Renting with Avis in Mexico
 

Does anyone have recent experience renting from Avis in Mexico (specifically the Cancun airport location)? I would like to decline all of the Avis coverage, and use my Chase Sapphire Reserve for coverage instead, but the terms and conditions are confusing, poorly written, and contradictory.

For example the name of the section is “Optional Coverages” but they then go on to say that PDW is mandatory.

They do acknowledge that some credit cards offer car rental insurance, but they basically seem to indicate that it is going to be YMMV...and I need to negotiate this with the Avis employees upon arrival (which is far from ideal).

I've included a screenshot of the terms below. All of the colored font, highlighting, underlining, Etc is mine.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a2e30d462f.png

Credit cards cover collision damage. You might be able to waive that coverage, but you must have a personal liability policy valid in México. You can buy your own from a third party, or get it from the rental company. Very unlikely to get car keys without it, and it keeps you out of jail.

Circling back to this thread to share my recent experience.

I made my reservation through Priceline with Hertz (via Autoslash) since they ended up being cheaper than Avis. Upon arrival at the Hertz counter in Cancun Airport the agent confirmed that my reservation already included liability insurance. He did explain that there was an option to purchase supplemental liability insurance which would significantly increase the amount of coverage that I had. The difference in rate was quite substantial though, it would have increased the cost of the 5-day rental from around $95 to $235. I declined.

As for the Collision coverage (CDW/LDW etc.), The agent had no problems with me using my CSR for coverage and he did not ask to see any sort of proof of coverage (i.e. Chase benefits booklet etc.)

The return facility was a bit of a zoo but they honored the "Hertz Valet" benefit due to my President’s Circle status - "Take advantage of our terminal drive-back service at participating locations up to four times a year as a President’s Circle member."

Avis came in at $80 for five days. Hertz came in at $110 for five days.

Went to Avis first. Despite Travelocity clearly stating that the Avis include $750K MXN of liability, Avis insisted that $33/day of liability needed to be added on top.

Walking now to Hertz. Pray for me.

LOL. Hertz also tried to make me buy mandatory third party liability. I pushed back just as hard as at Avis (hard) and they folded easily.

So long story short, don't rent Avis at Cancun airport unless they are beating Hertz by $33/day or more.