Renting a car when you’re under 25 can be challenging, frustrating, and expensive. Like, extremely expensive.
Most rental car companies typically avoid renting out their cars to people under 25, but will make an exception if the price is right. These companies will add-on extra fees to make the exception worth their while and ensure they’re protected.
Speaking of protection, car renters will have the option to include extra protection against natural disasters and severe weather. So what happens when a young adult skips out on extra insurance on her rental and ends up in a hailstorm?
That’s what one renter experienced first-hand. She’s unhappy about the charges, even though she opted out of extra coverage. In a TikTok with more than 885,600 views, Faith (@faithmariespillers) shares how Enterprise is trying to charge her $10,000 after a hailstorm occurred, damaging her rental car.
In her TikTok, Faith shares that she was traveling to Oklahoma for a graduation and is under 25 years old. Enterprise charged Faith the typical rental rate and additionally a “young renters fee,” which she claimed to be $340 for three days. According to Enterprise, the “young renters fee” starts out at $25 a day but will vary based on demand and location.
After agreeing to the young renter’s fee, Faith was asked if she wanted to add extra protection to her reservation. She declined after seeing it would cost $40-50 additional each day.
“I was already paying the regular fee, young renter’s fee, and I’m not about to add another $40-$50 a day on top of that,” she states. Famous last words.
During her trip, a hailstorm swept through Oklahoma and ended up causing hail damage on the vehicle. Once she returned the car, she was charged her deductible of $1,000, and the paperwork began. Both parties began working on the claim and submitted photos and video evidence.
After reviewing the damage, Enterprise allegedly sent Faith an invoice for $10,000 in damages. Faith was in disbelief seeing the tab and questioned why she was being charged that much money.
“Mind-blowing and heartbreaking. Looking back I should’ve just laid out on the car during the storm,” Faith vents.
“What’s crazy is the hail would’ve damaged the car in their parking lot anyway. So sorry girl,” one TikTok commenter shared.
She then advises any young car renters to always get the extra protection in case of any natural disaster or severe weather.
An Enterprise representative told Motor1 about the incident: “It’s important to us to resolve any unsatisfactory situations, and we take seriously any concerns brought to us by customers and investigate them thoroughly.
“Sometimes customers mistakenly believe if they didn’t personally cause or witness any damage [for example, a “hit-and-run” incident in a parking lot, flooding or hail damage] that they are not responsible. This is one of the most common misconceptions about rental vehicle damage. In fact, customers are financially responsible for damage that occurs during a rental transaction, regardless of fault or negligence, just as if they owned the rental vehicle themselves. This is stated in our rental contract. Enterprise offers additional optional coverage products that could release the renter from liability in most cases.
“We are always striving to make each renter’s experience the best it can be and help customers better understand what they can do to alleviate the risk on their end.”
Generally speaking, it’s always safe to purchase extra protection coverage when renting a car. However, not everyone does this due to the extra cost associated.
So what can you do if damage is done while renting a car and you opted out of this extra coverage?
First, check with your auto insurance. Most auto insurance providers will consider your rental vehicle part of your plan, depending on your coverage. Insurance companies are well-equipped to go into battle to fight for your case.
“Your insurance will cover it and make sure you tell your insurance you paid your deductible so they don’t deduct that from the pay out to the rental car company,” TikTok commenter added.
Second, check with your credit card company. Some credit cards will provide auto rental insurance as an added perk. Popular credit cards with this feature include Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture X, and American Express, according to NerdWallet.
“Go through your car insurance, also I’d fight them on this 1000% but next time please buy the protection,” one suggested.
“Previous Enterprise employee here, do NOT add the insurance protection—that’s literally how they make their money,” one shared.
“PSA from a fellow military spouse, the young renter fee is waived for military members and extended to spouses! I started renting cars at 19 and have never paid the fee!” one revealed.
“You rented a car and didn’t get insurance, it has nothing to do with age,” one added.
This TikTok has more than 34,500 likes.
Motor1 has contacted Faith (@faithmariespillers) over email and Instagram Messenger. We’ll update this story if we hear back.
