BajaNomad

Loreto Car Rental Advice Wanted

motoged - 1-6-2016 at 11:56 AM

Nomads,
I am planning a mid-April quick getaway for two weeks and will fly into Loreto. As I am not staying in Loreto, I want a car.

Which car rental company is most reliable (i.e. they have cars, honour reservations made on-line, and have an office preferably in town ...but airport ok if not) ?

Expedia says the following companies have Loreto rentals:

Europcar
Hertz
Ace
Fox

Wanting to rent a compact.

Thanks for any experienced opinions :saint:

BigBearRider - 1-6-2016 at 12:04 PM

I have rented from Fox at the airport four times in the last year. Made reservations online. Never had an issue. I rented a Jetta (?) once, and Jeep Wranglers the other times. The Jeeps are very expensive, but fantastic if you are going off the pavement.

StuckSucks - 1-6-2016 at 12:16 PM

Last spring, we rented a car from Alamo - they have an office in town as well as at the airport. They were friendly and helpful with reasonable prices.

gallesram - 1-6-2016 at 03:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider  
I have rented from Fox at the airport four times in the last year. Made reservations online. Never had an issue. I rented a Jetta (?) once, and Jeep Wranglers the other times. The Jeeps are very expensive, but fantastic if you are going off the pavement.


Ditto regarding Fox; competitive prices, friendly service, good cars and never a problem with claims of damage or unknown fees upon return. They have offices in town and at the airport. I have dealt with Fidel and he's great.

Beagle - 1-7-2016 at 09:26 PM

Looking at Fox for a week in May. I'm looking through their different insurance options online at the Loreto site and trying to figure out which one is the mandatory one for Mexico. One is called "Collision/ Includes SLI" at 21.99 a day. Another is "SLI/ Liability" at 14.99 a day. Then another site said Fox adds it into the quote which I find hard to believe.

Anyone know what is what with this?

Thanks!

BigBearRider - 1-8-2016 at 05:09 PM

I will look to see if I have an old agreement at home. The mandatory insurance is an additional expense, not included, according to the Fox people.

Fishndad - 1-9-2016 at 09:05 AM

We rented through eurocar in the past. Returned the car and they deterimined I chipped the windshield. I showed the agent the windshield area before we left and was told it wasn't a problem. Well I got charged for a new windshield.

Lesson learned- document everything!

AKgringo - 1-9-2016 at 09:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Fishndad  
We rented through eurocar in the past. Returned the car and they deterimined I chipped the windshield. I showed the agent the windshield area before we left and was told it wasn't a problem. Well I got charged for a new windshield.

Lesson learned- document everything!


There is a good chance that the next person who rented that car paid for one as well!

rhintransit - 1-9-2016 at 10:25 AM

I had some European visitors over Christmas who reserved a car thru Expedia which quoted 10/day for the car and 10/day for insurance...company booking name was given was "Ace" which I had never heard of. I was skeptical but checked "Ace's" website, which showed a location the same as Fox. when they tried to get their car, from the Fox counter as they had been instructed, they were told that the car/rate was not available, only one costing something like 45/day, plus insurance.
beware low rates on line!

AguaDulce - 1-9-2016 at 10:27 AM

Take photos of car when picking up. I rent 3 to 4 times a year in Loreto from Alamo. Just returned a car on Jan. 7. The agent noticed a small piece of taillight broken off. There was a previous accident there and I did not think it was from me. The manager came out and said he remembered the tiny piece gone from previous times. I have lost a hubcap before so I take the caps off when leaving airport as I travel over to the Pacific side and there are many potholes. The Alamo website does not show Jeeps or Patriots but they have 3 and if you email them they can reserve one. They cost a lot more. The regular cars are just too low if you are on dirt rocky roads. If you get one just go slow . Look underneath for broken plastic as most have been hit. I found some loose plastic pointed it out and repaired it with screws.

Lee - 1-9-2016 at 11:15 AM

Seriously, walk around looking for damages like chips, dents, scratches. Be organized and have a camera to take photos of the damages. Charging for existing damage is a common scam. Not every rental agency is dishonest but you never know. If it's your word against theirs, it'll be a hassle proving you aren't responsible.

motoged - 1-9-2016 at 12:41 PM

Thanks for comments and U2U's so far.

I guess my question is about which company seems most reliable more than about insurance issues (Credit card covers collision/damage/theft)....I buy basic liability, take pics of car, and drive away....look for nearest taco stand and welcome myself back to Baja :biggrin:

So...Alamo rates seem much higher than ACE, FOX, and Eurocar...Hertz varies depending on which website I access....and Eurocar seems to have the most dissatisfied customers....

My biggest concern would be that a rental arranged over internet via rental website would not be honoured when I show up at the counter....that happened to me a few times on mainland....

