Car rental damage dispute (Easirent)

pdr_2

Hello everyone,

I have rented a vehicle from Easirent in Heathrow for one day in early December. During the rental, I happened to touch another vehicle's bumper leaving a small dent on the bumper without even damaging the paint job, and there was absolutely no damage to the rental vehicle. Knowing that 'dent and run' is a criminal offence in the UK, I've left my phone number an reg. number on the other car's windshield (it was parked), and reported the incident to Easirent. Upon vehicle return, they gave me an incident report form to fill out in which I have described the circumstances. Afterwards they told me they need to charge my credit card for 1575 pounds (1500 excess + 75 admin fee) and I refused to provide it, and canceled the card on the same day. They were however able to charge the card in a week or so from another branch of theirs (Easirent Wigan if it makes any difference). I have disputed the charge with my bank explaining the following:

1. The terms and conditions of the rental indicate that I'm liable for amounts up to excess value for damage to the rental vehicle - there was none.
2. The terms and conditions of the rental indicate that there's an admin fee for damage to the rental vehicle - again, there was no damage to it.
3. Liability insurance is required in the UK by law and should cover the damage to another vehicle.
4. Even if I am somehow responsible to the damage, it doesn't cost 1500 to even replace a bumper on an old Ford Fiesta, let alone repair it.

The bank came back today with an answer stating that the charge is for the damage during rental, and providing the very same documents I provided to the bank earlier (signed T&C etc), with no explanation whatsoever on the points above, no damage calculation, repair receipts, etc.

At this point, I'm not sure what my next step should be. Contacting Easirent seems pointless to me, there are too many unfavorable reviews of them online (I wish I read those prior to renting from them) to think they care. Should I try Resolver.co.uk? Pursue it with the bank and try explaining all of it again? File a claim with small claims court online (I don't reside in the UK and don't have a postal address there, but I'm sure I can find a friend of a friend who lives there)?

Any advice or assistance is greatly appreciated.

Cetshwayo

I have a rental car which is going back today. I fortunately read the reviews and decided I would pay the significant price difference to rent from Enterprise £16/day vs £3 or £4).

Not much help but from what I gather these companies target overseas renters as they find it much more difficult to argue.

Good luck, this is going to be a nightmare for you and if I was you decide how much effort you are going to put in because I suspect you will need a solicitor.

cono1717

small dent on the bumper without even damaging the paint job

up to excess value for damage to the rental vehicle - there was none

So was there was a dent? (Damage) Or not (No Damage) If there was then they have a right to charge you but I suspect they have to mitigate their losses.

DoaM

OP is saying there was a dent on the 3rd party vehicle, not the rental vehicle.

Aylesbury_Duck

It's possible that at this stage, they're holding that sum "hostage" whilst they await the cost of the claim from the third party and any costs arising from that. Keep on at them to provide evidence of the actual cost, which might be the excess on their insurance. Once you have that information you are in a stronger position to get the remainder of the sum refunded.

Refusing to pay and cancelling the card has probably just stoked them up. What do the terms and conditions of your rental say about incidents like these and what did you agree to when you signed the contract?

cono1717

DoaM wrote: »

OP is saying there was a dent on the 3rd party vehicle, not the rental vehicle.

Ah I see.

But even so if there was damage then someone will have to pay the excess, though I agree £1500 is excessive...

pdr_2

The document I have from them says I'm liable for amounts up to excess value for damage to the rental vehicle, no words about third-party. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from the information I gathered online it looks like third-party insurance is compulsory for all vehicles in the UK so this damage should be covered by it.

shaun_from_Africa

pdr wrote: »

but from the information I gathered online it looks like third-party insurance is compulsory for all vehicles in the UK so this damage should be covered by it.

The damage to the other vehicle will be covered by its own policy should the insured wish to claim but why should the vehicle owner be expected to claim from their own insurance when the damage was caused by someone else?.


As you have found out, cancelling a card doesn't stop any charges to that card if the charges have already been preauthorized by the card holder.
If this wasn't the case, you could check into a hotel and leave your card details to cover any damage to the room or any incidentals (such as mini bar) then just before you check out, empty the minibar and take all of the towels then cancel your card so you couldn't be charged.

Aylesbury_Duck

pdr wrote: »

The document I have from them says I'm liable for amounts up to excess value for damage to the rental vehicle, no words about third-party. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from the information I gathered online it looks like third-party insurance is compulsory for all vehicles in the UK so this damage should be covered by it.

As shaun says, why should they be out of pocket through no fault of their own? If they choose to use their insurance there will still be an excess which they are entitled to pass on to you as a cost.

shaun_from_Africa

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

As shaun says, why should they be out of pocket through no fault of their own? If they choose to use their insurance there will still be an excess which they are entitled to pass on to you as a cost.

Plus they may lose some or all of their NCD (if they have it) and could see a rise in their premium for the next few years and if this was the case, I wonder if the OP would be willing to cover these losses as well?

pdr_2

Thanks everyone. I tried my best to explain everything to the my bank again, first and foremost that there were no documents proving their losses, they said they'll respond within a week.