Heading down to Cancun, and am going to rent a car for the week.

I know, of course, about the "advisory" and the absolute neccessity of Mexican Insurance, but know nothing else about it.

Does it come in different "flavors" - levels, costs, etc.

I'm a Hertz 5*, but do have the other rental agencies cards as well. Can I just depend on them to give me what I need?

Thanks All!

Heading down to Cancun, and am going to rent a car for the week.

I know, of course, about the "advisory" and the absolute neccessity of Mexican Insurance, but know nothing else about it.

Does it come in different "flavors" - levels, costs, etc.

I'm a Hertz 5*, but do have the other rental agencies cards as well. Can I just depend on them to give me what I need?

Thanks All!I rented a car last week for one day. Hertz in the USA if different from Mexico, so my 5* membership didn't get me anything. If you rent after you've already gotten to the hotel zone, there's a Hertz and an Avis office in La Isla Mall, so you can save the cost of the cab into town to pick up the car. The Hertz location is open until 10:00 PM, and you can pick up the car as late as 9:00 PM.

As I recall, I paid about $50.00 per day for insurance. There was one for about $30.00 that covered liability, and one for $20 or so that covered collision (No deductible, no limit). There was a cheaper collision, but it had a 10% co-pay and a cap on the payout. I don't know what the price was, as it was a non-starter. I can look up the specifics if you want. We saw vehicles advertized by local companies much cheaper, but there's something to be said for going with an international, reputable company. Definitely do the walk-around, and be picky. Remember to take cash for the Pemex station and look to see that the pump is at zero before you let them pump your gas. Also, we tipped a guy 20 pesos each time we left the car and asked him to look after it....

We drove the car from CUN to Tulum on Route 307, which is a nice, new, 4-lane road. The other drivers tend toward craziness, though, passing into oncoming traffic and flashing their lights so you'll drive onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on. Also, flashing theri lights so you'll drive on the shoulder and let them pass (Mexican law requires you to yield to flashing headlights...or so say the signs.)

Only saw one wreck, though. Trip took about 2 hours. For that one day, we enjoyed being able to stop at the Tankeh ruins between Akumal and Tulum, as well as stop at a souvenir stand by the side of the road, where we found the only cheap souvenirs in the Cancun area....

Obvious question: Do you REALLY need a car all week? We went to Cozumel by bus (OK, Playa del Carmen by bus, then the ferry to CZM). The bus to PDC leaves the CUN station about every 10 minutes, and cost us 32 pesos, or three US bucks. A/C, airline-style seats, and a movie. Trip took 1 hour, about as fast as you'd drive it.

For most of our trips around town, we took the bus (6.5 pesos, 60 cents) or within CUN city (not the hotel zone...) the trips were less than 5 bucks. On the other hand, a cab ride for 2 KM in the hotel zone was $8.00 (Miz Galt was wearing a strapless dress and heels...didn't want to take the bus). Parking sucks.

CUN is an easy town to navigate by bus, as all the hotels are on a peninsula with only one road, and most of the places you'd want to go in the downtown can be reached from the bus. The buses are color coded, so, for example, the "Ruta 1" bus is painted red and it matches a red route on all the tourist maps. Also, the major destinations of interest are painted on the windshield of the bus, and the driver will tell you which stop is yours if you sit near him and ask politely. They make it easy for los gringos borrachados.

Unless you're planning to do a LOT of auto touring, I'd save the 100 bucks a day it will cost you and either take a bus or hire a car.

I can recommend a good tour guide I used as well as a couple of Scuba facilities, if you are interested.

Incidentally, in driving to Tulum and riding to both PDC and Akumal, I saw, maybe, three police cars. I think that bit about the cops in Mexico is a bunch of scare stories, or from irresponsible Americans who think Mexican laws should not apply to Americans.

When I asked the folks at the dive store about the cops, both the Mexicans and an American expat snorted and said my risk was from the other drivers, not the cops.....but DO get the insurance, JIC.

Thank you for the detailed report!

Plus, now I finally know "who is John Galt?" ^

Heading down to Cancun, and am going to rent a car for the week.

I know, of course, about the "advisory" and the absolute neccessity of Mexican Insurance, but know nothing else about it.

Does it come in different "flavors" - levels, costs, etc.

