CAR RENTAL Archives

Sixt surprises David Degagne with an extra $513 car rental insurance surcharge in Portugal. Can he get his money back if he never asked for the insurance? Let's find out.

A shocking surcharge for car rental insurance with Sixt. How do I fix this?

August 28, 2025November 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Sixt surprises David Degagne with an extra $513 car rental insurance surcharge in Portugal. Can he get his money back if he never asked for the insurance? Let’s find out.

What should you do if you have ants in your rental? Here's how one customer handled it.

Help! My Hertz car rental is infested with ants — and now they’re charging me extra

January 2, 2025November 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

There’s a rule in the Travel Bible that your rental car must be insect-free. But the folks at the Hertz location in Palo Alto, Calif., forgot to study their scripture on the day Miguel Lopez came to town. And they handed him the keys to a car infested by ants.

Stacey Wall rented a car from Enterprise in Phoenix and took photos of a small dent on the door before driving it. Weeks later, she received a $1,391 damage claim dated three days after returning the car. Despite providing timestamped evidence of pre-existing damage, Enterprise insisted she was responsible. After escalating the issue, Enterprise reviewed the photos again and agreed to drop the claim, leaving Stacey relieved but questioning why this happened with her rental Windstar.

I have proof that I didn’t damage my rental car. So why do I have to pay?

November 24, 2024October 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Stacey Wall has proof that she didn’t damage her rental car. So why does Enterprise want to charge her, anyway?

Michael Roehricht found himself in a tough spot after damaging a rental car from Enterprise in Germany. Despite his efforts to work with his car insurance company to cover the damages, Enterprise refused to provide the necessary repair invoice, leaving Michael in limbo. With his insurance company’s deadline approaching, Michael reached out for help. After a frustrating back-and-forth, Enterprise finally provided the documentation, allowing his insurance company to settle the claim for $17,552. This case highlights the importance of obtaining a repair invoice in rental car disputes.

How do I get a repair invoice from Enterprise? My insurance company needs it

October 23, 2024October 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Michael Roehricht needs a repair invoice from Enterprise to file a claim with his car insurance company. Why won’t the company send him the paperwork?

Darrell Eldridge faced a $3,000 charge from Turo for a blown tire during his rental of a 2021 Dodge Durango. Despite providing evidence of poor tire maintenance, Turo initially upheld the charge. Eldridge took detailed photos, proving negligence in tire upkeep by the vehicle owner. After appeals and advocacy intervention, Turo rescinded the charge. This case highlights the importance of thorough documentation, especially of tire condition, when renting from platforms like Turo.

Turo repair problem: Do I have to pay $3,000 for this blown tire?

October 10, 2024September 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When a tire on Darrell Eldridge’s Turo rental blew out, he was relieved that he didn’t get into an accident. But his relief soon gave way to rage when Turo sent him a $3,000 bill for damage.

It's easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing.

Traveling? Here’s what to say if you want to get the worst treatment — guaranteed!

June 1, 2025September 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

It’s easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing. That’s an undeniable fact that people are rediscovering during the busiest year in the history of modern travel.

Josephine Donatelli was charged $515 by Enterprise for a missing head restraint and hat shelf from her rental car. However, she insists she returned the vehicle exactly as she rented it. Enterprise sent the claim more than a month after the return, with insufficient evidence to prove it was her rental car, including no photos with identifying details like a license plate. After disputing the charge with her credit card company and contacting Enterprise, a representative apologized for the error and refunded the money, acknowledging the confusion and promising future rental credits.

Billed $515 for a missing head restraint on my rental car. But is this the right vehicle?

August 19, 2024August 14, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Enterprise charges Josephine Donatelli $515 after it discovers a missing head restraint in a rental vehicle. But was it her rental vehicle?

After Budget finds animal hairs in Bernard Sia's rental car, it charges him a $125 car rental cleaning fee. But Sia doesn't have a pet -- and that's not his only problem.

Budget car rental cleaning fee problem: Hey, that’s not my vehicle!

May 4, 2024May 1, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After Budget finds animal hairs in Bernard Sia’s rental car, it charges him a $125 car rental cleaning fee. But Sia doesn’t have a pet — and that’s not his only problem.

Avis billed one of its customers $573 for damaging a windshield. But there was no damage to the windshield. What should he do?

Windshield damage on my Avis rental! Do I have to pay $573?

April 9, 2024April 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Avis billed one of its customers $573 for damaging a windshield. But there was no damage to the windshield. What should he do?

When Leah Page picks up her rental car from Thrifty, it charges her a $250 upgrade fee. Can it do that without her permission? And how can she get a refund?

Oh no! Thrifty charged me an extra $250 for a car rental upgrade. Can I get a refund?

March 20, 2025February 21, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Leah Page picks up her rental car from Thrifty, it charges her a $250 upgrade fee. Can it do that without her permission? And how can she get a refund?

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