Alamo Complaint

[lrodk]

I had a friend who used Alamo just outside of the Orlando Airport 3 weeks ago. He tells me that he has used them before, as have I, choosing the "no-insurance" option on the rental since we're covered by American Express and our own car rental policy at home in case of an accident. It seems that my friend encountered an unusual policy change on this trip. He was not permitted to take possession of the vehicle until he agreed and accepted the insurance option. He was told that he'd have 24 hours to cancel it, but he would not get the vehicle unless he added the extra insurance charge. They even spoke to a supervisor who would not budge on their demands. Has anyone encountered the same thing recently with Alamo? I used them this past June and did not have a problem declining the insurance option. It hardly makes sense to have someone pay for something that's supposed to be optional.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

no have never encountered that one. but you should always show them your insurance card to prove you have insurance.

 

[lrodk]

I'll take my card just in case, but I never had to in the past. I'm wondering what this incident was all about, if it was isolated. Anyone else have a problem recently?

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

That's outrageous! The insurance is an "option" after all!

 

[lrodk]

I just spoke to cust service and they said that they were not aware of a policy change for the insurance rider. The only thing I can think could have happened is that my friend received a hard sell and maybe he got confused into thinking he had to take it. Very strange indeeed.

 

[flyingcircus]

A VERY HARD SELL!!!

We rented for 3 weeks from Alamo in Hawaii in January, and then got a "bill" for the damage on the car.

Good news was that I really checked out the car when we rented it, and noted the dent in the right side of the car before we left to the security agent at the gate. We tried to switch cars, but they claimed none were available. Anyway, I made sure the agent made a notation of the pre existing damage. After getting the "bill" from Alamo, I called, explained that it was pre existing when we rented, and faxed a copy of the notation. 2 weeks later, I received a note for them "thanking me for their investigation".

Moral of the story- check out the car before driving it off the lot!! Obviously they just went down the line of renters until they found someone who would pay for the damage!!

 

[seashoreCM]

All the more reason not to use Priceline to rent a car.

I supposed you could demand your money back on a Priceline rental when the rental company refuese to tive you the car for the bid price, but that is a lot of hassle.

In most cases the collision fee is not insurance, it is merely a fee that the company itself collects and promises not to charge the renter for damage. So for all intents and purposes demanding it constitutes a last minute price increase.

In the actual case in this thread, the renter should write a letter of complaint to the rental company. If the company found that the renter had a bad driving record the agent should have told the renter so.

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[leebee]

Twice we have had Alamo post-bill us for "damage" to a returned rental vehicle that was not our responsibility. It seems like a hassle at the time, after travelling and when you're tired and worn out, but it really pays off to go over the car carefully when you pick it up. Also, have an agent sign a receipt saying "no damage evident" on your return. Actually, this is the major reason we don't rent from Alamo anymore.