Car Rental damage claim 7 months later

JC · 16 Dec 2019 at 22:08

We hired a vehicle in Canada back in May this year with one of the usual big hire firms. Roll forwards 7 months and the hire firm's claims department have contacted me to pursue a figure, the breakdown includes: cost of the part, labour, administration, loss of use.

The paperwork just sent to me indicates that they only undertook the repair in mid October.
- In general I'm unclear of their grounds to pursue after what seems a ridiculous amount of time
- Specifically I take issue with any administration fee and loss of use

For context:

The damage in question is a stone chip/crack on a front facing fog light
As much as I'd like to dispute my fault, I don't dispute the actual damage, and this was noted and signed on the return paperwork back in May
The rental agreement did not include collision/loss damage waiver, however I took out independent insurance cover online with one of the main options online
I did proactively contact the insurance company of this (and a separate claim for a flat tyre), and have something in writing that instructs me to file a separate claim later in the event I was charged

My options seem to be:
a) Pay the hire company in full, taking on the cost myself, and then contact the online insurer and hope they accept a claim after so much time (to make a claim they need a receipt showing the payment)

b) Push back on the hire company for some/all of this charge - any actual basis for this?

c) Try and get the hire company to contact the insurer directly - but thats could get messy as it doesn't really fit either of their 'process'

Any ideas?

Diagro · 16 Dec 2019 at 22:30

Ask them why it's taken over 6 months to rectify the problem..

AiiR · 16 Dec 2019 at 22:35

Did they not inspect it when you returned it? I'd tell them to jog on.

jpaul · 16 Dec 2019 at 22:56

Don't the hire company have a credit card security imprint from which they could charge the monies ?

ring the online insurer to confirm how they want you to proceed, can't see a major hire company would be doing anything outside the law/their T&C's.

maybe hire company just settle up this kind of damage at end of their ownership for vehicles, like those with PCP returns might do

Lopéz · 17 Dec 2019 at 00:08

JC said:
As much as I'd like to dispute my fault, I don't dispute the actual damage, and this was noted and signed on the return paperwork back in May

AiiR said:
Did they not inspect it when you returned it?

The OP states the damage was noted on return.

a1ex2001 · 17 Dec 2019 at 00:42

You have insurance for a reason but I’d give them a ring just to check they will accept the claim Which they should. I certainly wouldn’t waste time arguing over the amount/delay if the insurance is covering it, life is short.

JC · 17 Dec 2019 at 07:22

Thanks, I'll see how that approach goes for now.

DarrenM343 · 17 Dec 2019 at 10:23

AiiR said:
Did they not inspect it when you returned it? I'd tell them to jog on.

Agree with that. Regardless of what was noted when returning the vehicle, after this amount of time and from a stone chip out of their control this seems ridiculous. There's a chance someone else might have damaged it too and they haven't paid up and now trying to charge it to another customer.
Insurance will probably cover it but this seems scammy.

Resident · 17 Dec 2019 at 11:50

Surely there's some type of time limit for claims?

6+ months seems excessive and not reasonable.