Flat tire
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: OZ Diamond, BAEC Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 515
Flat tire
Hi all
during a recent car rental with Sixt in Germany, the car I rented developed a flat tire when I was approaching Frankfurt on the highway. I was able to get to the hotel just fine but Audi had to come to pick up the car and take it away.
Sixt now wants to charge me for the replacement of the tire a significant amount (almost 400EUR)- is this standard practice? I find it difficult to believe that such is the customer's fault as there might have been something wrong with the tyre before I picked up the car, even if such was not apparent.
Many thanks for your help
during a recent car rental with Sixt in Germany, the car I rented developed a flat tire when I was approaching Frankfurt on the highway. I was able to get to the hotel just fine but Audi had to come to pick up the car and take it away.
Sixt now wants to charge me for the replacement of the tire a significant amount (almost 400EUR)- is this standard practice? I find it difficult to believe that such is the customer's fault as there might have been something wrong with the tyre before I picked up the car, even if such was not apparent.
Many thanks for your help
#2
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Hi all
during a recent car rental with Sixt in Germany, the car I rented developed a flat tire when I was approaching Frankfurt on the highway. I was able to get to the hotel just fine but Audi had to come to pick up the car and take it away.
Sixt now wants to charge me for the replacement of the tire a significant amount (almost 400EUR)- is this standard practice? I find it difficult to believe that such is the customer's fault as there might have been something wrong with the tyre before I picked up the car, even if such was not apparent.
during a recent car rental with Sixt in Germany, the car I rented developed a flat tire when I was approaching Frankfurt on the highway. I was able to get to the hotel just fine but Audi had to come to pick up the car and take it away.
Sixt now wants to charge me for the replacement of the tire a significant amount (almost 400EUR)- is this standard practice? I find it difficult to believe that such is the customer's fault as there might have been something wrong with the tyre before I picked up the car, even if such was not apparent.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: OZ Diamond, BAEC Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 515
Thanks. I will try to find a legal loophole here as I do not believe this should be the customer's responsibility (absent fault) and I have not found anywhere on Sixt´s T&C Germany that such is the case. In fact I do not remember having been asked to purchase any additional insurance to cover against these risks either.
Ultimately, the car rental insurance provided by Amex Platinum might cover this but I would like to clarify first vis-a-vis Sixt who is legally obliged to cover these charges.
Ultimately, the car rental insurance provided by Amex Platinum might cover this but I would like to clarify first vis-a-vis Sixt who is legally obliged to cover these charges.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Sixt could care less whether you purchase insurance to cover your liability. That is up to you.
Do not delay in notifying Amex as it generally-speaking has tight notification deadlines and if that is your only coverage here and you let a notification deadline pass, you may well find yourself out EUR 400, when that would have been paid without question.
Perhaps your rental contract is different than others, but generally-speaking, damage is damage and you are responsible for what happens on your watch. This happened on your watch unless you can show otherwise and you likely cannot.
Do not delay in notifying Amex as it generally-speaking has tight notification deadlines and if that is your only coverage here and you let a notification deadline pass, you may well find yourself out EUR 400, when that would have been paid without question.
Perhaps your rental contract is different than others, but generally-speaking, damage is damage and you are responsible for what happens on your watch. This happened on your watch unless you can show otherwise and you likely cannot.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Orange County, CA (SNA)
Programs: Delta - PM , MM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Peon
Posts: 911
Having actually had to use Amex insurance on a rental in the UK, I cannot commend it higher. The process was simple to claim, and apart from slow communication (on the part of the rental company, not Amex) relatively painless to resolve. Make sure you have all the rental documentation from the car company though.
I will always use this service.
I will always use this service.
Last edited by tanglin; Sep 1, 2016 at 3:45 pm Reason: Clarification.
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
Hard to say who is at fault. Tire could have been leaking before pickup or a vandal puncture your tire while parked. Who knows?
What we do know is unless you inspect the vehicle and have Sixt amend damage report prior to leaving the lot, you become responsible for any damages not found in the damage report.
Having said that, I had a similar incident last year where tire pressure light came on every 24 hours during a 3 day rental even after I filled it with air. Turned out there was a concealed rim damage (damage on rim facing the axle-side). Sixt billed me for the damage but when I pointed out there was no way I could have spotted this damage prior to leaving the lot without jacking up the car and removing each tire, they dropped their claim.
What we do know is unless you inspect the vehicle and have Sixt amend damage report prior to leaving the lot, you become responsible for any damages not found in the damage report.
Having said that, I had a similar incident last year where tire pressure light came on every 24 hours during a 3 day rental even after I filled it with air. Turned out there was a concealed rim damage (damage on rim facing the axle-side). Sixt billed me for the damage but when I pointed out there was no way I could have spotted this damage prior to leaving the lot without jacking up the car and removing each tire, they dropped their claim.
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
In the US with Sixt you can buy the Roadside Assistance coverage for something like 6-7$ a day which does explicitly cover tire damage. Not bad if you are on a road trip and considering the very frequent crap (shredded truck tires anyone?) on US highways.
I got it for a rental from PHX to SFO for 10 days as part of an upgrade deal and low and behold one tire on my Volvo S80 got damaged badly (some fancy Platinum trim with special Pirelli tires) and saved me about 450$ in cost. Sixt just gave me another car and I was on my way again.
In Europe I wouldn't get this type of coverage even if offered as not so common, but in the US I would seriously consider it.
I got it for a rental from PHX to SFO for 10 days as part of an upgrade deal and low and behold one tire on my Volvo S80 got damaged badly (some fancy Platinum trim with special Pirelli tires) and saved me about 450$ in cost. Sixt just gave me another car and I was on my way again.
In Europe I wouldn't get this type of coverage even if offered as not so common, but in the US I would seriously consider it.
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,638
In the US with Sixt you can buy the Roadside Assistance coverage for something like 6-7$ a day which does explicitly cover tire damage. Not bad if you are on a road trip and considering the very frequent crap (shredded truck tires anyone?) on US highways.
I got it for a rental from PHX to SFO for 10 days as part of an upgrade deal and low and behold one tire on my Volvo S80 got damaged badly (some fancy Platinum trim with special Pirelli tires) and saved me about 450$ in cost. Sixt just gave me another car and I was on my way again.
In Europe I wouldn't get this type of coverage even if offered as not so common, but in the US I would seriously consider it.
I got it for a rental from PHX to SFO for 10 days as part of an upgrade deal and low and behold one tire on my Volvo S80 got damaged badly (some fancy Platinum trim with special Pirelli tires) and saved me about 450$ in cost. Sixt just gave me another car and I was on my way again.
In Europe I wouldn't get this type of coverage even if offered as not so common, but in the US I would seriously consider it.
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Interesting, you have a point there though that's not how staff at PHX described it to me. "Knock on wood" as I was not billed anything for the tire and it happened over 6 months ago.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: OZ Diamond, BAEC Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 515
Just to report back (apologies, just saw the further posts to this thread now), Amex Plat insurance gladly took over this bill and settled this with Sixt directly.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SNA
Programs: Sixt Platinum, Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,557
I'm in a similar situation, I rented an Audi A6 from Frankfurt and ran over something in Paris so I managed to drive it to CDG and drop it off. The Sixt personnel said that I did run over something.
It has been almost a month, I haven't heard from them, I am expecting to pay for the damage and I have already notified my MileagePlus Chase Visa.
It has been almost a month, I haven't heard from them, I am expecting to pay for the damage and I have already notified my MileagePlus Chase Visa.