I'm a Hertz 5*, but do have the other rental agencies cards as well. Can I just depend on them to give me what I need?

Thanks All!

John Galt gave you already good advise.

Hertz USA is NOT Hertz Mexico. I rented a Hertz car in MEX City returning it to MEX Airport.... the computers all down...writing contracts, invoices with a typewriter... Hertz was giving a business man from the US a hard time ... he had his lawyer in the US on his cell phone ...

Bottom line: Take all insurances you can get!

We just got back from a week in Playa Del Carmen and rented a car. you are required by law to take the Personal Liability Insurance so that will automatically be added on no matter what. Beyond that we just used the coverage provided by our credit card. We had no bad experiences driving, mainly on main highway at night smaller roads only during day. I think drive times provided by most hotel/tourist sites are based on the speed of Mexican drivers and not the posted speed limits. We went to speed limit and everyone flew past. Remember the tip about flashing jheadlights, you'll see that alot.

Think about how you plan to use the car and if it is worth it. There is good public transportation and good tour packages to archialogical sights. We have a baby and decided the car was a must, rather than depending on the tour schedule we could go with the flow.

We just got back from a week in Playa Del Carmen and rented a car.Where did you stay in PDC, and what did y'all go see?

Where did you stay in PDC, and what did y'all go see?
We actually stayed outisde of Playa at Mayan Palace. If you were in Playa you surely ran into their timeshare sales booths. We bought there in pre-construction three years ago and got an amazing deal.

With a 20 month old in tow, we did not do too much sightseeing, more playing in the pool and on the beach. On our last visit, pre-baby, we went to Chichen Itza and Xel Ha and Ixcaret. This time, we did make it down to Tulum and wished we had brought our suits. We had no idea what an amazing beach there was there. The baby most enjoyed chasing iguanas. Other than that we just went into Playa for dinner a few times and shopping. We also went to Puerto Morelos which was a nice change from the touristy areas of Playa. We were thinking of going to Cozumel for a day but decided to spend the day at the pool instead since we wouldn't be able to dive or snorkle with the baby. One outfit said we could bring the baby on the boat for the snorkeling as long as pone of us was with him at all times, but I can't imagine he would have lasted 4 hrs on a boat.

Renting a car wound up being about $50 more than transfer to/from the hotel would have been so we decided it was worth it with the baby. We had a great time.

We actually stayed outisde of Playa at Mayan Palace. If you were in Playa you surely ran into their timeshare sales booths. We bought there in pre-construction three years ago and got an amazing deal.

With a 20 month old in tow, we did not do too much sightseeing, more playing in the pool and on the beach. On our last visit, pre-baby, we went to Chichen Itza and Xel Ha and Ixcaret. This time, we did make it down to Tulum and wished we had brought our suits. We had no idea what an amazing beach there was there. The baby most enjoyed chasing iguanas. Other than that we just went into Playa for dinner a few times and shopping. We also went to Puerto Morelos which was a nice change from the touristy areas of Playa. We were thinking of going to Cozumel for a day but decided to spend the day at the pool instead since we wouldn't be able to dive or snorkle with the baby. One outfit said we could bring the baby on the boat for the snorkeling as long as pone of us was with him at all times, but I can't imagine he would have lasted 4 hrs on a boat.

Renting a car wound up being about $50 more than transfer to/from the hotel would have been so we decided it was worth it with the baby. We had a great time.Good call on the Cozumel...we have a 3 1/2 and a 2 year old...we left 'em with the grandparents, though. Most of the dive boats are just 20' launches with a bench running along the thwarts and usually a canopy....not the yachts I'm used to seeing in the Gulf of Mexico (although in CZM, the dive sites are 10 min away), so a bigger boat is not needed.

Next time you go, Akumal is a lot of fun...you can go cavern diving in the cenotes (two thumbs up!!!!), and Akumal itself is a "margaritaville" place to hang out. Also, there's a cave you could take your 20-month old (who will, I guess, be three next time you take him/her) called Aktun Chen which is recommended. There's also the Si'an Kian reserve further down the coast where 307 turns into a 2-lane, and next time we go, I'd like to see Coba and Tankeh, between PDC and Akumal.

I've been to CZM twice, both day trips, once for diving, and, other than the diving, I didn't find much interesting. Four cruise ships in were port last time I was there, and all the shopkeepers set their prices accordingly.

