Rental car company says the car had damage

[KaptKaos]

About 6 weeks after I got back from vacation, I got a call from the rental car company saying that the car I had rented on vacation had damage to the bumper. They said that they had mailed me info, but I never received it. Turns out, they mailed it to my old address.

The rental was more than 15 days, so my credit card company is declining the deductible coverage. My regular insurance paid something, but I am not certain how much.

1) As far as I know, the car was fine when I returned it, got the receipt and flew home.
2) I have never seen any picture of the "damage" that cost $800 to fix.

I have told them I returned the car without damage.

What are my options/rights here? I still don't think there was a problem with the car when I returned it, but I don't know what to do.

TIA

[Tobra]

If you did not have one of their employees inspect the car before and after you rented it, you are probably hosed. If they do not have before and after pics of the repair, you might do okay

[nostatic]

When you returned the car, did they check it in, or did you just drop it off and leave the keys? If it is the former they have to flag the damage then. I had that happen and argued with the clerk, took photos, then notified my cc company. They took care of it (and didn't pay anything to the rental car company iirc).

[onewhippedpuppy]

If they can't even show you the "damage", then I doubt they can pin it on you. Ask for proof.

[Don Plumley]

If the rental agent handed you a receipt, then they have accepted the car back - making a subsequent claim for damages is ridiculous.

[TerryH]

What a scam. I'd say too late and too bad for them. I wouldn't give them the time of day.

[JavaBrewer]

Can the company verify the damage with pictures and dates/times? Depending on the company/location/demand a rental car returned in the AM is back out the same day PM. If a rental car employee checked in your return and did not point out damage you're off the hook.

[KaptKaos]

They say that the damage was reported just after I dropped off the car. I recall a person being there when I dropped it off, but I have 3 kids and we were trying to catch a flight after being on vacation for 2 weeks, so we had lots of junk with us to load up.

I have not seen any pictures yet. I will ask for them.

[Heel n Toe]

Pictures don't prove anything.

Damage shown in photos could have occurred any time.

You and the person who checked it back in should have done a walkaround just like the walkaround you did when you picked it up.

[SLO-BOB]

Not meant as an "I told you so".....ALWAYS get the full boat insurance to avoid these hassles. $15 a day is a small price to pay to avoid the potentially huge hassles.

PS - I would tell them to pound sand. The guy parking it after it's return could have done the damage for all you know. Might have to fight the claim on your credit card if there is one - I've done it, no biggy. I would call your insurance company and ask why they paid anything at all - I'm assuming you never admitted to damaging the car. I'm surprised they would roll over that easily.

[RWebb]

well, they can sure blacklist you

but are they going to send it to collection or sue you themselves?

did other family members see the car? they are witnesses

you may want to lawyer up and/or complain to the Calif. Consumer Protection people.

A lawyer can write them a nice letter, ask for the name of the employee, other relevant info, and tell them to save all records relevant to this as the "prospect of litigation is imminent." Always a fun phrase to use. A letter is not very spendy.

I am assuming that there is no way that damage could have happened as a result of you or others in your family...

[KaptKaos]

I haven't seen any damages, so I have no idea what they are talking about. They described it as a small hole, about the size of a quarter in the bumper.

My wife didn't notice anything, so go figure. But, then again, we were focused on getting the kids (ages 8, 6 and 4) out of the car with all of our gear and getting to the flight.

The car was rented in Minnesota, so I am not sure what California protection will do.

I think I will ask them for photos first, and see what that brings.

[dhoward]

Dress the kids up in vacation attire and snap a pic of them next to the same model of car only a different color. Change date in camera.
"I have no idea what you're talking about..."