Enterprise Claims Vehicle Damage/Sends Us Bill.

[Propflux01]

The wife rented a car in Washington state from enterprise back in October. A Toyota Corolla. She had the car a few days when it suddenly went into limp mode. She drove to residence and called enterprise. Tow truck guy comes with a replacement, and takes the vehicle away. She signs no papers or anything for this. The next day she gets a call from enterprise trying to make arrangements to pick up the car. She tells them you guys already picked it up and dropped off a replacement at 0200 that morning. Fast forward to today. She gets a letter from enterprise claiming she is responsible for replacement of oil pan. Enclosed with the letter is one picture of a heavily dented pan. Bill is for $500. Claims two check engine codes, no oil on dipstick, hole in pan. Engine making noise. They epoxied hole in pan, filled with oil, cleared codes, reset engine parameters, ops check good, so they changed pan and pickup tube. She says she hit nothing, said she noticed engine was kind of loud, but no lights so nothing thought about it. Just stated she was driving along , was about 110 miles from Seattle where the car was rented, and suddenly the check engine light came in, and went into limp mode. (She says it slowed to and would go no faster than 25mph). We’ve never experienced anything like this and not sure how to go forward, she called enterprises and they basically told her if she didnt pay up, see you in small claims. I just find it a bit strange that they find this stuff, and assume she wrecked it somehow. We have no control over what happens to this vehicle once it got towed, or if this was damaged before she even got in it.
I’m aware most new cars have that big plastic shield underneath (it’s a 2025), and nothing was mentioned that it was damaged in any way as I would assume that a smashed in oil pan would also have a smashed up under-cover. Has anyone had anything like this happen, and how was it handled?

 

[GON]

The wife rented a car in Washington state from enterprise back in October. A Toyota Corolla. She had the car a few days when it suddenly went into limp mode. She drove to residence and called enterprise. Tow truck guy comes with a replacement, and takes the vehicle away. She signs no papers or anything for this. The next day she gets a call from enterprise trying to make arrangements to pick up the car. She tells them you guys already picked it up and dropped off a replacement at 0200 that morning. Fast forward to today. She gets a letter from enterprise claiming she is responsible for replacement of oil pan. Enclosed with the letter is one picture of a heavily dented pan. Bill is for $500. Claims two check engine codes, no oil on dipstick, hole in pan. Engine making noise. They epoxied hole in pan, filled with oil, cleared codes, reset engine parameters, ops check good, so they changed pan and pickup tube. She says she hit nothing, said she noticed engine was kind of loud, but no lights so nothing thought about it. Just stated she was driving along , was about 110 miles from Seattle where the car was rented, and suddenly the check engine light came in, and went into limp mode. (She says it slowed to and would go no faster than 25mph). We’ve never experienced anything like this and not sure how to go forward, she called enterprises and they basically told her if she didnt pay up, see you in small claims. I just find it a bit strange that they find this stuff, and assume she wrecked it somehow. We have no control over what happens to this vehicle once it got towed, or if this was damaged before she even got in it.
I’m aware most new cars have that big plastic shield underneath (it’s a 2025), and nothing was mentioned that it was damaged in any way as I would assume that a smashed in oil pan would also have a smashed up under-cover. Has anyone had anything like this happen, and how was it handled?

Sorry that happened to your Wife. Damaged may have occurred before your wife signed for the rental, but issue showed up during her rental.

As someone who rents a lot of cars, my experience, which I hate to recommend, is to pay the bill. it is a cost of doing business with a rental car company.

You might win the battle, but lose the war. Impacted credit score, judgement on your permanent record, and ban from some rental car companies. I have paid numerous erroneous bills to car rental companies, as I don't have many better options. I need them--- they don't need me.

 

[rijndael]

I’d get a lawyer before I paid the bill. I’m aware that it will cost more in the end.

 

[RooflessVW]

I'd ignore it.

 

[opus1]

It may be worth talking to your insurance company to see if they will cover the rental car. Of course, you'll probably get dinged there for a claim.

Other option, check if the credit card used has rental car coverage. Not sure if any of the issuers do that anymore but it can't hurt to ask them.

 

[Zee09]

In the old days your credit card would pay up. Many have quit but check. I saved my buddy $4400 one time as his credit card gave rental insurance

 

[oldcodger]

I say just pay it and learn a lesson. You have no way to prove that she did not cause the damage and that the tow company did it. Like others say check with your lawyer, and the insurance and credit card companies for some relief but don't count on it. I have seen many people take pictures of a rental car before they get in it but never heard of documenting the underside.

