CBS Investigation: Customers Say They Were Scammed For Insurance Coverage When Renting A Car

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LOS ANGELES (CBS) — If you search Dollar Rent A Car on Yelp, you will find reviews similar to this: "Do not rent a car. They will scam you."

Another review reads: "Lying Agent. When we pointed out that we did not want the insurance, he blatantly lied and said that CA law requires consumers to purchase insurance."

Erik Bochove said that's what he was told when he traveled to Los Angeles from New Mexico for a wedding.

"I asked if that was mandatory since I was fully already covered by my own insurance," Bochove said.

But he said an agent at the Dollar at LAX insisted that he bought additional coverage. So, Bochove purchased about $100 in coverage he said he did not want. That's more than what he paid for the car itself.

Armed with a hidden camera, a producer working with Investigative Reporter David Goldstein went to the Dollar office at LAX to inquire.

She asked whether she had to buy additional insurance even when she already had her own. The agent said: "You can use your liability, ma'am. But the one I recommend is the state damage waiver."

A "Loss Damage Waiver" or LDW is an insurance-like product that may well be covered by your own insurance.

"That way, if anything happens to our car, you basically walk away with nothing to pay, any scratches, any dents if somebody hits the car," the agent continued. Goldstein's producer said: "No, I don't think I need that."