Originally Posted by
trainman74
Hmm...here in California, I got a rock chip in the windshield of a National car in 2010, and didn't get charged. (Wasn't quite in the driver's view, though -- closer to the middle.)
In fact, when I pointed out the chip to the return agent at BUR, he seemed very concerned about whether I was returning because my contract was up or swapping due to the chip -- and not concerned at all about the chip itself.
On another occasion, I was given a discount by a return agent at ORD when I pointed out a couple minor problems with a car (broken remote, and a missing valve stem on a tire -- only noticed the latter due to a low-pressure warning).
I have been charged for a windshield chip that turned into a larger star before I could drive it back. On the other hand, I have been reimbursed for the cost of a light bulb when one of the turn signals wasn't working. It seems that anything that "happened to the car" while in my possession - under my control or not - I've been charged for. Anything that wore out or the car did to itself, I've not been charged for.
The windshield cracked under stress on it's own during a hot day = probably not chargeable
Windshield cracked due to rock hurtled from a gravel truck three lanes over = probably chargeable
Tire flat due to faulty valve stem = probably not chargeable
Tire flat due to construction nail thee feet outside the National lot = probably chargeable