I rented a Hyundai for a few days and I got a windshield chip from a truck in front of me. When I returned the car they said that their insurance company would get in touch about it. I ended up getting a letter from what I would call a collection agency with a bill for 467.00 to replace the windshield. My first problem with this is that the windshield could have been repaired by a company such as Safelight. My second problem with this is that $467 to replace a windshield on a hyundai accent seems to be an outrageous price. I did not purchase the insurance that is offered by the rental car company as I do have full coverage insurance I do not however have glass coverage. But I am sure that the rental car company must have glass coverage on their policy or I would think that would be fiscally stupid on their part. Anyway, what would be the best way to fight what I believe is outrageous price to pay for what could have been a repair or even if replaced is a high amount to pay.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
You will have to pay. Whether or not the rental car company has insurance is not relevant. The price seems in line with windshield replacement costs. You still owe.
You say you have "full coverage". "Full coverage" although a misnomer these days, usually means Liability, collision and comprehensive. Comprehensive covers glass breakage. Are you sure that you don't have comprehensive? It would be uncommon for you not to have it since you have "full coverage"..
There's no way you can fight it. Rental companies, like insurance companies, are always going to go with the lowest cost option. They're not going to replace a windshield where a repair would have been acceptable. They wouldn't have it replaced for $467 if they could do it for $200. So, the bill you got is legitimate. They didn't inflate it just to stick it to you, or to make a profit. There are probably administration fees on there as well, which can raise the price considerably.Regardless of whether or not they have glass coverage, the renter is always going to be responsible for any damage.
If you have comprehensive coverage, it will cover glass even if it isn't full glass coverage. If your deductible is low enough, turn it in to your insurance company. If not, give the rental company a call, see if they will consider waiving the admin fee, and pay out of pocket.
You can't fight it, whether you consider it outrageous or not.
You say: "I did not purchase the insurance that is offered by the rental car company"
Well, there's your problem. If you had purchased their insurance and they were still charging you, then you could probably claim, but since you didn't, then you'll need to pay up.
Alternatively, you could have got it repaired before returning the car, then they would nevere have known and you would have just paid the cost direct to the repairer.
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RE: Rental car glass insurance?
The price sounds about right and is not an outrageous price so it your problem there. Now you can pay for it out of your pocket (and I bet they have their money from the credit card you used to get the car) or you can turn it over to your insurance company and see if they will pay for it.