For rental cars:
I see there are three levels of insurance offered as well as a 3rd party waiver. Can anyone offer an opinion on what's best?woody with a view - 6-22-2007 at 05:14 PM
depends on your level of optimism. lotsa mexicans (and some gringos) don't feel the need for insurance....
do ya feel lucky?
edit: i've been driving in baja since i was 17. never had a problem...knock on me! but it's you own comfort level. you can't (usually) go wrong
playing by the rules...
spring for the extra insurance....peace of mind is a GREAT thing....
edit edit: spend the extra $20 on uninsured motorist coverage...wait, it's a rental?
[Edited on 6-23-2007 by woody in ob]
[Edited on 6-23-2007 by woody in ob]Boshvideo - 6-22-2007 at 05:17 PM
but I thought it was mandatory for rentals?woody with a view - 6-22-2007 at 05:25 PM
what was mandatory for rentals?.....call your credit card company and ask what they will cover (tell them what you plan to do, just like in america,
or anywhere else) and don't be pressured into signing up for the optional towing, parts reimbursment, etc... it's a rental. if it breaks down, leave
it, hop a bus and continue your vacation while the rental company scrambles to get THEIR property back. your vacation is the least of their concerns.JZ - 6-22-2007 at 06:59 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Boshvideo
For rental cars:
I see there are three levels of insurance offered as well as a 3rd party waiver. Can anyone offer an opinion on what's best?
Just get the basic liability insurance. If you buy all the insurance they offer it will be more than the car rental.
Try to use a credit card that covers damage to a rental car.
[Edited on 6-23-2007 by JZ]Boshvideo - 6-22-2007 at 08:00 PM
Speaking of car rentals. Is National the best to deal with?Boshvideo - 6-22-2007 at 08:03 PM
Oh, sorry, I thought that the additional insurance was mandatory. Like if you bring an American rental car into Mexico.woody with a view - 6-22-2007 at 08:06 PM
your credit card might cover liability in mexico (like they do in the US). i'd spring for comprehensive just so you don't get stuck paying for
ANYTHING!bajaguy - 6-22-2007 at 08:28 PM
I always rent with Dollar near the SD airport. Mexican insurance is $25 a day for full coverage. I also decline any of the extra US stuff as that is
covered by my VISA cardoxxo - 6-23-2007 at 07:14 AM
I also use Dollar at the Los Cabos airport. Yes, full Mexican coverage is about $25 per day and I buy it. Rental cars start at $12 per day if you
get a deal on line. My credit cards (Visa Mastercard, American Express) do not cover any car rental in Mexico.
If you have a rental car and are in an accident, do not just walk away! I do not want to be on vacation as a fugitive from the law. That is why the
rental agency keeps your credit card number on file.woody with a view - 6-23-2007 at 08:16 AM
i would not walk away from an accident. however, if their POS breaks down i would call them to tell them where they could find it (if they hurry) and
see how prompt they were on a replacement. after a "resonable" amount of time i'd make other arrangements.
this happened to me in Oaxaca in the 80's. when they retrieved their vehicle they said it had a broken window (i left the doors unlocked because there
was nothing inside to steal) and the spare was missing. of course two days later when i went to their office they couldn't produce the vehicle so i
called my credit card and told them the story. i was only charged for the days i actually used the vehicle.Boshvideo - 6-23-2007 at 10:04 AM
My best scenario would be to pick up a car in TJ and drop it in Cabo. Yes, full insurance seems to be more expensive then the car rental itself. Do I
have this right?
thanks for any help.Minnow - 6-23-2007 at 10:13 AM
I have used priceline and got 4x4 jeeps twice for 25 per day in Los Cabos. I carry a annual Drivers License policy so I always decline the insurance.
Visa covers car rentals anyway, so I figure my liability is covered with my annual, and the car is covered by visa. I may be wrong but ignorance is
bliss.
One the mainland they will not rent you a car unless you buy the insurance.Boshvideo - 6-23-2007 at 11:10 AM
Can you tell me more about what you mean by "annual drivers licence policy"?
