A Dispute Dilemma: How to Win a Rental Car Dispute

A car rental dispute can ruin a vacation or business trip and cost you considerable money in extra fees and charges after the trip is over. Cautionary tales about rental car damage, the pros and cons of car rental insurance and the woes of many a traveler embroiled in a rental car dispute fill the Internet. Do your homework and prepare yourself well, and you have a better chance at winning your dispute.

Winning Rental Car Disputes

Whenever you rent a car, follow these steps to protect yourself from a rental car dispute:

1. Fill out the car condition sheet. Look over the entire car before you drive it off the lot. Write down every little ding, scratch, hole in the seat and other damage in the rental car. This will prevent the agency from trying to charge you later. Make sure the clerk signs the form as well.
2. Have your own insurance. Rental car insurance is expensive and a rip-off, unless you don’t have your own insurance. Call your car insurance broker and get a rental car insurance addition for the length of time you’ll be renting--it will save you headaches later.
3. Keep copies of all paperwork. Always have your own photocopies of all the paperwork when renting cars. If a dispute happens, do not send your copies, but make more and send those. Always keep a record of all correspondence with the rental car agency.
4. Pay with your credit card. Call your credit card company and get collision protection on your card; that way you have double coverage in case of problems. If a rental car dispute occurs, you'll have the credit card company behind you.
5. Take photos of everything. Take your own photos and video of the entire car before renting. Include close-ups and far away shots of the exterior and interior of the car. You don’t want to get charged for rental car damage you didn’t cause.
6. Talk to the manager. In the case of a dispute over rental car damage and car insurance claims, don't speak with a desk clerk. Escalate the problem to a manager immediately; it will save you frustration and time.
7. Watch out for lawsuit letters. If you receive a lawsuit letter during a rental car dispute, make copies of it and talk to a lawyer. Most likely it is only a form letter, but you’d better make sure.