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DAMAGE

Car rental damage claims are such a contentious issue — and so preventable — that I've been considering a moratorium on new cases.

A scratch on my rental car — and now, a bill from a collection agency

January 23, 2024July 23, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Here we go again.

Categories Should I Take The Case?
Jonathan was flying on JetBlue. But when he arrived at the gate, an attendant told him he couldn't board with his instrument.

Oh no! JetBlue breaks guitars, too?

January 23, 2024June 14, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Add the word “breaks guitars” after any company, and everyone knows exactly what you’re talking about.

Categories Case Dismissed
I recently rented a car from Budget. When I returned the vehicle, a representative claimed that I scraped the bottom of the front bumper.

Did she wait too long to file a damage claim?

January 23, 2024June 8, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Susan Young has waited too long to file a damage claim with here credit card company. But it’s not her fault – a car rental contract employee told her to do it. Who’s responsible?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
After a rental process and unclear damage assessment, a couple faced a substantial bill and collection agency contact from Hertz Munich.

How can you be sure I damaged my rental car?

January 23, 2024April 6, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Months after her car rental, Diane Mikulis gets a bill for damages she doesn’t recognize. When she asks for a translation, the car rental company sends her case to a collection agency. Now what?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
We woke up to our fire alarms going off and a strong smell of burning plastic. We quickly ran outside and called the fire department.

My Frigidaire burst into flames — now what?

January 23, 2024March 28, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

When Lauren Fitzgerald’s dishwasher self-destructs, she turns to the manufacturer for help. But it won’t do anything. What the next step?

Categories Problem Solved
TSA agents believe they are the last line of defense against terrorism. You have to break a few metaphorical eggs to keep America safe.

Look out! 4 things that get damaged at the airport

January 22, 2024January 30, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

TSA agents believe they are the last line of defense against terrorism, and that sometimes you have to break a few metaphorical eggs to keep America safe.

Categories Commentary
Thrifty Car Rental from charging him $165 for unseen damage to the Ford Focus he rented in Glasgow, Scotland.

Do I really have to pay for this chip on my hood?

January 22, 2024January 25, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

… Read more

Categories Commentary
William had an issue with as Dollar Rent A Car demanded payment for unspecified damages despite an indication that damage was pre-existing

I rented a damaged car from Dollar — why should I have to pay?

January 31, 2024January 19, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

William Hicks rents a car from Dollar with a ding in it. Now it wants to charge him for the damage. But it can’t prove he did it. Should he pay, anyway?

Categories Commentary, The Travel Troubleshooter
I'm having a problem with a car rental, and I'm hoping you can help. I rented a car from National Car Rental in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Charged $1,341 for damage I didn’t do

January 22, 2024November 23, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Theodore Mariano’s rental car has a scratch, and although his rental company promises it won’t charge him for the repair, it does. Did the scratch exist before he picked it up? Maybe.

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
The car rental company said if one of their vehicles was damaged by an Act of God, you were on the hook for the car.

The latest car scam: hail damage?

January 22, 2024November 15, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

A few years ago, car rental companies made a small but profitable change to their contracts. They said if one of their vehicles was damaged by an Act of God, you were on the hook for the car.

Categories Case Dismissed
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