
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 6, 1990                   TAG: 9005060294
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: F7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CAR-RENTAL FEE DROPS

Hertz and Avis, in response to a new ordinance in Dade County, Fla., regulating the price of collision or loss damage waivers sold to car rental customers, has reduced the price of its waivers in the county.

Hertz's waiver has dropped to $2.50 a day, Avis' to $4.50. The county includes Miami and Miami Beach. The collision damage waivers were $11 or $12, dependning on the type of car.

The waivers, which free the renter of responsibility for damage to a vehicle, have been criticized by consumer and other groups as overpriced.

The Metropolitan Dade County Commission approved an ordinance early last month requiring rental companies in the county to sell waivers at a price no higher "than the actual cost to cover the terms and conditions" of a waiver. Other counties in Florida are considering similar regulations.

An Alamo official said the company viewed the Dade County ordinance as vague because it did not clearly define what was meant by "actual cost."

However, on April 19 Alamo introduced a waiver program throughout Florida consisting of options priced at $3, $6 and $9 a day.

by CNB