Sixt falsely claims I caused damage to rental car
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
In this day and age when pretty much all phones have a camera, doing either a video or multiple shots of the vehicle before driving it off the lot is an absolute necessity. Going through the process also helps one to identify the defects and then deal with them as well. Arguing after the fact about the reasonableness of the cost of repair is a lot harder and more time-consuming that simply eliminating the claim in the first place.
All of this is, of course, eliminated through proper comprehensive insurance wherein one simply turns the claim over and is done with it.
All of this is, of course, eliminated through proper comprehensive insurance wherein one simply turns the claim over and is done with it.
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
In this day and age when pretty much all phones have a camera, doing either a video or multiple shots of the vehicle before driving it off the lot [and after returning it] is an absolute necessity. Going through the process also helps one to identify the defects and then deal with them as well. Arguing after the fact about the reasonableness of the cost of repair is a lot harder and more time-consuming that simply eliminating the claim in the first place.
All of this is, of course, eliminated through proper comprehensive insurance wherein one simply turns the claim over and is done with it.
All of this is, of course, eliminated through proper comprehensive insurance wherein one simply turns the claim over and is done with it.
Exactly. It takes about one minute and saves so much hassle.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Sixt Platinum, HHons Diamond
Posts: 927
I'd also add for around Ł80-Ł100 you can get a one year insurance policy meaning zero excess and no hassle. I still take photos too though as I don't want to be forced into making claims that were not done by me.
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
My RM at Amex recently reminded me to not take any additional insurance coverage when ranting cars. All is covered. That certainly doesn’t apply to all cards, but it is useful to consider what is included already.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Sixt Platinum, HHons Diamond
Posts: 927
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The benefit of these policies, whether through a card, a bank, or simply purchased as part of homeowners or other stand alone coverage, is not only the out-of-pocket cash, but the value and cost of one's time. If an invoice arrives for a covered matter, simply forward it to the claims handler for the insurer and let them take it from there.
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Gringolandia y LatinoAmerica a veces EU y Asia
Programs: AV, AA, BA, CM, UA, Hertz, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 153
I do not rent from SIXT for this reason. They often present a problem like this and I cannot trust them.
Si they are not quite as bad as GOLDCAR. Which is known to be the worst rental company in the world. If you do not believe me search online for reports of their worldfamous agent Monica at FNC and her amazing tactics that extend far beyond simple fake damage assessments but include deliberately delay of returning customers to pressure them for check in time and compel submission....... LOL!
Photo documentation of entire vehicle.... Long ago I learned that this step is 100percent necessary. I wait for each agent by the car and then take the full photo inventory front sides back and top, deliberately, and pause over each scratch and motion to the agent to record it on the form if the agent does not proactively do so. In this way I record all evidence and I also send a clear message that avoids problems on either side.
I do not know why we should view this step as "intimidating." I prefer to think of this as "shared professionalism." Both rental company and renter are protected by such inspection and diligence. Imagine this... if all rental companies acted on this expectation, then fraudulent damage assessments would not happen.
#24
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 4
I joined FlyerTalk just to respond to this thread. We had nearly the exact same issue with Sixt Croatia, renting from Dubrovnik. They gave us an absolute beater of a car--not just scratches but literal dents everywhere and bald tires. We return the car and a week later just happened to check our credit card statement. They charged us $700. Upon investigation, the charges were for insurance we never agreed to and a scratch on the bottom right bumper "5cm in length down to primer." The scratch cost nearly $500. We couldn't believe it. There were no scratches from us on that car when we returned it. Went through Chase, who after several weeks of investigation, agreed we weren't liable and removed the charges. Yet, Sixt Croatia continues to come after us for the charges. We just got a notice from a Collections Agency. We actually contacted a lawyer here in the States but we can't decide if it's worth continuing to fight this, paying it, or just ignoring it. Sigh. I will, I swear to all things holy, NEVER rent from Sixt again. What a scam of a company.
#25
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 10
Add me to the list. They are holding me liable for rim damage that was already there when I picked up a car. Unfortunately I did not document this at time of pickup.
How they can hold the renter responsible for signing on the condition of the car is ridiculous. I have no special training on how to inspect a car for damage. Things can be missed and now it's their word against mine. Other than a checklist they have no documentation of the car's condition. I asked for pictures or hard proof the damage was caused by me and they said because I signed off on the car at the time of pickup I'm now responsible.
How they can hold the renter responsible for signing on the condition of the car is ridiculous. I have no special training on how to inspect a car for damage. Things can be missed and now it's their word against mine. Other than a checklist they have no documentation of the car's condition. I asked for pictures or hard proof the damage was caused by me and they said because I signed off on the car at the time of pickup I'm now responsible.
#26
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 10
Does anyone know the best course of action? They said a bill will be generated and if I don't pay it, they will send it to collections. If they charged my card I could just just charge back and be done. This feels like a more drawn out process now
#28
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 2
sixth send me claim form on damage i didn't make
rented a BMW- X5 car from Sixth Vancouver airport on Oct,2 and dropped at Vancouver down on Oct,5 . a week later Sixth sent me a form to fill on their car rental mentioned i damaged their vehicle those are existing damage. I didn't make any damage at all to their vehicle at all. this is very BAD and unacceptable claim. what can I do ?