Hertz Charged Me $800 for Damage I Didn't Cause. I Fought and Won.

I rented a car from Hertz. Returned it in perfect condition. Two weeks later, Hertz charged me $800 for a scratch on the bumper. I had taken photos and video of the car before I left the lot AND when I returned it. The photos showed the scratch was not there when I returned it, but was there when I picked it up.

I sent the evidence to Hertz. They refused to remove the charge. I filed a complaint with the FTC. Hertz finally refunded the $800 after three months.

The lesson here is that most refund denials are not final. Companies have discretionary policies that allow exceptions, but they rarely advertise them. The key is knowing which policy to reference and how to frame your request.

If you are dealing with a similar situation with Hertz Charged Me, do not accept the first denial. Research their refund policy, find the specific clause that supports your case, and write a professional appeal referencing it. That single step can turn a “no” into a “yes.”

I use LaimRefund to do this research automatically. It searches the platform’s policies and relevant consumer laws, then drafts a professional appeal letter. Free to check your odds, only $3.99 to unlock the full letter.