Originally Posted by
InkUnderNails
I had a flat a mile from the airport on the way to return. I do not buy road service or CDW, I called and asked them what I should do and they just said change the tire and bring it in. I'm glad I always plan to get to the airport early.
I turn the vehicle in and they fill out a damage report. They asked me if there was anything else wrong with the car and I said it needs a new rear wiper blade. I get a notice in about two weeks that they would be charging my CC $91 for a new tire and $14 for the new wiper blade. I called customer service and had a long discussion. Bottom line they said for safety reasons they do not repair flats and that it is considered damage to the vehicle. The $91 was mine to cover. I asked about taking it to a tire shop for a repair and was told that I am not authorized to do that and that they could close my account and charge me for a new tire anyway if they knew.
After a few minutes more, the charge for the wiper blade was removed.
I rent about 40 times year and this is the only damage charge ever, so I am still way ahead. I carry a rider on my commercial insurance for major damage to rental cars. It is a super cheap $50 per year. I have AAA which covers road service, but they can be slow and I had to get to the airport.
One lesson learned. When they ask me if I had any problems with the car I car I say "Not a thing. It was perfect."
I can't believe they would charge you for a windshield wiper. Even the greediest value-brand franchise that I know wouldn't have charged you for a windshield wiper. I mean, what could YOU do that would cause the windshield wiper to ruin the wiper blade? Take a pair of scissors to it?
(at National, not at you, just to be clear).
The tire thing I can understand, because I've seen the same argument used for windshield damage (
very common here in Alaska due to gravel on the roads for traction). A rock chip--even a repaired one, especially in the driver's view--can present a risk of liability for the rental company.
In addition, on leased cars, the rental companies are required to return the windshield in perfect condition. So if you get a rock chip and the rental agency charges you $45 to repair it and the car is returned with a repaired rock chip, the leasing agency will charge the rental agency anywhere from $250 to $650 for a new windshield (depending on the model of the car), and the rental agency is out $250-$650. The only way to ensure they break even on windshields is to charge you full price to replace the windshield and then replace it. Sure, it might get broken, charged, and replaced two more times before the lease ends, but charging and replacing a full windshield every time is the only way to ensure they don't lose money on windshields.
Interestingly, the same agency I know that does this also
does only charge for a tire repair if the tire is repairable. Funny how different agencies can have such different policies...