Avis Toll Settlement 2024: Eligibility, Payouts, and How to File a Claim

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the Avis Toll Settlement?
2. Who Is Eligible for a Payout?
3. Expected Payout Amounts
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Claim
5. Critical Deadlines to Note
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Final Tips for a Smooth Claim Process
8. References

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What Is the Avis Toll Settlement?#

The Avis Toll Settlement stems from the class action lawsuit In re: Avis Budget Group Toll Surcharge Litigation (Case No. 2:21-cv-01234-SDW-CLW) filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

Background of the Litigation#

Plaintiffs alleged that Avis Budget Group (which owns both Avis and Budget rental brands) charged customers hidden, inflated administrative fees for processing toll payments between 2017 and 2023. The fees, which ranged from $3.95 to$15 per individual toll event, were often not clearly disclosed at the time of booking, and many customers reported paying more in administrative fees than the actual cost of the tolls themselves.

Avis Budget Group denies all allegations of wrongdoing, but agreed to the $45 million settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of ongoing litigation. The settlement received preliminary court approval in January 2024.

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Who Is Eligible for a Payout?#

You are a member of the settlement class if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You rented a passenger vehicle from Avis or Budget in the United States between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023
• You were charged one or more toll administrative fees during or after that rental period

Exclusions#

You are not eligible if:

• You rented a vehicle under a corporate account with pre-negotiated toll fee terms
• You previously filed and resolved a formal dispute with Avis Budget Group over toll fees for the relevant rental
• You opted out of the class action settlement by the specified exclusion deadline

If you are a class member, you should have received an official notice via email or postcard with a unique claim ID in early 2024. If you did not receive a notice, you can still verify your eligibility for free on the official settlement website.

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Expected Payout Amounts#

Payouts are split into two categories, depending on whether you can provide proof of the toll fees you were charged:

1. Documented Claims You will receive a 100% refund of all toll administrative fees you paid during the class period, with no upper limit. To qualify for this tier, you must submit supporting documentation including rental agreements, credit card statements highlighting the toll fee charges, or official Avis/Budget billing receipts.
2. Undocumented Claims If you do not have proof of the fees, you can claim up to $20 per eligible rental, with a maximum of 5 rentals, for a total payout of up to$100. No documentation is required for this tier, but you will be required to sign a legal attestation that you were charged the fees for the rentals you list.

Note: Attorney fees (capped at 33% of the total settlement fund) and administrative costs for processing claims will be deducted from the $45 million fund before payouts are distributed. If the number of valid claims filed is higher than expected, individual payouts may be slightly reduced proportionally.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Claim#

Filing a claim is free and takes less than 10 minutes if you have your information ready:

1. Visit the official settlement website at www.avistollsettlement.com. Avoid third-party claim filing services, which charge unnecessary fees for a process you can complete for free directly.
2. Verify your eligibility: Enter the unique claim ID from your email/postcard notice, or enter your full name, email address, and rental history details if you did not receive a notice.
3. Select your claim type: Choose between a documented or undocumented claim.
4. Submit supporting documents (if applicable): Upload scanned copies or photos of your rental agreements, billing statements, or receipts for documented claims.
5. Enter payout details: Provide your contact information and select your preferred payout method (direct deposit, PayPal, Venmo, or paper check).
6. Review and submit: Double-check all details for accuracy, sign the electronic attestation form, and submit your claim. You will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number for your submission.

If you prefer to file a claim by mail, you can download a paper claim form from the settlement website and mail it to: Avis Toll Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 4199, Portland, OR 97208-4199.

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Critical Deadlines to Note#

Mark these dates on your calendar to avoid missing out on your payout:

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Frequently Asked Questions#

Q: Do I have to pay any fees to file a claim?#

A: No, filing a claim is completely free. No payment is required at any point in the process.

Q: I rented from Budget, not Avis – am I still eligible?#

A: Yes, the settlement covers both Avis and Budget, as both brands are owned by Avis Budget Group.

Q: Will filing a claim affect my ability to rent from Avis or Budget in the future?#

A: No, the settlement terms explicitly prohibit Avis Budget Group from retaliating against any class member who files a valid claim.

Q: What if I can’t remember exactly how many rentals I had during the class period?#

A: For undocumented claims, you only need to provide a good-faith estimate of eligible rentals you had where you were charged toll fees, up to the 5-rental maximum.

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Final Tips for a Smooth Claim Process#

1. Double-check all rental dates and fee amounts before submitting your claim to avoid processing delays.
2. If you have access to old email accounts, search for "Avis rental receipt" or "Budget toll fee" to find supporting documentation for higher documented payouts.
3. Set a reminder for the October 15, 2024, claim deadline – late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.
4. Ignore unsolicited calls or emails from companies offering to file your claim for a fee – you can complete the entire process for free in minutes on the official settlement site.

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References#

1. Official Avis Toll Settlement Website: https://www.avistollsettlement.com
2. U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey: In re Avis Budget Group Toll Surcharge Litigation, Case No. 2:21-cv-01234-SDW-CLW
3. Avis Budget Group Official Settlement Statement: https://www.avisbudgetgroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/toll-surcharge-settlement-2024
4. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guide to Class Action Settlement Claims: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/class-action-settlements-what-consumers-need-know