Be Careful Renting From Hertz!
 

Hertz has started using AI to scan cars when you leave the lot and when you return. Apparently the high resolution scanners are picking up damage that is not visible to the naked eye.

The AI can “detect 5X more damage than manual checks” and generate “6X higher total value of damage captured.”

If the AI detects “damage” you are charged an exorbitant amount including the damages and a processing fee that may be more than the damages.

In one case, a couple was
charged $195: $80 for the damage and $115 in fees, including those incurred “as a result of processing” the damage claim and the “cost to detect and estimate the damage” that occurred during the rental.

After reading this, I am very hesitant to rent from Hertz.

Has anyone had this happen to them?

Customers Are Outraged With Hertz AI Scanners They Say Automatically Charge For Questionable Damages - The Autopian

Hertz rental
 

Thank you for sharing this. We rented a car for a week in Colorado and a few days after turning it in. We got an email saying there was a chip on the window. They had a picture, but we were not sure if this was done on our trip. We are still awaiting resolution. We did purchase insurance on the car since it was a long rental. Motto is, maybe we all need to take pics of the car before and after.

We would avoid using Hertz for now with that information available. However, I think it's somewhat like the plague, it will keep spreading. Other car rental companies will soon be joining the parade.

If you had insurance, what is the problem? Shouldn't the rental company be dealing with them and not you?

Maybe the rental companies know they are using insurance and find many problems for the money.

Sounds like a money grab. Since the damage is discovered after the renter is gone, how many times do you suppose they charge for the same damage? The odds of someone getting a lawyer involved for a couple of hundred dollars is likely very low. Sounds to me like a money tree add on for Hertz. I would not use Hertz. Watch the insurance premiums for rental skyrocket. Roof damage anyone?

Are they still arresting customers?

Hertz will pay $168 million to customers it falsely accused of stealing its cars : NPR

Has that once, they charged for the time the car was out of service. Contact your insurance if not already.

Question for people with insurance expertise.

Would the damage be covered by your personal auto insurance? For example, if you had comprehensive and collision with no deductible, would your insurance company pay Hertz for the damages?

I don’t think they would. It appears to be normal wear and tear and I don’t believe insurance pays for that.

And if you lease from ford, they do not charge for “normal” wear and tear.

https://www.ford.com/finance/content...se_7.17.24.pdf

Maybe Hertz should use the “before” or “exiting” pictures to verify the vehicle’s overall cleanliness and preparation for rental. I’ve rented numerous vehicles from them over the years that were absolutely filthy.

I ALWAYS take a video walk around, supplemented by pictures as needed.
Picked up a car without a company person to walk around the car one time. Got the nice letter a few weeks later of several dents, wanting lots of money. I called them telling them I bet my video/pictures match their concerns. They thanked me and hung up, no further action.
I would not doubt this company tried to collect for damages on multiple renters for the same damage. Again and again. And this was from a “reputable” company.

before and after pictures would likely cut down on the nonsense!

We have been doing videos as well but luckily have never run into the issue. Perhaps due to not renting cars very often.

Always video’s inside/out, 90% of the time with employee presence that always includes name. Only once received a letter with window crack, sent video, problem went away. Most will not contact insurance because it’s a pain for rental company

No, it doesn't. Even if you have ironclad proof that the "damage" was on the car BEFORE you left the rental lot, it is impossible to talk to a real person to get this resolved. Hertz just charges your credit card and your bank is likely to side with Hertz since they show "proof" of damage. This IS A MONEY GRAB, adding hundreds to many rentals.

Solution is, NEVER rent from HERTZ, DOLLAR, FIREFLY or THRIFTY (all the same company) unless you don't mind being arrested and thrown in jail for a few days because they had your rental vehicle tagged as STOLEN when a passing cop ran the plate.

Take a closeup video of the entire car BEFORE you leave the lot, for all other brands too.

Hertz is headed for it's bankruptcy again with this behavior.

I had a problem with Avis last year; I got a notice in the mail of damage to the front right tire on the car I rented. The damage happened 11 months ago. Took them that long to see a flat tire? Luckily I found the right person in the Avis corporation to talk to. Hertz doesn't have a customer service department evidently.

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