Uncle Jazzbeau’s Gallimaufrey

pebbles

Just got off the phone with the international department at National / Citer in Paris regarding the Citroën we rented in Europe last month. On the second day of driving, a passing truck flung a pebble at us which dinged the windshield. Not much we could do, but try to forget it until we returned the car. Fast forward to two weeks later, when we drop off the car early on Sunday morning, tell the only National representative at the airport about the damage. She waves us off with a Gallic shrug and a “That’s OK.” On Friday, I get a registered letter from France threatening the entire minimum deductable of nearly 500 euros because we didn’t turn in an accident report. Also included is a blank accident report to fill in and instructions to return it ASAP. Of course, when I phone, their office is closed. Nothing to do but wait out the weekend, during which time I notice a charge on my credit card bill from the rental company for 280 euros. WTF? I filled the gas tank. Anyway, this morning I get up extra early to call Paris again. The friendly woman explains that the credit card charge is for fixing the windshield. I can turn in the accident report, but it won’t help, and she’ll fax me the paperwork from the people who fixed the damage. All in all, not as bad as I imagined it when the pebble was first flung.