CRAP! Scratched My Rental Car - Loss of Use Charges??

[Butch]

OK, so while I was out at Hoover Dam yesterday, my rental car got a pretty decent scratch on the side on the body around the rear wheel well. It is in a place that is somewhat inconspicuous, so I could maybe do a touchup and there is a decent chance that the rental car inspector would just skip it when he does his walk around. However, I would have no clue where to start.

The other option is - well, my credit card will cover all of the cost to fix the car, but will not cover "loss of use." If the loss of use charges won't be too high, I'm perfectly fine with paying - how long could it take to fix a scratch - a day or two? Problem is, how obnoxious can the rental car agency be with the "value" they are losing by having the car in the shop? I'm renting a 2005 Chrysler Sebring convertible. I have it for 10 days at only $20/day. So, if they would continue that rate for the period it is in the shop, then this is a no-brainer. However, if I go on the agency's site, they list the Sebring as $129/day. Can they charge me the $129/day rate instead of the $20/day rate during the loss of use period?? And how long could they reasonably say the car could be out of use?

I don't bring the car back until Monday, so I have a little bit of time, but I don't really feel like thinking about this too much while I'm on vacation. That said, after the raping I got in Vegas, I would prefer to try to keep my cost down.

Thanks!

[Butch]

Double Crap! Now after doing a bit of research, I see that if I had used either my Mastercard or Visa, I would be covered for the loss of use . . . but AMEX doesn't cover loss of use . . . bah

Oh well, also did a bit of research and found that the rental agencies have to substantiate their loss of use through a fleet utilization log, which I was hoping would be the case. Given that I'm moving to Germany two days after I return the car, hopefully they will not bother pursuing. Wishful thinking ;)

[chrissy]

Butch, can't you call the rental company or drop by and change which card they use to finalize? That way, you may be covered :D

Call a couple dealerships here in town. They have ppl that will do touch ups in a day. see if they won't give you a few names to call.

[cheapie]

i absolutely would not touch it up on your own. just have them contact you and see how much they charge. i have dented a jeep, ruined a rim on an explorer, and gotten paint on the interior of a rental car and they have always been too lazy to follow up.

[tupacboy]

butch... you rent a car... and they only put a HOLD on ur account... if you pay with ur visa or mastercard... it should cover it...

which rent a car company btw?

[Butch]

It's Dollar . . . the way the credit card insurance works is that you have to both reserve AND pay with the same credit card, so I could not switch it at this time. I just covered the scratch with a little dirt . . . looks pretty good if I do say so myself . . . we'll see if they catch it. If they do, then I'll tell them they need to prove loss of use through a fleet utilization log . . . and then if it comes down to it, tell them good luck in trying to get me to pay . . . I'll be moving out of the country on Wednesday . . . we'll see what happens ;)

[OremuS]

How the heck did you get a convertible in Las Vegas for $20 per day? I would love to figure that one out for my trip out there next month.

[Butch]

How the heck did you get a convertible in Las Vegas for $20 per day? I would love to figure that one out for my trip out there next month.

I got it based out of LAX . . . I'd originally reserved a Compact for $13 a day, but they had a ton of Sebring and PT Cruiser convertibles on the lot, so they offered one to me for $7 more a day - jumped on it. Very glad I did, it's been GREAT riding around in the sun in a convertible, but now that I've scratched the sucker . . . not as pleased about it. The car was pretty much brand new - had fewer than 1,000 miles on it. Oh well . . . glad it's not mine! :heh:

[mcs328]

I get the insurance on my rentals all the time. I have gotten some really anal people though for not filling it up the exact amout if it's a hair or two below. I small ding (not paint damage) I didn't even notice because it was dime sized. It's not like they take that money and get it fixed right away. I think they just take the money and just leave the damage there. Lot of people do it differently...some note the general area and some mark the exact location.

I like Avis over Enterprise FWIW.

[Butch]

Well, I dropped off the car yesterday - and not a word from the rental agency. I'll take that as good news! We'll see if I end up getting any angry letters in the mail from them, however ;)

[tupacboy]

Well, I dropped off the car yesterday - and not a word from the rental agency. I'll take that as good news! We'll see if I end up getting any angry letters in the mail from them, however ;)


at enterprise (i used to work in the corp office) if a rental comes back damage... they make a report on the spot and make u sign it.... unless you dropped the car off at a night drop...

[Butch]

Yeah, figure they wouldn't have much of a case if they accepted it . . . now if they claim any damage, there is no way to prove it wasn't done while it was in their possession . . .