Small dent on rental car - what to expect

CharlieRabbit01

Hi

So I hired a car for the weekend, we went to an event where we had to park in a field, there was loads of room so I left a larger than normal gap between me and the car to my right.

Turns out the gap wasn't big enough as when we got back to the car at the end of the day there was a dent in the drivers door, I'm guessing that the car next to me let their door swing open and it hit my car.

The dent is a flat line just less than an inch in length and the body work has dented inwards, the whole area is smaller than a golf ball.

Now I was told that anything smaller than a golf ball would not be counted, but i'm concerned.

This is the first time it happened to me and they have also diddled me by quoting one price online and also over the phone only to find when i arrived to collect it didn't include excess protection so what should have cost me £44 has now cost me £80.

I have CDW and Excess protection (brings excess down from £700 to £100).

Does anyone have any experience in this area?

KatieDee

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

Hi

So I hired a car for the weekend, we went to an event where we had to park in a field, there was loads of room so I left a larger than normal gap between me and the car to my right.

Turns out the gap wasn't big enough as when we got back to the car at the end of the day there was a dent in the drivers door, I'm guessing that the car next to me let their door swing open and it hit my car.

The dent is a flat line just less than an inch in length and the body work has dented inwards, the whole area is smaller than a golf ball.

Now I was told that anything smaller than a golf ball would not be counted, but i'm concerned.

This is the first time it happened to me and they have also diddled me by quoting one price online and also over the phone only to find when i arrived to collect it didn't include excess protection so what should have cost me £44 has now cost me £80.

I have CDW and Excess protection (brings excess down from £700 to £100).

Does anyone have any experience in this area?

I rented a BMW 1 Series 118D (top spec) through a well known car rental place. I was driving (gleefully, the car was amazing) down the A66 when suddenly, the car in front ran over a stone and it flew into my windscreen, causing not one but two cracks! They were huge and were both connected through a very long additional crack.

I won't lie, I cried. I cursed the driver in front (clearly not his fault) and the fact I hadn't paid the additional £25 a day for no excess. Called them up straight away and advised of the damage and they advised me to call their windscreen repairing team. They said they couldn't repair given that the two cracks were so close together and wouldn't give me a quote over the phone as explained it was all done through the car rental company but a quick google came back as £850 (sensors and everything).

This was literally the week before our new house was due to complete and I was absolutely skint. They couldn't fix it while I was in Glasgow so I drove the car back, handed it over with a tear in my eye and waited for the damage.

He quoted me £112 and I haven't heard a peep from them since.

In my (single) experience, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. Although they will try and shaft you on things like damage, I found they were quite understanding. On the car I borrowed, somebody had put a big dent on the front a few months before and they hadn't needed to fix it. One would hope they hadn't charged them for that bump and I'm guessing it was bigger than your little golf ball sized one!

Just make them aware of the issue and be prepared to dispute it if you feel it's unfair. I wouldn't worry too much though.

I should add...I've been driving for about seven years and I have never, ever had a bump or a windscreen chip/crack. Sods law it happens when I'm driving the most expensive car I've ever sat in!

CharlieRabbit01

KatieDee wrote: »

I rented a BMW 1 Series 118D (top spec) through a well known car rental place. I was driving (gleefully, the car was amazing) down the A66 when suddenly, the car in front ran over a stone and it flew into my windscreen, causing not one but two cracks! They were huge and were both connected through a very long additional crack.

I won't lie, I cried. I cursed the driver in front (clearly not his fault) and the fact I hadn't paid the additional £25 a day for no excess. Called them up straight away and advised of the damage and they advised me to call their windscreen repairing team. They said they couldn't repair given that the two cracks were so close together and wouldn't give me a quote over the phone as explained it was all done through the car rental company but a quick google came back as £850 (sensors and everything).

This was literally the week before our new house was due to complete and I was absolutely skint. They couldn't fix it while I was in Glasgow so I drove the car back, handed it over with a tear in my eye and waited for the damage.

He quoted me £112 and I haven't heard a peep from them since.

In my (single) experience, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. Although they will try and shaft you on things like damage, I found they were quite understanding. On the car I borrowed, somebody had put a big dent on the front a few months before and they hadn't needed to fix it. One would hope they hadn't charged them for that bump and I'm guessing it was bigger than your little golf ball sized one!

Just make them aware of the issue and be prepared to dispute it if you feel it's unfair. I wouldn't worry too much though.

I should add...I've been driving for about seven years and I have never, ever had a bump or a windscreen chip/crack. Sods law it happens when I'm driving the most expensive car I've ever sat in!

I've been unable to call due to the bank holiday, I do have an "emergency" number but its not really an emergency.

I've hired cars lots of times (normally from a small local company) but this time I went for the "cheaper" deal at a well known company only to get screwed at the door with hidden charges, I nearly didn't go for it but glad I did.

This is the first time any car I've ever driven even my own cars that has sustained damage.

If I'd gone to my normal choice of company I'd be less worried.

Tilt

You are only liable for the cost of the damage UP TO what excess is stated on the rental agreement. i.e. if the damage is £200 and the agreed excess is £100 then you pay £100. If the damage is £85 then you are liable for £85 and no more.

CharlieRabbit01

Tilt wrote: »

You are only liable for the cost of the damage UP TO what excess is stated on the rental agreement. i.e. if the damage is £200 and the agreed excess is £100 then you pay £100. If the damage is £85 then you are liable for £85 and no more.

Thanks Tilt, I'd dug out my paperwork and this was my understanding.

I am relieved that I was too tired to argue with them about the protection and just paid the extra.

pete428

they will prob charge you the £100 excess, then price up how much the repair is, if it costs less they will refund the difference. How long do you have the car for? is it possible to contact 'dents away', they could possibly remove the dent for £40-£60 and the rental company wouldnt know.

Quentin

CharlieRabbit01 wrote: »

.......This is the first time any car I've ever driven even my own cars that has sustained damage.

See if it will be cost effective to get it repaired before you hand it in.

That will also save you having it on your record and having to disclose it to any present or future insurer.

CharlieRabbit01

I took it back this morning, only had it for the weekend, and declared the dent, they didn't charge me phew.

Stoke

Perhaps I was just lucky but I once had a rental car from Enterprise Rentals, courtesy of my accident in my old Pug. I was only 18, so they gave me the smallest car they offer which at the time was a 107 (are they 900cc). Anyway, fun little car, but I had to go to a physiotherapy session one day. As I left the building, I watched a Vectra with a tow bar reverse out and smash the front bumper leaving quite a big circular hole. I chased the Vectra down the street (he had no intention of stopping) and got his numberplate. Turns out, the numberplate was a fake and the car was a potentially stolen unregistered vehicle on fake plates or something.

When I went back to Enterprise, I explained the situation and provided the crime reference number and they were very reasonable and even refunded my security deposit (which I had written off!).

Perhaps I was lucky or got a nice guy, but they were excellent I have to admit and will happily recommend them since that experience.

ripplyuk

These rental companies sound very reasonable. Nothing like my awful experience with Europecar. We were charged £50 because they believed someone had been smoking in the car, despite the fact that when we picked it up, a cigarette butt was lying on the front passenger seat! Our mistake for accepting it, of course.