I chose to rent with Budget Rent A Car on a trip to Glacier NP in Montana with a friend. I booked online on Budget Rent A Car's website. When I picked up my car at FCA, the employee asked, "Do you want basic of full coverage?" I said, "Basic." She then followed it up with "Who's your insurance?" to which I said "AllState." Keep in mind this was not worded in a way such that this coverage was optional or an add-on. She printed out the paperwork for me to initial and sign, told me where to initial and sign, but did not walk me through the charges before signing. There was a line behind me. I signed and initialed the invoice, but did not receive a copy.
Upon returning the rental vehicle, the employee assisting me walked me through my final charge, and this was when I discovered that the basic coverage was an add-on. I explained it to the employee, who said that since I signed the paperwork, they cannot refund it. I told him that we were not made aware this basic coverage was an additional charge, and the employee helping me when I picked up the rental stated followed the "Basic or full coverage?" question with asking who my insurance was. He brought it up with his manager, and I explained the same situation with the manager. This manager stated the same spiel the employee said, and additionally stated that if I had noticed this additional charge on the first day and called, then they would have taken it off, but because I did not bring it up, then I will be charged this add-on and they cannot refund me. I told this manager that I was not given a copy of the receipt, there was a line when I was initialing and signing the paperwork, and the way the question was asked was deceitful in a way that made me as a customer seem like it was not going to be an additional charge. She then brought another manager, and I was discussing the same situation for the 3rd time. Even if after I picked up the rental vehicle, I was not given a copy of the receipt, so I asked how would I know about these additional charges if I wasn't provided a copy? They ultimately decided to refund me the additional charge because I was not given a copy of the receipt.
This business practice is predatory and the question was phrased in a way that makes customers presume the basic/full coverage was not an add-on.
Tip to those reading this: always ask what coverage you're paying for and read through your invoice before signing and picking up your rental vehicle. It will save you a huge headache when you go back to return it. They will do whatever it takes to not refund you any additional charges that you may be unaware of.
I would never recommend this company to anyone moving forward.