I reserved a full size car from Budget at SEA for $25 a day. I asked for upgrade to miniVan if available at the counter. The agent told me that they sold out of vans, but could upgrade me with Ford Excursion at extra charge od $25 per day. I never drive anything bigger than minivan, I am not so sure about it. The agent told us that it is very easy to drive and sits very comfortably. She kept saying that it drives like a regular car, and plus I am getting an excellent rate for it.

I rented the Ford Excusrion with my AMEX card and decline the coverage. After picking it up, I realized it was too big for me to handle and I scratched the left side door as I drove into a parking lot. I reported the damage.

Few week later, I got a bill for $2700 for the damage, loss of use, admin fees, etc. I called AMEX and was told that Ford Excursion was not covered under the plan. I had no idea that there was such limitation. I would imagine that it would not cover expensive car, like Porche or something. Now, I have to pay for the damage.

I felt that I was being misinformed that this car was eay to handle and drive. It was not.

Is there anyway to dispute the damage bill from Budget? I think the agent at the counter should have warned us about the size of the vehicle, but instead, told us that it is easy to drive. I know I am responsible for the damage, but the budget agent should not have given us an impression that it drives like a regular car when it doesn't.

It seeems to me that damage bill is somewhat overpriced. How do I investigate it or negotiate to lower the bill?

Any advise or comments are welcome. Thanks.

Unless you have insurance coverage with less than $2700 deductible from your own, private vehicle, there is really nothing you can do except pay the costs. If you do have car insurance, call your insurer. Your insurance becomes primary in this case.

This is one of the least reported horror-story-type incidents with travel: uninsured rental cars. Those of us without cars (and consequently car insurance) should almost always buy some sort of rental car insurance, even at the very high rates offered by the rental car companies. Or validate coverage of the credit card. Overseas and with certain cars, the credit card coverage is significantly limited.

And not paying is not an option: judgments are enforceable for twenty years.

You couldn't see for yourself?

I don't believe the AMEX collision coverage, in lieu of the rental car company's CDW, covers the Ford Expedition (smaller than the gargantuan Excursion) either. I had a similar experience with Budget at CVG a couple of years ago. There were no mid-size cars on the lot so they offered me an Expedition at no extra charge.

That thing was huge! I was not at all comforatble with the Expedition. Fortunately, I was able to drive it safely and there was no damage to the Expedition when I returned it. When I got back to Chicago, I called AMEX and learned that they do not cover the Expedition. I was so relieved that nothing had happened to that thing and I never want to rent one again. It's just too much. I can't imagine what driving an Excursion would be like!

all full size suv's are not covered as well as any car with a value over $50K as well as a laundry list of cars including jaguar.

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There have been a couple of threads about this in the past, but needless to say AMEX's insurance is very week in covering non-standard vehicles ... anything beyond a Cadillac or Lincoln, forget it, and anything outsize, like a large SUV, pickup truck, or full-size van.

Diners Club is much more generous in their coverage and covers just about everything except really really expensive cars.

You should always have and carry with you proof of insurances (personal and credit card). AMEX provides this and specifically defines which vehicles are not covered.

BTW, this is an excess insurance plan so if you have personal insurance you need to utilize this first.

I can empathize with your plight, but the damage to the rental auto is fully of your doing and you are responsible. As another poster indicated, pay up and do not try the non-payment route in that judgements are a no-no.

As per the size of the truck, the Excussion's are monstrously large. Personally, I have rented the Expedition (slightly smaller) before and found them to be wonderful trucks for taking my wife, three kids, large mutt, and associated ski/snowboarding equipment for all of the above; for a weekend of skiing. Great use for a great truck, and the Expedition was really nice out on the open road. Surprisingly, the gasoline mileage was not even all that bad, OUT ON THE OPEN ROAD. Where these trucks belong.

As for in town driving? Er, well...I think that your experience speaks for itself. These mongo, 6,000 pound plus 4X4's were not designed for extensive in-town use. Too bad those millions of persons who purchase such fine trucks do not think through all of the ramifications prior to purchase (or renting, for that matter).

I am not trying to aviod the payment. However, the damage is about $1700, but the admin fee and loss of use is about $1000 which seems too high for me!!
I couldn't see the big car from the counter, after walking 15 mins to pickup the car, then it is too much trouble to change again.

Obviously in your case, it would have been worth the walk back to the counter to get another vehicle. I have walked back many times to the counter when I did not feel comfortable with the vehicle assigned to me. The trouble is definately worth it.

I agree with BOILERMAKER: 15 minutes isn't much for $2700. Also, I always thoroughly check my rental car for previous dammage before driving out of the lot. It's surprising how often you need to report scratches, dings, fenders askew, etc. so you don't get charged for them upon return. When there isn't an attendant in the lot to merk up the dammages, I always walk back to the counter.

Diners Club covers CDW for full sized vans....

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LH's gold CC CDW covers all cars except for trucks etc worldwide.

I contacted Budget and they are willing to reduce the claim amount from $2700 to $1900.

That seems a bit more reasonable, but if it was just a scratch, $1900 still seems excessive.

How bad was the damage? Was it just one door panel? Repairing and repainting one panel is probably no more than a $600 - $700 repair job and should take no more than a few days at a decent repair shop that has all necessary paints and parts on hand.

-David