I can recommend a really good dive operator for cenote diving next time you go as well as a really good tour guide if interested.

As I was picking up my rent a car in PVR from Advantage there was an American who was pissed. He returned his car, only had gotten the basic insurance, and had gotten a big star in his window. Advantage was going to charge him $800 for the window replacement. He was screaming that he had been robbed.

I drive in Mexico a lot. The rent a car agencies are a lot more strict with regard to damage. They spend five minutes checking the car before you leave and upon its return.

While in the US normal wear and tear is ok, in Mexico any damage will be charged to your credit card at dealer full price. Also, if you are in an accident and some one is injured it is a criminal offense. They will detain you (jail) until you make full restitution.

In my case, the rent a car was 11$ and the full insurance 20$. Well worth the piece of mind. Plus, the roads in Mexico are rough, and it is more likely that the car may get dinged, etc...

Moral of the story, get full coverage the risk is not worth it.

BTW - In the US I never do.

Warning.

The last few times I have been driving on rural routes. Once between Morelia and Uruapan and recently between PVR and Malaque, the citizens of local small towns enjoy setting up impromptu toll roads. In the first case, there were probably 20 farmers with pitch forks etc... blocking the highway and stopping cars for money. I pretended to slow down and pull over, and when the approached the window, I gunned it.

Recently, about 10 people would raise a rope across the highway, and were selectively stopping cars for money to pass. This was an easier problem to solve in that the physics of a rope versus a car decidely favors the car. I gunned it through, and amazingly they dropped the rope just in time. My wife was freaked, but I figured worst case scenario, they would suffer sever rope burns. I saw this in three little towns in the middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday. I would also role up the windows and lock the door as I approached.

Although the later was probably harmless, it is not a good idea to stop and pay, because you would only encourage this behavior. The stops were selective, and they were only stopping nicer cars with non locals.

I would suggest you make rental reservations before you leave the U.S. to take advantage of the exchange rate. When we were in cancun we drove all the way to Punta Allen using the road in by Los Lirios in Tulum, now that's a trip!. I used our Amex to cover the excess insurance and didn't have any problem. Have fun but use common sense and stay away from remote areas at night.

I've been driving from Cancun to Tankah/Tulum area for the last 12 years. We usually rent online ahead of our trip for best rates. I've been only using our c/c insurance and waiving the car rental's coverage, but if you're comfortable with all the insurance you can get, do so. If you have a flat tire, dead battery, etc. Avis or Budget has been very good about driving the 1 hour from the CAncun garage to Tankah to fix the problem right away, of course, free of charge. A few years back, someone I know had a tire stolen out of an unlocked trunk (always lock up!) and he was charged $80 off his credit card when he turned the car back in at the airport, but was reimbursed by his credit card co. when he returned to the states.

I've never been hassled by police and as long as you watch your speed and also the topes (speed bumps) you should not have any problems.

There are also auto service trucks called the Green Angels (tel.# 998 -884-1107), that patrol up and down Rt.#307, they are there to help tourist with car problems. This is a free service provided by the Mexican government.

Carole
http://CasaTropical.com

I believe I have posted this information in this forum already, so you may want to do a search... Nonetheless:

Your credit card insurance in Mexico is generally insufficient. Yes, it will cover damage to the car, but in Mexico you are in a country with laws based on Napoleonic Code - your Mexican insurance company acts as a guarantor someone will accept responsibility, particularly when people are injured / killed. If you have no guarantor, you will likely be held in jail until the issue is sorted out - and you have no right to an attorney, etc. etc. you might have at home. (Also be aware that in rural areas if you injure someone or a valued animal, those people with machetes and pitchforks may decide to take some justice in their own hands.)

Also note that in Mexico insurance does NOT cover broken glass ("cristal") - whether you live in Mexico and buy local insurance or are a tourist - and in most cases, it will only cover total theft ("robo parcial" or partial theft of parts, goods within the car, etc.) are generally not covered.

Unless you know what you are doing, understand the risks and have all the insurance to deal with them, I recommend hiring taxis or cars and drivers, using public transport (busses in Mexico have luxury we haven't imagined in the USA.) You may get away with it once, twice or... but if things get sticky, you will be an unhappy camper.

