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jim&carol
Newbie
Posts: 21
Registered: 3-13-2007
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Liability Insurance for Rental Cars
We are planning to rent a car at the Los Cabos airport for two weeks in late February for a tour of south Baja. The rental car companies main
offices have not been able to tell us whether or not liability insurance is covered with the car rental. I know that you definitely need Mexican
liability isnurance when bringing in your own car and would guess that similar situation applies to rentals. Does anyone know the answer?
I am a member of Vagabundos del Mar and can buy an annual car rental policy from them for $95 if I need to. Also, I am planning to simply use my
credit card for Collsion Damanage Waiver (CDW) protection instead of paying the car rental company for it.
Thanks
Jim
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Debra
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Posts: 2101
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You have to buy insurance from the Rental Car company, it will be full coverage. You can expect $15 to $20 per day.
Mean people suck!
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sylens
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Posts: 584
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Location: Ensenada
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Mood: ando bajando
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don't know if this applies in cabo, but here in ensenada fiesta car rental rates (60 bucks/day) include the insurance.
lili
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Been there done that...don't let them force you into their insurance.
You have the right ideal...use your visa to rent and then when you are done, pay cash. Your card will cover you. Vagabundo insurance is Liability...I
get it every year. Get the Get out of jail too...maybe included now.
Do a good job inspecting the car for damage...they are all beat up, (Baja you know)note all nicks and dings...make him work and they won't even check
it when you return. They are after the people they can nick on return, because they know you didn't check it to start.
Have a great time...Albert
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Pstreet1
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Posts: 94
Registered: 7-25-2005
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If you rent from Avis, all quotes on rentals in Mexico include Mexican 3rd party liability insurance. In order to compare their rates with those of
other companies, you have to add about $12.00 a day liability insurance onto the other companies quote.
Your credit card probably has free insurance that becomes primary on a rental vehicle in Mexico. Call their customer service department and verify
the coverage.
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oxxo
Banned
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pstreet1
If you rent from Avis, all quotes on rentals in Mexico include Mexican 3rd party liability insurance. In order to compare their rates with those of
other companies, you have to add about $12.00 a day liability insurance onto the other companies quote. |
That is not my experience. My nephew just rented a car from Avis at the Cabo airport two weeks ago. Liability insurane was not included. Had to add
$20 per day for liability insurance.
Vagabundos insurance does not cover rental cars.....ask them.
My US credit card does not cover rental cars in Mexico. Call your credit card company first and ask them before you assume anything.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by oxxo
| Quote: | Originally posted by Pstreet1
If you rent from Avis, all quotes on rentals in Mexico include Mexican 3rd party liability insurance. In order to compare their rates with those of
other companies, you have to add about $12.00 a day liability insurance onto the other companies quote. |
That is not my experience. My nephew just rented a car from Avis at the Cabo airport two weeks ago. Liability insurane was not included. Had to add
$20 per day for liability insurance.
Vagabundos insurance does not cover rental cars.....ask them.
My US credit card does not cover rental cars in Mexico. Call your credit card company first and ask them before you assume anything.
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I will be doing a full research today...I carry a driver licence policy with the Vags and Have been told many times that I am cover for liability in
any vehicle I drive...That will be checked again today.
I just fired off three email to several of my CC companies to inquire about your claim. Also a couple years ago I asked and was told I was cover by
Visa. We shall see...maybe this is a good thing, there is alot of confusion on this subject. I have never used rental companies insurance...
As for as I know Insurance has never been included in the come-on price...
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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jim&carol
Newbie
Posts: 21
Registered: 3-13-2007
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I'm the original poster for this and got a litttle more info by calling the Dollar Rental Car Office at the Los Cabos airport. They said that
liability insurance is extra and costs $14 per day. CDW coverage also costs $14 per day or you can get both for $25 per day. They said that these
coverages were not mandatory but that you might have to pay them first and then be re-imbursed by your other coverage for any costs that Dollar
incurs. The person seemed to indicate that they somehow incur costs for liability but I doubt that. Their cost is the damage to the car, lost
rental time and admin expenses.
Based on that I will likely follow my original plan. Use my credit card for CDW coverage and buy the $90 Vagabundo "drivers license" coverage which
should be far cheaper for 2 weeks. I also have an inquiry into Vagabundos to get more details about their coverage.
Also the little pamphlet I got with my Credit Card provides the details for how to handle collision claims. I am going to make sure I have that info
handy during my upcoming trip.
Jim
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Jim: Did you determine if your credit card company, VISA, I think, will cover the vehicle in Mexico????
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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First to answer...
Dear Albert G:
Your account carries free auto rental insurance when you
use your Chase credit card to reserve and pay for the
rental vehicle. The insurance provides coverage for damage
due to collision or theft of most rental vehicles within
the U.S. and most foreign countries.
This insurance benefit is provided directly through the
MasterCard Association. For additional information on this
service, please contact MasterCard Assistance directly at
1-800-MC-ASSIST. Representatives are available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.
If you have any further questions, please reply using the
Secure Message Center.
Thank you,
Sean Molloy
E-mail Customer Service Representative
1-800-346-5538
I followed up with a 20 min, call and learned your are fully covered in Mexico...if you or anyone register on the contract are driving. There are 4
countries that are not covered. Ireland, Israel, afghanistan, and Australia...more later.
oh...The day you rent fees can get as high as $47 a day, of BS fees.
