I recently completed a reservation for a rental with Avis, Rental Agreement #443172855, I made the reservation through the Avis.com online reservation system in North America for a location in France, Geneva Airport ( GGV ) I had a confirmed rate of approx $339.30 CAD determined by the exchange rate. The web site showed that Liability Insurance was approximately $14.81 CAD per day or $10.87 Euro's.

On the day of the rental September 13th 2010 I requested Liability Insurance from the agent, and she quoted me a price of $29.22 Euro's per day, I told her this couldn't be correct as the web site showed $14.81 CAD and pointed it out to her, she just shrugged and said the computer shows its $29.22 Euro's, and I could take it or leave it. I talked with her for over 30 minutes to make sure she had not added anything on to the rental increasing the cost to $29.22 Euro's, I specifically didn't want LDW ( collision insurance) from the rental company as they have a $1, 000 Euro deductible, and my Visa credit card covers LDW with no deductible. Visa told me specifically not to take the collision damage waiver from the car rental company as it would invalidate my Visa coverage. The agent insisted I was only purchasing liability Insurance and showed me the English translation of the French contract, it showed Liability Suppression for $29.22 Euro's and nothing else. This was a difference of approximately $365 CAD, at this point I didn't have any choice but to accept as I needed the rental car to continue my vacation, I felt I would have to sort it out when I returned. The agent gave me the French copy to sign and I was on my way.

On my return home I spoke with Avis customer service a number of times, I explained everything in detail, and requested the contract be adjusted according to the price quoted on their web site. They looked at the contract and informed me I was charged for 3 separate insurance options:
CDW 13.25
LLI 10.87
TPI 5.10
Total 29.22

They refused my refund request and sent me a copy of the French agreement I had signed, saying I had accepted the optional coverage, I disputed this further saying the agent assured me no other insurance was added and after reading the English translation, how could I possibly know they were combined under LLI. In North America each individual item is listed as accepted or declined.
I thought I was signing for LLI only, and the agent assured me that's all there was.

Therefore I feel the agent misled me, she appeared to understand English with no problem and at no time told me I was signing for two other optional services.

I also feel it is unethical or even illegal to provide a English translation which is different then the original French version and use that as a basis for obtaining a signature

Not only did I incur an extra charge of $365 CAD, but by adding the collision insurance I was now liable for the first $1, 000 Euro's in damages.

I should be refunded the two insurances I did not sign for, CDW and TPI a total of $263.37 EUR with tax.

I ahve attached copies of both the French and English agreements