Rental Car

[afesis]

We recently went to Seattle, Washington for a weekend and rented a car from Alamo. We waived the insurance. We have our own. We returned the car in good condition. The Alamo attendant just asked us if everything was okay and gave us the receipt. He didn't checked the car for any damages.
A week later Alamo called us to inform us that there has been a damaged to the car. The front of the hood was dented. We requested for a proof. They sent us a picture of the car, a statement of the cost to fix the car and a signed document stating that we waived the insurance and a letter of what they are asking and how it'll affect on us if we don't pay the cost.
Can we dispute this case? We feel that we returned the car in good condition and didn't have the damaged as they mentioned.

 

[Duranie]

You apparantly did not check the car before renting it. If it was damaged when you rented it and you did not let them know, you are probably on the hook. Your contract you signed likely said you are responsible for any damage to the vehicle. File a claim through your insurance if you do not want to pay out of pocket.

 

[dee_dub]

I take it you didn't obtain a damage clearance when you dropped off the car.

Check your agreement. You should not be liable for damage incurred after you dropped off the vehicle, and the company may be required to check the vehicle for damage when it is dropped off.

Ask the rental company for a full damage report including photos of the damage and license plate. Ask for the odometer reading, and compare it to the odometer reading you noted when you dropped off the car.

 

[jacksgal]

The key is what your rental agreement says. We rent cars very very often in fact so often we get special rates and priorty for our car rental place. We "never" waive insurance. Its always best to get theirs so you rnot on the hook for any damage. Problem is damage was found on car not previously noted. Unless your contract says otherwise or there was some violation of policy your probably on the hook. Reread your rental agreement all of it! Your answer should be there. You can of course fight this but it might prove more expensive than not. Talk to your insurance agent as well see what they suggest

 

[afesis]

Yes, we did checked the car before we drove it. It was fine. We returned it in the same condition.