Rental Car Damage Dispute Letter Example

Dear Claims Department,

I am writing to formally dispute the damage claim of $2,847.00 charged to my Visa credit card ending in 4821 on January 20, 2026, in connection with the above-referenced rental. I did not cause this damage, and I am demanding a full reversal of these charges.

Facts:

On January 10, 2026, I picked up the vehicle at approximately 2:15 PM from your Austin-Bergstrom Airport location. During the walk-around inspection, the counter agent and I noted no pre-existing damage on the checkout form. I also took 14 timestamped photographs of the vehicle's exterior from all angles before leaving the lot.

I returned the vehicle on January 14, 2026, at approximately 11:30 AM. At return, no damage was noted by your lot attendant, and I received a printed return receipt showing "Vehicle Condition: OK." I have retained this receipt.

Six days later, on January 20, I discovered a charge of $2,847.00 on my credit card statement with no prior notification. When I called your claims department, I was told there was "scraping damage to the right rear quarter panel." No photographs, repair estimates, or documentation were provided to me despite my request.

Basis for Dispute:

I dispute these charges for the following reasons:

1. No damage at return: Your own lot attendant inspected the vehicle and noted no damage on the return receipt. This contemporaneous record contradicts your subsequent claim.

2. Photographic evidence: My timestamped photographs from both pickup and return show no damage to the right rear quarter panel or any other area of the vehicle.

3. No timely notification: You charged my card 6 days after return without any notice, phone call, or opportunity to inspect the alleged damage. This denial of due process is itself an unfair practice.

4. No documentation provided: Despite my request, you have failed to provide photographs of the alleged damage, an independent repair estimate, the pre-rental condition report, or proof that the damage occurred during my rental period.

Legal Basis:

Under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 45), charging consumers for damage they did not cause constitutes an unfair and deceptive trade practice. The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 17.46) similarly prohibits representing that an agreement confers rights or obligations that it does not, and provides for treble damages and attorney's fees for knowing violations.

Additionally, under the Fair Credit Billing Act (15 U.S.C. § 1666), I have the right to dispute charges for services not rendered as described. I have initiated a chargeback with my credit card issuer for the full $2,847.00.

Demand:

I demand the following within fourteen (14) days of your receipt of this letter:

1. Full reversal of the $2,847.00 charge to my Visa ending in 4821;
2. Written confirmation that this claim has been withdrawn;
3. Confirmation that no negative report has been or will be made to any collection agency or credit bureau regarding this dispute.

Alternatively, if you believe the damage claim is valid, you must provide within 14 days:

1. Dated photographs of the alleged damage;
2. The pre-rental vehicle inspection report;
3. An independent (non-company) repair estimate;
4. Proof that the damage occurred during my rental period and not before or after.

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

If this matter is not resolved within 14 days, I will:

1. Pursue my credit card chargeback to completion;
2. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission;
3. File a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division;
4. File suit in Travis County small claims court seeking the disputed amount, treble damages under the Texas DTPA, and court costs;
5. Report this practice to the Better Business Bureau.

I look forward to your prompt resolution of this matter.

Sincerely,