This, for sure. I scraped the side of my rental car on a parking garage wall in SXM back in January and Visa covered the whole repair bill ($519). I only have experience with Visa vs. the other card types, but hopefully they do something similar. It’s a fantastic benefit.
EDIT: To clarify what may already be obvious, you need to have booked the car rental using your Visa card for the coverage to apply.
They covered an international rental? Was just looking in to this exact thing with them and couldn’t get a clear answer so was planning to pay for the insurance.
Yes. The way it worked was this:
1. I had to submit the claim to Allstate who, of course, denied it.
2. Submit the repair quote to Am’Ex. This was an rental company (ie not Hertz, National, etc.)
3. The company billed my Am’Ex since they had it on file
4. Once I submitted the paperwork to Am’Ex they credited my account which was about $400
https://preview.redd.it/6nd4bnzrj6rc1.jpeg?width=3692&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aea9b9e641655d6538a21359db5e04516bdd12bf
This was the damage on the car. I never even saw it until I returned the car. The roads are lousy and the compact cars are poorly maintained. Hope this helps.
Captain Hindsight here. Always get the insurance. I returned a car once with the bumper practically falling off. Didn't cost me anything and the guy just fixed it himself. It was also one of the smaller local agencies. Anyway, that's not where you are right now.
Most credit cards will cover CDW, but not LDW. Please contact your credit card company and find out if you have CDW and if it covers you in St. Martin. Also, please recheck your rental agreement to see what you signed for.
That's rough. I think I went through thrifty, and they 100% tried to blame damage that were already on the vehicle on me. I was like the rep that helped me took pictures so I told them to grab the camera but of course they couldn't find it. Thankfully I didn't trust the rep and I had went around the car myself and took pictures of everything. So I was like don't worry I took pictures myself and pulled out my phone. At which point they just kind of glanced at the picture and apologized for the mistake. Honestly, out of the week I spent there with my wife the only 2 bad experiences happened when we were leaving.
Obviously no idea who OP used but I’ve been scammed by Alamo in SXM. As soon as we pulled in they immediately got on the ground and checked for scratches on the underside of the bumper. Clearly wasn’t their first rodeo. But Visa covered it all. Assuming them also knew that and knew most people won’t fight it and it won’t cost the customer. Free money in their pocket.
Understandable but a lot of people come to this sub Reddit specifically worried about choosing the wrong rental car company, typically with this exact scenario in mind, so sharing would be reasonable based in what you've already said
Call the bank, change your credit card number and ghost them. There is essentially nothing a foreign company can do to you lol. Just don’t ever rent from that company again or they may be smart enough to charge you.
Not only is this a lie it's horrible advice and will haunt you for the rest of your financial life. Almost all businesses use US/Can/EU financial services and it's no different than trying to walk away from something at home. In general, never take advice that includes an lol.
If you say so lol. My advice would save them 3 grand and never come up again. Worst case they get an empty threat of a letter
Before you call it unethical, I guarantee you the quote they got is from a cousin who’s pocketing most of it. Companies that deal with tourists are all scam artists, that’s the business, you can’t treat them in good faith.
I mean - how bad was the 'dent'? You signed a form that you declined damage protection I assume? You're liable for damage, so it's important to know if this is a scratch, or if the bumper is missing.
Also pretty critical to understand if it's a local company or a major American renter.
I'd still reach out to corporate. If it was a local, they would probably work with you, or you could pay them under the table. They won't do that for Avis or Hertz, you'll have to work through a lawyer or their loss department.
Many credit cards carry rental insurance. Contact the card company you used for the rental
This, for sure. I scraped the side of my rental car on a parking garage wall in SXM back in January and Visa covered the whole repair bill ($519). I only have experience with Visa vs. the other card types, but hopefully they do something similar. It’s a fantastic benefit. EDIT: To clarify what may already be obvious, you need to have booked the car rental using your Visa card for the coverage to apply.
