Car Rental Expensive Repair

ProBoDoBo on 22/10/2017 - 23:04

Hi

Rented a Ford Territory in Melbourne 3 weeks ago from. CARnextdoor for 3 days. During the day of flight back to Sydney while returning the car we observed that the car had been hit from the front damaging the bottom of the number plate and cracking the front bumper extension(probably hit while someone was reversing) No message was left and the culprit just left the scene I guess

We gave back the car and researched online finding that replacement of the whole thing would be under $500 easily. We complained that we did not damage the car etc. Even contacted Melbourne police but they couldn't find any footage near 50 franklin st in the city.

Today we heard back from Carnextdoor and they've given us a quote of an exuberant $1800 worth of repair which is way tooo much.

What should I do? I am just a student!!

Automotive

Comments

  • TheBilly on 22/10/2017 - 23:17
    +2

    Pay it? What else can you really do.

  • dcep on 22/10/2017 - 23:19

    i thought they have insurance on rental and you only have to pay the standard excess fee.

    • Stewardo on 22/10/2017 - 23:26

      Excess might be $1800
      I thought in Australia you had basic insurance as part of the rental price?

  • thatonethere on 22/10/2017 - 23:24
    +1

    Looks like you got to learn the hard way about rental car insurance. At least they didnt take you for $2500 as the min max excess.

    https://www.carnextdoor.com.au/borrower-rates-and-plans

    Note you are on the hook for owner inconvenience while the car is is off the road which can be about $100 a day for an suv.

    Typically one panel repair is about $1200

    • Oz8argain on 23/10/2017 - 12:25

      yep, probably compensation for lost profit! Too bad you had to leave, should have just extended the rental and fixed it.

  • Ughhh on 22/10/2017 - 23:50
    +1

    Read the contract you agreed to, many rental cars require you to pay the excess whether you are at fault or not. $1800 for excess is cheap, assuming you didn't take their rental reduction plans.

  • Randxyz123 on 23/10/2017 - 00:15
    +5

    We gave back the car and researched online finding that replacement of the whole thing would be under $500 easily.

    Sorry but I don't see how you could possibly find out the cost of repairs from "research" More often than not there is damage on the underside of the bumper

    Today we heard back from Carnextdoor and they've given us a quote of an exuberant $1800 worth of repair which is way tooo much.

    How do you know? Have you got a break down of the costs?

    It sucks that people are arseholes and don't leave a note but unfortunately it's on you to sort it out $1800 for a front bumper sounds cheap to me… Not to mention car next door is borrowing people's actual cars. So you're inconveniencing that person having to go and get their car fixed.

    • ProBoDoBo on 23/10/2017 - 01:52

      I do have a breakdown of around 725 for labour 840 for parts and tax. There is a proper breakdown of costs.

      • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 02:58

        I'm no mathematician but that equals $1565, not $1800…

        • NuclearWessels on 23/10/2017 - 07:04

          GST + OP rounding up?

        • ProBoDoBo on 23/10/2017 - 07:45

          Tax is separate to that.

        • boomramada on 23/10/2017 - 09:30

          Not legal to quoting without GST to general public (non trade).

        • Randxyz123 on 23/10/2017 - 09:37

          @ProBoDoBo:

          I do have a breakdown of around 725 for labour 840 for parts and tax

          Check the bill again. Is GST included in the $1565?

        • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 10:15

          @ProBoDoBo:

          I do have a breakdown of around 725 for labour 840 for parts and tax.

          So this should be:

          I do have a breakdown of around 725 for labour, 840 for parts, and tax. 

        • ProBoDoBo on 23/10/2017 - 10:15

          @knick007:
          GST is 158.77 taking the total to about 1746. GST has been applied on Subtotal

  • R-Man on 23/10/2017 - 00:57

    Sorry about your situation but next time always make the liability reduction payments for any rented car. I see you could have limited your loss to approx $572 in this instance.

    I don't know a lot about car repair but know a bumper can cost more than $1000.

  • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 01:23
    +2

    We complained that we did not damage the car etc.

    Doesn't mean anything since you have no proof.