These people are not different then realtors...mechanics, or doctors. ...Albert
[Edited on 1-28-2008 by Al G]
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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805gregg
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Posts: 1344
Registered: 5-21-2006
Location: Ojai, Ca
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If you get in an accident the cops are going to want to see some kind of documentation that you have insurance, I doubt they will take your word about
credit card coverage. Remember in Mex you are guilty until proven inocent.
[Edited on 1-30-2008 by 805gregg]
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Pstreet1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 7-25-2005
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I found the rental policies for Avis; they state that 3rd party liability insurance is included in the price. However, you can purchase more
liability insurance if you want for an additional fee. In Mexico, any injured party is limited to collecting $8,000--even for full disability or
death. The liability which is included in the quote is about $35,000, which should be adequate in Mexico, even though that amount would be laughable
in the U.S.
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jim&carol
Newbie
Posts: 21
Registered: 3-13-2007
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This is Jim again with a little more info based on discussions with Vagabundo insurance guy:
- First point is that collsion insurance (so called CDW by the rental agencies) is different from liability insurance. Collision only covers damage
to the car. Liability covers claims by other parties due to damage and personal injury.
- My credit card covers collison provided I opt out from using the rental car coverage. That is what I plan to do. However it does not help with
liability. (Al G above might want to doublechek on that). I think they do this because most US auto policies cover you for rental liability in the
US so they don't need to.
- Vagabundos guy confirmed that their annual "drivers license" insurance covers liability. Since it is $90 per year (for Vagabundos memebers), it is
cheaper for me to use that than the $14 per day charged by dollar. He indicated that the rental agencies sometime don't agree to letting you use
outside liability coverage. The Dollar people told me on the phone that it was okay.
- The liability limit for Vagabundos insurance is $25K per person, $50K per accident, which can be a little low by US standards. The Vag guy said
that he has seen only a couple cases due to lower liability claims in Mexico. The one example he gave as an RV that lost control and smashed into
four new cars before stopping.
Jim
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jim&carol
We are planning to rent a car at the Los Cabos airport for two weeks in late February for a tour of south Baja. The rental car companies main
offices have not been able to tell us whether or not liability insurance is covered with the car rental. I know that you definitely need Mexican
liability isnurance when bringing in your own car and would guess that similar situation applies to rentals. Does anyone know the answer?
I am a member of Vagabundos del Mar and can buy an annual car rental policy from them for $95 if I need to. Also, I am planning to simply use my
credit card for Collsion Damanage Waiver (CDW) protection instead of paying the car rental company for it.
Thanks
Jim |
You don't need insurance in Mexico because the mexican that runs into you is fully insured!
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roamin
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 9-11-2006
Location: Maple Valley, WA / Todos Santos BCS
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I too have used the Visa coverage without an issue. I have also recently rented via Orbitz and they provide coverage very cheap. It is printable and
covers Mexico. One thing I would watch for is rental companies like Advantage that require you to buy third party coverage (not part of their rate).
Avis and Dollar have not so far. It is hard to deal with at the time of check out but when they try to force the issue, walk.
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grito
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 9-12-2006
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Good advice. If you use credit card coverage insurance there can be other problems also if you have an accident. By law liability must be provided by
a Mexican insurance company.
| Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
If you get in an accident the cops are going to want to see some kind of documentation that you have insurance, I doubt they will take your word about
credit card coverage. Remember in Mex you are guilty until proven inocent.
[Edited on 1-30-2008 by 805gregg] |
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robrt8
Junior Nomad
Posts: 67
Registered: 12-14-2007
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A couple of thoughts about car rentals.
I use the American Express premium plan for collision.
https://www152.americanexpress.com/fsea/travel/car_rental/pr...
Then I buy the liability ($7-14/day) from the rental co. to get out of jail. I've never had an incident, so I don't know about that.
As stated, check the car for any little nick, including underneath.
I've found a better reception by renting through the company's website vs. Orbitz.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Jim... I am saying the same thing you are just read a little closer..My bad.
The point about documentation is mute, when you use Vagabundos $90 dlr. policy...it includes an attorney that will come to the accident or jail and
handle everything for you...no problema.
Collision is not required by policia, just have your libility policy with you...unless they want morditia...tell them to shove it...period. Your
attorney will handle it.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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jim&carol
Newbie
Posts: 21
Registered: 3-13-2007
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This is Jim again - Looks like I got all my questions answered. My conclusion was to use my credit card for CDW and use Vagabundos annual policy for
liability. This annual policy is a better deal for me for a week or more of rental days.
Of course this all assumes that Dollar will accept these alternates (as they told me on the phone). If not, I am out the $90 for the Vagabundos
policy.
One other point is that the little brochure with all the fine print that comes with my credit card gives phone numbers and other info about how to use
the CDW coverage. I'm making sure I take that info along.
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LosCabosbound
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 10-28-2007
Location: La Costa California /Mykonos San Jose
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Jim,
I went through the same scenario several years ago with Dollar in San Jose. You can decline their insurance however they insisted on putting a
$1000.00 hold on my credit card if I didn't take it. Wasn't very comfortable with that. Might want to check beforehand.
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