Hertz - Given a Damaged Car

On Friday I picked up a rental at a Hertz Airport location. I noticed that there was a very small crack in the windshield and a deep scratch in the passenger side door. I walked back into the office area (no special Gold area at this airport) and informed the CSR of the issues and asked that they be noted so I was not charged for them when I brought the vehicle back. She said she would make sure to do it. I certainly hope she does because I really don't want to spend time fighting them later. It was actually quite frustrating because I had originally been asigned to a car that had a good-sized dent in the back bumper, and a gash near the gas door, and when I went back in I was reassigned to another damaged car (overall it took about 30 minutes)! For the past year I have only rented from Hertz and on Friday it was as if I was renting from Rent-A-Wreck!

This is the first time I have ever been assigned to a car that has been damaged noticeably (I think every rental car I have ever gotten has had cosmetic problems)! I kind of wish Hertz would do what Enterprise does at their negihborhood locations (note: I am aware that this would not work logistically at the airport locations) where a CSR comes out to show you your car and marks clearly, on a diagram, where the scratches, etc are located...before you sign the rental contract.

Have any of you had experiences like mine?

They do this in the UK

DCStudent -- what airport was this? Share with us!

Also, when you rent from a Hertz "Local Edition" (off airport), they usually will do a walk-around with a checklist...not always, but sometimes...

RFTraveler...




On Friday I picked up a rental at a Hertz Airport location. <<snip>> I kind of wish Hertz would do what Enterprise does at their negihborhood locations (note: I am aware that this would not work logistically at the airport locations) where a CSR comes out to show you your car and marks clearly, on a diagram, where the scratches, etc are located...before you sign the rental contract.

Have any of you had experiences like mine?

At airport locations when Hertz gives you a damaged car, they usually make really general notes on the contract - which basically means you are home free if you make any minor damage to the car. For this reason I don't really mind having damaged cars, although if they refuse to notate it, I ask for a swap.

Typically when I get a car with a scratch or a windshield crack I ask a Hertz employee to make a note on my rental contract and sign it. They are usually happy to do it.

If you want to get walk around treatment at an airport (or do it yourself walk around treatment), rent from Dollar or Budget or one of the other agencies that are (apparently) popular with less accomplished or less responsible renters.

If you want to get walk around treatment at an airport (or do it yourself walk around treatment), rent from Dollar or Budget or one of the other agencies that are (apparently) popular with less accomplished or less responsible renters.

I was just making the mention of the walk-around service because it eliminates any possibility of argument over who caused whatever damage there might be. Since you sign the rental agreement after the CSR has marked it up in your presence they can't blame you for what you didn't do, and you have to take responsibility for what you did.

I'm not sure what less accomplished or less responsible renters might have to do with anything. Dings/Dents are easily caused by someone opening their car door into yours in a parking lot or backing into you while attempting to parallel park, window cracks from rocks or debris thrown up by cars/trucks on highways.

In all honesty, I think one reason why people rent with those other agencies is they're cheaper. I'll be honest...I only rent with Hertz because with the No Underage Fees and large discounts given American Bar Association Members they are cheaper than others. But pricing a few future rentals for this year I have found Hertz to be more expensive (even with my ABA discount) than many of their competitors. The only thing that keeps me from switching is that the other companies add underage fees of 25+ a day which erases the savings!