Hertz - Escalation in the insurance game?

When I picked up my car at HOU on Thursday the agent warned me, during her insurance spiel, that I'd be responsible for all damage "including pebbles" if I didn't buy CDW. Hello? Is it a new Hertz policy to label normal wear and tear as damage? I only rent a few times a year but haven't heard this before from Hertz. It sounds more like like the tactics of the second tier companies. I rent with a platinum card to avoid this expense but it's unnerving to hear this--like a veiled threat (which of course they count on). Or is it unique to this particular location?

Sounds more like Enterprise--no, wait, an Enterprise clerk would have jumped across the counter and put you in a headlock while he made up something about no-fault insurance.

I'm fairly new with Hertz, but never had them hassle me over insurance--and that's one of the big reasons I switched.

The way Enterprise does it.. they like to write in caps, "DRIVER DID NOT TAKE INSURANCE, DRIVER TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY"

I've rented from Hertz about 10 times and never faced any hassles for not opting for insurance except that €25 bogus charge in DUB.

My experince has been that Hertz in the US is much more laid back about what they care about as far as "damage." In Europe, though, I've seen them considered 4-6" scratches (no dent, just through the top layer of paint so it turns "white") as an issue.

Steve

Not a lot of voices chiming in here but it sounds like Hertz still is better than the Enterprise-Thrifty-Budget gang. I had a bad moment leaving the hotel for the airport when I noticed some streaks of rubber on the rear bumper, possibly from the bellhop loading the trunk. Most of them rubbed off except for a tiny scratch. Nothing was said when I returned the car so I'll see if anything unexpected shows up on my credit card statement.

But really, how can anyone who drives on a freeway avoid the odd pebble? And how many people these days rent cars without taking them on a freeway?

Not a lot of voices chiming in here but it sounds like Hertz still is better than the Enterprise-Thrifty-Budget gang.


IME, WAY better than Enterprise.

The way Enterprise does it.. they like to write in caps, "DRIVER DID NOT TAKE INSURANCE, DRIVER TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY"



Haven't seen that one before, but I believe it. You know there are certain things they teach Enterprise clerks in class--because you hear them in more than one location.

Like, "How much is your deductible?" Uh, what does that matter?

Never had Hertz ask me about insurance. They've also never bugged me about damage at all, even when I took out a vehicle that had some significant scratches and marks, or a mismatched side view mirror. While those were noted on my checkout form, no one even asked about them on return.

Then again, I don't rent luxury types, so maybe they don't worry about the generic cars.

The no hassle by Hertz is one of the reasons I am willing to pay a little more

Yes, some car companies have been accused of escalating the insurance game, implying that they ignore minor damage when the car is returned by somebody who bought the insurance, and then nailing the next uninsured renter by falsely accusing them of causing it.

But Hertz was not one of those companies and stories like that only give me more confidence and loyalty to Hertz.