User Claims Excessive Repair Costs Following Minor Collision with ‘Garbage Can’
A BlueSG car user, identified as YP Alex on Facebook, shared his frustration in the BlueSG Users Group on September 29, revealing that he was being charged nearly S$10,000 in repair costs after his rented vehicle collided with a “garbage can” while attempting to park.
On August 18, 2022, YP Alex faced difficulty parking his vehicle in a narrow street spot and enlisted someone else to assist with the parallel parking. In his post, Alex explained that his helper mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the car to strike a nearby garbage can. He clarified that the vehicle was moving at a very low speed due to the recent start of the engine.
Despite the minimal damage, Alex was later hit with a hefty bill of S$9,769.42, which included S$8,495.15 for damage repair and S$1,274.27 for administrative and GST fees. Additionally, there is a potential charge of S$5,000 to S$8,000 for third-party excess or repair costs, bringing the total to an estimated S$15,000 to S$18,000.
The user expressed shock at the size of the bill, which arrived about a month after the incident. He claimed that despite reporting the accident immediately, he received no clear explanation of the charges and was unable to get in touch with anyone to address his concerns. Alex also expressed that the amount was “too huge” and was driving him close to bankruptcy.
Following Alex’s post, several users reacted with skepticism, questioning the extent of the damages shown in the photos he shared. One image revealed a dirty bonnet with a missing license plate, while another showed a dented rear wheel rim. Some commenters also pointed out that BlueSG’s terms and conditions stipulate that only the listed renter (YP Alex) should operate the vehicle.
Furthermore, users noted that BlueSG has the discretion to charge for excess and administrative costs upon confirming the car’s rental, and reminded Alex that he might also be liable for the loss of rental income while the vehicle undergoes repairs.
BlueSG’s website specifies that the “own damage repair cost” is the amount a driver must pay for any damage arising from an accident or incident during the rental period, while the “third-party excess” applies to any damages caused to third-party property or individuals.
