Hertz AI Charges Family $195 Even After Employee Found No Damage To Returned Car
Now, if you screw up and actually damage a rental car, that's one thing. You or your insurance should expect to pay for that. But that also doesn't sound like what happened to Kelly Rogers when she and her husband rented a minivan in Atlanta recently. As the New York Times explains:
When they returned the car in Atlanta, they inspected it and saw no damage. A Hertz employee inspected the vehicle upon its return as well, they said, and did not flag any damage.
But once the couple had passed through airport security, they received a notification via the Hertz app that its automated system had detected a dent in the passenger-side front door. They were charged $195: $80 for the damage and $115 in fees, including those incurred "as a result of processing" the damage claim and the "cost to detect and estimate the damage" that occurred during the rental. Hertz offered to reduce the charge to $130 if they paid within one day.
That's a lot of money for "damage" an employee had already said they didn't see, but at least they were offered a discount if they paid quickly. A Hertz spokesperson also told the Times the company had reviewed the incident and confirmed the dent was new. Rogers, however, reportedly still finds it difficult to believe, telling the newspaper, "It could have been a shadow. We were pulling it up on the app, and we're like, 'This is so bananas.'"
Read more: The Least Reliable Cars, Trucks And SUVs You Can Buy In 2025, According To Consumer Reports
You Have Other Options
Maybe Rogers or her husband really did return the minivan with an imperceptibly small ding in it. Maybe they didn't. But it still sucks to be told there's no damage, only to get charged for damage some computer program allegedly found after the fact. Especially since we know AI is wildly unreliable and regularly gets even the most basic stuff wrong. Just look at what happened to the MyPillow guy's lawyers when they used AI to do their jobs for them. And that's far from the only story about faulty AI software getting people in trouble. Heck, if you ask Google, its AI thinks my name "appears to be a typo."
Hertz isn't the only rental car company toying with the most annoying new technology. Sixt uses an AI software called Car Gate, the Times reports. Avis has also been toying with AI since 2019, but told the Times the process remains "human-led."
Hertz has had a rough few years in the customer satisfaction department. It almost had a customer arrested for putting too many miles on an "unlimited mileage" rental. It's also the same Hertz that had customers wrongly arrested on charges of stealing rental cars they didn't actually steal. Then, after getting a new CEO, Hertz got sued again for having customers wrongly arrested. Eventually, Hertz agreed to a $168 million settlement over those wrongful arrests.
I've reached out to Hertz for a comment, but I have yet to hear back from them. I'll be sure to update this post with their statement.
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox...
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ubiquiti (UI) Sees 5% Decline Over Past Month
Amidst the buoyant broader markets, where the Dow reached an all-time high and major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq faced slight dips, Ubiquiti experienced a price movement of a 4.54% decline over the past month. This movement contrasts somewhat with market trends which posted overall gains. The company's share performance during this period might have been influenced by various factors, although specific events were not detailed to pinpoint a definite cause. While overall market optimism was influenced by prospects of Federal Reserve rate adjustments, broader economic forces and external market developments could have also weighed on Ubiquiti's stock. Be aware that Ubiquiti is showing 1 possible red flag in our investment analysis. We've found 19 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. Over the past year, Ubiquiti's shares have delivered a total return including dividends of 128.53%, which is impressive. This performance stands out especially when compared to the broader US market's return of 17.4% and the US Communications industry's return of 43.8% during the same one-year timeframe. Ubiquiti's ability to outpace both the market and industry suggests strong investor confidence, driven by significant earnings growth and an effective business strategy. The company's recent earnings announcements have shown marked improvements, with third-quarter net income rising to US$180.44 million from US$76.29 million year-over-year. These figures bolster Ubiquiti's earnings forecasts, even as revenue growth projections of 5.8% annually fall behind the market's 9.3%. Despite these earnings achievements, Ubiquiti's current share price of US$402.80 remains above the consensus analyst price target of US$343.50, indicating a substantial premium that some investors might view with caution. The recent dip in Ubiquiti's share price amidst broader market gains might reflect these valuation concerns and potential adjustments in market expectations. Click here to discover the nuances of Ubiquiti with our detailed analytical financial health report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include UI. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Duolingo (DUOL) Reports US$252 Million Q2 2025 Sales Growth
