Anyone successfully fought rental car damage charges?

[Anonymous]

I just got a letter in the mail, dated a month after the end of my car rental ended, saying I am being charged for tire damage on the vehicle. I didn't notice anything wrong with the car when I had it. This rental was at a small airport which did not have the process where you inspect and mark damage on a form before leaving and upon return of the vehicle, so I have no proof on my end. They just gave me the keys and I drove off. The charge is only a little over $100, but I still want to try to dispute. I did decline the rental insurance, as I have my own car insurance plus a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card with good rental car coverage, but my understanding is that my personal car insurance is primary, and I'm not sure I want to go through my insurance for this. Any advice for how to dispute the charge? I'm just peeved that they took over a month to notify me of any damage. It seems like they could claim anything and get away with it.

I've already thought through how to avoid this is the future, so don't need advice there. Hoping to hear from anyone who has successfully fought these types of charges. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'd personally tell them to prove it or you aren't paying. I'd deny it and I'd dispute any charge they put on my credit card. Only go down this route if you will never rent from them again

[Anonymous]

I always walk around the car and take pictures at the beginning and end of the rental so they are time and location stamped. I make sure to include background imagery. If there are any scratches or anything I take closeup photos. I also note it on the rental agreement and take a photo of that too. Always.

[Anonymous]

FYI the rental coverage on the Sapphire Reserve is primary, I would pay the $100 and file for reimbursement:

https://static.chasecdn.com/content/services/structured-document/document.en.pdf/card/benefits-center/product-benefits-guide-pdf/BGC10981_SapphireReserve_VisaInfinite.pdf

If you dispute it you run the risk of them dinging your credit for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd personally tell them to prove it or you aren't paying. I'd deny it and I'd dispute any charge they put on my credit card. Only go down this route if you will never rent from them again

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always walk around the car and take pictures at the beginning and end of the rental so they are time and location stamped. I make sure to include background imagery. If there are any scratches or anything I take closeup photos. I also note it on the rental agreement and take a photo of that too. Always.

Me too. One time I missed a little damage and drove back 40 odd miles to the rental agency to make sure they were aware of the damage.

[Anonymous]

OP here-good news, I emailed and asked for description of damage, photos, and rental history for the car for the weeks between when I returned it and when they notified me of damage. Got a reply within hours that they were dismissing the charges!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here-good news, I emailed and asked for description of damage, photos, and rental history for the car for the weeks between when I returned it and when they notified me of damage. Got a reply within hours that they were dismissing the charges!

You're lucky that they responded to your request. My car rental company gave me a run around after charging me for not filing the tank ($30 charge) a month after. I drove only 100 miles, yet the bill showed over 2000 miles for 7 days, enough for daily drive from here to Virginia Beach and back. They had my credit card on file, and I lost my dispute with the credit card company.

I fed up and contacted Virginia Consumer Protection Section under VA Attorney General Office. They refunded me within a week.

[Anonymous]

NO. I tried once and it was sent to collections. Now I just bend over.