National trying to bill me for acciedent repairs that did not happen

[Tiffany]

Hi All,

I open my mail yesterday and what do I find? A bill from National claiming that the entrie right side of the car I rented last month needed to be replaced along with the rear fender. I was irate. I spoken to five different people who work for National in one way shape or form and they all seemed shocked that I had my receipt. I said so you think the attendent that checked my car in with the handheld computer would have cleared me and given me a receipt if the entire right side of the car was smashed in? Of course not so now I have to write a letter stateing that I returned the car to National in the same condition that I rented it in and enclose the copy of the receipt telling them that I consider this matter closed and expect National to correct their records. I spoke to my insurance agent and he stated that this is common and that an employee probaly banged up the car taking it from the drop off point onto another area and then tried to pin in on the last person that rented the car. It just ticks me off that it is on me to prove that I returned the car in the same condition rented. What if I did not have my receipt?

Thanks for letting me vent and save those receipts. My husband and I are considering taking pictures of our rental car when we pick it up and when we drop it off from now on. I should bill them for my time.

Anyone else ever encounter this type of thing when renting a car?

 

[DVC-Don]

No, but I'm one of those guys who takes before and after pictures of my rentals. But, then again, I'm an insurance agent.

 

[safetymom]

I also take pictures of the car at pick up and drop off.

 

[Tiffany]

I am so glad to hear that others take pictures. We are definetly going to do this from now on. We have never had any issues with National before. This is making we not want to rent from them anymore. My Insurance Agent implied that this is an industry wide thing. Does anyone have any comments?

 

[Tiffany]

No, but I'm one of those guys who takes before and after pictures of my rentals. But, then again, I'm an insurance agent.

As an insurance agent would you agree that you see this happen alot. Meaning, rental car companies trying to charge for damage that was not caused by the renter they are billing?

 

[Gillian]

I've never heard of this happening, but I'm not an insurance agent, LOL! I think I am going to start taking pictures. I have also heard that if there is a problem with your car when you pick it up you should have the condition noted in your rental agreement.

On a slightly related note, I got a ticket in the mail from NYC via National for running a red light. Now, our rental was in the driveway being packed for Florida when the driver of this other van ran the light in Queens. It appeared to be a slightly different color (white vs silver) than ours, but the plates matched those in my rental agreement.

I got nowhere with National on this issue until I remembered that the actual plates on our van had been recorded by the beach rental company. Seems that they had switched the plates on the vans. National finally verified this for me, and they paid the ticket. The guy (?) who ran the red light got away with it and never knew it was caught on camera!

If I had taken pictures I'd have known right away that national had the wrong plates on record/on the cars.

 

[inkkognito]

Count me in with the people who take photos of my rentals. I rent a lot and have never had a problem, but who knows...better safe than sorry. When I rented a car at Port Canaveral and it didn't have a full tank of gas, I actually took a photo of the gas gauge! That Budget location doesn't have a gas pump, but I didn't want MCO (the drop off point) to complain when I returned it will less than a full tank. The guy who checked it in was amused when I pulled out a photo!
Barb

 

[seashoreCM]

Hi All,

I open my mail yesterday and what do I find? A bill from National claiming that the entrie right side of the car I rented last month needed to be replaced along with the rear fender. I was irate. I spoken to five different people who work for National in one way shape or form and they all seemed shocked that I had my receipt. I said so you think the attendent that checked my car in with the handheld computer would have cleared me and given me a receipt if the entire right side of the car was smashed in? Of course not so now I have to write a letter stateing that I returned the car to National in the same condition that I rented it in and enclose the copy of the receipt telling them that I consider this matter closed and expect National to correct their records. I spoke to my insurance agent and he stated that this is common and that an employee probaly banged up the car taking it from the drop off point onto another area and then tried to pin in on the last person that rented the car. It just ticks me off that it is on me to prove that I returned the car in the same condition rented. What if I did not have my receipt?

car?

You could start with a simple generic letter stating your side of the story and disputing the accident claim ("The damage was not on the car when I returned it, etc."). After sending this letter you have bought yourself some time to think things over. Send a copy of the same letter to your own insurance company and, if you used a credit card with car rental coverage, send a copy to the credit card company. Explain also that the rental company did not inform you about their accident claim until now so that is why you are not informing them (your insurance company, the creidt card company) until now.

What showed up first on your credit card bill? Let's say you vaguely remembered that your final rental cost was about $275. and your credit card was billed for $277.98. If you had lost your receipt you could ask the rental company for a copy of a receipt whose total was $277.98.

I personally contend that the rental company has to prove y ou did the damage. The renatl company had the opportunity to inspect the car at the moment you returned it. If the damage was as great as you said, the rental company's case is even weaker because the damage would be so obvious when you returned the car.

Rather than photograph the gas gauge, better to raise a dispute about the amount of gas right away, before you drive off. If the gauge reads between marks, for example between 3/8 and 4/8 (1/2) insist that they round down to 3/8. They will certain round down when you return the car with the same gauge reading.
.

