New responsibility for those renting with Hertz

[manning]

Hertz now will hold you responsible for damage to rented vehicles caused by act of god.

So check the trees you park under and hope there are not any hail storms.

 

[safetymom]

Where did you see this?

 

[manning]

I'm a gold card member and got a mailing from them and I also had heard about the change in the news a few months back. I think there are two states that prevent this from happening by law. I think Wisconsin and California.

I'm half tempted sending the notification to my state representatives and asking them to try and pass the same law. Of course in Illinois you learn not to hold your breathe.

 

[treehugger]

safetymom, here is the link to the article in USA Today.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-02-02-rental-usat_x.htm

 

[safetymom]

Thank you for the link. I don't remember getting that mailing and I am a 5 Star #1 Gold member.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Wow. I am Hertz Gold Five Star as well and didn't receive any notification of this change in policy.

Good to know.

 

[seashoreCM]

I thought you were alwasy responsible for damage to the car from acts of God. For example, suppose it was a nice day and a tree branch fell on the car anyway.

Depending on the exact circumstances and vacation schedule, it may be desirable to return the car early if a major storm is imminent. You will not be able to use Magical Express to get back to the resort after returning a car for this reason. Not sure if there is any covered parking at WDW but if so you might be able to park it there for the duration of the storm and take a chance the whole garage does not come down.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[manning]

Here's the article





Car renters stuck with storm damage
By Gary Stoller, USA TODAY
Car-rental giant Hertz has changed its contracts to make customers responsible for damage from acts of nature.
It told its best customers last month that they'll be responsible for auto damage from natural causes such as windstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes. In the past, it was the rental firm's responsibility. Avis and Budget are moving in the same direction.

Hertz informed its #1 Club Gold members of the policy after quietly implementing it last year for the rest of its customers. Hertz says it's not the first company to make the change, which it says was underway before Hurricane Katrina.

But company spokesman Richard Broome says the catastrophic storm shows why customers should be liable. Renters were aware of the approaching hurricane that devastated the Gulf Coast last summer and returned vehicles before it struck, or drove them to safety. Katrina claimed only several hundred Hertz cars, a "remarkably small" loss under the circumstances, he says.

The general principle has always been that the renter is responsible for vehicle damage, Broome says. Since renters are already liable for unavoidable road accidents, it follows that they also should be liable for acts of nature, which often are foreseeable, he says.

California and Wisconsin have laws prohibiting rental companies from placing liability on consumers for acts of nature, Broome says. New York and Indiana have laws prohibiting the placing of liability on consumers for flood damage, he says.

Cendant Car Rental Group, owner of Avis and Budget, plans a similar change in policy for all Avis renters and Budget Fastbreak members, spokeswoman Susan McGowan says. Budget's other customers already are responsible for damages from natural acts.

National, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar and Enterprise also hold renters responsible. "It's outrageous," says consumer advocate Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety, a group founded by Ralph Nader. "Just because it's an industrywide practice, it doesn't make it fair."

Daniel Emmanuel, a member of Hertz #1 Club Gold and Avis Preferred, is unhappy with putting the onus on renters. "I think this policy comes from the rash of hurricanes in the last couple of years, but it penalizes a lot of folks who are not in these areas," says the automotive consultant from Shenandoah, Texas.

Most renters have personal auto insurance coverage that will pay for damage to a rental vehicle, Broome says. In some cases, credit cards used for the rental provide coverage. Renters can also buy from Hertz a damage waiver that would shift responsibility to the rental company. Damage from natural causes would be covered in a personal auto insurance policy if it includes comprehensive coverage, says Michael LaPlaca, a Maryland lawyer who writes rental agreements for rental-car companies.

 

[manning]

I thought you were alwasy responsible for damage to the car from acts of God. For example, suppose it was a nice day and a tree branch fell on the car anyway.

