Cracked windshield on new rental

[Hootbro]

IS that what's called care and custody?

Not sure on the term when it comes to rentals.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Not sure on the term when it comes to rentals.

Yeah, doesn't really matter, just curious as "you know things".

 

[Hootbro]

Yeah, doesn't really matter, just curious as "you know things".

Thanks for the compliment but I know a little bit about everything and also know a lot about nothing as they say.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Thanks for the compliment but I know a little bit about everything and also know a lot about nothing as they say.

Don't sell yourself short. There are a few here I tend to follow their posts, (and learn a lot from)

(now if I could just borrow some of that personality, restraint, and actual wisdom)

 

[Deleted member 57233]

I was in the middle of writing basically the same response as what @Sweetums above said. One is still liable for the rental while in ones care regardless of how the damage happened.

Then the rental company proves that to the credit card company, and the credit card company say you have to pay it. Still no fraud involved, it's not fraud to dispute charges.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

It depends entirely on the contract with the rental company. If the crack happened while the vehicle was in your possession then it's often on you unless you have some kind of insurance. The rental company offers insurance for exactly that reason, if you decline it, then you are liable for any damage that happens during your rental term, regardless of fault. This is made very clear in writing and verbally if you decline coverage; the vehicle could be parked in a secure lot and a cement truck loses the brakes and smashes it flat - still your problem.

And how does that make it fraud to dispute the charge?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And how does that make it fraud to dispute the charge?

It's fraud if you dispute and try to reverse charges for something you truly owe on.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

It's fraud if you dispute and try to reverse charges for something you truly owe on.

lol absolutely not. Fraud is doing things like making a purchase then saying you lost your card and disputing the purchase. Disputing whether you're responsible for extra charges is one of the main reasons the dispute system exists.

What you're saying is everytime a dispute decision goes against you, you've committed fraud.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

lol absolutely not. Fraud is doing things like making a purchase then saying you lost your card and disputing the purchase. Disputing whether you're responsible for extra charges is one of the main reasons the dispute system exists.

What you're saying is everytime a dispute decision goes against you, you've committed fraud.

No, I'm saying that disputing things that you actually do owe for and are responsible for is fraud.
It's like using a bad check.

If you owe for damage - and it's in your care and custody - it's being driven by you and you take it back different than when you got it, and then try to say you don't owe - that's the problem.
You DO owe. You received it without damage, returned it with damage. It's how rentals work. Doesn't matter if someone smacks the side of it with their fist while you are in a store, you owe for that damage.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

No, I'm saying that disputing things that you actually do owe for and are responsible for is fraud.
It's like using a bad check.

If you owe for damage - and it's in your care and custody - it's being driven by you and you take it back different than when you got it, and then try to say you don't owe - that's the problem.
You DO owe. You received it without damage, returned it with damage. It's how rentals work. Doesn't matter if someone smacks the side of it with their fist while you are in a store, you owe for that damage.

And I'm disputing that I owe for that damage. That isn't fraud. It's not illegal or fraudulent to dispute things in this country.

 

[Hootbro]

Then the rental company proves that to the credit card company, and the credit card company say you have to pay it. Still no fraud involved, it's not fraud to dispute charges.

Let me borrow your JT and bring it back with a broken windshield and give the same argument I am not responsible and leave you with the bill?

 

[Sweetums]

I returned an Enterprise rental just a few days ago. When I picked it up, it was made clear "use your insurance or pay xx for coverage".
I said - use our insurance (knowing it would be driven mostly by my wife and will be safer with her than anyone else who has ever been behind the wheel)
You are right - they offer you the choice, you can decline their insurance, but there's a box checked that you declined and it's on you (or your own insurance)


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Now as far as the glass - I've seen these break when a really tiny sharp rock hits - and you don't necessarily hear or see it. It happens (personal experience).
If you have the radio on - you'll either not hear it at all, or, it will sound like a bug.
One time we got a chip that happened when we were going though a lot of bugs - couldn't tell any difference in sound, didn't see it until I washed the windshield of the thousands of bug hits.
Doesn't take much of a rock hit, especially on a standard glass windshield. A tiny rock with a sharp edge. Glass is under stress pretty much most of the time in a car.
the edges of these are exposed unlike other cars and trucks of the past - protected by trim. Something hit that very edge, you may not see it from the inside and again, may not hear it. A rock hit isn't always loud (again, personal experience - countless windshields over the years)

You can file with your insurance, but unless you have some kind of special coverage you can still expect a bill from the rental company for the vehicle being down and not rented. Your insurance is very, very unlikely to cover that claim.

How easily something is damaged is irrelevant here, I'm aware of how windshields can be chipped and quickly crack; it's a common problem where I live. It doesn't matter in regards to the claim against you and your insurance - and make no mistake, the claim is against you. Your insurance will step in front of that claim if you have paid them to do so - but only for what they are contractually obligated to do. Loss of use claims by rental companies are not likely to be part of your coverage.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You can file with your insurance, but unless you have some kind of special coverage you can still expect a bill from the rental company for the vehicle being down and not rented. Your insurance is very, very unlikely to cover that claim.

How easily something is damaged is irrelevant here, I'm aware of how windshields can be chipped and quickly crack; it's a common problem where I live. It doesn't matter in regards to the claim against you and your insurance - and make no mistake, the claim is against you. Your insurance will step in front of that claim if you have paid them to do so - but only for what they are contractually obligated to do. Loss of use claims by rental companies are not likely to be part of your coverage.

Right, the repairs, not loss of use, although now I want to read our insurance contract and see what it says. I'm covered for anything I drive, loaner or rental. Safelite actually paid for the last rental I referred to but it was still me and Barbara as drivers
Executive summary - yeah, what you said.

 

[Blade1668]

Hmm, this reminds me of renting a pickup truck to tow a few of my Jeeps from Savanna GA. to Alabama. Brand new pickup truck 4x4 and car trailer with pickup of it in GA. A slightly "fuzzy" rental agreement. "I got clarification on towing" before leaving, but no 2" receiver hitch box. So hunting for a 2" ball very long shank to fit bumper. The truck was supposed to have that 2" hitch. A heck of a weekend, drive almost 8 hours after working find and picked car trailer loading jeep. Drive back to N. AL unload it park it, turn around and do again. About 32 hours driving, back n forth. Home, shower, sleep few hours get up Drive to rental drop off car trailer, remove ball hitch, drive to airport to drop off truck at different rental, to noticed scratches on truck bumper and few other dings. Glad for taking the rental insurance. Drive on to work from airport. Not worry about the damages... Priceless.
Did a few car rentals going to events in Nashville and Louisville I'd rather have a rental car "B&E" than my vehicle along with cheaper on gas and wear. Should have done that on Atlanta trips or Phoenix city AL.
When I had USAA insurance it covered me in rental cars but I didn't want to test it out. State Farm, I think covers me now I will need to verify it. Before I went with USAA in the 1990s I had the "umbrella insurance coverage" with State Farm that covered anything I was driving or operated.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

The rental company wants you to take their physical damage waiver because they make money on it, but you don't want to take it because it's more expensive than your insurance and you already have insurance. One of those things that rarely works out for the renter.

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