Australia - Car Excess Insurance, what's necessary?

noz85

I've got 2 hire cars booked for my trip to Australia in 2 weeks. I am looking to get excess insurance and I am wondering do I need to add Supplementary Liability Insurance? Do I need Collision Damage Waiver?

Thank you very much in advance

I have found this on the atlasdirect.net FAQ:



"What is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) /Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)?

Cover for first party damage to the rental car, i.e. physical damage caused to the rented vehicle whilst driven by the Insured. It covers the insured person(s) for losses incurred as a result of damage, fire, vandalism or theft of the hired vehicle.

What is Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)?

If there is an accident where the renter is at fault, the renter has a legal obligation to pay for any bodily injury and / or property damage. SLI insures the driver against bodily injury and property damage to a third party up to a total of US $1,000,000, IN EXCESS of the required amount of insurance carried by the Car Rental Company. Additionally, up to $100,000 in total for situations where the negligent party has insufficient insurance, no insurance or is unidentified against accident and legally awarded compensation following bodily injury or property damage.

In UK, most of Europe, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia and most of the Middle and Far East, rental companies are required to carry unlimited Third Party Liability Insurance.

In USA, Canada, the Caribbean and South America, there are different legal requirements that the rental company must abide by. These laws state the minimum liability that the rental company must provide themselves on behalf of the renter (you). In some cases these can be up to US $50,000 or be as low as US $5,000 and in a few instances the State law does not have a minimum, which is where this cover comes into force."