ERAC-Excessive Damage Charges

I was in an accident and had to rent a car from Enterprise (I filed a claim through the other person's insurance since he was at fault). I had the car for over a month and when it was returned there was a scratch on the car. It must have been a small scratch because both myself and my husband never saw it. The ERAC employee pointed it out to my husband when he returned the car and told him to go inside and pay $100. My husband refused and left, thinking the insurance would cover it. Needless to say we received a bill in the mail from ERAC for $600. $500 to repair the scratch and $100 in administrative fees. Now, I admit I am responsible for the damages done to the car but what I am upset about is the excessive charge. I also think it's a little too convenient that the damage is exactly $500 (everyone's deductible). And after reading some of the threads here, it seems like they do a blanket charge of $500 for any damage because they know if they charge more insurance companies will have to be involved. Do I have any other options? Or am I at their mercy?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I was in an accident and had to rent a car from Enterprise (I filed a claim through the other person's insurance since he was at fault). I had the car for over a month and when it was returned there was a scratch on the car. It must have been a small scratch because both myself and my husband never saw it. The ERAC employee pointed it out to my husband when he returned the car and told him to go inside and pay $100. My husband refused and left, thinking the insurance would cover it. Needless to say we received a bill in the mail from ERAC for $600. $500 to repair the scratch and $100 in administrative fees. Now, I admit I am responsible for the damages done to the car but what I am upset about is the excessive charge. I also think it's a little too convenient that the damage is exactly $500 (everyone's deductible). And after reading some of the threads here, it seems like they do a blanket charge of $500 for any damage because they know if they charge more insurance companies will have to be involved. Do I have any other options? Or am I at their mercy?

They probably filed a claim through your insurance company and that is the decuctible. Better let your husband deal with it sweetie.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

They probably filed a claim through your insurance company and that is the decuctible. Better let your husband deal with it sweetie.

They couldn't have filed a claim w/my insurance as they don't have my info. ERAC told me I would need to file a claim myself. I will let my husband deal with them (sorry ERAC, he can be quite petulant). Thanks for the reply.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

They couldn't have filed a claim w/my insurance as they don't have my info. ERAC told me I would need to file a claim myself. I will let my husband deal with them (sorry ERAC, he can be quite petulant). Thanks for the reply.

what does petulant mean?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what does petulant mean?

He's easily irritated and rude in speech.

I wouldn't worry about it. ERAC will hound you for a month or so and then let it go. If it is a small scratch then they won't repair it anyway because it is their policy that scratches and dents smaller than a quarter are considered deletable damage. This means that they can sell the vehicle with that damage and it won't affect the value. ERAC is just trying to scam you like they do everyone else. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I wouldn't worry about it. ERAC will hound you for a month or so and then let it go. If it is a small scratch then they won't repair it anyway because it is their policy that scratches and dents smaller than a quarter are considered deletable damage. This means that they can sell the vehicle with that damage and it won't affect the value. ERAC is just trying to scam you like they do everyone else. Good luck!

ERAC will hound you for three months, and if you refuse to pay they will send you to collections. There is NOTHING your petulant husband can do about the negative impact on your credit report!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

ERAC will hound you for three months, and if you refuse to pay they will send you to collections. There is NOTHING your petulant husband can do about the negative impact on your credit report!

Also, the correct word is petulant, not petulate. I hope your husband is not as dumb as you.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

ERAC will hound you for three months, and if you refuse to pay they will send you to collections. There is NOTHING your petulant husband can do about the negative impact on your credit report!

Wrong! If she disputes it and it is in fact a small scratch, and the key word is scratch, ERAC will let it go. The BM at that branch is usually the one who has someone sent to collections and if the vehicle isn't going to be repaired anyway(likely) then there will be no money owed to the branch and no collections. If Loss Control feels that they are not going to get paid for the repair and it is minor damage anyway then they are smart enough not to have it repaired and move on. They may have this person put on the "Do Not Rent" list but who cares because I doubt she will be going back to ERAC. This should be the case only if it is deletable damage. Again, good luck with those bastards.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

They couldn't have filed a claim w/my insurance as they don't have my info. ERAC told me I would need to file a claim myself. I will let my husband deal with them (sorry ERAC, he can be quite petulant). Thanks for the reply.

This lady sounds overweight to me. Most overweight ladies let their husbands handle everything because they are afraid if they don't cave in, their husband will leave them.