[woobar]

Actually, $20+ /day is the price of _additional_ liability insurance. In most states liability coverage up to state defined Fnancial Responsibility Limits is included in rental price. Ask at the time of getting your car to avoid additional fees.

For instance, Avis says [1]:

Avis provides liability coverage for its vehicles as required by applicable law. In most instances, this will include coverage for the renter or authorized driver up to the financial responsibility limits of the applicable jurisdiction at no additional charge. In some states, the liability coverage provided is excess to any other applicable coverage.

Excluded are CA, TX, UT.

Dollar has similar policies, but they are less specific in their generic policies [2]:

B. Third Party Liability Claims: Unless otherwise required by applicable law, a renter and/or any additional authorized driver (and the respective insurance company of each) is primarily responsible for all third party claims of personal injury, including death, and property damage caused or arising from the use and operation of the DOLLAR vehicle during the rental. (To the extent DOLLAR is required to provide coverage, in spite of the terms of the rental agreement, it shall only be in an amount necessary to satisfy the minimum financial responsibility limits required by applicable law.)

[1] Select (USA, Protections/Coverages, Automobile Liability) at https://www.avis.com/car-rental/content/render-faq.ac

[2] http://www.dollar.com/AboutUs/GeneralPolicies.aspx