rzitren
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 2-15-2009
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Rental car in Loreto
Hello
Planning a trip to Loreto in July for two weeks and looking for a rental car or driver with a car. The prices at the airport appear to have more than
doubled since our last time there.
Thanks
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Tommy A
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Posts: 221
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Location: Manhattan Beach, Ca
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There are some rental cars places in Loreto that would probably be more affordable.
I would also check on Facebook “ Voices of Loreto “ for more information.
[Edited on 3-27-2024 by Tommy A]
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BoenBaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 12-24-2023
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Important information shared previously by Valerie Farrington Teters:
Valerie Farrington Teters
January 22
Hi All- many of us have been going round and round about the insane cost of car rentals in Baja. Since we are on the East Cape frequently and have not
yet brought a car down to leave at our home, as you can imagine, we’ve really felt slammed by the rental car costs-easily $500 per week or more for
a compact 2 wheel SUV. I decided to invest some time this past week to really get to know the laws regarding liability and collision insurance
requirements in Baja since the upfront cost of renting a car always sounds like a steal (in a good way) when you go to reserve online.
Here’s what I now know after a little research and a couple of phone calls. Liability insurance -always comes with every rental car in Baja. The
laws mandate that the rental companies include $750,000 pesos of coverage with your rental. When they tell you you need liability insurance and tell
you it’s going to cost $400 a week, that is NOT TRUE-you are being up-sold additional insurance that you do not need. Ask them and the agents will
confirm that you have this coverage already included-or look right on the rental email-it’s on the front of it! Collision-almost all American credit
card companies do provide collision insurance for rental cars in foreign counties. I made sure ours covered a Mexican car rental for the full extent
of any damages. I called my CC, was transferred to an auto rental coverage specialist, had them review coverage for Baja with me, and they emailed the
policy details to me within minutes. I made two copies and presented one to the agent and kept a copy with the car rental papers. One caution, should
there be a claim, you would have to pay for repairs directly to the rental car agency and then your CC Co would reimburse you-and you leave a $2,500
US dollar deposit which is a CC transaction that never actually gets charged to your card. Lastly, yesterday I made a quick call to MEX, confirmed
that our 17 day rental would cost $57 US (Kia Sportage) and included $750,000 pesos liability insurance. I also told them that I was bringing a copy
of my collision coverage. I got the agent I spoke with’s name and wrote it on the proof of collision insurance copy.
Today when we arrived at MEX I was told the rental would be $1,400. I was very polite and very prepared. I presented her with a printed out copy of my
itinerary showing $58 including $750,000 peso liability coverage. The agent was furious with me and tried to add a second driver (without asking me
first)for $250, add collision and additional liability coverage....She was openly aggressive and angry. I remained calm and showed her my res #, proof
of collision insurance and the name of the agent I spoke with the day before to confirm my rental and cost. She finally gave up and tossed us the keys
and walked away. $58 US. Not $1,400 US for 17 days. BAM!
Hope this helps those of you in the same predicament. As someone else pointed out here-make sure you get pics of all dents and scratches with the
rental facility as your time stamp before you drive away!
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surabi
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3254
Registered: 5-6-2016
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I live in the Puerto Vallarta area and everyone who books a rental car online from these international rental companies to pick up the airport has the
same story of being scammed, told that they gave to pay a whole lot more money.
But there is a small independent private rental company in the area that is reliable, honest, and don't play these games, so I warn everyone I know
who is coming down and wants to rent a car about these scams and give them the contact info for the good guys.
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digcolnagos
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 9-4-2023
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Rented a car in Baja a couple times, and this comports with my experience. I went through Discover Cars, which charges no fee and was a great help in
La Paz when I had an issue with the car being ready--got them on the phone, handed it to the agent and they dealt with it.
Make sure you have a letter from your credit card company explaining that you have insurance in Spanish, printed out and ready, when you go to pick up
the car. They will resist, but will eventually surrender. Without that letter, you have no hope.
