We got a letter saying we damaged the roof of a rental car

But we didn't. It didn't rain during our rental period. We didn't drive under a low-hanging branch. We didn't affix anything to the roof. But the letter says we damaged the roof. It's a scam, but I fear it will be a successful one.

1. Has this happened to you? How did you handle?

2. Learn from our mistake. When you pick up a rental car, ask for a ladder and climb up it to conduct a thorough investigation of the car's roof. Take photographs, so you will have evidence. Write up a report and have the car rental employee initial it.

The last time I rented a car, I made a big deal of photographing every tiny nick and ding on the car in the presence of the agent. When I dropped it off, they tried to say there was new damage, so I whipped out my phone and started dramatically flipping through photos. They gave up and waved me away before I even got to that section of the car. This was overseas, so I'm not sure how it would have played out if they'd sent me a letter after I'd returned. Sorry you're having to deal with this.

contest it as they have to prove it was you and not the next renter by the date of their claim and activity on the car-- i think you auto insurance may cover it though and they probably know how to dispute it

Which agency? Most of the majors inspect when you return with you present - if they don't, they should have no claim.

Also, check with your credit card company - worst case if you can't get the agency to waive it, your credit card might cover it.

breal said:
But we didn't. It didn't rain during our rental period. We didn't drive under a low-hanging branch. We didn't affix anything to the roof. But the letter says we damaged the roof. It's a scam, but I fear it will be a successful one.
1. Has this happened to you? How did you handle?
2. Learn from our mistake. When you pick up a rental car, ask for a ladder and climb up it to conduct a thorough investigation of the car's roof. Take photographs, so you will have evidence. Write up a report and have the car rental employee initial it.

These days I mostly just leave the car in line and they get to it when they get to it. Did have this situation a few years ago with National in LA. But when I challenged their claim of damage they backed down pretty quickly. All they got out of it is me no longer using National in LA.

Last time I rented a car it was in Charlotte. It was an economy model... Some sort of Hyundai. The roads I had to drive on were not good; bumpy and hilly and not well paved. The front bumper kept scraping. When I stopped to get gas before I got back to the airport, I popped the bumper back in place--for like the third time. I thought for sure that I would hear from them about the damage--although I suspect it was already there--but nothing. I used Hertz.

Breal, do you happen to know a lawyer socially? If so, perhaps a letter contesting the rental company's claims would make them back down.

Once upon a time, a landlord made a false claim against me in connection with the apartment I was renting. I worked for a partner in a prestigious law firm at the time, and he was happy to dictate a letter for me to type up, print on the firm's letterhead, and have him sign so I could deliver it to the landlord. Landlord backed down VERY fast.

Which rental car company was it?

I take pictures before leaving the lot, but I've never taken pictures after returning the car. Usually the check-in person just gives me an okay after looking over the car. Not sure how practical it would be to ask for a ladder.

breal said:
But we didn't. It didn't rain during our rental period. We didn't drive under a low-hanging branch. We didn't affix anything to the roof. But the letter says we damaged the roof. It's a scam, but I fear it will be a successful one.
1. Has this happened to you? How did you handle?
2. Learn from our mistake. When you pick up a rental car, ask for a ladder and climb up it to conduct a thorough investigation of the car's roof. Take photographs, so you will have evidence. Write up a report and have the car rental employee initial it.

Depending on the car, it might be enough to open the door and stand on the door sill to examine the roof and take photos.

in USA or elsewhere?

When I have rented cars, THEY had a policy of walking around the car with me when took the car and when I returned it and documenting that there was no damage (I believe it was Enterprise).

do you have your own car with insurance? does it cover the damage? if I remember correctly, your insurance covers you in a rental car.

consider filing a complaint with BBB and any other regulatory agency you can find.

you can always bring a cheap lightweight step stool with you to get a better look at the roof.

If they didn't catch it when they did the walk around and handed you your receipt then they have nothing.

GGartrell said:
If they didn't catch it when they did the walk around and handed you your receipt then they have nothing.

But that's not the way it works anymore--or at least often enough it isn't. I signed up for Hertz Gold so I'd have as little human interaction/intervention as possible. I didn't even see a human when I dropped the car off.

Fight it! They did the same thing to our daughter when she needed a rental- claimed that the roof was dimpled and damaged-it was dimpled when she got the car and she did nothing to it. We persevered and were exonerated.