Just caught a guy backing up into my car really hard. Impact was great due to downhill force. He had only a mexico license, doesn't have his own insurance, and was driving a rental car from Enterprise. My license plate (and holder) is bent up and cracked from being crushed between my bumper and his, and there is a visibly large gap between the bottom of my headlight and the bumper, as well as a gap where the bumper meets the fender near the hood. However, my bumper has had damage (clear coat scrape and small paint damage) from a previous bumper tap which my insurance knows about. Would this make my story to the rental company's insurance be less believable because of this? I haven't called them yet and would like to be prepared, any advice? Really hoping to not mess this up and blow my chance for a new bumper.

Also, does anyone know if enterprise's insurance would just send me a check? Or do they pay directly to a shop of my choice?

 

Most likely, and again, this is just speculation (with some minor past experience built in), you will have to pay your deductible, and claim it against your insurance carrier. Have them assess, and repair the damage. From there, your company will subro against the insurance carrier that the rental car company uses. If you are waiting on the rental car company, it might take you forever. That being said, who knows. They may have claims adjusters that can come over and cut the check for you.

did you file a police report as well?

 

basically this. Depending on your insurance company. If you have a good company, often times they will waive the deductible, and go after other ins co, AFTER all repairs are done. If you have a cheap ins co, they will try to deny liability, and want the other ins co to take care of it BEFORE repairs are started. This is where is pays off to have good insurance, but that's another topic. Go to a local, well known body shop. Get a good written estimate and take it to the rental car company, along with your copy of the police report( you did get one, right?) Let them see how much money it is going to cost them. They may have authorization to cut you a check on the spot, or may have an INS agent close by. It may also be a good idea to contact your ins to let them know whats going on. that way if the rental company bucks at you, a follow up call is close by.

 

no popo report no tacos for you....

 

Hold up... the guy didn't have a valid US drivers license... had no insurance... and was able to rent a car from Enterprise...?

Anyone else see something wrong with this?

Sounds like if you pointed this out to them that they would start clenching their ass cheeks and taking care of everything in a speedy fashion lol since it sounds like something fell through the cracks.

 

This
nothing wrong with a little leverage. Multi million dollar renting a vehicle to someone who no license and no insurance? Pretty sure if you speak to the right person they will have 0 problem sweeping this under the rug at risk of a lawsuit for renting vehicles to people who don't even qualify to drive in the states.
That being said though.. If you don't have a police report id suggest digging immediately into your own wallet.

 

if its just the license place bracket your better off just buying a new one. I bet it also put a hole in your bumper behind the bracket if you care

 

Why would you guys think he would need a US drivers license to rent and drive a car in the US? When I rent outside the US, my US license is all I need. Even if he doesn't have his own insurance (maybe he doesn't own a car????), then he quite likely has insurance through his credit card or through the rental agency. Hopefully...... if not, Enterprise is on the hook for it. Of course the OP hasn't been back in a couple of weeks since opening this thread so who knows? We don't even know if he got a police report.