Originally Posted by
xinverness
That's what I would have thought but I was looking at this
If you elect to purchase SLI, coverage will be provided to you and any authorized driver under an excess coverage automobile policy issued to Avis. SLI provides protection for third party automobile claims for the difference between the minimum financial responsibility limits provided under paragraph 21 above and a maximum combined single limit of liability of $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 depending on the jurisdiction of rental and vehicle type for bodily injury, death or property damage for each accident.
Rental Terms and Conditions | Avis Rent a Car
That language seems to in effect impose a deductible but I wondered if Avis has ever actually implemented the SLI that way.
I did find this language in the Virginia Supreme Court decision:
"Baasanjav could have purchased the SLP, which would have afforded him independent insurance against his obligation to indemnify Enterprise for the damages paid to the third party. By declining to purchase the SLP, Baasanjav subjected himself to the terms of the indemnification provision, which required him to indemnify Enterprise for damages paid to the third party."
(I'm not sure if the SLP coverage offered by Enterprise in that case differed from the SLP/SLI coverage offered by Avis currently.)
In any event, joining AARP and renting from participating Avis/Budget locations with the AARP codes
should avoid any issue, as should having a personal, non-owner, automobile-liability policy, which, depending on where one lives, can be surprisingly affordable.
Note that people who have not yet turned 50 can still join AARP, and enjoy its member benefits. But unless you're willing to go with only minimal third-party-liability coverage, getting your own policy can be cost effective if you rent cars for a fair number of days every year. (The exact break-even point will depend upon your premium, which will vary depending on your age and driving record, where you live, and -- possibly -- your credit score. I just renewed my policy recently, and the six-month premium was all of $30 for 500/500/200 coverage, or $5/month.)