Messy rental car accident situation with ford
11-01-2016, 09:21 PM
#52
Senior Member
"Insurance"
Contract was in your name. States that either you or your insurance are responsible for damage. You signed the contract. You are on the hook.
Since your mother's name is not on the contract, despite it being her "benefit" with her extended warranty, you rented the truck, so it's on you - not her. Had she rented the truck, and you drove it and totalled it, then it would be on her - either with you as an approved driver, or you as an unapproved driver.
This is a great example (bad circumstances, but great example) of why you don't just do things without understanding the financial and legal responsibilities that you are assuming. You owe the rental car company a truck, and you should expect them to take legal steps in that regard. You might want to seek legal counsel.
Contract was in your name. States that either you or your insurance are responsible for damage. You signed the contract. You are on the hook.
Since your mother's name is not on the contract, despite it being her "benefit" with her extended warranty, you rented the truck, so it's on you - not her. Had she rented the truck, and you drove it and totalled it, then it would be on her - either with you as an approved driver, or you as an unapproved driver.
This is a great example (bad circumstances, but great example) of why you don't just do things without understanding the financial and legal responsibilities that you are assuming. You owe the rental car company a truck, and you should expect them to take legal steps in that regard. You might want to seek legal counsel.
11-02-2016, 07:40 PM
#53
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^^Completely agree^^
Sucks you are in this situation, as it seems you were just trying to do your mom a favor.
Not trying to rub dirt on the wound, but you rented a car knowing you did not have your own car insurance. That should have been a giant red flag to you right there.
Only other thing I can think of is if your credit card has built in insurance. Some do, but they usually require the rental car be paid for with the credit card and you stated it was free. Just throwing out ideas...
Sucks you are in this situation, as it seems you were just trying to do your mom a favor.
Not trying to rub dirt on the wound, but you rented a car knowing you did not have your own car insurance. That should have been a giant red flag to you right there.
Only other thing I can think of is if your credit card has built in insurance. Some do, but they usually require the rental car be paid for with the credit card and you stated it was free. Just throwing out ideas...
11-02-2016, 07:42 PM
#54
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11-02-2016, 07:45 PM
#55
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You should spend your energy on finding legal counsel.
11-03-2016, 11:29 AM
#56
Sorry if this has been asked and answered...I read about 3 pages of this thread and then skipped to the end.
Was the "rental" actually through a rental company, or was this a loaner from the dealer? If its a actual rental company, I think your screwed. If it was a loaner, then the dealership probably has insurance to cover the car. I worked for a rental company located at a dealership for a few years and can clear up some of the mis-information I have read in this thread.
1. We always ask for DL and credit card, even if you are not being charged for the rental, exactly for these reasons. This caused a lot of issues as people are hesitant to put a CC down for what they perceive as a "loaner".
2. You are NOT required to have insurance to rent a vehicle, but if you decline the accident coverage, you are responsible for the cost of fixing/replacement.
3. The rental company is not connected to the DMV...we don't know if you are a good driver or not. That is part of the risk of running a rental company.
4. All large rental companies get massive discounts on vehicles. When I worked for the largest one in the country, they were buying 5% of everything GM produced and payed accordingly. A $30k truck might only cost them $15-20k. That is why they turn around and sell the vehicles on their lots with low miles. They can sell for the same price they bought them for. My point here is that if you have to pay for it, make sure you don't over pay.
5. Rental companies do not carry insurance on the vehicles. They are self insured. If you do purchase that insurance, you are buying it from that company and when you wreck the car, it gets paid for by that company. If you ever rent a very expensive vehicle (navigator, escalade, etc.) you will notice they do not push it at all so they are not liable for those damages. It's a gamble that usually pays off for the company, just like all insurance. They make a ton on it. Some smaller mom and pop shops might actually carry ins., but the big ones don't.
6. I can't recall if you said you had to give a CC, but if you did, contact them as many cover things like this. However, as you were not actually paying for the rental, they might not...
Was the "rental" actually through a rental company, or was this a loaner from the dealer? If its a actual rental company, I think your screwed. If it was a loaner, then the dealership probably has insurance to cover the car. I worked for a rental company located at a dealership for a few years and can clear up some of the mis-information I have read in this thread.
1. We always ask for DL and credit card, even if you are not being charged for the rental, exactly for these reasons. This caused a lot of issues as people are hesitant to put a CC down for what they perceive as a "loaner".
2. You are NOT required to have insurance to rent a vehicle, but if you decline the accident coverage, you are responsible for the cost of fixing/replacement.
3. The rental company is not connected to the DMV...we don't know if you are a good driver or not. That is part of the risk of running a rental company.
4. All large rental companies get massive discounts on vehicles. When I worked for the largest one in the country, they were buying 5% of everything GM produced and payed accordingly. A $30k truck might only cost them $15-20k. That is why they turn around and sell the vehicles on their lots with low miles. They can sell for the same price they bought them for. My point here is that if you have to pay for it, make sure you don't over pay.
