Quick Summary:
- Read the agreement line by line, looking for pre-selected coverages and fees.
- Ask for a revised contract with each unwanted add-on set to $0.
- Photograph the final agreement screen and printed pages before signing.
- Keep receipts and itemised totals to dispute any post-rental add-on charges.
Picking up a car hire in the US can feel fast-paced, especially after a flight into Las Vegas. The counter agent may talk you through options while a screen shows several “accepted” items already marked. Sometimes those add-ons were pre-selected in the system, sometimes they were carried over from an earlier quote, and sometimes they appear because a default package was applied. None of that means you have to pay for extras you do not want.
This guide explains which add-ons are commonly pre-ticked at US pick-up, how to spot them on the rental agreement, and how to get removals confirmed in writing before you sign. The goal is not to refuse everything automatically, but to understand what is on the contract, what it costs per day, and what you are authorising.
If you are collecting at the airport, it helps to know your base booking details before you join the queue. For location-specific guidance around pick-up logistics, these Hola Car Rentals pages can be useful references: Las Vegas airport car rental and car rental in Las Vegas.
Why pre-ticked extras happen at US pick-up
US car hire desks often work from a “sell screen” that is designed to present protection products and convenience services quickly. Depending on the brand, the system can default to showing certain items as accepted, or it may present a bundled option first. In some cases, a staff member can also pre-select items while explaining them, intending to remove them if you decline. Either way, the final agreement is what matters.
Another reason confusion happens is that US terminology differs from what many renters expect. “Insurance” on the contract might actually be a waiver, and some items are not legally required but are framed as recommended. That is why you should treat the agreement as a checklist, not a formality.
Add-ons that are commonly pre-ticked
Not every desk pre-selects the same items, but these are frequently seen on US rental agreements, including in Las Vegas.
1) LDW or CDW, Loss Damage Waiver or Collision Damage Waiver
LDW or CDW is often the most expensive extra and the most likely to appear as accepted. It is not “car insurance” in the traditional sense, it is a waiver that can reduce or remove your financial responsibility for damage or theft, depending on terms and exclusions.
How it appears: LDW, CDW, DW, or “Damage Waiver”, usually priced per day.
How to remove: state clearly, “Please remove LDW or CDW, I decline damage waiver.” Ask the agent to reprint the agreement showing the line item at $0.00 or “Declined”.
2) SLI, Supplemental Liability Insurance
SLI is additional third-party liability cover above the state minimum. Because US liability rules vary and the minimum can be low, SLI is often pushed hard, and it can appear pre-selected.
How it appears: SLI, LIS, ALI, “Supplemental Liability”, “Liability Insurance Supplement”, priced per day.
How to remove: ask for liability coverage status to be shown clearly. If you decline, ensure the contract does not show SLI accepted. If you do want it, confirm the daily price and the stated coverage limit on the paperwork.
3) PAI, PEC, or Personal accident and effects cover
These products cover medical payments and personal belongings, sometimes bundled together. They are often low-cost compared with waivers, so they can slip through unnoticed.
How it appears: PAI, PEC, “Personal Accident”, “Personal Effects”, “Personal Protection Package”.
How to remove: ask to decline both accident and effects. Confirm each line is removed because some systems split them.
4) Roadside assistance or roadside protection
Breakdown assistance, tyre and windscreen cover, or “roadside” packages can be added automatically. Some renters assume basic breakdown help is included, then discover the desk is selling an enhanced package.
How it appears: “Roadside Assistance”, “RSP”, “ERS”, “Emergency Road Service”, “Roadsafe”, priced per day.
How to remove: ask what is included without the package, then decline the paid package if you do not want it. Ensure it is marked declined, not simply “N/A”.
5) Fuel products, especially prepay fuel
Fuel options are a classic source of confusion. Prepay fuel can be convenient for some trips, but it can also be automatically selected, especially if the agent frames it as “easier at return”.
How it appears: “Fuel Service Option”, “Prepaid Fuel”, “FPO”, or a line that changes the refuelling policy and charges an upfront amount.
How to remove: request “return full” if that is what you want. Make sure the contract states the correct fuel policy and does not include an upfront fuel charge.
6) Toll programmes and electronic toll tags
In and around Las Vegas you might cross toll roads depending on your itinerary, and toll programmes can be offered as a daily fee plus tolls. Some contracts default to an electronic toll option.
How it appears: “Toll Pass”, “PlatePass”, “Toll Service”, “Convenience Fee”, “e-Toll”, sometimes with a daily cap.
How to remove: ask whether you can pay tolls yourself, and how that works in Nevada and other states you will drive through. If you decline, check the contract does not show an active toll programme fee.
7) Upgrade, vehicle class change, or guaranteed model
Sometimes the “extra” is not a product but a vehicle change. If a larger vehicle is pre-assigned or an agent offers an upgrade “for a small difference”, it can be added before you notice.
How it appears: a different car class code, higher base rate, or a line referencing “upgrade”, plus taxes.
How to remove: ask to return to the originally booked class and rate, then confirm the total due now matches your expectations.
8) Additional driver and young driver fees
These are not always “pre-ticked”, but they can be added if an agent assumes a second driver, or if you mention you will share driving. Fees vary and can be daily.
