No such thing as normal wear and tear. Decline insurance and you will get a damage claim…read more
I have rented with Sixt Spain two times now. First time was for 3 weeks and this past time was for 2 weeks. When I reserve the car I refuse CWD because my MasterCard covers damage and theft. This past rental I took out Tire and glass with 0€ liability. Tire and glass are typically not covered by your credit card.
Each time I got to the counter, jet lagged and not fluent in Spanish the agent has tried to scare me into the CDW by telling me that my Mastercard would not cover theft and loss of use etc. CDW costs about 1/2 the price of the rental price and does not eliminate a deductible which is usually $1500.
So with Sixt there is no agent to inspect the car with you when you drop it off and both times, without fail, I get an email stating that Sixt found a scratch and I needed to pay for it. The first time my CC coveted it ($160) minus the $35 fee that Sixt charges. This last time Sixt says I scratched a wheel. Seriously, isn't this normal wear and tear? But, I bought tire insurance correct? In Spain tire also means wheel in the definition. Well even though I paid for it the agent had me initial the contract that I was declining all insurance, including tire and glass. So I had paid for it, it was listed on my confirmation, but declined in Spanish on my contract. After a few back and forth emails, btw save ALL your paperwork, Sixt dropped the claim.
I firmly believe that with Sixt, if you decline their super CDW they WILL find a scratch or ding and come after you with a claim. Now maybe Hertz and Avis are as ruthless but dealing with a US company when living in the US is a lot easier. I have never had this happen except with Sixt and I have rented a LOT of cars.