Damage on Rental Van, Repair Quote Seems High

So my brother rented and damaged a rental van, frustratingly leaving a dent and scratch on the side about 30cm long across two panels.

They've come back with a quote on damage costs and it's about adding up to about $40 short of his excess (around $3200). In the quote breakdown they're charging almost $2100 for painting when there was no paint damage…

Obviously he's liable but just wondering, does anyone know any options to find out if they're fully taking the piss re the repair?

(full disclosure, I am not knowledgeable about car repair costs but it feels like a lot for a dent).

Comments

  • I mean you can just not pay it. Wait for it to go to debt recovery and then settle for a lesser amount.

    • Unless they’ve already charged the credit card on file.

  • what do you mean there's a scratch but no paint damage? you can get your own quote and challenge, but I doubt you'll get a much better quote

  • +1

    Rental car companies are for making money. If they can find any way to charge you extra, they will, including charging about the full excess for minor damage. This has been normal rental car company behaviour for decades.

    I had a disaster last year when my cousin backed into my UK rental car and I discovered my Amex travel insurance was one level too low to cover the damage (my fault for reading the wrong set of Ts & Cs). Could have gone to my cousin's insurance company, but he'd already been through some claims and was going through some tough times in small business. And hey, it's family. Had to suck it up and pay almost the full excess.

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