Originally Posted by
Firstboss
When the claim amount is small (probably up to the reserved deposit), the rental company does charge that amount directly. The moment you initiate an insurance claim with your credit card company that amount is put on hold (just like any disputed charge). If the case is resolved in your favor you never hear about that charge again.
Agree they may try to squeeze one onto the card against card network rules. I looked back at a 2017 Hertz rental at DUS. Picked up the car and it had engine check light on. I asked about it and they said the light will go off. Went directly from airport to the hotel and the next morning, the light was still on.
Drove directly back to airport and had them exchange the vehicle. The return agent noticed tires were slashed. While I drive directly from airport to hotel and back, the tires could have been either preexisting or the vehicle was vandalized overnight.
In any case, I signed an accident form and got different vehicle; no mention of damage cost. Upon return of my trip in FRA, Hertz did squeeze in a
€350 schaden charge. At that point in time, I wasn't aware of card network rules posted in wiki else I would have disputed immediately with Citibank. Citi provided insurance did process the claim in about 15 business days and fully covering the
€350 so no loss to me.
If it was a larger charge and rental agency did willingly/unwillingly bill card for the damage, definitely do a chargeback quoting card network rules requiring cardmember to ok damages being charged on card..