Rented a bus and accidentally damaged it

Questioner

Good day. We rented a van last Saturday to pick up chairs. The van we wanted was not there when we arrived and we were given a much larger van. We went to pick up the chairs but when we turned into the street we hit something big metal with the steel beam on the side of the van that someone had put on the corner and that clearly does not belong there We reported it to the rental company, who kept our deposit of €350 without informing us and we have not heard from them since. Can they still send us an invoice for the damage (a week later)? Or how does this work? Because € 350, - deposit is actually more than the steel beam on the bus costs if they were to buy it new I'd love to hear from anyone. Kind regards

Lawyer

You have a good point, the damage must compensate the current value and the costs of repairing the spot around. But I think iet be patient because a week is very short. You can ask for a specification of the costs after a certain time (two weeks) and claim the remainder. Usually the process of damage and deposit etc. is described in the conditions.

Questioner

Good day. I only just saw your answer, I missed the email.. but now that 2 weeks have passed and we haven't heard anything at all, can we assume that we won't hear anything more? I had written to the municipality of Haarlem about that obstacle that shouldn't be there and that's why we have the damage. But they haven't responded (legal department where I had to report the damage) is that normal or do I have to wait longer for that too? I have indicated that they are to blame for that obstacle that shouldn't be there.. a municipal pole I understand but this thing is clearly not intended for the street and certainly not so close to the sidewalk near the street I would like to hear from you Kind regards, Miranda

Lawyer

Hi yes it may be that the municipality acted carelessly, but the insurer will not listen to that. I think you would be better off contacting them regarding the settlement of the damage.