A woman says what looked like a cheap rental car quickly turned into a potential four-figure bill due to an insurance requirement she says she never expected.
Ashley Marie (@ashleymarie960) says she rented a car in Tampa, Florida. It came with an expensive surprise.
Marie says she initially booked through another rental company after finding a supposed bargain: a rental for just $25 for three days. But when she arrived, she said she had missed the company’s pickup cutoff time, and employees refused to honor the reservation.
So she went back to Expedia and booked another vehicle, this time through Priceless Car Rental.
That’s when she says things became even more complicated.
According to Marie, Priceless asked her to provide proof of her personal auto insurance and required “full coverage.” She says she was then told her existing insurance didn’t meet the rental company’s requirements because she didn’t have what she described as a $250,000 “comprehensive deductible.”
Marie says she was told she could still rent the vehicle if she purchased additional insurance, which she says would have cost about $500. This would’ve raised the total price of what was supposed to be a two-day Tampa rental to more than $1,000.
“Whatever Florida is doing down here with all their rules, regulations, and stuff for car rental companies is a complete scam, and they are swindling people out of money,” Marie said. “This place is a joke.”
As of this writing, her video has more than 22,900 views.
What does Priceless actually require?
Marie’s description of a “$250,000 comprehensive deductible” appears to mix together two different insurance requirements that Priceless has.
Priceless’ Tampa policy says renters using their own insurance must have verifiable collision coverage and provide a declarations page for verification. The company says it accepts major insurance policies, and notes that renters may instead purchase collision damage waiver coverage at the counter.
Other location policies spell out the distinction more clearly. For the Priceless serving Orlando’s International Airport, it says a renter’s personal policy must include verifiable collision and comprehensive coverage that’s verifiable and at least $300,000 in liability coverage. That same policy says their own security deposits can range from $250 to $2,500 depending on the renter’s insurance deductible.
Another Priceless policy for a location in North Carolina says the insurance deductible itself cannot exceed $500, while the renter’s declarations page must show at least $300,000 in liability coverage.
So while the video doesn’t show enough to verify, these numbers suggest that the figure Marie recalls was likely a liability-coverage requirement. Priceless’ published policies also show that insurance requirements can vary by location.
The Tampa location’s page doesn’t say renters must carry a $250,000 deductible. It says renters need verifiable collision coverage for rented vehicles, and that optional coverages are available at the counter.
That together may help explain how a cheap online reservation can become much more expensive once insurance requirements are added at pickup.
Viewers Question Her Choice
Many viewers focused less on Florida’s purported car rental rules and more on their skepticism of the companies Marie chose — and the $25 price tag that initially drew her in.
“$25 for 3 days really??? Does that seem realistic to you?” one commenter asked.
Several Tampa residents said they hadn’t even heard of the rental companies Marie mentioned.
“Why use these randos? Go to Hertz or another name brand. I live in Tampa and have never heard of the companies you mentioned…,” one viewer wrote.
Another local echoed that concern.
“Born and raised here and I have never heard of either of them. $25 for three days, I wouldn’t even rent it,” they said.
Others rattled off alternatives they thought Marie should have considered instead.
“Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Sixt, Dollar, Turo…. All the options you had, and this is what you chose?” one person questioned.
“If you’re in Tampa, literally go to the airport. Or just use Turo. Nothing else,” another suggested.
One commenter similarly urged her to stick with more familiar rental companies.
“Use [Budget], Enterprise, any other NORMAL rental companies,” they wrote.
Some viewers also pushed back on Marie’s claim that Florida itself was to blame for what happened.
“Nothing to do with Florida, you are using no name brands,” one person argued.
Whatever the cause of Marie’s experience, commenters were clearly skeptical that a $25, three-day rental would ever remain that cheap once she arrived at the counter.
Subplot News has reached out to Marie via TikTok direct message and to Priceless Car Rental for additional comment.
@ashleymarie960 Completely scammed from addcar rental and priceless car rental in Tampa, Florida! Don’t go to these, or any other “off brand” rental companies in Florida! And read all the fine print if you do! @Priceless Car Rental #scam #florida #vacations #fyp #viralvideo ♬ original sound – Ashley Marie