Do I understand correctly that the level of a Mexican rental insurance is up to me?oxxo - 6-24-2007 at 07:24 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Boshvideo
Do I understand correctly that the level of a Mexican rental insurance is up to me?
Like the USA, Mexico law requires that you have basic liability on any car you drive in Mexico - your own or a rental car. If you are in an accident
and you dont have liability coverage, you go to jail until you pay all the damages in cash. The basic coverage for liability on a rental car is $25
per day. Yes, I know, that is often more expensive than the car rental itself. Some on the Board say that their credit card gives then coverage on a
rental car. The answer is yes, in the USA but I have never seen it in Mexico. I have specifically inquired on all my credit cards and none of them
provide Mexican coverage. Even if your credit card does provide coverage, in the event of an accident, the Mexican authorities will hold you in
detention until you can produce that policy - which may take days from the States. Just bite the bullet and purchase the $25 per day coverage at the
rental agency. Better safe than sorry.
As far as level of insurance beyond liability, it is up to you. Do you want to be responsible for repairs to the rental car if someone runs into you
and destroys the rental car you are driving? What is your comfort level? The concepts of liabilty responsibility are not the same here in Mexico.
Often times the person with the deepest pockets (read gringo) is the one who will be responsible for an accident even if you are parked alongside the
road with the engine off.
I was pulled over in San Jose a couple of weeks ago in a general traffic stop. They were pulling over everyone, gringos and Mexicans. The were
checking drivers licenses to see if they were current, auto registration to see if it was current (even on my California plated car), and proof of
insurance. I don't have a problem with that, I think it is a good idea. I would hate to be in the position of showing a credit card if they ask for
proof of insurance on a rental car. They wont know what you are talking about.
Drive safe out there.
[Edited on 6-24-2007 by oxxo]woody with a view - 6-24-2007 at 07:51 AM
Quote:
They were pulling over everyone, gringos and Mexicans. The were checking drivers licenses to see if they were current, auto registration to see if it
was current (even on my California plated car), and proof of insurance.
more mordida........:moon:Minnow - 6-24-2007 at 07:52 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Boshvideo
Can you tell me more about what you mean by "annual drivers licence policy"?
Do I understand correctly that the level of a Mexican rental insurance is up to me?
You can buy a policy that covers your liability in Mexico for any car you drive. You have to buy it for one year though. It is called an annual
drivers license policy. You have to have a valid drivers license to purchase it. and for it to be recognized by the authorities in Mexico.bajalou - 6-24-2007 at 08:00 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Minnow
Quote:
Originally posted by Boshvideo
Can you tell me more about what you mean by "annual drivers licence policy"?
Do I understand correctly that the level of a Mexican rental insurance is up to me?
You can buy a policy that covers your liability in Mexico for any car you drive. You have to buy it for one year though. It is called an annual
drivers license policy. You have to have a valid drivers license to purchase it. and for it to be recognized by the authorities in Mexico.
My DR policy states the car must be registered in country other than Mexico.Minnow - 6-24-2007 at 08:18 AM
Lou, who is your policy with?bajalou - 6-24-2007 at 08:31 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Minnow
Lou, who is your policy with?
Seguros El Potosi S.A. through ADA-Vis Global. Was told this by the agent when I first got policy. Can't find the entire thing but I might call them
tomorrow just to confirm. Time for my annual renewal anyway.Boshvideo - 6-24-2007 at 11:55 AM
many thanks for all the insurance input. Looks like I'll get a car in TJ from National (looks like the cheapest compact is $31 a day) and take the $22
full insurance. The allow a drop off in Cabo.msrla - 6-25-2007 at 10:41 AM
If you have an amex card, you can buy the PREMIUM rental car policy...it's like a 15.00 charge if you live in Cali for each time you rent a car.....we
buy the policy and then cancel it on our return.... it covers rental cars in Mexico....but you still need to buy the liability the rental car company
sells you!