Depending on the exact circumstances and vacation schedule, it may be desirable to return the car early if a major storm is imminent. You will not be able to use Magical Express to get back to the resort after returning a car for this reason. Not sure if there is any covered parking at WDW but if so you might be able to park it there for the duration of the storm and take a chance the whole garage does not come down.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

With my luck a garage won't help me. I had made two claims years ago on a car I owned within 6 months. And the car was parked in the garage both times. One the guy across the alley drove out of his garage into ours. Then the landlord backed his car into the garage too wide and hit me. What's the odds on that??

 

[Carolc]

Do the other major rental companies hold the renters responsible? National, specifically...

 

[bicker]

Yes, all the rental car companies will do so now:

... Avis and Budget, plans a similar change in policy for all Avis renters and Budget Fastbreak members, spokeswoman Susan McGowan says. Budget's other customers already are responsible for damages from natural acts. National, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar and Enterprise also hold renters responsible. "It's outrageous," says consumer advocate Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety, a group founded by Ralph Nader. "Just because it's an industrywide practice, it doesn't make it fair."

What a totally clueless thing for Ditlow to say. It is idiocy like that that gives the whole Nader movement a bad name. Of course it is fair. The fact that the whole industry is doing it means it reflects what customers want, i.e., LOW RATES regardless of the risk that represents. Ditlow's job, I suppose, is to blame companies for everything, regardless if her own constituents are at fault -- it's probably right there on her business card: Clarence Ditlow, Company Blamer.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, all the rental car companies will do so now:What a totally clueless thing for McGowan to say. It is idiocy like that that gives the whole Nader movement a bad name. Of course it is fair. The fact that the whole industry is doing it means it reflects what customers want, i.e., LOW RATES regardless of the risk that represents. McGowan's job, I suppose, is to blame companies for everything, regardless if her own constituents are at fault -- it's probably right there on her business card: Susan McGowan, Company Blamer.

I think you quoted the wrong person - it's Clarence Ditlow that said it wasn't fair. Put it on his business card....

 

[bicker]

You're absolutely right. That's twice in two days that my eyes betrayed me. Argh... getting old.

I've fixed my earlier message.

 

[Carolc]

...That's twice in two days that my eyes betrayed me. Argh... getting old.

Can I use the same excuse? I must have skimmed the full article above, otherwise I would have seen my answer. Sorry! I should have caught that. Is there a 'd'oh!' smiley?

I'm just trying to decide if I should just stick with Hertz since they have the lowest rate for my needs. Going during hurricane season!

Anyway, thanks!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Not real happy this morning as I read this!!!!! Like others have posted, I am a #1 gold card member and have not been notified. My last gold rental (two weeks ago) was a bust. Imagine getting to your car and finding no carseat, large front end damage, the engine warning light on, and the dust so thick I could write my name on the dash. While I did go and get the situation rectified all the time savings were gone. Not happy with Hertz

 

[bicker]

Hertz rarely has the lowest price. They have great service, perhaps as a result of being able to charge a premium. So if it really is the best price for you, I'd grab it and hold tight.

 

[Carolc]

Hertz rarely has the lowest price. They have great service, perhaps as a result of being able to charge a premium. So if it really is the best price for you, I'd grab it and hold tight.

Yeah, I rarely even consider Hertz because of their high prices, but some kind person posted info about the 'SOUTH' promo code, and now I can get a 7 day rental for $118 (inc fees). I'm still coming up empty when trying to find a link for free Gold membership though. I don't qualify for the ones on Mousesavers, and searching flyertalk, but coming up empty so far...

buzzgirls&dad - what city was that in? That sounds awful!

 

[manning]

Not real happy this morning as I read this!!!!! Like others have posted, I am a #1 gold card member and have not been notified. My last gold rental (two weeks ago) was a bust. Imagine getting to your car and finding no carseat, large front end damage, the engine warning light on, and the dust so thick I could write my name on the dash. While I did go and get the situation rectified all the time savings were gone. Not happy with Hertz

Let's hope this isn't the direction the new owners of Hertz are going!!

That car should not have been put out for rental!! Good thing you refused it. If you hadn't caught the damage they would be after you to fix it. I use Hertz because of their service, but if it goes south I will use someone else.

Too bad Ford sold out. They had a vested interest in having top condition cars.