How it appears: “Additional Driver”, “Extra Driver”, “Young Renter”, “Underage”, “Age Differential”.
How to remove: only add an extra driver if you truly need it, and only after confirming the exact cost. If you did not request it, ask for it to be removed and reprint the agreement.
If you are comparing different supplier policies for your Las Vegas car hire, you can cross-check brand pages such as Enterprise in Las Vegas and National in Las Vegas. The key is still the same at pick-up: verify the agreement line items, not just the verbal summary.
Where to spot pre-selected extras on the agreement
At US counters, you may see a mix of paper and e-signature screens. Look for these areas:
Itemised charges section: this is where daily add-ons hide. Scan for multiple per-day charges that you did not expect. If the agreement shows a “rate” plus several “options”, read each option label.
Accepted or declined boxes: many systems show checkboxes or Yes/No indicators for LDW, SLI, PAI, roadside, and toll products. If anything is set to Yes by default, treat it as not yet agreed.
Summary totals: compare the total due at pick-up with your expectation from the booking confirmation. A jump of $20 to $60 per day is often waivers and liability options. Smaller jumps can be roadside, toll, or PAI.
Abbreviations: ask what each abbreviation means before you sign. It is reasonable to say, “Please explain what LDW and SLI are, and confirm what I am declining.”
How to remove add-ons properly, and prove it
Removing extras is straightforward when you do it in the right order and insist on written confirmation.
Step 1: State exactly what you are declining
Use the product name as printed on the agreement. For example, “Please remove LDW and SLI” is clearer than “I do not want insurance”, because the contract may list multiple items that sound like insurance.
Step 2: Ask for the contract to be reworked, not just verbally changed
Do not rely on “I will take it off later”. Ask for a revised agreement now. The agreement should show each unwanted add-on as “Declined” or priced at $0.00. If the agent cannot reprint immediately, ask them to show you the final screen with the updated totals before you sign.
Step 3: Verify both the per-day charges and the total
Some products are charged per day, others are flat fees, and some are both. Make sure the itemised list matches your decisions. Then check the total due at pick-up and the estimated total including return charges.
Step 4: Get it in writing before signing
Your proof is the final signed agreement. Before signing, confirm that:
The add-on line is not present, or it is present but shows declined or $0.00.
The initial box status is correct, especially for waivers and liability options.
The printed or emailed copy matches what you saw on the screen.
If you can, take a clear photo of the final itemised charges page and the section that lists accepted or declined options. This is especially useful if there is later a dispute about what was agreed at the counter.
Common pushback, and calm responses that work
Sometimes an agent will describe a declined product as risky. You can keep the conversation factual and focused on the contract.
“It is required in Nevada.” Ask, “Which line item is legally required, and can you show it on the agreement?” Many optional products are not legally required, even if recommended.
“Your card will not cover this.” You can respond, “Please mark LDW declined on the agreement.” You do not have to debate coverage at the desk if you have already decided.
“It is only a few dollars.” Reply, “Please remove it and reprint the agreement.” Small daily fees add up fast on a week-long car hire.
“I cannot change it.” Ask for a supervisor or ask to see a version of the agreement where the product is declined. If they truly cannot remove an item, treat that as a material change and consider whether you want to proceed.
After you sign, what to keep and what to check
Before you leave the lot, save the agreement email or take photos of the printed copy. At return, keep the final receipt too. When you later check your card statement, compare it to the final receipt, not only the pick-up estimate. If you see an unexpected add-on charge, you will need the signed agreement pages showing what was accepted or declined.
Las Vegas pick-up tips that reduce surprise extras
Las Vegas is busy, and queues can be long at peak times. A few habits make it easier to catch pre-ticked extras:
Slow the process down: it is fine to say you need a minute to read the agreement. You are agreeing to financial terms.
Ask for an itemised view: if the screen only shows a total, ask to see the breakdown.
Match the driver name and dates: incorrect dates can change the number of chargeable days and inflate add-ons.
Do not sign on a summary alone: some systems show a summary first, then full terms. Ensure the options list is visible.
If you want to browse local supplier and location information without rushing, Hola Car Rentals also has a Nevada-specific car hire page at car hire in Nevada, which can help you get familiar with what to expect at the counter.
FAQ
Q: What does “pre-ticked” mean on a US car hire agreement?
A: It means an optional extra is already marked as accepted on the screen or paperwork, before you have agreed to it, so you must actively decline and confirm removal.
Q: If I verbally decline an add-on, is that enough?
A: No. Only the final written agreement matters. Ask for a reprinted or updated contract showing the add-on declined or priced at $0.00 before signing.
Q: Which add-ons most often cause bill shock at Las Vegas pick-up?
A: LDW or CDW, SLI, roadside packages, toll programmes, and prepaid fuel are the most common drivers of unexpected daily charges.
Q: How can I prove an add-on was removed?
A: Keep the final signed agreement and the final receipt. Take a photo of the itemised charges page and the accepted or declined options section before leaving the counter.
Q: What should I do if I notice an unwanted add-on after I have signed?
A: Return to the desk immediately and ask for a corrected contract in writing. The longer you wait, the harder it is to show the product was not authorised.
