Car rental damage

jsimis

Morning all,


I recently rented a car from Enterprise, however when they dropped of the car the sheet you're meant to sign was already separated, before I could sign it, and I was handed my copy and the keys. After the car was collected I received a letter saying that there was a scratch on the bumper and they would send me the bill. I'm 100% sure I didn't scratch the bumper.


Am I right in thinking that as I did not sign the paperwork, including the condition assessment, rental agreement, damage waiver acceptance/declination, etc, I cannot be chased for the damage?


Cheers

takman

Did you not check the car before you drove it off and take any pictures to show the condition it was given to you in?. Plus pictures when you hand it back to prove you didn't cause any damage when you had it?.

It doesn't matter if you signed the paperwork or not if you damage someone else's property they can send you a bill and take you to court for the damage!.

bigjl

More importantly did you actually damage the car and are looking for a get out of jail free card....

dannyrst

jsimis wrote: »

Morning all,


I recently rented a car from Enterprise, however when they dropped of the car the sheet you're meant to sign was already separated, before I could sign it, and I was handed my copy and the keys. After the car was collected I received a letter saying that there was a scratch on the bumper and they would send me the bill. I'm 100% sure I didn't scratch the bumper.


Am I right in thinking that as I did not sign the paperwork, including the condition assessment, rental agreement, damage waiver acceptance/declination, etc, I cannot be chased for the damage?


Cheers

bigjl wrote: »

More importantly did you actually damage the car and are looking for a get out of jail free card....

Guy seems fairly sure...

bigjl

dannyrst wrote: »

Guy seems fairly sure...

100% innocent people rarely look for a legal loophole as the OP is doing.

Retrogamer

Perhaps the OP didn't damage the car but someone else did whilst it was parked up somewhere.

bigjl

That is entirely plausible.

But unfortunately the OP would be liable as the car was under their care at the time.

Another reason to always pay extra for the collision damage waiver.

dannyrst

bigjl wrote: »

100% innocent people rarely look for a legal loophole as the OP is doing.

A loophole? He seems like he's just mistakenly accepted a car without taking the necessary steps to cover himself and is now being charged for damage he hasn't caused and is wondering whether he can avoid paying for it.

Rather than jump on him and call him a lier, why not take the information available and offer advice for the future, i.e. "Check the car and make sure you note any damage prior to accepting the car". This way the OP knows for next time.

jsimis

Cheers for all the advice.


No I didn't check the car before and after, mistake on my part and looking through the comments one I will probably pay for. I was in a rush as it was a last minute replacement as mine stopped working and the sales person left pretty soon after handing over the unsigned paperwork.


It's more to see if I can head it off at the pass before things get serious and if I would have a leg to stand on, looks like probably not.

bigadaj

bigjl wrote: »

100% innocent people rarely look for a legal loophole as the OP is doing.

It's fairly standard protocol for car hire firms to ignore minor damage, charge for it where they can on return. Then rinse and repeat with the next guy who doesn't insect in minute detail, get into an argument with their staff and take a large number of photos.

I've certainly experienced it before with both leisure and business travel.

shaun_from_Africa

bigjl wrote: »

100% innocent people rarely look for a legal loophole as the OP is doing.

Of course they do.
Are you saying that if someone tried charging you for something for which you thought that you were not responsible for, you would be happy to pay the money?