Nomads,
This is a general question about rental car insurance for Mexico, not just Baja:
I will be traveling on the mainland this coming February and have reserved a rental car for a few weeks. My close reading of rental conditions
indicate that Collision / Damage is covered by a "waiver" sold by the rental company ($25-$35 /day !!!) and that Credit card (gold/platinum cards)
damage coverage IS NOT accepted in Mexico, and that "third party insurance sold over internet" is also not valid. If I decline the CDW waiver, all
rental companies (yes, the big guys like Hertz, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty) will then deduct a "deposit" from the credit card upon commencing the rental
and that this deposit is worth 10-20% of car value....and the deposit is refunded ONLY if car is returned with no damage (I am in the practice of
taking photos of car at rental time w/ rental clerk in each pic pointing to pre-existing damage as my security).
I understand that Canadian/USA insurance is void in Mexico and I have insured my own vehicles over the years when travelling to Baja....and have
insured them through internet-advertised Mexican insurance companies. I have not yet needed to make a claim...
So here is the question: What have others done in such situations?
My best idea so far is to confirm by telephone with a Mexican Insurance company that I can buy a policy over the internet that DOES apply to rental
cars (their websites indicate they sell rental car coverage)....such coverage seems to cost about $10/day...
Thanks for any experienced opinions.
GedDiver - 10-9-2007 at 11:32 AM
I have found that most rental companies will offer a Mexico insurance policy but at their ridiculous rates. Have you considered crossing the border to
rent your car ? You will find it much cheaper when you consider insurance.
For example;
Rent car in San Diego and pay $32 per day extra for insurance, 7 days = $410.
Same car in TJ, 7 days with Mex insurance = $190.
Oops, can't do that from Canada can ya, eh ?
Unless you're flying down part way ?
.
[Edited on 10-9-2007 by Diver]motoged - 10-9-2007 at 12:21 PM
Diver,
Thanks, but as my post indicates, I am asking about mainland Mexico....and it's a long drive from San Diego to Ixtapa....and the flight is paid
for
Any other suggestions from Nomads?
GedBaja&Back - 10-9-2007 at 12:33 PM
Hmmm. We got exactly the same conditions given us when renting in Mazatlan. Visa later said their CDW waiver coverage is good in Mexico. But, when
you're standing at the counter, and the guy says, with a sneer, "Do you want the car or not", not much choice. We bit the exhorbitant bullet.
I think they count on that.BajaGeoff - 10-9-2007 at 04:36 PM
Hey Ged,
Unfortunately you are at the mercy of the rental agency in this situation, as most of them mandate that you buy the additional insurance from them.
Also, since you are renting a car with Mexican plates it would not be eligible for coverage with a "tourist auto insurance" policy that you usually
buy for your own vehicle. Our office gets calls from people in this situation all the time, but unfortunately there is not much you can do except pay
for the insurance or risk that nothing will happen. I wish there was a better solution!
[Edited on 10-9-2007 by BajaGeoff]motoged - 10-9-2007 at 09:57 PM
Geoff,
Thanks for the reply....I have been researching this for a few weeks and have had so many various replies/opinions. I have called numerous "Mexican"
auto insurance companies (most advertised on web have US tel. #'s and they all said either they would sell me CDW or they weren't sure what to say.
The insurance company in Canada that covers VISA card insurance coverage said that they would cover ALL CDW expenses should I incur them as long as I
declined CDW on rental agreement, regardless of what the Mexican rental policy said....
One Mexican insurance provider (USA based) unequivocally stated that the Mexican auto renters were simply presenting extra costs for their own benefit
and that I did not need to buy Mexican CDW, as he was convinced VISA would cover any damage expenses ....but agreed that I needed third party
liability....and that he would sell a year's coverage for about $150 (I can't remember exactly his quote) and that that annual coverage was not
"vehicle specific" and was good for different rentals over a year....and that the 17 days coverage I need would cost about $60.....
I am going to go with what VISA Canada told me...as long as I follow their conditions, I am covered for any and all damage costs.
What I have learned in this research is that "waivers" are NOT insurance, that Mexican CDW/LDW may not cover vandalism...and that theft protection may
be a separate waiver and is unnecessary as credit card offers that coverage (Gold/Platinum cards)
Thanks for your reply,
GedBaja&Back - 10-9-2007 at 11:12 PM
Quote:
I am going to go with what VISA Canada told me...as long as I follow their conditions, I am covered for any and all damage costs.
