Car rental dilemma, HELP!

janeyjaney
By janeyjaney

I wasn't sure where to categorize my post but anyway, here goes.

I rented a car a few months back (November) and got into an accident the following month. I went to the police station together with the guy who rear-ended my car. The damage was small, not that noticeable, however still drive-able. He admitted that it was his fault (as he was on the phone while driving) and so, we've sorted out the police report eventually and quickly.

I go on until April last month, driving that same car. I would go to my car rental company every month to pay with cash. My car rental company would call me if the car needs to be taken in for service or whatnot, however, for this particular car, they didn't.

Anyway, first week of April, I go back to my car rental company to settle any outstanding invoices before I head on out of Qatar for my holiday. At the time, I also presented the police report (back from November) to them. The accident wasn't my fault as indicated in the police report. So, I left for my holiday..

And now that I'm back in Doha, I get a phone call from the car rental company saying that the insurance has expired and that I'm suppose to pay for the damages. From the conversation, I assumed that the other party's(the guy who rear-ended me) insurance was no longer valid. Luckily, I still had his phone number. I called the guy and asked about his insurance to which he confirmed that it was still valid. In the end of the conversation (which seemed to be heading nowhere), I just told him that I will give his contact number to my car rental company. I called my car rental agent and told him this and gave him the phone number, and then he goes, "What do you want me to do?"

I am trying my best not to get furious about the whole thing as it seems like a never ending vicious cycle of nonsense. I, for one, no longer have the car and have paid my dues for renting it and supplied the required police report from the crash.

Now, my question is, why on Earth is my car rental company still giving me a hard time on a palm-sized dent (on the bumper)? What can I do to get around the issue? It would be best for just the 2 of them to talk, but that's far from happening. I feel the car rental company is screwing me over.

Any suggestions on how to get this sorted?

By Molten Metal• 13 Mar 2024 12:02
Molten Metal

Before 2031 it will be resolved, It is my promise.

It is already in the fast lane case type.

We need to have a little more patience .......

By Luxurylemos• 11 Mar 2024 21:34
Luxurylemos

It sounds like you've been caught in a frustrating situation with your car rental company. Given that you've already provided the police report from the accident, it's understandable that you're puzzled by why they're still giving you a hard time about the damages. One option could be to try to facilitate direct communication between the rental company and the other party's insurance provider. You've already provided the other driver's contact information, so it might be worth encouraging the rental company to reach out to them directly to resolve the issue. Additionally, you could ask the rental company for a clear explanation of their position and request any relevant documentation or evidence they have regarding the damages and insurance coverage. Keeping communication open and respectful might help in navigating through this frustrating situation.

By janeyjaney• 17 May 2011 16:13
janeyjaney

lucky_go: I was actually going to their office every month to pay for my bills. They already know about the accident and how I've been wanting them to change my car, to no avail, they didn't bother.

But, just for info., police reports are renewable?

By lucky_go• 17 May 2011 16:05
lucky_go

Police report for repair the vehicle is valid for two weeks only and after that you have to renew it. As you inform them earlier about the accident and if they didn't take any action then its not your problem.

By CG28• 17 May 2011 15:52
CG28

Sometimes, employees of certain (private) companies tend to go too far while dealing with a client that it gives a bad name to the company. However, in many cases the company management are not aware of such situations, and I am sure they dont agree with their employees as well.

Approach a responsible person in the car rental company and tell him your position. You need to clearly communicate to him that you do not intend to pay anything to repair the damage.

That said, I am sure he will figure out a way to take it from there!

By lucky_go• 17 May 2011 15:51
Rating: 3/5
lucky_go

After you received the police report as your are not mistaken you have to ask them to replace the car with new one. Any thats over, you don't have to worry, you provide them a report that its not your mistake. Now let them deal with it. Don't entertain then when they contact you. Thats all, all the best.

By janeyjaney• 17 May 2011 15:48
janeyjaney

BluePanther, I did inform them of the car accident. They only told me to obtain the police report, which I did. With this information, I kept telling them that I want to change the car as the wipers weren't working properly and yet they never did anything. They were being apathetic or just plain lazy?

They are actually harassing me with endless phone calls knowing that I'm back in Doha. It is J&P or J&F car rental company, I'm not sure with the name. I'm trying real hard to forget it. LOL

Thanks for the input. :)

By anonymous• 17 May 2011 15:36
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

You could have informed the rental car company in November to rectify the damage - however small it might be. I believe the police report is valid for a certain number of days within which you need to repair your car. Your rental car company would have sorted this out for you (as it was third party damage and not your own) and given you another vehicle. That said, the rental car co. accepted your vehicle at the end of your rental without checking the validity of the documents of the accident - that is their fault.

Now that you've not done the above you would have to get away from paying their charges - so do cancel your credit card or inform the bank that this is not a valid transaction.

All the best

By soltero• 17 May 2011 15:26
soltero

..for you to name the rental company..?..as i am in the process of choosing from which i may rent a car until i have my own..best regards...

By vipul• 17 May 2011 15:24
Rating: 2/5
vipul

Don't Worry Your already paid the Rent and now it there duty to repair the car under insurance not yours...

so don't worry..be brave...and SCREW them...as noway they are screing you...

By RefinedSoul• 17 May 2011 14:55
Rating: 2/5
RefinedSoul

either car is insured or not, thats not your responsibility. you have already paid them the rent, screw them & look for some other rent a car.

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