hopingtotravel

OK, I was not even going to put this happening in my trip report because I didn't want to discourage people from driving.

For starters, we did not do anything wrong. This is not one of those 'backing up in narrow alley, knocked mirror off' stories.

We parked our car legally, fit nicely between the lines in a somewhat empty lot by the post office in Bayeux. After 40-50 minutes we came back to check on our parking time.

A Frenchman was standing by the car waving forms. He had apparently swung his rather ancient dilapidated Ford into the next spot and hit our bumper, hubcap and wheelwell fender.

He kept insisting we come with him to his insurance agent across the street. At first I thought it was a scam. I mean how convenient is that? At the time I didn't realize all Frenchmen are required to carry these forms with them.

So we went to the insurance office. No one in the office spoke a word of English. My French covers a lot of things--but not issues like this. I got her to call Europecar and get someone who spoke English.

Did I mention we booked through AutoEurope and the car rental was through Europecar?

The guy assured me we just needed to bring along the paperwork and someone would be there when we turned the car in. Of course no one was there. So I left all the info on the front seat.

This morning I decided to make sure they hadn't lost the paperwork and were sending in the claim. AutoEurope said our card was being billed $1100 euros for damages.

I called Europecar and got someone who spoke semi-passable English. It appears that their standard procedure is to bill the renter, then they are out of it. The third party insurer is responsible for reimbursing us.

Now, has this happened to anyone? Did you actually ever get reimbursed? Did you dispute the charges with your credit card company first? Did this do any good/or does the car rental company come after you?

AutoEurope told me third party claims can take months. Although the agent came across the street and looked at the car, I don't know what they actually wrote on those forms. After we left, I looked back and the Frenchman was trotting back to her office. Of course he may have been wondering how much his premium was going to jump.

I will write her, but hearing anything back in English could take weeks.

Any answers/similar experiences/suggestions here?

Curious

Had this happen before. Simply call your credit card company. They will send you the forms you need to fill out + copies of the estimate, etc. They will take care of it. Of course I'm assuming that you paid for the rental with your Visa or Master Card.

Curious

hopingtotravel

Thanks Curious. Yes we rented on a Visa that has the insurance coverage.

We have no copies of the estimate.

Are you saying that EuropeCar then reimbursed your credit card company?

I don't want to use the Visa benefit for something which was not our fault.

Anyone else?

JP

I was hit from behind (in England) while driving a Hertz car and using Visa for CDW coverage. I filed all of the required paperwork with Hertz, including the other party's insurance info. My card was billed for the repairs. I opened a case with Visa, but then Hertz credited my card when they received payment from the other party's insurance company.

LAwoman

<I don't want to use the Visa benefit for something which was not our fault.>

I don't know why not. This situation is exactly what the visa insurance benefit is designed for. If Visa (eg the insurance company that actually covers visa for this) thinks it wasn't your fault, they will go after the other driver. It's not like your rate will go up or anything, either.

hopingtotravel

Well, I just called and will file the claim through Visa. It's going to be a huge hassle because I'll have to call two different places in France where they don't speak English and get copies of stuff sent to me.

Europecar has already tried to put $1800 in charges on the credit card. The bank denied the charges as they would put the card over the limit.

Guess I can expect the gendarmes at my house next!

azzure

What happens if you are hit by someone who has no car insurance...or is this not possible in Europe?

Travelnut

I think NeoPatrick (or was it a Patrick?) posted about a badly damaged car, settling thru visa, etc...

Here are some posts like yours:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35020164

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34947723

hopingtotravel

I read both the threads. Keep in mind that in our case we had done absolutely nothing! It was an above-ground parking lot, only about half full when we parked. We were squarely and legally between the lines. I have no idea how this guy could have hit us. That's why at first i thought it was a scam--although can't see what he would gain by it. My DH said he probably was just going too fast.

yipper

Hi,
I am so sorry this happened to you. I have 2 friends who have gone through this. It took them almost a year to get it straightened out and meanwhile their credit card was charging interest. Since my friends' incidents we buy the insurance. I just want to be able to "walk away". Good luck.

