Quick Summary:
- Check the “Included” section for LDW and SLI wording.
- Watch for “optional” or “available at counter” with daily prices.
- Confirm excess amounts and liability limits match your booking details.
- Save voucher screenshots and get written confirmation before signing anything.
When you collect a car hire vehicle in Orlando, the paperwork can feel like a blur, especially after a long flight. The simplest way to avoid surprise charges is to confirm, in writing, whether LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) and SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance) are already included on your voucher, or whether they are optional add-ons offered at the counter.
This guide breaks down common voucher wording, where to find the right lines, and what to confirm before you reach the desk at Orlando International Airport. If you are comparing suppliers and pick-up points, it can also help to review the rental details shown on Hola Car Rentals pages such as car hire at Orlando Airport (MCO) or Orlando MCO car rental, since these typically summarise what is included in the rate.
Step 1: Find the “Included” and “Not included” sections
Most vouchers have a dedicated area that looks like a benefits list. The headings vary, but you are usually looking for one of these: Included, Rate includes, Coverages, Insurance and waivers, or Taxes and fees included.
Do not rely on the marketing name of the package alone. Instead, look for the specific cover abbreviations and their status. A strong sign LDW and SLI are included is when you see each item explicitly listed under “Included” or “Included in price”, sometimes with a zero cost next to it.
Also check a separate section labelled Payable at rental desk, Excluded, Optional extras, or Local charges. If LDW or SLI appears there with a daily amount, it is not included in your prepaid rate.
Step 2: Recognise LDW wording and what it should say
In Orlando and across Florida, LDW is often presented as the waiver that covers damage to the rental car, subject to terms. On a voucher it may appear as:
LDW, Loss Damage Waiver, CDW/LDW (Collision Damage Waiver / Loss Damage Waiver), or Damage waiver.
To decide whether it is included, focus on the sentence around it. Wording that usually indicates inclusion includes: “LDW included”, “LDW included in rate”, “Collision damage waiver included”, or “Damage waiver included, subject to excess”.
Wording that suggests it is not included or is being offered at the counter includes: “LDW optional”, “LDW available at counter”, “LDW not included”, “Customer responsible for damage”, or a line showing a daily price for LDW.
One more important detail is the excess (sometimes called the deductible). If your voucher says LDW is included but then lists a large excess, your cover may still leave you with an out-of-pocket amount if there is damage. A clear voucher often shows a specific excess amount. If it says “excess applies” without stating the figure, treat that as a prompt to confirm the number before travel.
Step 3: Recognise SLI wording and why it is often confusing
SLI is commonly the cover that increases third-party liability protection. Voucher language can be inconsistent because US rental agreements include some basic liability coverage by default, but the limits can be low and vary. On your voucher, SLI may be listed as:
SLI, Supplemental Liability Insurance, ALI (Additional Liability Insurance), Liability supplement, or “Third party liability up to $X”.
To confirm SLI is included, you want to see a stated limit and an included status, for example “SLI included, liability up to $1,000,000”. If the voucher simply says “Liability included as required by state law”, that is not the same as SLI and does not confirm enhanced limits.
Because Orlando is a high-traffic driving area with busy tourist routes, it is worth checking the liability limit carefully and understanding whether SLI is part of your prepaid package. If you are hiring through specific brands at MCO, the way cover is displayed can differ, so compare what is shown on pages like National Car Rental Orlando MCO and Enterprise Car Rental Orlando MCO before you travel, then match those inclusions to your voucher text.
Step 4: Spot the three most common “optional add-on” signals
Even if your voucher includes LDW and SLI, you may still be offered upgrades at the counter. These can be legitimate options, but the key is recognising when the voucher already covers what is being discussed.
Look for these signals that an item is optional and may be chargeable:
1) “Available at counter”. This typically means it is not prepaid and will be offered, often with a daily rate.
2) A separate price column. If LDW or SLI has a “per day” or “per rental” amount, it is not included in the base price unless the line explicitly states it is already paid.
3) “Declinable” language. If the voucher says “customer may decline”, that usually relates to an option presented at the desk. If you believe it should be included, ask for clarification from your provider before you arrive.
Step 5: Cross-check the voucher against your booking confirmation
Your voucher is the key document at pick-up, but you should still cross-check it with the booking confirmation email or the account page where you made the reservation. Focus on four fields:
Pick-up location (Orlando MCO, hotel area, or off-airport), rental dates and times, vehicle class, and the inclusions list.
If anything differs, your counter experience can change. For example, some packages are tied to a specific pick-up point, and the included coverages can vary by supplier and rate type.
Step 6: What to confirm before you reach the counter
Before you travel, try to have these answers in writing, either on the voucher itself or via confirmation from your provider:
LDW included or not, and if included, what is the excess and what are the key exclusions (for example, windscreen, tyres, underbody, or roadside incidents, depending on terms).
SLI included or not, and if included, what is the liability limit. If it is not included, know what liability protection is included by default and what limit applies.
Deposit amount and payment method. Many Orlando rentals require a credit card in the main driver’s name, and the deposit can vary. This is not LDW/SLI, but it is a frequent surprise at pick-up.
Additional driver and young driver charges. These are often listed as “payable locally” even when coverages are included.
Proof on arrival. Save your voucher as a PDF and keep screenshots of the inclusions section. If the desk queries your package, having the exact wording to hand can speed up resolution.
Step 7: How to handle counter conversations in Orlando
If the agent offers LDW or SLI and you believe they are included, stay focused on the document language. A calm approach works well:
Ask them to point to the line on the rental agreement that shows what is included and what is being added. Compare that to your voucher’s “Included” section. If the voucher says “LDW included” or “SLI included”, ask that the additional product be removed from the agreement before you sign.
If the voucher wording is unclear, ask for the daily cost and the cover limit in writing, then decide. The key is not to sign an agreement that lists coverages you did not intend to buy.
Finally, keep the signed agreement and the check-out sheet. If there is a dispute later, these documents, together with your voucher, are the evidence trail you need.
FAQ
Q: Where exactly on the voucher should I look for LDW and SLI?
A: Look for sections titled “Included”, “Rate includes”, or “Insurance and waivers”. Then check “Optional extras” or “Payable at desk” to see if LDW or SLI appears with a price.
Q: My voucher says “liability as per state law”. Is that SLI?
A: Not usually. That phrase typically refers to the minimum liability included by default. SLI is normally shown as “SLI/ALI included” with a stated higher limit, often up to $1,000,000.
Q: If LDW is included, can the desk still sell me something similar?
A: Yes. You may be offered upgrades such as reduced excess, extended protection for tyres and glass, or roadside packages. Check whether the offer is new cover or simply duplicating what your voucher already includes.
Q: What if my voucher does not list an excess amount for LDW?
A: Treat it as a point to confirm before travel. Ask for the excess figure and any key exclusions in writing, so you know your potential liability if the vehicle is damaged.
Q: What should I bring to make voucher checks easier at Orlando MCO?
A: Bring a PDF copy of the voucher, screenshots of the inclusions section, and your booking confirmation. Having the exact wording ready helps if the counter paperwork differs from your voucher.
