A scratch in the paint, a dent in the roof or a damaged driver’s seat: Tyroleans are annoyed time and time again by claims from car rental companies, even though the vehicles have apparently been returned correctly.
The frustration is still great: Konrad Fuchs (name has been changed) received a hefty bill after returning the borrowed van. The Tyrolean has to pay almost 3,000 euros to car rental company Sixt for a dent on the roof of the van. But Fuchs claimed not to have caused the damage and defended himself. The original claim was reduced to the deductible of 900 euros. The 50-year-old will certainly take a closer look at his rental car in the future.
Dubious claim apparently not an isolated case
But he’s not the only one who feels ripped off by car rental companies. Several “Krone” readers may report similar stories of dubious claims. “The exact same thing happened to me three years ago,” says an academic. “The car rental company found damage that I did not cause.” Actually, the woman should have paid for the whole painting, but then they agreed – as in the case of Mr. Fuchs – to pay ‘as a gesture of goodwill’. the own risk.
An engineer from Lower Austria even received two invoices that he considered unjustified. “In one case I was accused of being responsible for a burn in the driver’s seat caused by a cigarette. But I’m a non-smoker,” the borrower shakes his head.
“Thorough check on every return of the vehicle”
At Sixt, it is emphasized that the vehicles are thoroughly checked for new damage with each return: “Each damage is then checked by two other independent departments.”
The three readers of “Krone” doubt whether this always happens. “They’re just trying to damage someone’s eye,” says the engineer from Lower Austria. Since his problems with Sixt, he always takes videos of the rental car himself – even from the inside!
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
