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Original poster

Another holiday ruined - damaged the hire car - think I’m covered but DP being awful!

136 replies

Whyismycatanasshat · 23/05/2026 22:57

Long story short, we’re on holiday with a hire car and on the way to return it I’ve quite deeply scraped both the alloys down one side, having pulled over very sharply and in to a curb whilst taking evasive action. Genuinely couldn’t avoid doing it, it was that or be crashed into. DP acknowledges that bit.

DP is absolutely furious with me, adamant we’re going to get a HUGE bill and I know he won’t let this one go for the rest of our break - he started the moment we left the drop off; it was after hours drop off so no one to discuss it with.

Given I purchased the zero excess cover and crash damage waiver and the zero excess says

“Zero Excess (ZE) is an optional coverage available to the renter. The purchase of ZE reduces the customers liability to 0 Euro in cases of:

  • Damage to the vehicle's bodywork
  • Damage to the tyres, rims or windscreen of the hire vehicle
  • Theft or attempted theft of the rented vehicle”

I believe I’m right to tell him to shut the hell up, especially given he won’t drive a car abroad and he’s a professional haulier!

OP posts:
Original poster
Whyismycatanasshat · 23/05/2026 23:19

@notanothernamechange24 I’m out on the balcony with wine having told him to get his head out of his arse.
if this was regular behaviour - it really only happens when we’re away and apparently his dad was the same - I’d have gone long ago!

OP posts:
notanothernamechange24 · 23/05/2026 23:17

I’d loose my shit with him and tell him to either shut up about it and enjoy the rest of the holiday or piss off home on his own. Then if he fails to achieve either I’d be ditching him for the rest of the holiday and filing for divorce on my return home. I don’t have time for that shit.

Original poster
Whyismycatanasshat · 23/05/2026 23:16

@Tabarnak This behaviour really only happens on holiday. If it hadn’t been the car it would have been something else.
The unavoidability of the thing he’s fuming about is what’s got me so whipped up in annoyance myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whyismycatanasshat · 23/05/2026 23:15

@Wincher I did, always do, so that if something were to happen we didn’t need to stress. He will be worried about being charged but he can’t be away and be happy.

@PermanentTemporary He can’t just relax, he has to pick fault. He’s rarely like this at home. SIL says their dad was the same on holidays when they were children.

@Stoicandhappy I’ve told him that just now and he says he likes public transport! He’s full of crap.

OP posts:
Tabarnak · 23/05/2026 23:14

So he acknowledges that you did the right thing taking evasive action but can’t cope with the consequences?

He is being abusive and out of order if he is blaming you for this OP.

I would tell him his behaviour is making you wonder why you saved his life, that you will not allow your hol to be made miserable for scratched wheels for which you are insured, and get on and do your own thing on the holiday while ever he keeps up any hostility.

Wincher · 23/05/2026 23:12

If you purchased the zero excess cover you should have nothing to worry about! (Though of course I know car hire companies will find any excuse to get money out of you). Hope he stops stressing soon, nothing you can do to change it now. V

Original poster
Whyismycatanasshat · 23/05/2026 23:11

@JustGiveMeReason I honestly think he’d rather be at home when we’re away; he finds something to complain about and goes to town on it and it grinds the DC and I down. I have offered to take the DC and go myself but he insists on a family holiday. My SIL says their Dad was exactly the same. Can’t bear to enjoy themselves.

@TheJuryIsOut He will be worrying about the money side but also he has form for this rubbish.

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 23/05/2026 23:09

Obviously this sort of thing is no fun, but why are your holidays always ruined?

Stoicandhappy · 23/05/2026 23:09

Tell him you aren’t driving abroad with him again as he’s such a knobhead.

TheJuryIsOut · 23/05/2026 23:07

How the hell does he have the right to be furious with you when he knows you absolutely had to take the action you did? What is wrong with him?

JustGiveMeReason · 23/05/2026 23:05

Of course you aren't being unreasonable about this, but it is interesting

  • he won't drive abroad (so obviously has no legs to stand on, criticising your driving)
  • you have titled the thread "Another holiday ruined" which rather suggests this isn't only about scratched alloys ?