This Arizona woman went to visit her sick 88-year-old grandma in Pennsylvania — then got hit with a $1,300 bill from a car rental company for ‘sustained damages.’ Here’s what happened after

Challenging a rental car damage charge

Brown says she barely drove the car when she flew up to visit her grandmother, other than doing some sightseeing with her son.

She told the company she would not pay the $1,371.13. She heard nothing back for three months, and then the company repeated its claim. At that point, Brown reached out to On Your Side for help.

Investigative reporter Gary Harper contacted Sixt Rent-a-Car about the dispute, and the company immediately dropped the claim.

“I thought this was going to be a long huge battle and it wouldn’t go away and could possibly affect my credit,” Brown says. “I’m so relieved.”

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How to avoid rental car damage disputes

While Brown was able to settle her rental car dispute with help, there are steps you can take to avoid such disputes altogether.

First, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable rental company. Look up reviews of the company before you use them. Depending on the feedback, you may be wise to avoid a poorly rated company, even if it means going with a more reputable company that charges a bit more.

In fact, while Brown was dealing with her dispute, she discovered numerous online complaints from former Sixt rental clients who had similar experiences with supposed damage charges.

While all rental car companies should inspect their vehicles before their next customer drives away, sometimes staff miss things.

• Before you drive off with your rental, ensure you inspect it with a staff member.
• Point out any scratches or other issues as you inspect the car together.
• Take pictures or videos of the car so you have a record of its condition (including pre-existing damage).
• Read your rental agreement carefully regarding your rights and obligations.
• When returning the car, speak with staff to see what else you need to do before handing the keys over, and confirm you’re on the same page about the condition of the car before you drove it.

In the unfortunate event you do end up in a dispute like Brown, communicate with the rental car company in a timely manner. Back up your case with your photos and videos.