Rental Car Damage

[andybug]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I rented a car from Dollar, and unfortunately someone put a dent in it. It looks like a car door opened on it. Anyway, the damage is a little over $300.00 and since I refused the insurance, I have to pay. Someone suggested I try my Visa company to see if they covered any damage, and much to my delight, since it was rented with my Visa card, they're covering the cost. Just wanted to let anyone know who might be in the same boat.

 

[sgtdisney]

Thanks for the information. That is good to know.. It must have been one pretty big door dent.

Most of the rental cars have some little door dings in them because the parking can be pretty tight in some places... I had a door ding once on one of my cars and I took it to one of those paintless dent repair places it worked great.. Took 1/2 hour, no painting and you couldn't tell it had been dented before they fixed it. I think it cost only about 70.00 too, but it wasn't a very big ding either....

 

[ducklite]

This is probably a good time to remind people to check the car before you leave with it.

Yes, you've had a long flight, yes, you're in a hurry to get to WDW, and yes, it's the last thing on your mind, but it's SO VERY important to do a full walkaround and have them note any damage or even excessive wear both inside and out before the car leaves their lot. Get it in writing!!!

Anne

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by ducklite
This is probably a good time to remind people to check the car before you leave with it.

Excellent point Anne!!! I always do this before I leave with a rental car. There have been a few times I have gotten a car with a little damage and I ALWAYS make them notate it on the contract. A couple of times they have told me it's not needed, I insisted though. If you can see the damage, they can too and it should be noted because otherwise they can say you are the one who damaged the vehicle..

 

[nuthut]

This should be covered under your regular car insurance. Check it out!!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by nuthut
This should be covered under your regular car insurance. Check it out!!

FWIW, I'd personally rather have VISA pay it if there is a choice. Would rather not have this on my record (it might make my rates go up) and I have a deductible! In the above case, the damages were less than my policy's deductible.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

We rented with Avis last year and rammed the curb, dented the car, blew out the tire, and lost a hub cap at MNSSHP. Avis didn't charge us anything and we didn't have their insurance.

 

[DebbieB]

The second time I rented from National I got a new Grand Am, about 1000 miles on it. I glanced at it in the garage, didn't notice anything and left. When we got to our grocery stop and got out, we noticed that the back right tail light was broken in the corner and a large scratch next to it. It looked like someone had backed the corner into something. Since it's dark in the garage I didn't notice it there but in full daylight saw it right away. I called National when we got to the resort and reported it, probably about an hour after picking it up. They said to mention it when I dropped it off. When returning the car, I mentioned it to the attendant and she would not give me a receipt saying I had to go to the counter. I had to go to the counter and fill out a report, I said I did not do it, it had to have been pre-existing. I never heard anything more about it, I assume they took care of it.

Now whenever I rent a car, I go around twice and have whoever is with me go around too! I always use a Gold Visa so there is coverage there. The Visa is usually secondary to your regular insurance, they will pay the deductible and your insurance the rest.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We rented from national last year EA and brought back a car that had severely been "keyed" on the entire driver side, in 1 long line. I noticed it after going to dinner at dxl landings resturant / resort 1 nite. Then proceded to worry about it for the rest of the trip. Well being september, we had amazing lovebug debrie and it wasn't too noticable, upon return they didn't say anything, so I didn't, and then held my breath. I know we didn't do it, but someone did probably while we ate dinner. Being a very new car with low mileage and bright red (grand prix) I really thought when they wash this upon return they will be contacting me but they didn't.

I guess they expect that sort of thing. Its too bad to cause that was a really beauitful car.

We rented from "value" years ago, they had a florida special 5.0 mustang convertible very very reasonable. Then I found out why, the paint was flying off it as they brought it up! I said stop right there, pulled out my video camera and started filming with the guy there, cause this car was a big mess, and they said it was ours! I made him say the date and walk around the car with us, just in case! This is great advise as someone earlier said, just make sure you don't get credit for it.

Here's to no accidents or incidents and happy renting! MKY

 

[seashoreCM]

With most credit cards that offer rental coverage (I think Diners club is the only exception) your own insurance is still tapped for the repair costs (is primary) and the credit card only pays the deductible (is secondary) and in some cases the loss of use.

So your rates might still go up if you decline the rental company coverage and rely on the credit card's coverage.

If your own car is so old you don't have collision insurance of your own, then the credit card will cover all of it.

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

 

[figmentvi]

We had incurred a small dent in the passenger door of our rental in San Juan. The damage was assessed at $300.00. We had rented the car on my Amex Gold. The credit card company paid for the damages and my personal car insurance carrier was never contacted.

 

[klynn]

We were involved in accidents on two different rentals (neither were our fault). We did not have insurance from National and our insurance handled everything. It did not affect our rates.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by figmentvi
We had incurred a small dent in the passenger door of our rental in San Juan. The damage was assessed at $300.00. We had rented the car on my Amex Gold. The credit card company paid for the damages and my personal car insurance carrier was never contacted.

There is a special rule for outside of the US. Here are the Visa rules:

Visa Platnium Auto Rental Insurance is "secondary" coverage within your domiciled country and "primary" coverage outside your domiciled country.

Within your domiciled country, coverage is on a "secondary" insurance basis. It does not duplicate insurance provided by or purchased through the car rental company, it will not pay for losses reimbursed by your own insurer, employer, employer's insurance or any other valid insurance. However, it will pay for the outstanding deductible portion or other charges not covered by your primary automobile insurance policy.

Outside your domiciled country, coverage is primary where available. You do not have to claim payment from any other source of insurance before receiving coverage under the policy.