Europcar "disappointed" with ACCC allegations

Europcar "disappointed" with ACCC allegations
By admin


Europcar has defended its operations following an ACCC review finding the car rental company to have engaged in “misleading or deceptive conduct”, amongst other negative claims that are "unfair and should be declared void".

The ACCC said the company had made false or misleading representations on its website, despite Europcar claiming it had invested “substantial resources” in making the booking process “fully transparent and user friendly” with full disclosure of liability contained on the site.

“Vehicle rental contracts are complex in nature and are often entered into during time-sensitive situations, such as airport departures. Consumers have little time to properly assess their rights and obligations under these rental agreements, and no opportunity to negotiate,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

“The ACCC is concerned that Europcar’s standard consumer contracts contain terms that, if applied, impose unlimited liability on consumers in certain situations which the ACCC alleges is unfair.”

According to Europcar, it attempted to engage with the ACCC during the industry-wide review and enquiry into car rental in Australia and was "disappointed” with the results released yesterday, in particular with comments regarding its Damage Liability Fee.

“Europcar rejects comments in the ACCC's media statement that, irrespective of fault, charging the Damage Liability Fee for damage, theft or third party loss is unfair and it will strenuously oppose any attempt by the ACCC to prevent Europcar charging this fee,” Europcar said in a statement yesterday.

The ACCC also alleged that “Europcar's terms and conditions make a customer liable for a breach of the rental terms and conditions that may be trivial,” which Europcar defends saying its policy of any potential breach of its Rental Contracts are treated “seriously and occurs only after review by senior management”.

Europcar said full details will be released when the case goes to court.

In Australia, Europcar has around 125 offices and a rental fleet that includes passenger vehicles, trucks and specialty vehicles.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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