 

[Zee09]

It may be worth talking to your insurance company to see if they will cover the rental car. Of course, you'll probably get dinged there for a claim.

Other option, check if the credit card used has rental car coverage. Not sure if any of the issuers do that anymore but it can't hurt to ask them.

Sorry didn't see your post at the bottom. I have 2 cards that still provide free rental coverage

 

[slo town]

I always take out the rental car insurance that Enterprise offers. It’s costs more but if the thing blows up and burns to the ground it’s their problem, not mine.

Scott

 

[CleverUserName]

I always take out the rental car insurance that Enterprise offers. It’s costs more but if the thing blows up and burns to the ground it’s their problem, not mine.

Scott

Me too! Whatever happens to the car, not my problem.

 

[Jay73]

One time long time ago my truck broke down in Kentucky and I stuck around Kentucky motel thinking they fix it soon but no resolution pushing close to Thanksgiving so I grabbed a pick-up truck rental and drove back to Chicago. When truck was fixed I drove pick-up back down and the guy is inspecting it at turn in saying few scratches but luckily you purchased the insurance so no fee and immediately I'm like yeah good luck with that as I basically drove the pickup non stop to our massive Chicago warehouse parked it in the corner and nobody touched it till I drove it back down to them to pick up my bigger International truck I believe it was. So they appeared to be making up scratches to justify the extra insurance purchase we made but company paid it so I didn't care.

If it was the check engine light I wouldn't be mad at her but if it was the oil light then I would as I train all my women to shut it down if oil light. Getting a receipt and snapping a few pics probably not a bad idea either if a tow truck taking a car from ya just in case they do body damage to it. I'm shocked the bill is only $500 but at the same time if it's only $500 suck it up Enterprise and don't even send a bill as that's chump change for a large company.

 

[dishdude]

I'd ignore it.

They'll send it to collections.

 

[daves87rs]

Surprised they didn’t just charge your card….

 

[dishdude]

If you have an Amex, enroll in this coverage and always use the Amex to rent the car. $19.99 per rental (not per day). They paid a $2k claim for me a couple years ago after a stone cracked the windshield on a BMW I had rented.

https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/insurance/premium-car-rental-protection/

 

[doitmyself]

Tow truck guy comes with a replacement, and takes the vehicle away. She signs no papers or anything for this. The next day she gets a call from enterprise trying to make arrangements to pick up the car. She tells them you guys already picked it up and dropped off a replacement at 0200 that morning. Fast forward to today. She gets a letter from enterprise claiming she is responsible for replacement of oil pan.

I would call Enterprise and request their dispute form. Fill it out. At least try.

The fact that they called the next day AFTER they already picked it up indicates they have no idea where the car was for a day. Ask them to prove that you damaged it vs. the tow company that had it for a day without Enterprise knowing about it. This is the crack in their evidence.

Keep records of everything. Do you have a record of the phone call from Enterprise? Can you request the record from the tow company that shows when it was picked up?

Ask for proof and evidence before you cave. Be assertive, don't be nice, but be in charge. Make it difficult for them and maybe they will back off.

 

[dishdude]

I say just pay it and learn a lesson.

I agree, for $500 it's not worth it. Surprised they didn't tack on loss of use and administrative charges.

 

[opus1]

I always take out the rental car insurance that Enterprise offers. It’s costs more but if the thing blows up and burns to the ground it’s their problem, not mine.

Scott

That statement reminded me of this.

I now return you to the regular thread, already in progress.

 

[slo town]

That statement reminded me of this.

I now return you to the regular thread, already in progress.

I can honestly say I treat rental cars with respect. I won’t even put cheap gas in a rental.

Scott

 

[SC Maintenance]

Me too! Whatever happens to the car, not my problem.

Yes me three. I didn't use to, but they have all become crooks. Its the rental car mafioso shakedown LDW fee.

$500 sounds cheap actually. Yes you didn't do it likely but happened when you were driving so . Unlikely you would win in court either - he said / she said?

 

[dishdude]

Yes you didn't do it likely but happened when you were driving so . Unlikely you would win in court either - he said / she said?

It was driven at least 110 miles from the pick up location and the replacement car was delivered at 2 in the morning?