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SINGAPORE - You wrecked our car so you must pay.
The amount?
A whopping $67,000, to be coughed up within a week.
That was the ultimatum handed to full-time national serviceman (NSF) Alan Tan Jun Rong by car rental firm Neo Rental And Resources after he crashed a rented Honda Civic car along Bedok South Avenue 1 on the morning of Aug 12.
The 20-year-old, who was driving alone towards the East Coast Parkway, lost control of the car and collided with a centre divider, causing significant damage to the vehicle.
He also fractured his right arm in the crash.
"I had just got my driving licence the week before the accident and I wanted to celebrate with friends," said Mr Tan, who has a brother, aged 10.
He had paid $388 to use the car for four days, but claimed that he was not told about the insurance for the car at the time.
Most big rental companies like Avis require drivers to be between 23 and 74 years of age and in full possession of a valid driving licence with at least one year of qualified driving experience at the time of rental.
But a car rental industry source told The New Paper that probational plate holders - who are at least 26years old - can rent a car from smaller companies.
He said this is done because the smaller companies need the business. As for insurance, anyone who does not meet the driving experience required will usually have to pay the excess of $10,000.
"Assuming the damages total to $15,000, the customer will pay the excess of $10,000 and the rental company will foot the rest," said the source.
When asked to recount the accident, Mr Tan admitted his error.
"While driving, I lost control because I was too tired, I had stayed up late meeting some friends the night before," he said apologetically.
Mr Tan said he called the police immediately after the crash and called the rental company to inform them of the accident as well.
He said: "But they were not happy I called the police and scolded me. I thought that was odd, shouldn't the police be informed of such incidents?"
A tow truck hauled the wreckage and the rental company picked him up at the accident location, said Mr Tan. It also picked up his dad, Mr Tan Choon Tsien, from his shop at Hougang Green Shopping Mall.
Both were then taken to the offices of Neo Rental And Resources at MacPherson Road.
The father, a 37-year-old shopkeeper, said they were kept on the premises until they signed papers agreeing to pay for the damage.
