Failed car rental identity check

thehopcat123

I used to work for Enterprise and they are really strict on their checking process for private renters and have a massive underwriting process, this is due to the liability being so high. All cars are only insured on a third party basis with a massive excess, so if someone steals a car or cause damage/injury it can basically cost them a fortune, I remember a few years back there was an incident with a car rented from the Heathrow branch that was involved in an accident and cost the company millions on a single claim.

Unfortunately people who work at the branches are under massive risk of losing their job if they don't follow the 'computer says no' policy. I personally knew people who were fired by not underwriting correctly.

From your post I wonder if you flag as a risk by having very limited data to check who you are, so by that I mean you're not on the electoral roll, you rent you don't own a flat, and you don't have many bills in your name, that unfortunately, and through no fault of your own, puts you on a 'flight risk' level. Basically, all of these things are what we'd commonly find in vehicles that had been 'converted' i.e stolen.

Again, this is absolutely no fault of your own it's just Enterprises underwriting and risk polices.

I'd advise using a local or smaller company that doesn't need to have such strict underwriting.

brianposter

thehopcat123 wrote: »

I used to work for Enterprise and they are really strict on their checking process for private renters and have a massive underwriting process, this is due to the liability being so high. All cars are only insured on a third party basis with a massive excess, so if someone steals a car or cause damage/injury it can basically cost them a fortune, I remember a few years back there was an incident with a car rented from the Heathrow branch that was involved in an accident and cost the company millions on a single claim.

Unfortunately people who work at the branches are under massive risk of losing their job if they don't follow the 'computer says no' policy. I personally knew people who were fired by not underwriting correctly.

From your post I wonder if you flag as a risk by having very limited data to check who you are, so by that I mean you're not on the electoral roll, you rent you don't own a flat, and you don't have many bills in your name, that unfortunately, and through no fault of your own, puts you on a 'flight risk' level. Basically, all of these things are what we'd commonly find in vehicles that had been 'converted' i.e stolen.

Again, this is absolutely no fault of your own it's just Enterprises underwriting and risk polices.

I'd advise using a local or smaller company that doesn't need to have such strict underwriting.

Surely it is up to the car hire company to check before accepting the booking. Once they have accepted the booking they are taking the risk that their own underwriting does not function effectively.
It may be that their stance works in the USA, but it certainly does not work in the UK where consumer protection legislation is reasonably effective.

thehopcat123

brianposter wrote: »

Surely it is up to the car hire company to check before accepting the booking. Once they have accepted the booking they are taking the risk that their own underwriting does not function effectively.
It may be that their stance works in the USA, but it certainly does not work in the UK where consumer protection legislation is reasonably effective.

But a booking is not a contract...(although your post did make me think of Seinfield and understanding what a reservation is...). In order for make the booking a contract you need to fulfil the terms and conditions, which the OP didn't. You can't walk into an airport and head straight through to the gate with no check in details or no passport because you made a booking in advance, for security reasons they still have to make sure it's you and you're not a security risk, same goes with renting a car.

OP, you say the vehicle was pre-booked with a credit card (if it was a debit card this makes a huge difference, but you said credit so I'll presume that unless you update otherwise), was this through a third party company, or directly with Enterprise and was the credit card in your name and the one registered to your home address?

brianposter

thehopcat123 wrote: »

But a booking is not a contract...(although your post did make me think of Seinfield and understanding what a reservation is...). In order for make the booking a contract you need to fulfil the terms and conditions, which the OP didn't. You can't walk into an airport and head straight through to the gate with no check in details or no passport because you made a booking in advance, for security reasons they still have to make sure it's you and you're not a security risk, same goes with renting a car.

If you have paid anything, a booking is a contract other than in very exceptional circumstances.
Any if you wish to suggest in court that you cannot identify someone who has produced a passport and a driving licence .........




And a little further research indicates that an accepted booking creates a contract even if nothing is actually paid.

ywlgy

thehopcat123 said:

brianposter wrote: »

Surely it is up to the car hire company to check before accepting the booking. Once they have accepted the booking they are taking the risk that their own underwriting does not function effectively.
It may be that their stance works in the USA, but it certainly does not work in the UK where consumer protection legislation is reasonably effective.

But a booking is not a contract...(although your post did make me think of Seinfield and understanding what a reservation is...). In order for make the booking a contract you need to fulfil the terms and conditions, which the OP didn't. You can't walk into an airport and head straight through to the gate with no check in details or no passport because you made a booking in advance, for security reasons they still have to make sure it's you and you're not a security risk, same goes with renting a car.

OP, you say the vehicle was pre-booked with a credit card (if it was a debit card this makes a huge difference, but you said credit so I'll presume that unless you update otherwise), was this through a third party company, or directly with Enterprise and was the credit card in your name and the one registered to your home address?

Wow, surprised this thread had replies after years.

It was booked on enterprise website with a credit card in my name and address. I know enterprise do ID check for every debit card booking. CS told me they also did this at airport locations for all non-deplaning custormers even if they pay by credit card, which does not make sense to me.

Anyway, since then I stick to city center branches with my credit card and have no problems.