I think I was set up. I was given the hard sell (very hard sell) to take their insurance. My car was dirty, all scratched up and had several stickers on it showing where damage had been noted. I returned the car four hours early, the receiving agent went straight to the windshield and found a crack 1/4" long.
I received the car in the dark car rental center, how am I going to find a crack 1/4" long when I do my preliminary inspection. The car was dirty and this guy conveniently found the windshield crack very quickly. I think his little computer thing was tipping him of previous damage. They charged $25 for it and threw in the comment "you should have taken our insurance."
I do not have any recollection of a rock hitting my windshield. I cannot prove the damage did not happen when I was driving, but I am very suspicious. The car was pretty dirty and smelly. What I should have done was refuse it, but I waited in line 40 min to get to my rental and was running late to an appointment.
I will contact them to see if what their response is. I will give them an opportunity to prove that Katherine P. is correct, that they have good customer service. We will see.