 

[Tiffany]

You could start with a simple generic letter stating your side of the story and disputing the accident claim ("The damage was not on the car when I returned it, etc."). After sending this letter you have bought yourself some time to think things over. Send a copy of the same letter to your own insurance company and, if you used a credit card with car rental coverage, send a copy to the credit card company. Explain also that the rental company did not inform you about their accident claim until now so that is why you are not informing them (your insurance company, the creidt card company) until now.

What showed up first on your credit card bill? Let's say you vaguely remembered that your final rental cost was about $275. and your credit card was billed for $277.98. If you had lost your receipt you could ask the rental company for a copy of a receipt whose total was $277.98.

I personally contend that the rental company has to prove y ou did the damage. The renatl company had the opportunity to inspect the car at the moment you returned it. If the damage was as great as you said, the rental company's case is even weaker because the damage would be so obvious when you returned the car.

Rather than photograph the gas gauge, better to raise a dispute about the amount of gas right away, before you drive off. If the gauge reads between marks, for example between 3/8 and 4/8 (1/2) insist that they round down to 3/8. They will certain round down when you return the car with the same gauge reading.
.

I have only been charged for the amount of the rental. The bill that was sent to me included forms authorizing them to charge my credit card. Needless to say I will not be returning that form. I have already spoken with my Insurance Agent and he says just sent a letter with the copy of the receipt I was given by the person who checked the car in and do a negative consent letter and leave it at that unless they come back. I doubt they will as the listing of what they had to replace was basicly the right side of the car and the rear fender. It is just annoing. They are not going to get another dime from me and I am even thinking of not renting with them any longer even though I have been renting with them for years and have never had any issues in the past.

 

[seashoreCM]

., I got a ticket in the mail from NYC via National for running a red light. Now, our rental was in the driveway being packed for Florida when the driver of this other van ran the light in Queens. It appeared to be a slightly different color (white vs silver) than ours, but the plates matched those in my rental agreement..

For what it is worth I record the mileage everywhere I drive. I started this decades ago to compute gas mileage, now I use these records to compare alternate route mileage and even prove tax mileage deductions.

I haven't yet had occasion to use such mileage records to sort of prove that my rental car could not have been at the location of a traffic violation given the odometer readings before and after.

I would not call or write the city regarding the disputed ticket but rather say from the git go that the rental company is responsible for doing the correspondence let alone pay the fine
.

 

[Bird-Mom]

This happened to me with Budget. We rented in Buffalo and returned it on New Year's Day. Budget was closed, so there was no one there to verify the condition of the car. It was, of course, just as it was when we rented it. We put the keys in the drop box and went home to Seattle. I got a bill from Budget for some damage to the front of the car. I called and talked my way up through supervisors and managers. They all maintained it was my fault. I asked for pictures; they had none. I wish I had thought about taking my own, which I have done going forward. I refused to pay; they charged my credit card. I disputed the charge and lost. So much for consumer protection. The amount of damage was less than my deductible, so my hands were tied.

I will never, ever rent from Budget again. Even if they paid me! Nor will I use my Discover card!

I am sorry that this is happening to you.

 

[NUHuskies#1]

Happened to me when I rented from Enterprise near my home. My car was in the shop and I need to rent a couple of days. I was livid when she told me there was a dent under the bumper. It was a bump that couldn't be seen unless you looked underneath. My husband and I were shocked since I only took the car back and forth to work 20 miles for two days. I wrote a long statement on the rental sheet and asked to have the paperwork of the person who rented the car previously. (which they gave to me) I have the best insurance rate that they give to the best drivers in the state of MA and haven't been in an accident in 12 years! Needless to say I heard from Enterprise adjuster and they weren't going to follow through on the claim. My husband figures they backchecked and found the damage on a previous rental. I learned my lesson and I will be very thorough when renting again. Taking pictures before and after is an excellent suggestion. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Lewisc]

I'm not sure but you may be responsible for any damage done to the car after you dropped it off and before it was checked in. I'm not even sure if a picture would have helped.

If possible you should only rent with a credit card that covers the car.

This happened to me with Budget. We rented in Buffalo and returned it on New Year's Day. Budget was closed, so there was no one there to verify the condition of the car. It was, of course, just as it was when we rented it. We put the keys in the drop box and went home to Seattle. I got a bill from Budget for some damage to the front of the car. I called and talked my way up through supervisors and managers. They all maintained it was my fault. I asked for pictures; they had none. I wish I had thought about taking my own, which I have done going forward. I refused to pay; they charged my credit card. I disputed the charge and lost. So much for consumer protection. The amount of damage was less than my deductible, so my hands were tied.

I will never, ever rent from Budget again. Even if they paid me! Nor will I use my Discover card!

I am sorry that this is happening to you.