Good reputation is what I am asking about.....

Mas gracias :coolup:

woody with a view - 1-9-2016 at 01:04 PM

Fox.

motoged - 1-9-2016 at 01:14 PM

Thanks Woody.....

made me think of this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb0kiiB3O-o

BigBearRider - 1-11-2016 at 12:38 PM

I checked my papers at home, and was unable to find anything that shed any light on which insurance is mandatory.

This article confuses me about what is really mandatory, suggesting the mandatory insurance is included in the price and that the SLI is not mandatory but many companies will tell you that it is:

http://www.sfgate.com/mexico/mexicomix/article/Renting-a-car...

motoged - 1-11-2016 at 02:44 PM

My understanding is that only liability basic insurance is required to rent....all other coverage (CDW) is optional ....and CDW is often covered by credit card but such coverage is not always accepted by rental agency....

Seems like most folks pay for the full daily rates which at least doubles the daily rental fee....if rental agent accepts credit card coverage, they may well hold a large deposit against the credit card and clear up damage details upon return of rental vehicle.

That is how it has always worked for me in Mexico.

BigBearRider - 1-11-2016 at 02:57 PM

CDW is optional, and often covered by credit cards.

Fox will tell you that some other insurance coverage is mandatory, and it will essentially double your cost versus the quoted fee. I cannot recall which coverage it is that they insist is mandatory.

RnR - 1-11-2016 at 04:17 PM

Okay, here is a link to Fox Rent a Car, Mexico. In English.

It is the Terms and Conditions of the rental contract. In English.

Scroll down about a half a page and read the options under insurance. Prices are listed, also.

In summary, Mexican law requires the rental car companies to include basic liability insurance equal to about $50,000 USD. All other insurances are optional. (You must select the basic liability but the charge is $0.00/day)

Good reading -

Fox Terms and Conditions

BigBearRider - 1-11-2016 at 04:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by RnR  
Okay, here is a link to Fox Rent a Car, Mexico. In English.

It is the Terms and Conditions of the rental contract. In English.

Scroll down about a half a page and read the options under insurance. Prices are listed, also.

In summary, Mexican law requires the rental car companies to include basic liability insurance equal to about $50,000 USD. All other insurances are optional. (You must select the basic liability but the charge is $0.00/day)

Good reading -

Fox Terms and Conditions


Fantastic. Thanks for posting.

Beagle - 1-11-2016 at 06:14 PM

Going through Fox website for Loreto and reserved the little econo car with the Collision and SLI added on. Total is 378.99 for 7 days with taxes and everything. Not too bad. About the same rate as Cactus in Cabo.

bent-rim - 1-12-2016 at 07:22 AM

Check the spare tire out to see if it has air and that it's the correct wheel for the vehicle and that there is a jack. I learnt the hard way.

BigBearRider - 1-12-2016 at 08:09 AM

The guys at Fox always show me where the "gato" (jack) is. I had to use it once in the parking garage of the Santa Rosalia Ley in the middle of the summer heat. The last time I rented, the spare tire didn't look too good.

baconjr - 1-12-2016 at 05:36 PM

If you have a Mastercard check to see if they cover you! They have a declaration page of sorts spelling out their coverage. I got ripped of in Puerto Vallarta. I paid for the car thru Dollar $275 for 5 days. When I got there they charged me another $360.00 for insurance and their attitude was eat my grits. Needless to say anybody who books travel has heard my story. The coverage is good everywhere but Ireland, Israel and Jamaica.

B J - 1-14-2016 at 06:10 PM

I have a car reserved at the Loreto airport through Hertz next week, driving to Magdalena Bay then to Cabo. I am a 60+ female traveling alone. (Can change a tire if needed.) Have been assured my Visa will cover insurance and can decline the add ons. Are there any toll stops or anything I will have to pay for on the road? How much cash in pesos should I plan on for actual travel?

:?:

MexicoTed - 1-14-2016 at 07:25 PM

The last couple times I rented in Loreto (last time was in 2014), I used Fox, but the office in Loreto Bay. Servando Espinosa was the guy to talk to and he helped me with everything. Also, got good rates too.

Beagle - 1-14-2016 at 08:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by B J  
I have a car reserved at the Loreto airport through Hertz next week, driving to Magdalena Bay then to Cabo. I am a 60+ female traveling alone. (Can change a tire if needed.) Have been assured my Visa will cover insurance and can decline the add ons. Are there any toll stops or anything I will have to pay for on the road? How much cash in pesos should I plan on for actual travel?

:?:


BJ-What I do know is that there is the Mexican minimum insurance that the law dictates you buy. Regardless of what the Credit Card company says. Period. So plan on paying that no matter what. There's no getting around that now. Just plan on it.