    What should I do? I am just a student!!

    Work out a payment plan and next time use public transport, Melbourne is pretty good for it :)

  • ProBoDoBo on 23/10/2017 - 01:55
    -4

    Is it possible to request the owner to claim the damages from the insurance and if the insurance company doesn't cover the complete cost we can pay for the rest?

    Also, is it possible if we can get cheaper quotes from another car repairer and ask them to use that?

    Also, if we can request Carnextdoor that instead of paying them, if they can just give us the car and we'll return it to them in the initial condition? (by getting it repaired for cheaper)

    • spackbace on 23/10/2017 - 02:56
      +5

      Is it possible to request the owner to claim the damages from the insurance

      Their premium will increase. Why would they claim for an accident that was done while you were in possession of the car?

      Also, is it possible if we can get cheaper quotes from another car repairer and ask them to use that?

      Ask CarNextDoor. Or read their terms which you agreed to.

      Also, if we can request Carnextdoor that instead of paying them, if they can just give us the car and we'll return it to them in the initial condition? (by getting it repaired for cheaper)

      Seriously, you think the owner would be OK with that? Just let you have their car in your possession, transport it around, and use some shit repairer to fix their car?!

    • Randxyz123 on 23/10/2017 - 09:01

      Is it possible to request the owner to claim the damages from the insurance and if the insurance company doesn't cover the complete cost we can pay for the rest?

      What are you suggesting here? That paragraph makes no sense…

      Also, is it possible if we can get cheaper quotes from another car repairer and ask them to use that?

      I doubt it. Besides it’ll have already been repaired

      Also, if we can request Carnextdoor that instead of paying them, if they can just give us the car and we'll return it to them in the initial condition? (by getting it repaired for cheaper)

      Don’t you live in Sydney ? How do you propose to get it repaired cheaper? I always find it interesting when people claim “the repairs are $xx but that’s way too much” I’d say that would be a solid no as well..

      May I ask why you didn’t take out extra insurance? The website is very clear that you pay the first $2000 but you could’ve reduced that to $500 for an extra $72 or so.

      The only thing you can do is pay the bill and move on.

  • chumlee on 23/10/2017 - 07:32
    +1

    OP if you have an itemised quote take it to a couple of panel beaters and ask how much they would charge and if the work seems consistent with the damage. If you get quoted less then negotiate it down.

  • pao2x on 23/10/2017 - 09:25

    You're not only paying the cost of repair, you're paying lost business and someone to handle the repair. It does not matter who caused it as it was rented to you and you have a rental agreement. The only way out of this is organizing a repair yourself but expect to pay more on top of doing that

  • tunzafun001 on 23/10/2017 - 10:57
    +1

    Possibly Helpful….The only discount you may get is in reading the T&Cs. I use Hertz and they classify payable damage as 'anywhere above the first crease line of the bumper". So if half the damage is below this line you may argue that only 50% is payable etc.

    If its below the number plate, where typically the bumper crease starts you may not need to pay a thing. Again, this is for Hertz, you will need to check this companies T&C's.

    Also, are there any CCTV camera's either side of where you parked? Normally the scuff will leave the paint colour residue of the offending vehicle. Ideally an overview of all cars parked would help narrow it down, but sound like you are out of luck with that.

  • Findo on 23/10/2017 - 11:19

    Wow OP, just…wow. Pay the damn thing, you got lucky already.

  • tightarse on 23/10/2017 - 11:26
    +1

    Hi ProBoDoBo. Some credit cards have car rental insurance included free of charge (with perhaps a small $100 or $200 excess). Not entirely sure however if CARnextdoor would be covered under any of their policies, but thought I'd throw this info in the mix, just in case. Good luck :)

    • Qkumber on 23/10/2017 - 12:35

      ANZ premium cards do for domestic car hire. Comm bank premium cards only have it for overseas car hire. If you paid with CC check with your provider.

  • CheapskateQueen on 23/10/2017 - 22:38

    Car hire insurance is such a scam. ..until you damage =/

    I usually get travel insurance with car insurance included to cover me for car hire, even domestically

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