‘I have a $2,000 deductible’: I reported a cracked windshield on my Hertz rental car. Can they charge me?
Short answer: Yes, Hertz can charge you for windshield damage that occurs during your rental unless you purchased a Hertz waiver that reduces your responsibility to $0. Your $2,000 deductible affects what your insurer or third‑party policy will reimburse you, not whether Hertz can bill you.
What your $2,000 deductible really means
– Personal auto insurance: If your policy extends to rental cars, it typically pays for collision/comprehensive damage to the rental the same way it would your own car. You pay your deductible (e.g., $2,000), and your insurer may cover amounts above that. Some policies also cover “loss of use” and administrative fees; many don’t or limit them.
– Credit card rental coverage: Many travel cards include collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) with a $0 deductible. Some are secondary (kick in after your auto insurance), some are primary. Either way, Hertz can still charge you first; you then claim reimbursement.
– Third‑party/excess policies (common abroad or via brokers): These reimburse you after the fact. Hertz can charge you up to the excess/deductible in your rental, and you file a claim with the third‑party insurer to get your money back.
– Hertz LDW/SuperCover/Glass & Tire: If you bought Hertz’s own LDW with no deductible (typical in the U.S.) or a glass/tire protection add‑on, Hertz generally should not charge you for the windshield unless you violated the rental agreement (e.g., unauthorized driver, DUI, off‑road use).
When Hertz can charge you
– If the damage happened during your rental and you did not have a Hertz waiver that reduces your liability to $0.
– Even if someone else caused it (e.g., a rock strike) or it occurred while parked. Rental contracts usually hold you responsible irrespective of fault unless you purchased LDW.
– They can bill for:
– Repair/replacement of the windshield (and calibration of safety cameras/sensors)
– Loss of use (days the car is out of service)
– Administrative/processing fees and applicable taxes
– They cannot charge more than their actual, reasonable costs and must be able to document them. In some states (e.g., California), they have specific documentation duties for loss of use and fees.
How much could it be?
– Repairing a small chip: roughly $75–$150 if repairable (but many rental fleets replace rather than repair).
– Replacing a windshield: $400–$1,500+ depending on the vehicle; with ADAS camera/radar recalibration, $1,000–$2,500 is not unusual on late‑model cars.
– Loss of use: daily rental rate for the time the car is out of service, sometimes adjusted by fleet utilization. Expect anywhere from 1–5 days for glass and calibration, but it varies.
– Admin/processing fees: often $50–$150.
Windshield specifics that matter
– Some personal auto policies have a separate or $0 glass deductible. If that applies to rentals in your state/policy, you might owe nothing out of pocket even with a $2,000 standard deductible. Ask your insurer specifically about glass on non‑owned autos.
– Hertz and other rental companies may prefer replacement over repair, especially on cars with driver‑assist tech, which increases costs.
– If the crack was pre‑existing and you can prove it, you shouldn’t be charged. Time‑stamped pickup photos are key.
What to do now
1. Stop and document
– Take clear, time‑stamped photos and a short video of the crack (inside and out), the odometer, and the entire windshield area.
– Note when/where you noticed it and any trigger (e.g., rock strike). If vandalism or unknown cause, consider filing a police report—often required by insurers.
2. Notify Hertz immediately
– Call the number on your rental jacket or roadside assistance. Ask whether they want you to swap the car. Get the representative’s name, time, and instructions in writing (email/text if possible).
3. Gather paperwork
– Keep your rental agreement, incident/damage report, photos, any police report, and communications with Hertz.
4. Decide which coverage to use
– Hertz LDW/SuperCover or Glass & Tire: Provide your agreement; confirm you should not be billed.
– Credit card CDW: Call your card’s benefits administrator within their deadline (often within 30–60 days). They’ll ask for the rental agreement, incident report, and final bill.
– Personal auto insurance: Ask whether your coverage extends to rentals, what deductible applies, and whether they cover loss of use and admin fees. If your glass deductible is $0, point that out.
5. Review any bill from Hertz carefully
– Request an itemized invoice, photos, repair estimate/invoice, and if they claim loss of use, the dates the car was unavailable and fleet utilization records.
– Ask for documentation of ADAS calibration if billed.
6. Pay strategically and seek reimbursement
– Hertz may charge your card on file. If you have primary credit card coverage or a third‑party excess policy, you’ll typically pay first and get reimbursed.
– If charges seem inflated or undocumented, ask Hertz to pause or adjust while you review or while your insurer/card is processing.
7. Dispute if necessary
– If Hertz won’t provide documentation or charges seem unreasonable, dispute the charge with your credit card issuer. Provide your evidence and request itemization from Hertz. This preserves your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act in the U.S.
How your $2,000 deductible plays out in common scenarios
– You declined Hertz LDW and rely on personal auto insurance with a $2,000 deductible: Hertz can bill you for the full, documented amount. Your insurer may reimburse everything above $2,000 (and maybe some fees).
– You used a credit card with primary CDW and $0 deductible: Hertz may still bill you, but you should be reimbursed in full (including eligible loss of use/admin fees) once you submit required documents.
– You bought third‑party “excess reimbursement” insurance: Hertz can charge up to your excess (e.g., $2,000). You submit a claim to the third‑party to get that back.
– You bought Hertz LDW/SuperCover or Glass & Tire: Generally no charge for windshield damage unless you violated the rental agreement.
How to avoid or minimize charges next time
– Photograph the car thoroughly at pickup and drop‑off, including the windshield and sensor areas.
– Consider Hertz LDW or a card with primary CDW if a high deductible would sting.
– If a chip occurs, call immediately—small chips sometimes can be repaired cheaper if addressed right away.
– Ask at the counter whether glass/tire damage is covered; in some countries this requires a separate add‑on.
Bottom line
Reporting the crack promptly was the right move. Hertz can charge you for a cracked windshield unless you purchased a Hertz waiver that makes your responsibility $0. Your $2,000 deductible governs what your insurer or third‑party will reimburse—not whether Hertz can bill you. Document everything, insist on itemization, route the claim through your coverage, and dispute any undocumented or unreasonable add‑ons.
