I'm posting this here rather than in the National board as it's undoubtedly an issue some of you have run into with other rental car agencies...

I rent from National over 30 times a year, and have generally had nothing but positive experiences with them. As far as damage is concerned, they typically don't even look for minor scratches or dents as their vehicles are leased, unlike the Enterprise/Thrifty-type agencies that practically go over each car with a microscope before allowing you to rent it.

So you can imagine the surprise when this past Monday, I received a vague letter in my office mailbox from National's loss/damage claims department referencing damage to a rental returned on August 26. The letter advised me to file a claim with my insurance company and/or credit card issuer, and that National would send additional documentation within 30 days. Baffled as to what possible damage I could have caused, I called, and after sitting on hold for about 20 minutes, was told that the TrailBlazer had a "hanging rear bumper." No note was made of this upon return of the rental, and if the bumper had been hanging it's something I would have noticed when I picked up the SUV!

The rental was at RIC, so since I'm local I plan to go over to the National desk and ask the manager for a copy of the damage report. My thought was always that if no damage is noted upon the return, it's no longer my responsibility.

I've already filed a report with Visa's rental damage waiver folks (which, incidentally, are also here in RIC) and they advised that regardless of any dispute I have with National, they'll cover the claim 100% since I don't have collision or comprehensive coverage on my own auto policy.

National advises that I can fax them a dispute letter if I desire, but how much good is that likely to do? Should I just accept responsibility for the hanging bumper and let Visa handle it (no cost to me other than my time), or should I continue to question the validity of the claim and hope that National will drop it (mostly out of principle, as when the rental was in my hands there was no damage to the bumper, and why the heck did National wait so long to send me a letter about the alleged damage)?

I would think that you should call your rental company before you call your credit card company.

If you did not damage or you were not aware of a damage when you returned the car, I would dispute the letter with National ... and wait what happens.

They did this to me out of Svannah once. I wrote a very nice letter back saying that I returned the car directly to an employee at their site. I denied damaging the car or there being any damage when I returned the car. I also pointed out that their employee had failed to note any damage to the car upon return.

I never heard another word from them about it.

This is a good start! dont take the blame for something you are not
responsible for. Also some of the charges are not covered by the
credit card rental insurance. (loss of use - limited, taxes and/or
administrative fees)

I would call your credit card company and start a claim, even if you know you are not responsible. Visa has a time limit on when you have to file the claim. If you don't do it in that time they will not cover it. You can also let them know you would be disputing any charge that they may try to put through, so they can note it on your record now.

I had National burn me in MUC on a scratch. Letter did not show up for months, and by then the Visa would not do anything.

Deny Deny Deny
Blame Blame Blame (the national guy)

Advantage of dealing with nationwide companies as opposed to mom & pop local companies. Small claim in city nearest to your home that has an office or agency of the company in question for purpose of recovering amounts you had to pay. Argue that the company should not win the case because it waited so long as to deprive you the right to insurance coverage. As well as argue that the company did not make a claim when (on return day) you could at least see that the damage was not caused by the person who rented after you.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

I thought that once you got your receipt showing the return of your rental that you were off the hook. Isn't that why they check your car upon return? What's to stop the rental company from attributing any damage to the last renter if they don't certify the car is "OK" upon each return?

I would do whatever paperwork is required with Visa within their deadlines in order to protect yourself, but I would also dispute the claim with National. You should be aware that several car rental companies (I don't know if National is one) try to impose considerable charges in addition to the cost of repair (e.g., loss of use, administrative fee) and your credit card company may not pay these or may not pay them without proof the car rental company refuses to provide.

Seems to me that an employee has taken it for a ride and done the damage and your being the fallguy.

The law over in the UK is that damage has to be pointed out to you when you return the car and a report written out and signed by you, otherwise as soon as you have handed over the keys and left you are no longer liable.

They are at it!!

Let your credit card company handle it. Whats the big deal? Sounds like you are creating a problem where one doesn't exist.

Maybe the UK government tries to protect the consumer, but here in the US the government mainly tries to protect the business instead. Good luck trying to get out of this. The only thing that might make the rental company re-think their approach would be bad publicity. Whatever weak consumer protections Americans may have are generally going to be more trouble than they're worth. America is the nation that found Microsoft guilty of abusing its monopolistic status and then let them off the hook by allowing them to hand over some software vouchers to some schools. If you want justice then ignore our anti-consumer legal system and take your case to the press. It's the only avenue we have left.

This is the "other side" of the story.

My son rear ended a Hertz SUV at the end of July. Very minor damage to the Hertz car (bumper only). His car was totaled because it was old, lots of miles and the Hertz car had a hitch that caused a lot of damage to his car.

No question that he was at fault. Filed claim with insurance and Geico tried and tried and tried to get in touch with Hertz. Finally, this week (2+ months after incident), we got a letter from Hertz to contact them about the claim.

They didn't even have the estimate yet. They fix their own cars-providing only photos to Geico. I am concerned about the amount of damage they will claim.

Anyway, I cannot believe it takes them that long to process.

Thank you for your insight. One thing that still baffles me is since you are intelligent enough to figure out what a terrible country America is to live in, why would you live here? That doesn't make any sense.