Duolingo recently announced impressive Q2 2025 earnings growth, with sales reaching $252 million and net income rising to $45 million, significantly up from the previous year. Despite this strong performance, the company's stock price declined 10% over the past month. This downward movement occurred amid a mixed market backdrop, where major indices like the S&P 500 experienced minor fluctuations yet remained close to record highs. The robust financial results from Duolingo did not seem to counterbalance broader market trends or investor apprehensions concerning economic conditions and potential interest rate changes, contributing to the stock's decline. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Duolingo you should know about. Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. Despite Duolingo's strong Q2 2025 earnings, with sales hitting US$252 million and net income climbing to US$45 million, the recent 10% decline in the stock price highlights investor concerns beyond immediate financial performance. However, over the longer-term, Duolingo shares have surged 241.62% in three years, showcasing resilience and growth potential amidst broader market fluctuations. Additionally, over the past year, Duolingo outperformed the US Consumer Services industry, which returned 18.6% during the same period. This indicates that while short-term share price movement may reflect transitory market apprehensions, the company's long-term prospects remain robust. The recent earnings announcement underlines the potential impact on future revenue and earnings forecasts, particularly if Duolingo continues expanding into international markets like China and broader Asia. With expected annual revenue growth of 23.2% and earnings forecasted to grow 36.63% per year, the company appears well-positioned for sustained performance improvement. The decline in share price presents a contrasting scenario to the analyst consensus price target of US$497.24, which is significantly above the current price of US$326.93, suggesting potential upside if market conditions stabilize. Dive into the specifics of Duolingo here with our thorough balance sheet health report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include DUOL. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Yahoo polls: Who do you support in the Air Canada strike dispute? Yahoo Canada readers have their say
Canadians weigh in on Air Canada flight attendants' push for fair pay and U.S. travel hesitancy, revealing labour support and shifting loyalties. Yahoo News Canada polls this week tapped into Canadian sentiments on the ongoing tensions between Air Canada and its flight attendants as well as Canadians' shifting cross-border travel habits amid U.S. tariffs. From unfolding labour disputes to changing travel preferences, we asked our readers to weigh in on hot-button issues with their responses reflecting how they plan, spend and speak out. This weekly snapshot illustrates how Canadians are navigating uncertainty and asserting the values they hold true to their identity and sovereignty. Who do you support in the Air Canada strike dispute? Fair pay, unpaid labour and travel disruption were top of mind for Canadians as a national conversation on the Air Canada flight attendants strike mandate unfolded. With a staggering 99.7 per cent of CUPE members backing the strike, Canadians weighed their loyalty to workers against the anxiety of their summer plans being interrupted. A Yahoo poll asking who Canadians back in this fight had almost 4,000 votes by Friday afternoon with 75 per cent of the respondents siding with the flight attendants while demanding fair pay for all; 15 per cent of the voters were inclined to avoid disruption as they favoured Air Canada and the remaining 10 per cent were undecided. Two additional polls from Yahoo gauged public sentiment on fair pay for all hours worked and how the potential strike affected their travel plans, if any. Almost 90 per cent of the 2,000+ survey takers backed paying the flight attendants for all hours worked, including time on the ground. Flight attendants are currently paid an hourly rate only after the airplane takes off, which then stops upon landing. On the potential strike affecting travel plans, about 33 per cent of the respondents may be impacted with others having no immediate travels planned. Are you planning on taking a trip to the U.S. this summer? Canadian travel behaviour has evolved over the past couple of months owing to U.S. tariffs and Donald Trump's attacks on Canadian sovereignty following his White House inauguration, different surveys revealed. A Yahoo poll on whether Canadians planned to travel south of the border this summer mirrored the national sentiment with the geopolitical unease weighing heavy on everything from entirely pulling out of U.S. trips to backing the "Buy Canadian" movement. 73 per cent of the almost 2,000 Yahoo poll responders firmly rejected the idea of travelling south this summer, using the opportunity to "send a message." Another poll gauging how Trump tariffs changed the way Canadians shopped displayed a similar pattern with 49 per cent inclined to buying only Canadian products and 40 per cent backing local goods when they can. This shift aligns with data from other surveys suggesting more than two-thirds of Canadians plan to avoid U.S. goods and destinations this year. If you enjoy participating in Yahoo polls and making your voice heard, we'd love to hear from you in the upcoming polls. Stay tuned!
