A picture is worth a thousand words — if you’re renting a car, make that $1,444.61

Smells like a scam–where was Avis’s proof that the damage was incurred during Kathyria’s rental? Did they provide pictures w/date stamps, repair records (which also could be fudged) or any other reasonable evidence? A year seems like an awfully long time to bill someone for damages–did this mean the car was out of commission for that long?

Damage claims noted and filed after return sound like ripe territory for a class-action lawsuit. I know that if I got a damage bill for a rental car, and the damage was not noted at check-in, the rental company can go *bleep!* I’d fight it in court if necessary. I cannot imagine any such claim would hold up in court, since the damage can occur any time after checkin.

You know for $1400- the damage on these new cars need not be so evident. Pics are nice but they do not show damage to the inside of a car or a minor scratch that could amount to this. When you get a bill from rental, do they tell you what the damage was ?
My only damaged car rental was minor to a front under bumper. I carelessly tried to park too far forward and hit the curb. Was not noticed until return was checked, at which time I had to call my insurance to have them guarantee the fix and off I went. Only thing lost- time. Very important to know your current rental coverage and if not suitable- I always suggest clients to add a rider to their own insurance vs. purchasing the rental agency’s CDW/PAI/ etc.

I had 2 similar incidents with Thrifty. However, upon renting I had noticed a small dent and had the agent note it and took photos with my cell phone, of the car, the rental agreement, and the rental agent standing next to the car. When I returned the car they insisted I’d damaged it and charged my card $500 until the claim was paid. The photos negated that, but not until after quite a battle with Thrifty. I always take pictures of the car when I get it and when I drop it off, particularly if I’m dropping it off when no one is there.
Thrifty tried the same thing as Avis, also. When I produced the photos, they still argued that it was my fault. However, they didn’t have a leg to stand on when I asked them how they knew it was me and not the people who had rented it after me in the intervening time, In addition, I asked them to submit proof of actual work done on the car and when; and to verify that no one else was being charged for the same work so I could submit it to my insurance company. They backed off.
According to my insurance agent, this is not just some occasional thing. It’s happening regularly as rental companies keep their fleets longer. Your insurance company will help you fight the claims, in most cases, as well.
Today, almost every cell phone has a camera. I recommend using it and keeping the photos for at least a year. Take the photos when you pick it up, as well as when you drop it off, particularly if there is something, even the smallest ding. It takes a few minutes, but, as the commercials say, ‘priceless.’

Needless to say, I don’t use Thrifty any more. I used to be a regular client, now never. That behavior cost them more in business lost.

This happend in Hawaii on a rental. We did not know about it until the insurance was increase on our car. When we checked the rental company had claimed about $1,500 in damages. We had no proof that it did not happened. They claimed that the records were no longer available of the actual damage. We had to pay increased insurance costs on our personal car.