Advice needed : Discount Car rental company charging me with $ 1250
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Posted on: 25-01-12 12:22:27
TK, if you can help the guy otherwise don't get insulted!
Well think about it this way , in india this would have been a loss u would have to write off..
Here the legal system is strong enough that it will be very hard for Discount to win, I am 100% confident the Credit card will disallow the charges..
Discount can send it for collections.. but u can take that up in small claims court.
These things take time to resolve so best to concentrate on ur studies, rather than focus on things u have no control over.
Quote:
Originally posted by vivek901
Thanks dudeswhereismycar,
Yes I have taken those steps already, I called up the bank immediately and I have already disputed the transaction. I have sent the bank the necessary documents supporting no charges against me which the court had sent me through letter. The bank has already started the dispute process and is going to talk with the merchant bank. Also I sent an email asking Discount on why I should be charged and I asked them documents which say that I am at fault. To this they replied saying that since "IT WAS MY FAULT" the Collision damage waiver does not cover towing charges if "IT IS AT FAULT" accident and regarding proof they have told that they have requested the accident report from the police which they would be getting soon (which means they don't have anything now) and if the accident report is the same as which I got, then it does not mention anything. Also since I am a Queen's University Student, I met the same lawyer from my university who was fighting my case for the charges which I got and even he would be reviewing this to see how this can be fought as well.
But the only thing I am disappointed about is I am a student and quite busy with my studies and job search since I am about to finish my MBA program. These kind of incidents really lower my morale especially when I am all alone here. It really lowers the drive and the ambition to succeed when I have to spend time on such activities
Quote:
Originally posted by bhootnath
Vivek,
Again insurance guidelines are different and they may review it but chances of outcome is less...anyhow as suggested, did you call the credit card company? Also CAA and definitely ask for the copy of the bill for the Towing charges. Do not loose any of the documents such as copy of insurance, contract, bill etc...
One thing I could not understand is how can be towing charges amount to $1,250. There should be something else in it. Are they claiming for loss of revenue during days of repair and car could not be rented?
Quote:
Originally posted by vivek901
No I took CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) from them with zero liability, other wise the car damage was so much that the car was sold. But I am being charged for towing and the reason they are giving is I am at "FAULT" for the accident. But isn't it the court which has to prove that I am at fault. The court has already dismissed the charges against me. How can the car company say that I am at fault?. The below is the email conversation between me and car company which I am attaching. Please look at the sentence in the reply from him where he again says I am at fault. How am I supposed to be on fault if I am not at fault with no charges/ convictions against me. He doesn't have any records for it.
I am writing in reference to the rental agreement number. I have been charged with $ 1250 as a towing charge for the accident which took place on 13th November 2011 around 10:40 PM. The reason for that is being told that the accident was due to my fault.
This is what I have been telling from Day 1 to the police as well as the court when I went ahead for trial. The weather was extremely bad with poor visibility. The truck was travelling in the right lane at much greater speed and the road was winding due to which the truck rubbed the car from right. Had it been my fault, I would have got crushed. I am a safe driver and there was no injury as well. When I requested for trial, this is what I mentioned. But the prosecution had no evidence for it and the charges were dropped. I would have not gone for trial if it was not my fault.
Even after the accident occurred, I called up the accident reporting centre to tell them about the accident. You would be having the same recorded call as well. When I called them they told that they just report accidents and they have not much idea about what is to be done with the vehicle. I tried to call discount and they were closed. I called the accident reporting centre and I spoke to them again and they again told that I have to call “Discount “for this. I called road side assistance which was closed again. So in this situation I was helpless and I could not leave the car simply that way so I did the best possible thing. I called up the claims centre again and they told that I could use any towing to get it towed and that would be covered by insurance. Since Discount was closed I even don’t know where the nearest Discount location is.
I am a student having no income and currently doing my studies at Queen's University. The amount which you have deducted is equal to my 3 months rent. I have no money to pay this and that too for no fault of mine. I am sure you can consider this on case to case basis and refund my money back since this accident was not due to my fault. Please be considerate and kind and please understand my situation as well.
Reply from him
Dear Mr.,
I do understand your situation but we have guide lines in Discount that we have to follow. The CDW doesn't cover towing/storage if the renter is at fault for the accident. I have requested a copy of the police report, once I receive the copy I will review it and will advise you about the situation.
Thank you very much for your patience and will be in touch...
Regards,
Quote:
Originally posted by skal
looks like you only took third party insurance ie if you hit somebody's car , insurance company will pay only opposite party car damages.
Car rental companies like many others try to take money from us in such situations and hide behind a so-called system which is open to interpretations.
9/10 don't argue or question them and pay. You are definitely the one trying to question it. I had a situation with Hertz 2 years back and after 4 months I got my charges reversed and my legal bill paid by them. Yes - It takes away some of our valuable time but do you want to trade that with money ? Choice is up to you..
One of the techniques all these guys try is to stretch the process , drain you out and eventually you will agree to pay just to end this headache.. Don't fall for that..
Hire a Paralegal , go to the small claims court and include a clause that if you win the other party should pay the legal cost. Let the paralegal do the work an take this route only when the other party rejects your claim outright ..
Good Luck
Quote:
Originally posted by tamilkuravan
Well. Then welcome to Canada !
Peace
That explains how you have the highest number of post, it's 'cause you respond to every single post.
I'll just echo what bhootnath & comp said ....
As for the op, this is part of life, concentrate on your studies, once you get your MBA, you'll probably earn that money back in a day
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that you give up the fight with Discount
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SS
Reiki Grand Master
Quote:
Originally posted by Desi # 1
One thing I could not understand is how can be towing charges amount to $1,250. There should be something else in it. Are they claiming for loss of revenue during days of repair and car could not be rented?
I am guessing that a Fire Truck may have been called on site due to severity of accident, and if yes, then close to $1000 would be the charges for the same and the Car Rental company just called the total as towing charges. The OP should be able to get the break up of these costs from the Car Rental company which may clarify these high charges.
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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
I think you have already taken the right steps. I also had an issue - though not this severe - with discount. They wanted me to pay for a scratch on the rental car which they said I caused. The scratch itself was hardly visible and under the front number plate! Only they don't know how much it will cost, so they will take out $500 from my CC and reimburse the balance later. They were to get back in the next couple days as to when they will "fix" the paint. I said okay, trusting them. Over the next two weeks, 'the car is rented out' and they did not get a chance to fix it. I then demanded a deadline for the fix and they won't give one. Escalated to their regional office and head office, but no response even. I contacted RBC and discussed the issue. Did not 'dispute' the charge at the moment. One officer from the CC investigations team was assigned and nothing progressed for a week. Then my statement came with the charge and I talked to her asking to put a dispute to the charge as the service (fixing the paint) was not yet provided. Not sure what the RBC lady did, within a day the charge was reduced from 500 to 324 and that amt was reimbursed by RBC (as I had rented the car using RBC Visa and that has insurance protection for short term rentals).
Btw, the rental place was near my house and I happened to see the same car in the lot (which is by the road side) and the scratch was very much there - probably waiting for the next victim!
