โ€˜$400 For Tiny Scratch!โ€™ Everyone Hates Hertzโ€™s AI Car Scanner

Key Points Summary โ€“ Hertz AI Damage Fees

  • Hertz charged $440 for tiny wheel scratch
  • AI scanner detects minor cosmetic issues
  • $195 bill issued for small Corolla dent
  • Customers say human review is missing
  • Outrage grows across Reddit and Facebook
  • Hertz insists most renters are not charged
  • Boycott calls rise amid tech trust issues

When Tanner H. returned his rental Corolla, he expected a simple drop-off. Instead, he was slapped with a $195 bill for a dent the size of a coin. And he wasnโ€™t alone. Drivers across the U.S. are speaking out after getting hit with Hertz AI damage feesโ€”some totaling hundreds of dollars.

What sparked the uproar? An artificial intelligence scanning system now evaluates cars instead of people. And itโ€™s flagging everything.


Tiny Scratches, Big Bills

One Florida driver was charged $440 for a one-inch wheel scratchโ€”commonly caused by brushing a curb. That bill included $250 for damage, $125 for processing, and $65 in admin fees.

Another driver got a $195 charge for what looks like a barely visible dent. โ€œI couldnโ€™t even speak to a real person,โ€ they wrote. โ€œThe AI made the call, and that was it.โ€

Across social media, posts are flooding in. Many call the system unfair. Others say itโ€™s ruining Hertzโ€™s reputation.


AI Inspections Now Standard at Hertz

  • Hertz partnered with tech firm UVeye
  • Scans car on pickup and return
  • System tracks changes, flags issues
  • Company says 97% of users are not charged
  • Critics argue the 3% still face unfair costs

Customers Say Theyโ€™re Trapped

Frustrated renters claim thereโ€™s no chance to explain or appeal. โ€œI wiped off the so-called damage with a towel,โ€ one said on Reddit. โ€œIt was just dirt.โ€ But once the AI tagged it, the charge stuck.

And whatโ€™s worseโ€”thereโ€™s no option to challenge the tech. Reaching a human representative, users claim, is almost impossible.

โ€œThis crosses the line,โ€ said David Linthicum, an AI ethics analyst. โ€œAI should not replace fairness or human judgment.โ€


AI Flags Dirt as โ€˜Damageโ€™

The backlash started after photos of minor scratches and scuffs were shared online. One shows a dime-sized dent. Another shows a tiny blemish on a bumper.

Customers are comparing notes and uniting in frustration. Many are using the hashtag #BoycottHertz. Reddit threads and Facebook posts now warn travelers to avoid the company altogether.

โ€œIf this is the future, I want out,โ€ one user wrote. โ€œI want a personโ€”not a robotโ€”deciding my fate.โ€


Hertz Doubles Down

Despite the heat, Hertz isnโ€™t backing off. The company told DailyMail.com that over 97% of drivers are not billed. And that those who are, receive copies of all before-and-after scans.

The system is being expanded. Hertz plans to install UVeyeโ€™s tech at 100 locations nationwide, including major airports. Itโ€™s already active in Atlanta.


Why Drivers Feel Burned

  • No way to dispute findings easily
  • AI flags wear and tear as new damage
  • Live human contact nearly impossible
  • Admin and processing fees pile on
  • Other rental companies donโ€™t use this tech yet

Transparency or Trouble?

Hertz claims it rolled out the system to improve transparency and safety. According to the company, the scanners detect underbody issues, tire wear, and structural risks better than human staff.

But for customers, the issue isnโ€™t safety. Itโ€™s surprise billingโ€”and the lack of human oversight.

โ€œI want a clean car,โ€ one driver said. โ€œBut not at the cost of getting ripped off over a scuff no bigger than my fingernail.โ€


Tom Brady Canโ€™t Save This

Even celebrity endorsements arenโ€™t helping. Hertz has partnered with football star Tom Brady and invested millions in brand-building. But for now, the AI outrage is drowning out the marketing.

โ€œYou think Tom Brady would accept a $440 bill for a curb scratch?โ€ one tweet asked. โ€œDoubt it.โ€

As the drama unfolds, more people are canceling reservations and turning to Hertzโ€™s competitors. Industry watchers say the company is facing a brand trust crisis.


Outlook: Tech vs. Trust

AI is everywhereโ€”from your phone to your car. But the backlash against Hertz AI damage fees shows the limits of consumer patience.

โ€œIf they donโ€™t fix this,โ€ said Linthicum, โ€œHertz will become a case study in how not to deploy AI.โ€

Travelers are demanding transparency, real human support, and fairness. Without it, the scanners may continue to workโ€”but the customers wonโ€™t be coming back.

โ€œI used to rent from Hertz monthly,โ€ one longtime client posted. โ€œNot anymore. Iโ€™ll walk before I risk another bogus AI fee.โ€

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