hired a car to use locally before, only ever on holiday. I mentioned to the manager we might be hiring a car from Belfast airport (we live in England) later this year but he said another branch probably wouldn't honour the fuel voucher.

Is this fair or the best we'll get? There was no mention of potentially needing the car back shortly into the rental and the hire company were well aware we were doing several long journeys so likely to fill it up.

Any advice gratefully received

vaio

Talk to the insurance company, the fuel is a consequential cost and can be reclaimed from them if they don't clear it up by telling the hire company to refund

londonTiger

Am I right in thinking that this hire company does not give you a car with a full tank to begin with. Supposedly they record how much fuel was in the vehicle at the start? Then expect you to return the car with the same fuel?

That's confusing. Both times I hired cars they gave you a full tank, and ask you to return the car with a full tank too. otherwise you pay for the extra petrol at their pump.. which is x2 the cost from a public petrol station.

Just have a chat with them on the phone tomorrow, since you were in an accident that wasn't your fault maybe they can sort you out. I would imagine under normal ciricumstances they'll have something in the terms saying that they can't pay you for extra fuel you leave in the car.. You know, be completely anal and typical hire car nonsense.