A noble course, Ged. One I would have liked to follow.
But, whay happens at the rental counter in Ixtapa when they tell you to get out of their office & refuse you a car??? When all the agencies do the
same???
Unfortunately, be prepared for that. The customer is not king in Mexico.
[Edited on 10-10-2007 by Baja&Back]Pstreet1 - 10-9-2007 at 11:52 PM
You might try Avis. We've rented from Avis in Mexico and needed to purchase zero insurance. (Avis includes the cost of the manditory 3rd party
Mexican liability insurance to cover damage you cause to others or their property in the rate they quote you.) The Avis International Desk told us to
download and print out their policy which states the 3rd party liability is included and to, also, download and print their policy which states that
the insurance on the credit card is acceptable to cover the vehicle. They also told us to download and print the documentation from customer service
for our credit card and take it with us along with the toll free phone number to call the insurance people from Mexico--not a 1-800 number.
We have always taken all that, and have never needed any of it. The local Avis desk just asked if we wanted additional insurance. We said no. We
signed. That was that.motoged - 10-10-2007 at 12:45 AM
A noble course, Ged. One I would have liked to follow.
But, whay happens at the rental counter in Ixtapa when they tell you to get out of their office & refuse you a car??? When all the agencies do the
same???
Unfortunately, be prepared for that. The customer is not king in Mexico.
Barry,
Thanks for the caution. Did that actually happen to you, or are you just letting me now what I might encounter?
I have traveled in Mexico and Central America enough to fully appreciate that travelers are not king..."pero uno otro pendejo en la calle"
My research and query here are based on my efforts to avoid such a surprise.
Rental agreements in Mexico offer the option to accept or not the waivers....if you decline, they just bill the card for any damage expenses....and
that's where VISA says they pay the costs as long as you follow the rules of VISA.
I have made several reservations with different rental outfits in Ixtapa just in case one outfit does bounce me...and to keep the web rates.
Pstreet1, Avis does not seem to have a rental outlet at the Zihuatanejo airport....
My quest continues to become aware of my options and their details.
More experienced opinions?
GedBaja&Back - 10-10-2007 at 09:29 AM
Quote:
Barry,
Thanks for the caution. Did that actually happen to you, or are you just letting me now what I might encounter?
Yes, happened to me in Maz. Maybe there they can afford to be picky & rude. Sure picked my a**. 805gregg - 10-10-2007 at 01:53 PM
I just rented a Jeep in Loreto, and not wanting any hassels in case of an accident I bought their insurance. I think my credit card would have covered
me but since I was on vacation I just bit the bullet.The car ended up to be more expensive than the whole rest of my vacation but since I drove the
chit out of that poor car it was worth it.motoged - 10-10-2007 at 09:35 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
I just rented a Jeep in Loreto, .... I bought their insurance. .... I just bit the bullet.....
Gee, I don't mind biting the bullet...I just don't like bending over without at least a kiss first Riom - 10-11-2007 at 05:15 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
... and that I did not need to buy Mexican CDW, as he was convinced VISA would cover any damage expenses ....but agreed that I needed third party
liability...
That's the important bit - most credit card insurance does NOT include liability coverage (even in the US, where it's even more essential).
I used to rent often in the US with the credit card coverage (and started buying the liability coverage when I noticed it wasn't included). But found
it was cheaper to get an annual policy which includes excess, loss, damage and liability worldwide (I get mine from an Irish insurer for about
US$250/yr).
I'd agree with the other comments - arrange your own insurance but bring plenty of printed proof that the rental company will accept it, and phone
numbers to call (accessible from Mexico). Perhaps also a "plan B" with another company if they don't require a credit card to guarantee a
reservation.
Hertz is #1
motoged - 10-11-2007 at 11:47 AM
Nomads,
My weeks of research (thanks Google and telephone calls all over to insurance companies, car rental companies, and VISA headquarters) have led me to
have confirmation from Hertz that they WILL accept credit card insurance coverage if the CDW is declined by renter at time rental agreement is signed
at counter.
Thrifty, Dollar, etc ALL state that they will not accept such coverage.
My 17 days in Zihuatanejo (Troncones to be exact) will cost me about $400 with a Hertz rental....all other companies want over $750 for same car and
their CDW.
So...that's good news for me....
Such Hertz conditions also apply to Baja rentals according to their call person who has faxed me their policy confirmation (which is also available
for downloading from their website should you do the due diligence search).