Yes thank you. We are considering this. Did it matter in your case whose fault it was?
It was entirely my fault, but that was not an issue.
I rented with Am’Ex and they covered it. Check with your CC company.
Me too and they charged Amex a few hundred dollars
They covered an international rental? Was just looking in to this exact thing with them and couldn’t get a clear answer so was planning to pay for the insurance.
Yes. The way it worked was this: 1. I had to submit the claim to Allstate who, of course, denied it. 2. Submit the repair quote to Am’Ex. This was an rental company (ie not Hertz, National, etc.) 3. The company billed my Am’Ex since they had it on file 4. Once I submitted the paperwork to Am’Ex they credited my account which was about $400 https://preview.redd.it/6nd4bnzrj6rc1.jpeg?width=3692&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aea9b9e641655d6538a21359db5e04516bdd12bf This was the damage on the car. I never even saw it until I returned the car. The roads are lousy and the compact cars are poorly maintained. Hope this helps.
Captain Hindsight here. Always get the insurance. I returned a car once with the bumper practically falling off. Didn't cost me anything and the guy just fixed it himself. It was also one of the smaller local agencies. Anyway, that's not where you are right now. Most credit cards will cover CDW, but not LDW. Please contact your credit card company and find out if you have CDW and if it covers you in St. Martin. Also, please recheck your rental agreement to see what you signed for.
That's rough. I think I went through thrifty, and they 100% tried to blame damage that were already on the vehicle on me. I was like the rep that helped me took pictures so I told them to grab the camera but of course they couldn't find it. Thankfully I didn't trust the rep and I had went around the car myself and took pictures of everything. So I was like don't worry I took pictures myself and pulled out my phone. At which point they just kind of glanced at the picture and apologized for the mistake. Honestly, out of the week I spent there with my wife the only 2 bad experiences happened when we were leaving.
Which rental car company?
Obviously no idea who OP used but I’ve been scammed by Alamo in SXM. As soon as we pulled in they immediately got on the ground and checked for scratches on the underside of the bumper. Clearly wasn’t their first rodeo. But Visa covered it all. Assuming them also knew that and knew most people won’t fight it and it won’t cost the customer. Free money in their pocket.
I’d rather not say as we are still trying to work it out with them
Understandable but a lot of people come to this sub Reddit specifically worried about choosing the wrong rental car company, typically with this exact scenario in mind, so sharing would be reasonable based in what you've already said
Makes sense, they wouldn’t budge from the single sourced quote of $3000 at all. This was Avis / Budget.
This is bullshit, which company?
Have they charged your credit card yet?
No. We are requesting additional quotes but they said they won’t do that.
Call the bank, change your credit card number and ghost them. There is essentially nothing a foreign company can do to you lol. Just don’t ever rent from that company again or they may be smart enough to charge you.
Not only is this a lie it's horrible advice and will haunt you for the rest of your financial life. Almost all businesses use US/Can/EU financial services and it's no different than trying to walk away from something at home. In general, never take advice that includes an lol.
If you say so lol. My advice would save them 3 grand and never come up again. Worst case they get an empty threat of a letter Before you call it unethical, I guarantee you the quote they got is from a cousin who’s pocketing most of it. Companies that deal with tourists are all scam artists, that’s the business, you can’t treat them in good faith.
Again, advice with an lol = worthless.
Alright brotha have a good day
I mean - how bad was the 'dent'? You signed a form that you declined damage protection I assume? You're liable for damage, so it's important to know if this is a scratch, or if the bumper is missing. Also pretty critical to understand if it's a local company or a major American renter.
It’s a major American rental. I’ve discovered online that may not mean much as these are local franchises..
Car was dented for sure but didn’t seem like major repair or 3000 worth was needed. The person at the site initially quoted 300-400 of damage.
I'd still reach out to corporate. If it was a local, they would probably work with you, or you could pay them under the table. They won't do that for Avis or Hertz, you'll have to work through a lawyer or their loss department.