BajaNomad

Fox Car Rentals at SJD? insurance coverage levels?

CurlyGirl - 10-20-2012 at 07:09 PM

If you have an opinion about Fox Rental Cars, I'd love to hear it. Seems to have the lowest prices when I checked. But I'm not familiar w/the company. Any other recommendations?

Also, I haven't rented a car down in Baja in a while. I know I have to buy the insurance, even if I have coverage on my credit card. Any advice re: the different levels of coverage and what they're called in Spanish?

Thank you in advance!

vandy - 10-20-2012 at 09:26 PM

Good luck! A few car rental companies offer a week at SJD for about $60, including taxes. (carrentals.com)

The insurance question is a little sticky, but the LA Times had a good article on it.
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/09/business/la-fi-lazar...

Skipjack Joe - 10-21-2012 at 12:14 AM

I rented cars at LAX for 4 years, from all of the companies. My impression was that Fox kept it's rates low by running their cars for more years than the other agencies. The cars had more mileage on them and were in greater disrepair. Scratches and body bumps were common. The upholstery looked more worn out and sometimes smelled of cigarette smoke. Never had a breakdown though. Just make sure to write down all the dings before you drive it off the lot.

I found the Fox cars at Anchorage to be in the same condition.

baja Steve - 10-21-2012 at 01:27 AM

I rented from Fox last April and yes the car had a lot of miles on on it and a few dents but the worst were the tires which were almost bald but made through the week in La Paz and back to San Jose.

Wally - 10-21-2012 at 08:22 AM

Be very careful with the assumption that your credit card car rental insurance benefit is good in Mexico. The last time I checked with American Express and my Citibank MC the insurance did not cover rentals in Mexico. This was several years ago and things may have changed but I'd check to be sure.



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woody with a view - 10-21-2012 at 08:31 AM

we just paid $309 for a Corolla with 10k miles on it for the week. That is with full coverage. split between 4 people it is not too bad. the guy next to me declined insurance and they put a $3k hold on his credit card as a deductible, in case there was a problem. i don't have the time to wait in jail while my CC company pays up. do you?

BTW, we put over 700km's on it in a week, survived Hurricane Paul and there was no issues upon return....

bajaguy - 10-21-2012 at 08:37 AM

Use your phone or camera to take photos of the car from all angles and also the interior. Get the rental agent in the photos..........just in case......:lol:

GilandVal - 10-22-2012 at 06:29 PM

I was hoping to rent from National at the airport and then return the car in Cabo. Anyone have any dealings with this?

CortezBlue - 10-22-2012 at 08:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CurlyGirl
If you have an opinion about Fox Rental Cars, I'd love to hear it. Seems to have the lowest prices when I checked. But I'm not familiar w/the company. Any other recommendations?

Also, I haven't rented a car down in Baja in a while. I know I have to buy the insurance, even if I have coverage on my credit card. Any advice re: the different levels of coverage and what they're called in Spanish?

Thank you in advance!


Yes I have used Fox in SJD and in PV. There was no issues the 2 or 3 times I used them. However, DO NOT leave any parking tags or identification tags up in your car while you are driving around. I have been pulled over twice in PV for various reasons and both times I had to pay the police both times.

CurlyGirl - 10-23-2012 at 02:25 PM

Such great info!! Thank you all for your replies. Very helpful.
Woody: which company did you use?

woody with a view - 10-23-2012 at 04:18 PM

Fox.

gallesram - 10-23-2012 at 04:33 PM

One more point: remember that if you're in an accident in Mexico and you don't have evidence of insurance that you can provide to the police at the scene, you will immediately be put in jail (the Mexican system is different than the US). Although the cost of the Mexican insurance will make your rental much more expensive, it is absolutely worth it. I typicaly don't get anything to cover the car (I'm too cheap) but when it comes to avoiding a Mexican jail I'll definitely pay, so I'll get the least amount of coverage that I can get while still staying out of jail.

To Woody's point, I wouldn't want to be explaining to a Mexican policeman that "my credit card insurance covers this accident"!

CurlyGirl - 10-24-2012 at 08:19 PM

Good point, gallesram.
How much insurance is enough? I know there are maybe 3 different levels of coverage that are offered. When I read the car rental contract fine print online, it still wasn't clear on which level covered what.

Again, thanks to all for such good info!

CurlyGirl - 10-24-2012 at 08:22 PM

Here's the language from the website:

RLP-Rental liability protection - protects you against claims for injury/damage you cause to third persons/their property. It does not cover injury to you or damage to the rented vehicle. Property damage/public liability is included in accordance with law and covers up to MXN/25,000.00 in third party liability protection. Theft/vandalism/damage to parts/accessories are not covered. See deposit requirements below under PAYMENT policy. RLP is USD/0.00/day.

SLI-Supplemental Liability Insurance - optional insurance is available to extend the coverage of legal liability up to a maximum of MXN/300,000.00 This insurance limits the responsibility of the customer over damages it may cause to third parties/properties. Theft/vandalism/damage to parts/accessories are not covered. See deposit requirements below under PAYMENT policy. SLI is USD/12.99/day.

CDW-Collision Damage Waiver - limits the responsibility over the rented vehicle to a deductible of 10 percent of the car value, in case of accident/theft. Theft/vandalism/damage to parts/accessories are not covered. See deposit requirements below under PAYMENT policy. CDW is USD/17.00/day and includes SLI .

FDW-Full Damage Waiver - removes all responsibility on the vehicle in case of accident, but does not cover partial robbery/crystal damages/tires (does not apply if under the influence of alcohol/drugs). In case of theft apply a deductible of 5 percent. See deposit requirements below under PAYMENT policy. FDW is USD/27.00/day and includes CDW/SLI.

mcfez - 10-25-2012 at 09:15 AM

Yes.............here is some GREAT advice:

Whenever one rents a car.....especially in Mexico....the clerk will do a walk around with you....of the rental car before you take off with it. Any damages are noted at this time, and you sign off.

Take out your cell phone and take pictures of the car during this inspection WITH the clerk in the picture. It'll prevent the "oh....you damaged our car" conversation, when you return the unit. They don't always write down everything that is damaged.....
".......From Experience......"


To add further to this topic....

If you get into an accident.........ALL parties head to the police department. This is the standard for accidents and speeding tickets. it's no big deal.

BTW......if you are indeed pulled over for a speeding ticket......you can tell the police that you are late for an appointment. They will let you come down to the PD later to take care of the issue......but they will retain your DL to such time.



[Edited on 10-25-2012 by mcfez]

woody with a view - 10-25-2012 at 04:42 PM

the guy who did my walk around was pointing out paint chips the size of 1/2 a grain of rice. no joke!