Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 5/11/2010

Question
MY SISTER CAME HOME FROM GERMANY AND UPON ARRIVAL A FRIEND OF HERS HAD A RENTAL READY FOR HER. UPON RETURNING THE RENTAL IN  MINOR DAMAGE WAS NOTICED. MY SISTER PAID THE 250 DEDUCTIBLE AS HER FRIEND STATED WAS DUE SHE SHE HAD USED HER OWN INSURANCE.NOW TWO TWO MONTHS LATER . THE FRIEND CONTACTED MY SISTER 2 WEEKS AGO STATING THAT HER INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD HER SHE HAS TO PAY 800 DOLLARS FOR THE DDUCTABLE AND THAT THE RENTAL COMPANY KEPY THE 250 DOLLARS. WHICH I THINK IS BOGAS. WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW IS DO INSURANCE COMPANIES CHANGE DEDUCTIBLES LIKE THAT AND DOES IT REALLY TAKE TWO MONTHS TO FIX A RENTAL CAR. I JUST DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO US AT THIS POINT. SHE SAID IT WAS DUE IN 10 DAYS THEY ARE GIVING HER TIME TO GET THE MONEY UP, I BELIEVE SHE IS JUST TRYING TO MAKE SOME FAST CASH.

Answer
Hi Meisha,

Your sister needs to get copies of any letters that were receved by her friend. Do not rely on the friend stating what was said in the letter Insurance companies do everything in writing so get a copy. The same thing goes for the rental car company. You need to get a copy of therpair bill and a written accounting of what was received by the rental company from the insurance company. If they give you a hard time, just tell them that you will not pay anything til they prove in writing that your friend owes the money. Your friend should als contact the inurance company and demand the same thing. A writting accounting of everything that was paid and to whom it was paid.

Once all of the documentation is in hand, you will be in a better position to determine what needs to be paid.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh