wrongly invoiced for car damage

JZM

Advice please - my car was damaged whilst parked in June, the other party took full responsibility. I was given a hire car for a week and returned it on 29th June. The car was in perfect condition and with a full tank of petrol. On 2nd Oct I received an invoice for £250 claiming the car had been damaged (£500 of damage and the first £250 had been covered as part of the rental). I immediately spoke to the rental company who advised that the only solution was to raise a dispute. I did this but received absolutely no response (and stupidly thought that was the end of it). Last Friday I received another demand for payment. I have contacted the provided email and forwarded my initial email asking them to call me but I'm very worried about this. Background:
 - I requested the car be dropped off at my home address in the evening (6.30 onwards). It was on my drive at 17.30 when I arrived home with no check-in form, the keys were simply posted to me.
- there was no check-in either. I phoned the company and they asked me to leave it at the garage where my car was being repaired; they assured me this was standard.
- according to their records, they did not inform the insurance company of this until 6th August. My insurance company have no record of this so it must be that of the person who hit my car.
- the first I knew of this was the letter sent on 2nd Oct. The rental company do not have my credit card details so are pursuing me for a bank transfer.

With hindsight I realise how naive I was to accept a car without taking photos etc. but I can't change that now. I am just concerned about how this will play out as I don't have the evidence to counter their claim (however, they will not have the evidence that I've requested from them which is date stamped photos).

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

What is the damage they are claiming has happened? 

What evidence have they supplied of the damage?

Sandtree

JZM said:

With hindsight I realise how naive I was to accept a car without taking photos etc. but I can't change that now. I am just concerned about how this will play out as I don't have the evidence to counter their claim (however, they will not have the evidence that I've requested from them which is date stamped photos).

Even if there are no photos were you aware of any damage to the vehicle when you received it?

JZM

Thank you both for replying. No, I noticed no obvious damage to the car. My husband is a big car lover and didn't notice either - he had already been outside admiring it when I got home (I usually drive a Juke but the rental was a BMW!) They have supplied no evidence to date although the man I initially spoke to said he could see images of the damage in his notes but he didn't forward these. They are claiming damage to the front bumper.

cx6

In the end, they can invoice until the cows come home and claim what they want, but it can only be enforced if they go to court and get a judgement. 

If that happens you will be able to put your side of the story and the judge will make a decision.

Meanwhile, try and engage with them ie get photos from them, a description and then ask at a garage to see if their estimate is reasonable. Continue to forcefully defend their accusations - keep copies.

try not to worry!

Thrugelmir

JZM said:

 They are claiming damage to the front bumper.

Was the vehicle inspected when it was returned? 

Sandtree

Thrugelmir said:

JZM said:

 They are claiming damage to the front bumper.

Was the vehicle inspected when it was returned? 

OP stated:

JZM said:

- there was no check-in either. I phoned the company and they asked me to leave it at the garage where my car was being repaired; they assured me this was standard.