Read the fine print. When I went to pick up a car in Cabo last year, the price was outrageous--I'd missed a tiny detail, can't recall exactly what it
was, but it was not at all obvious. I made a new reservation via Discover Car, hoofed it Mex Rent A Car a few blocks away and got a vehicle at an
affordable price.
Both times it was absurdly cheap. The car I had for two weeks in 2022 cost $176; the price was similar last year. Unlimited miles both times. They
can't be making any money from the rental itself, it has to be from the add-on insurance you don't need.
So, go through Discover Car, read the contract/rental voucher carefully and don't try it without the letter from your credit card company.
Quote: Originally posted by BoenBaja  | Important information shared previously by Valerie Farrington Teters:
Valerie Farrington Teters
January 22
Hi All- many of us have been going round and round about the insane cost of car rentals in Baja. Since we are on the East Cape frequently and have not
yet brought a car down to leave at our home, as you can imagine, we’ve really felt slammed by the rental car costs-easily $500 per week or more for
a compact 2 wheel SUV. I decided to invest some time this past week to really get to know the laws regarding liability and collision insurance
requirements in Baja since the upfront cost of renting a car always sounds like a steal (in a good way) when you go to reserve online.
Here’s what I now know after a little research and a couple of phone calls. Liability insurance -always comes with every rental car in Baja. The
laws mandate that the rental companies include $750,000 pesos of coverage with your rental. When they tell you you need liability insurance and tell
you it’s going to cost $400 a week, that is NOT TRUE-you are being up-sold additional insurance that you do not need. Ask them and the agents will
confirm that you have this coverage already included-or look right on the rental email-it’s on the front of it! Collision-almost all American credit
card companies do provide collision insurance for rental cars in foreign counties. I made sure ours covered a Mexican car rental for the full extent
of any damages. I called my CC, was transferred to an auto rental coverage specialist, had them review coverage for Baja with me, and they emailed the
policy details to me within minutes. I made two copies and presented one to the agent and kept a copy with the car rental papers. One caution, should
there be a claim, you would have to pay for repairs directly to the rental car agency and then your CC Co would reimburse you-and you leave a $2,500
US dollar deposit which is a CC transaction that never actually gets charged to your card. Lastly, yesterday I made a quick call to MEX, confirmed
that our 17 day rental would cost $57 US (Kia Sportage) and included $750,000 pesos liability insurance. I also told them that I was bringing a copy
of my collision coverage. I got the agent I spoke with’s name and wrote it on the proof of collision insurance copy.
Today when we arrived at MEX I was told the rental would be $1,400. I was very polite and very prepared. I presented her with a printed out copy of my
itinerary showing $58 including $750,000 peso liability coverage. The agent was furious with me and tried to add a second driver (without asking me
first)for $250, add collision and additional liability coverage....She was openly aggressive and angry. I remained calm and showed her my res #, proof
of collision insurance and the name of the agent I spoke with the day before to confirm my rental and cost. She finally gave up and tossed us the keys
and walked away. $58 US. Not $1,400 US for 17 days. BAM!
Hope this helps those of you in the same predicament. As someone else pointed out here-make sure you get pics of all dents and scratches with the
rental facility as your time stamp before you drive away! |
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5835
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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I am going to have to save this thread! I don't have any current plan to rent a car, but this is great information if I, or someone I am in contact
with needs to in the future.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2244
Registered: 4-23-2006
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The car rental companies are actually in the overpriced insurance business, and toss in the car .
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17400
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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I hate renting cars in mexico. It’s a big mine field of crooks and scammers.
The big american chains should be ashamed of themselves. The big american chains tolerate their franchisees ripping off customers with insurance scams
and pursuing ridiculous damage claims.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Cancamo
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Posts: 345
Registered: 4-5-2011
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It's been a few years but I have rented cars in Queretaro, Oaxaca, and Merida for as little as $6/day. Yes, deny their insurance, use your credit card
that provides insurance, and leave a CC deposit of $2500. They don't like it. As a result they are super scrutinizing for damages upon the return.