Also on some other boards I've heard horror stories about Hertz. From what I've read on here and other places, Fox is the way to go. If you haven't paid anything yet, I'd strongly suggest going that way. There's nothing worse than starting off a great trip with a bad taste in your mouth as you're pulling away from the airport because the rental car company pulled a few fast ones. Just my 2 cents.

B J - 1-14-2016 at 08:53 PM

Can you tell me what that coverage is? I understand that the liability coverage is included in the rental cost.

motoged - 1-14-2016 at 09:58 PM

BJ,
Hertz guy was right....basic liability is legally required...other categories of coverage are optional....Beagle....I think you are incorrect. Hertz is one of the companies that understands and accepts credit card coverage for CDW (collision damage waiver). Some rental companies tries to tell you you have to pay extra daily CDW coverage.....they are the ones that are gouging you.

Have a fun and safe trip...use pesos for expenses not credit card ... except for car rental.....use ATM's for peso withdrawals w/ debit card.

Beagle - 1-15-2016 at 04:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
BJ,
Hertz guy was right....basic liability is legally required...other categories of coverage are optional....Beagle....I think you are incorrect. Hertz is one of the companies that understands and accepts credit card coverage for CDW (collision damage waiver). Some rental companies tries to tell you you have to pay extra daily CDW coverage.....they are the ones that are gouging you.

Have a fun and safe trip...use pesos for expenses not credit card ... except for car rental.....use ATM's for peso withdrawals w/ debit card.


Thanks Moto. I stand corrected. I don't have any first hand experience with Hertz in Mexico. Appreciate the clarification.

woody with a view - 1-15-2016 at 06:34 AM

FOX.

rhintransit - 1-15-2016 at 07:34 AM

not ACE

motoged - 1-15-2016 at 11:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Beagle  
Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
BJ,
Hertz guy was right....basic liability is legally required...other categories of coverage are optional....Beagle....I think you are incorrect. Hertz is one of the companies that understands and accepts credit card coverage for CDW (collision damage waiver). Some rental companies tries to tell you you have to pay extra daily CDW coverage.....they are the ones that are gouging you.

Have a fun and safe trip...use pesos for expenses not credit card ... except for car rental.....use ATM's for peso withdrawals w/ debit card.


Thanks Moto. I stand corrected. I don't have any first hand experience with Hertz in Mexico. Appreciate the clarification.



Beagle,
It is a rat's nest to untangle, trying to figure out what charges are essential and which ones are "padding".

I started this thread and it has given me the recommendations I was looking for....."which rental company in Loreto is best?" It appears that FOX gets the best reviews....Hertz is more expensive, I think, based on Google rental searches....but stands out as a rental company that doesn't appear to challenge the credit card coverage for CDW.

Thanks for your input :saint:

B J - 1-15-2016 at 11:44 AM

Thanks for all the info. I'll let you know how it works out. So far the fees look good as long as I return in downtown Cabo instead of the airport - no drop fee and just over $60 for 5 days
:D

motoged - 1-15-2016 at 01:48 PM

BJ,
So who are you renting from?

Beagle - 1-15-2016 at 07:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
Quote: Originally posted by Beagle  
Quote: Originally posted by motoged  
BJ,
Hertz guy was right....basic liability is legally required...other categories of coverage are optional....Beagle....I think you are incorrect. Hertz is one of the companies that understands and accepts credit card coverage for CDW (collision damage waiver). Some rental companies tries to tell you you have to pay extra daily CDW coverage.....they are the ones that are gouging you.

Have a fun and safe trip...use pesos for expenses not credit card ... except for car rental.....use ATM's for peso withdrawals w/ debit card.


Thanks Moto. I stand corrected. I don't have any first hand experience with Hertz in Mexico. Appreciate the clarification.



Beagle,
It is a rat's nest to untangle, trying to figure out what charges are essential and which ones are "padding".

I started this thread and it has given me the recommendations I was looking for....."which rental company in Loreto is best?" It appears that FOX gets the best reviews....Hertz is more expensive, I think, based on Google rental searches....but stands out as a rental company that doesn't appear to challenge the credit card coverage for CDW.

Thanks for your input :saint:


Thanks Moto!
I jumped in on your thread and am also going to go with Fox in May. If you rent from them before then, give some feedback! Be safe

Beagle

B J - 1-16-2016 at 12:45 PM

Renting from Hertz. Booked through United Mileage Plus account and got a nice extra discount, although that forced me to book drop off at San Jose Airport which tacked on a large drop off fee. Then called Hertz direct and changed the drop to downtown Cabo, which eliminated the drop charge. So, if everything works as advertized, total charge is about $62 for Thurs. To Tues.:bounce: