Sixt Los Angeles damage claim

Question

Hoping to get some feedback from people who had a similar situation.

I rented a car from them last year for roughly 2 weeks. Unfortunately on the last day of the rental, someone back up into the car where it was parked on a shared driveway. The driver of the other cart admitted fault and gave me his insurance details. When I returned the car I explained what happened, gave them the other drivers contact and insurance info, and was told that everything should be fine as the other driver admitted fault, and to expect an email from them regarding the damage.

Fast forward more than a year later without any update from Sixt, I assumed everything was resolved. Then I received an email from them saying I am the responsible party. Rental was paid with my Amex Platinum card and I forwarded everything to them so hopefully it will be sorted by them.

Wondering if any had a damage claim that was more than a year later and what did you do?

Thanks

Answer

Dealing with a delayed car rental damage claim, especially after more than a year, can be stressful but there are steps and insights from others’ experiences that may help you navigate this situation.

Why this happens:

Sometimes rental companies like Sixt have internal delays or only process claims once they receive all documentation, or they may have subcontracted the claims handling to a third-party service.
Insurance companies (both the other driver’s and your card benefits) can take time to process reports, and sometimes rental companies pursue the renter if there is any missing information or incomplete documentation.
Even if the other driver admitted fault, the rental company may require formal verification from the insurance company before closing the claim. If they didn’t receive confirmation, they might still consider the rental responsible.

Steps to take:

Immediately contact Sixt’s damage claims or customer service department. Explain the timeline and provide all documentation you have, including the other driver’s insurance info, photos, and any emails or notes from the time of the incident.
Contact American Express Platinum (or your card issuer) since you paid with the card. Their rental car insurance benefits often cover collision damage, and they can step in to dispute the charge or provide support for a delayed claim.
Follow up in writing — keep copies of emails and confirmations. If you need, request escalation to a claims supervisor or manager.
If the claim is disputed and you are not at fault, clearly state that the other driver admitted liability and that the responsible insurance company should cover the damage.

What others have experienced:

Some renters report getting surprise claims months or even a year later. Typically, providing documentation promptly to both the rental company and your card insurer resolves the issue.
AMEX Platinum or other credit cards often provide strong protection for collision damage and have been successful in disputing delayed charges, even when the rental company initially claims the renter is responsible.
Patience and persistence are key — document every interaction and confirm that the claim is formally reviewed by the insurance company responsible for the other driver.

Key tips:

Do not ignore the email from Sixt — respond promptly and keep everything documented.
Have all the original documentation ready: photos of the damage, the other driver’s admission of fault, their insurance info, and your communication with Sixt from the time of the incident.
If necessary, open a formal dispute with your Amex Platinum card, referencing their rental coverage benefits and the delayed claim by the rental company.

In summary, it is uncommon but not unheard of for a damage claim to surface more than a year later. By proactively providing documentation and involving your credit card coverage, you should be able to resolve the claim without being held responsible for the other driver’s accident.