The situation in SJD is almost criminal, I have returned a friend's rental way ahead of time admonishing the agents, telling them they might as well
be using a pistol. They didn't like that either.
Long gone are the days of the inexpensive weekly rate for the VW bugs There are many options off site from the airport, but none of them are
reasonably priced.
I suspect the Mafia, (cartels), has their hands in this as well as most all of the tourist support businesses.
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digcolnagos
Newbie
Posts: 18
Registered: 9-4-2023
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Yes, it almost goes without saying, walk around the car with phone video going and agent present, point out every tiny thing you spot even if the
agent does not and if he doesn't write it down, make sure it's on video. It can't hurt and might discourage pulling a fast one upon return.
I once got charged for a tire that went flat within two blocks of the return agency, but my credit card company covered it. Not a big deal.
[Edited on 3-29-2024 by digcolnagos]
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17400
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Cancamo | It's been a few years but I have rented cars in Queretaro, Oaxaca, and Merida for as little as $6/day. Yes, deny their insurance, use your credit card
that provides insurance, and leave a CC deposit of $2500. They don't like it. As a result they are super scrutinizing for damages upon the return.
The situation in SJD is almost criminal, I have returned a friend's rental way ahead of time admonishing the agents, telling them they might as well
be using a pistol. They didn't like that either.
Long gone are the days of the inexpensive weekly rate for the VW bugs There are many options off site from the airport, but none of them are
reasonably priced.
I suspect the Mafia, (cartels), has their hands in this as well as most all of the tourist support businesses. |
The fact that rental car scams are in every rental office nationwide tells you that all of the big chains approve of the practice. If the chains
disapproved, the chains would stop this by eliminating bad rental offices.
The system is rotten top to bottom, and collusion extends across the chains and to all of the airlines and travel partners (e.g expedia) that are 3rd
party vendors of rental cars. Resellers are presenting these cars as approved vendors, the resellers would cut loose bad vendors unless they are
receiving kickbacks that make it worthwhile to tolerate fraud committed by their sales partners.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9330
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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I've rented cars in Loreto about 10 times and have MX friends that live there. They have contacts with the local places outside the airport.
PM me if you want info.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9330
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Online
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| Quote: Originally posted by surabi | I live in the Puerto Vallarta area and everyone who books a rental car online from these international rental companies to pick up the airport has the
same story of being scammed, told that they gave to pay a whole lot more money.
But there is a small independent private rental company in the area that is reliable, honest, and don't play these games, so I warn everyone I know
who is coming down and wants to rent a car about these scams and give them the contact info for the good guys.
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This is the best post you have made on the board in 4 years.
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3500
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Anyone using BofA Visa as their rental card and assuming you have coverage better check. I did after reading this thread and they dropped all auto
rental damage waiver coverages a few years ago. You must use their Travel Visa to get it. No annual fee, but incredibly high interest rates/late
penalties if you carry a balance. You can get a waiver for collision online so that part is easy.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 17400
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by Santiago | | Anyone using BofA Visa as their rental card and assuming you have coverage better check. I did after reading this thread and they dropped all auto
rental damage waiver coverages a few years ago. You must use their Travel Visa to get it. No annual fee, but incredibly high interest rates/late
penalties if you carry a balance. You can get a waiver for collision online so that part is easy. |
Most CCs that cover rental insurance only provide secondary coverage.
You can request letters from your primary and secondary insurer to provide proof of coverage.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3788
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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I have never had a problem with a rental car in Mexico. I make reservations online at a price that I am OK with - it is honored by the car company.
Their insurance prices are posted. There are choices - you choose. Forget your credit card coverage for Mexico insurance. But your auto insurance
may cover secondary coverage under their provisions. Never experienced a "scam". Even with the $7/day rental, plus $24/day insurance - it was
honored and final cost reasonable.
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