Yipper

brotherleelove2004

Spend the extra money to buy the insurance offered to you at the time you pick up your car and let the insurance companies work it all out. It's worth the extra money to avoid such incredible hassles.

LEVENLINKS

IF YOU ARE RENTING A CAR FOR 17+ DAYS, THE BEST THING IS TO LEASE IT FROM PEUGEOT THROUGH AUTO EUROPE'S BUY-BACK PROGRAM. ALL INSURANCE IS INCLUDED AND COVERS 100% NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS WITH NO WORRY ABOUT LAWSUITS, ETC. SINCE THE CAR IS "BOUGHT" INSTEAD OF RENTED FOR THIS PERIOD, THERE IS NO TAX. THIS SAVES MONEY OVER THE PERIOD YOU HAVE THE CAR.

WE HAVE USED THIS PROGRAM FOR THREE TRIPS TO FRANCE AND ONE TO GERMANY SINCE WE LIKE TO SPEND A MONTH WHEN WE GO. SO FAR, EVERYTHING HAS RUN PERFECTLY SMOOTH WITH IT AND SAVED US MONEY OVER RENTING COMPARABLE CARS. AFTER HEARING SO MANY HORROR STORIES IN TRAVEL MAGAZINES, ETC., IT IS COMFORTING TO KNOW THERE WILL NEVER BE A PROBLEM WITH AN ACCIDENT.

Underhill

Hi, Hoping...

We had a mirror torn off our rental car when a driver came barreling down a narrow mountain road and just missed hitting the rest of the car. Hertz made us pay for the estimated damages (around $500). Diners Club took over after that, and when Hertz was unable to submit proof of the repair, that company had to reimburse us for what had been charged. The whole process took about 8 months.

hopingtotravel

Thanks, Underhill, most constructive advice so far.

jelane

We have rented from Avis for the past four years in Italy and France and we always take the insurance offered, and twice we have needed it...once parked car on street went into dinner and came out the whole side had been side swiped. It is just worth it to us, we turn it in, someone comes out and looks at it and we are on our way.....not taking insurance to cover you is being penny wise and dollar foolish....

hopingtotravel

We have progress. AutoEurope just e-mailed me copies of all the documents I was unsuccessful in obtaining from Europcar. They did say that sometimes these things go on for several months.

I read the other thread on the Hertz car rental tire fiasco. I wonder if Hertz is a better choice in the states, but not in Europe.

hopingtotravel

Closure I hope.

The dispute arm of my master card just credited us the charges back to our card. Oddly, they had originally told me we couldn't dispute. Hence we were making most progress through the insurance arm.

I intend to keep all paperwork just in case this reneges back on us somehow.

So, from May 14 to nearly Sep 14 -- got reimbursed $1600. You people were right when you said it takes awhile.

gracejoan3

When I have rented, I have always taken the CDW coverage. Even with that there is usually some exposure.

The very best way is per the one above(who posted in caps)on the lease program. I used Kemwl lease, but think they are now part of Auto Europe.

The shortest period of time is 17 days...but you can always turn it in early, If you are traveling for a shorter period.

When I have leased, I have checked, out of curiosity, the difference between leasing and renting (with CDW)and automatic..the lease has been cheaper! You get VIP treatment. Much better way to go..IMO!!

Hope you get it all straightened out. Not a fun thing.....

Michael

We scratched our car in Portugal, we paid for the estimated repairs and were eventually reimbursed by Visa (it took about two months). You may have to keep after the rental company to get a copy of the repair invoice.

cathies

Just a little aside - not hijacking the thread. We've rented cars in Europe twice now and each time have taken several digital photos of the car in the Europcar yard before we took possession of it and again when we returned it. The photos have the date on them, just in case.

What a hassle for you hopingtotravel!