DO check the condition of your car, including spare (existence of one, even) and tools, making written notes of any anomalies with an employee signature agreeing to your notations before you drive of fth elot.

Did I mention I have lived in Mexico, have been licensed to drive there and have driven most of the 31 states and the Federal Disrict, on and off-road? I've also had my share of trying to help foreign tourists who just didn't know...

This and one other thread suggests that there are a variety of experiences. I just priced a Hertz car at $78 per week in Merida. From this thread, I get the impression that insurance costs will dwarf that.

This and one other thread suggests that there are a variety of experiences. I just priced a Hertz car at $78 per week in Merida. From this thread, I get the impression that insurance costs will dwarf that.

Look into the Am Ex primary insurance coverage program. each time you rent a car it gives you all sorts of coverage for 24.95

Look into the Am Ex primary insurance coverage program. each time you rent a car it gives you all sorts of coverage for 24.95
Perhaps the $24.95 AmEx offer is of some use under some circumstances. It is my understanding, however, that AmEx only stands in as the primary coverage for property damage; it doesn't provide liability protection, which is the biggest concern. I will call my own insurance broker tomorrow to get straight what, if any, liability coverage my own policy here affords us when we rent in Mexico. I do not want to pay whopping amounts to the rental agency for liability coverage, especially when the daily/weekly rental rates are already substantial, but I don't want to go bare either.

If others have practical, on point information about liability protection when renting in Mexico, I would very much like to hear it. Does it have to cost >$5 or $10 per day over and above everything else? (I am satisfied with the collision and property insurance my own policy and the credit card company provides. Again, the concern is liability coverage.)

Thanks.

Perhaps the $24.95 AmEx offer is of some use under some circumstances. It is my understanding, however, that AmEx only stands in as the primary coverage for property damage; it doesn't provide liability protection, which is the biggest concern. I will call my own insurance broker tomorrow to get straight what, if any, liability coverage my own policy here affords us when we rent in Mexico. I do not want to pay whopping amounts to the rental agency for liability coverage, especially when the daily/weekly rental rates are already substantial, but I don't want to go bare either.

If others have practical, on point information about liability protection when renting in Mexico, I would very much like to hear it. Does it have to cost >$5 or $10 per day over and above everything else? (I am satisfied with the collision and property insurance my own policy and the credit card company provides. Again, the concern is liability coverage.)

Thanks.

Since I wrote that I learned I was wrong and actually canceled my membership of the amex car rental insurance...it does NOT cover liability . And after much research NO 3rd party covers liability on a mexican car rental. You must (and highly advised ) buy it from the car rental comapny direct. I have heard several horror stories about mexican car rentals from improperly insured gringo renters...from very high damage charges to jail.

Just returned from Mexico and am a bit better informed about insurance on a car rental there.

We had to pay $11 per day for liability coverage and I can see no way around it, since neither my own auto policy, nor any credit card benefits would have taken care of this requirement. So accept the fact that whatever you expect to pay per day for the car, there will be that additional $11 per day for the liability coverage and taxes/fees will kick it still higher
(25%?), bringing to almost $14 per day for the liability (not property loss).

For $24 per day (25% tax bringing that to $30 per day?!), I could have had property loss protection (CDW), but not 100%, only 90%, leaving a deductible of 10% of the car value, whatever they set it at. (Not a $250 or $500 deductible like we might have on our own policies, but 10% of what they say the car is worth. From my contract, it appears that they set the value of our old, banged up Nissan Tsuru compact at 42,000 pesos, or just under $40K USD?!?!) For $34 a day ($42+ after taxes, an amount in excess of the daily base rate for the rental itself), we could have had complete coverage.

There is a lot more to say about this rental experience, and it was anything but pretty, but will save it for another time/place. (Take home message - be wary, very wary, and be sure to have a print out of your reservation info in hand.) Because AmEx would have provided complete property loss (not liability coverage) for a flat $24.95 for up to 42 days, that would have been the way to go for a piece of it. (Again, I know of no way around the expensive liability part.)

If anyone else has info to share on this subject (insurance when renting in Mexico, or elsewhere abroad), I would like to hear it.

We pretty much suck it up and pay for full liability coverage with all the trimmings also. I haven't figured out a way around it yet, although in Los Cabos there are some agencies that advertise insurance coverage.

The next time we go down there I might see if that is a cheaper option.