 

[DebbieB]

About 5 or 6 years ago I rented a car from National and did not notice until I got to the resort that the back light was broken on the corner and there was a nasty scratch on the side next to it. The car only had 1,000 miles on it. I called National right away and reported it, saying I did not do it. I just didn't notice it in the dark garage. They said to mention it when I returned it. When I returned it, I mentioned it and they refused to give me a receipt from the hand held, I had to go inside to the counter. I had to fill out an accident report. I just stated that I discovered it after I left the garage and I did not do it. I never heard anything more about it. I've seen some attendents walk around the car before handing over the receipt. The fact that they gave you a receipt should be an acknowledgement that the car was returned in satisfactory condition.

 

[Tiffany]

About 5 or 6 years ago I rented a car from National and did not notice until I got to the resort that the back light was broken on the corner and there was a nasty scratch on the side next to it. The car only had 1,000 miles on it. I called National right away and reported it, saying I did not do it. I just didn't notice it in the dark garage. They said to mention it when I returned it. When I returned it, I mentioned it and they refused to give me a receipt from the hand held, I had to go inside to the counter. I had to fill out an accident report. I just stated that I discovered it after I left the garage and I did not do it. I never heard anything more about it. I've seen some attendents walk around the car before handing over the receipt. The fact that they gave you a receipt should be an acknowledgement that the car was returned in satisfactory condition.

Hi Debbie,

That is what everyone is telling me but I am so upset that I have to even spend my time dealing with this. I spoke to five different people that work for National in some why shape or form and they were all shocked when I told them I had my receipt from the employee that walked my car and checked me in. "Donna" who works in the BodyShop area for National Orlando told me that I was correct that if I did return a car with damage the clerk would not have given me the receipt and that I should be all set with sending the letter and a copy of my receipt. It just gets under my skin that it is on me to prove this. They could have checked into this on their end.

 

[Tiffany]

I would like to say thank you to everyone who has replied so far. We will be taking pictures. It does sound like this happens accross the industry and not just a National thing. If they drop this after I send my letter I will rent from them again but if I have to spend any more of my time on this matter I am done with them.

 

[manning]

This happened to me with Budget. We rented in Buffalo and returned it on New Year's Day. Budget was closed, so there was no one there to verify the condition of the car. It was, of course, just as it was when we rented it. We put the keys in the drop box and went home to Seattle. I got a bill from Budget for some damage to the front of the car. I called and talked my way up through supervisors and managers. They all maintained it was my fault. I asked for pictures; they had none. I wish I had thought about taking my own, which I have done going forward. I refused to pay; they charged my credit card. I disputed the charge and lost. So much for consumer protection. The amount of damage was less than my deductible, so my hands were tied.

I will never, ever rent from Budget again. Even if they paid me! Nor will I use my Discover card!

I am sorry that this is happening to you.

This is a good reason for using Diners Club when renting. Their insurance coverage is primary.

 

[Esmerelda]

Yes, I would believe it. About 5 years back, National pulled that same thing on me when I returned a car. The car has several nasty scratches on it when I LEFT the building with it in the first place. After much argument, I did not pay for any repairs.

The last time I rented from the Emerald Aisle (never again)...I got stuck with the ONLY car there was and it was a small white car (can't recall the model). It too had several dents and scratches on it that were very noticable. Before I left the garage with my boys...I videotaped the entire car and made verbal notations about where the dents and scratches were. I got some funny looks from their employees but I didn't care. Needless, to say, that was my last rental with National.

BE careful with rental car companies!! You never know what they will pull.

Esmerelda

 

[Tiffany]

Yes, I would believe it. About 5 years back, National pulled that same thing on me when I returned a car. The car has several nasty scratches on it when I LEFT the building with it in the first place. After much argument, I did not pay for any repairs.

The last time I rented from the Emerald Aisle (never again)...I got stuck with the ONLY car there was and it was a small white car (can't recall the model). It too had several dents and scratches on it that were very noticable. Before I left the garage with my boys...I videotaped the entire car and made verbal notations about where the dents and scratches were. I got some funny looks from their employees but I didn't care. Needless, to say, that was my last rental with National.

BE careful with rental car companies!! You never know what they will pull.

Esmerelda

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your experiance. I have a reservation with National for our upcoming November trip and I am thinking of switching to Avis but I have a feeling that this is more of an industry issue than a National specific issue.

What do people think?

 

[Brian Noble]

The car has several nasty scratches on it when I LEFT the building with it in the first place.

The rental folder should have a little "car diagram" where you can note any defects in the car; it should be one of those duplicate forms. You leave one with the rental agent when you drive off, and keep the other. If you don't have that sheet in your folder, ask the agent for one, and then fill it out. When you return the car, if the return agent makes a fuss, just pull out that sheet and show it to him/her. Takes only a few minutes, and covers any pre-existing damage situations. I've found National to be generally pretty good about this, as long as you fill out the paperwork.