5. Rental companies do not carry insurance on the vehicles. They are self insured. If you do purchase that insurance, you are buying it from that company and when you wreck the car, it gets paid for by that company. If you ever rent a very expensive vehicle (navigator, escalade, etc.) you will notice they do not push it at all so they are not liable for those damages. It's a gamble that usually pays off for the company, just like all insurance. They make a ton on it. Some smaller mom and pop shops might actually carry ins., but the big ones don't.
6. I can't recall if you said you had to give a CC, but if you did, contact them as many cover things like this. However, as you were not actually paying for the rental, they might not...
11-07-2016, 07:38 PM
#57
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Of course I have already acquired legal counsel, I haven't met with them yet though because it's not on the docket until December 16th. And this was a loaner from Ford not a rental company
11-07-2016, 07:39 PM
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Sorry if this has been asked and answered...I read about 3 pages of this thread and then skipped to the end.
Was the "rental" actually through a rental company, or was this a loaner from the dealer? If its a actual rental company, I think your screwed. If it was a loaner, then the dealership probably has insurance to cover the car. I worked for a rental company located at a dealership for a few years and can clear up some of the mis-information I have read in this thread.
1. We always ask for DL and credit card, even if you are not being charged for the rental, exactly for these reasons. This caused a lot of issues as people are hesitant to put a CC down for what they perceive as a "loaner".
2. You are NOT required to have insurance to rent a vehicle, but if you decline the accident coverage, you are responsible for the cost of fixing/replacement.
3. The rental company is not connected to the DMV...we don't know if you are a good driver or not. That is part of the risk of running a rental company.
4. All large rental companies get massive discounts on vehicles. When I worked for the largest one in the country, they were buying 5% of everything GM produced and payed accordingly. A $30k truck might only cost them $15-20k. That is why they turn around and sell the vehicles on their lots with low miles. They can sell for the same price they bought them for. My point here is that if you have to pay for it, make sure you don't over pay.
5. Rental companies do not carry insurance on the vehicles. They are self insured. If you do purchase that insurance, you are buying it from that company and when you wreck the car, it gets paid for by that company. If you ever rent a very expensive vehicle (navigator, escalade, etc.) you will notice they do not push it at all so they are not liable for those damages. It's a gamble that usually pays off for the company, just like all insurance. They make a ton on it. Some smaller mom and pop shops might actually carry ins., but the big ones don't.
6. I can't recall if you said you had to give a CC, but if you did, contact them as many cover things like this. However, as you were not actually paying for the rental, they might not...
Was the "rental" actually through a rental company, or was this a loaner from the dealer? If its a actual rental company, I think your screwed. If it was a loaner, then the dealership probably has insurance to cover the car. I worked for a rental company located at a dealership for a few years and can clear up some of the mis-information I have read in this thread.
1. We always ask for DL and credit card, even if you are not being charged for the rental, exactly for these reasons. This caused a lot of issues as people are hesitant to put a CC down for what they perceive as a "loaner".
2. You are NOT required to have insurance to rent a vehicle, but if you decline the accident coverage, you are responsible for the cost of fixing/replacement.
3. The rental company is not connected to the DMV...we don't know if you are a good driver or not. That is part of the risk of running a rental company.
4. All large rental companies get massive discounts on vehicles. When I worked for the largest one in the country, they were buying 5% of everything GM produced and payed accordingly. A $30k truck might only cost them $15-20k. That is why they turn around and sell the vehicles on their lots with low miles. They can sell for the same price they bought them for. My point here is that if you have to pay for it, make sure you don't over pay.
5. Rental companies do not carry insurance on the vehicles. They are self insured. If you do purchase that insurance, you are buying it from that company and when you wreck the car, it gets paid for by that company. If you ever rent a very expensive vehicle (navigator, escalade, etc.) you will notice they do not push it at all so they are not liable for those damages. It's a gamble that usually pays off for the company, just like all insurance. They make a ton on it. Some smaller mom and pop shops might actually carry ins., but the big ones don't.
6. I can't recall if you said you had to give a CC, but if you did, contact them as many cover things like this. However, as you were not actually paying for the rental, they might not...
11-07-2016, 09:10 PM
#59
Senior Member
If it was a loaner from the dealer then it might change the outcome. THEY have insurance for just these types of things and if they come after you saying you have to pay it is more than likely just a scare tactic because they don't want the dealership's insurance to have to pay. Buddy of mine test drove a bike then laid it down (a long story in itself). Short story is the dealer came after him to have his insurance pay, but when he lawyered up the dealer ended up having to use their insurance pay. It was exactly a case of "if the customer is dumb enough, or we can bully them into paying, then we don't have to". that the dealer was playing.
Still need a lawyer to help straighten it out.
Still need a lawyer to help straighten it out.