What To Do When Your Rental Car Does Not Look So Good In The Morning

We have all heard the story of someone who wakes up next to someone else after a long, inebriated, night.   Only then do they realize that their partner was not as attractive in the sober light of day as they seemed the night before.    I had a similar experience recently, with a rental car.

I arrived at my destination late at night and was, of course, anxious to leave the airport, get to my hotel, and get a good night’s sleep.   Nevertheless, I performed a thorough walk around of the vehicle, at night in a dim parking garage, noting several scratches and marks.

The next morning, I found the car undisturbed in the parking lot of my hotel.   Under the bright sunshine, I realized that there were several more scratches than I had noted.   The roof even had scratches that peeled back the paint, exposing rust.   Inside, I saw stains from spilled beverages on the dark colored door panel.   In between the seats, I saw trash from the previous renter.

What To Do

I first called the office of the rental car company where I had rented the car.   They didn’t answer the phone, but I left a message.   I then contacted the main number of the company.     They transferred me to the roadside assistance line.     The representative on the assistance line asked me if I have been injured and if I was in a safe place.  I had to explain to them that I was NOT in an accident, I merely wished to have them document the PRE-EXISTING damage that was not apparent to me when I picked up the car.    I walked around the car, and had them note everything I could see.    The fact that some of the scratches were rusted lent credibility to my assertion that the damage was pre-existing.

Nevertheless, when I returned the car, I made sure to photograph the car from different angles with my digital camera.    I also took extra care to retain both my original documentation of the pre-existing damage, as well as the receipt I received upon return.   I have read way too many stories about rental car companies going after people, often weeks later, for pre-existing damage.   Somehow, I always imagine that the perpetrators of this scam think twice before claiming damage when they see me take pictures of the car.

While not as gross as waking up next to a stranger, realizing that there is pre-existing, un-documented damage to a rental car can be unnerving.  Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make sure you are not victimized by your rental car company.