Potholes mean booming business for rental car agencies

Feb. 23--Metro Detroit rental car agencies are seeing brisk business thanks to the pothole scourge caused by this year's brutal winter.

Some local agencies are reporting that business is up as much as 15% from a typical winter as customers rent cars while their own vehicles are out of service for pothole damage.

And even their own rental fleet is taking a beating from potholes. Companies warn that rental customers who don't opt for accident coverage could end up liable for damage.

Jeffrey Novak, branch manager of Hertz in Clinton Township, said if renters don't buy additional insurance through their company, they could be looking at paying between $75 to $200 in the event of damages, depending on the type of tires and model of the car.

Novak estimated that rentals have increased about 15% above the norm.

"It's bad now, because of the drastic changes in weather. ... So, it's only getting worse and worse," he said. "This week especially, but the whole season has been more than usual."

When it comes to potholes, Novak said Hall Road is among the worst areas.

"Out here for sure, Hall Road is real bad," he said. "We've had a lot of people tear up our cars. ... With Hall Road, there's really no way around it, you're gonna hit them at some point."

Veronica Smith, assistant manager of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Randolph Street in Detroit, said her own employees have called in because of damage to their personal vehicles. Business is up about 14% at her location, Smith said.

"I had one of my employees, Monday, who blew out two of her tires," she said. "I've definitely noticed (business has) been a lot busier."

And rental agencies don't see their business slowing down any time soon.

Manny Garza, sales manager at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car on 18 Mile and Van Dyke in Sterling Heights, said they've definitely noticed an influx in business thanks to potholes.

"In the wintertime, we usually have a lot of people coming in because of accidents and the weather. Now it's a mix of both," he said. "More than usual."

Garza said a couple of their own rental cars have come across potholes and come away with rim and tire damage.

Tommy Johnson, owner of Avis Car Rental on West 14 Mile Road in Troy, said not only have they been seeing tire and rim damage, but a lot more cracked windshields because of flying debris, rocks and concrete.

"We're seeing more glass," Johnson said. "We've been making sure we check glass seriously."

Johnson said his office is pushing Avis' Roadside SafetyNet, which covers at least one tire and adds AAA road service to a renter's package for about $7.99 per day or $52.43 per week.

He said a rim and tire repair could cost about $250, but their insurance option offers partial coverage for the first $3,000 in damages.

Located at Oakland Mall, Johnson said they share their space with Sears Auto Center, which also is seeing an uptick in business from potholes.

Johnson said a lot of customers who have been coming in from Ohio or heading south have told him the roads are fine elsewhere.

"They get to Michigan and it's crazy, dodging all the potholes," he said. "Everyone else's roads are fine ... that's one of the sad parts."

Contact Aleanna Siacon: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @AleannaSiacon

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