Car Rental Company Not Honoring Add'l Coverage Purchased - Car Stolen

[thsislegal]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

California

I did a real stupid thing and rented a car for a "friend" who wanted me to attend a reunion with him. I used a Visa card that is only good when you apply money to it. Then rental period was for 4 days and my friend paid the required deposit/rental cost with the money he put on the visa card. I signed the rental contract and the manager lowered her voice and suggested I get the additional damage and accident insurance which would protect me fully in the event someone hit me, I hit them or the car was stolen and this could come out of the deposit and rental payment so I agreed and signed.

My "friend" unbeknownst to me, had gone and paid the manager to get additional time. The second time (these were two more additional 4 day rent time, I called her and said do not accept any more money from my friend, I wanted to bring the car back in and she told me that company policy states that when a credit card is rejected for lack of funds that that ends any further transactions, but that my friend came in and paid her $500 cash so she accepted it. I again stated no more time or money, I would be bringing the car back.

Next day after work friend comes over, I go up to shower and come down and no friend and no car. I waited for two days trying to get ahold of him and he wont take my calls, etc., so I told him I was calling Rebecaa the mgr and telling her what happended and calling the police and reporting the car stolen thinking that would get him to bring it back which it didnt. Anyway I tell Rebecca and she tells me to call police and report it stolen because the fees are adding up daily now. So I did.

Anyway, a few weeks later I get a copy of report from the rental company stating I owe close to 2400 in damages to the car (the recovered it) and they were no honoring my the additional damage insurance I had paid for. Then a woman from corporate office calles and said they would not honor the additional damage insurace because I made the keys accessible to my friend. I told her they were in my purse! and further more I never signed nor authorized any time other than the four days I signed the contract for and the additional time and money was accepted by the mgr from my friend. She said she would have to check into it and get back to me. She then sends me a letter stating I need to submit the claim to my insurance company or they will be turning the bill over to collection company.

I called my insurance company and yes I am covered but I dont want to submit a claim because the mgr never should have rented the car out for additional time nor accepted the cash when the card was denied and from anyone other than myself - since I am the one that signed the contract.

So what should I do ?

Thank you for your time and advice and yes, I know stupid move on my part and poor choice in friends.

[Stevef]

Originally Posted by thsislegal

So what should I do ?

You can:

A) Pay the $2400 out of your pocket

B) Refuse to pay, take a hit on your credit report, go to court, and try to explain to the judge why you shouldn't have to pay because you were trying to beat the system.

C) Let your insurance handle it.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by thsislegal

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

California

I did a real stupid thing and rented a car for a "friend" who wanted me to attend a reunion with him.

Then a woman from corporate office calles and said they would not honor the additional damage insurace because I made the keys accessible to my friend. I told her they were in my purse!

Which one is the lie?

[thsislegal]

you know what, I said I STUPIDLY rented the car in the first place, however, I would not compound it further by setting it up so that he could take off with (steal) the car.