Going to Mexico & will be getting a car rental, I've been reading online that insurance is highly recommended,?

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idiot detector

Given the high crime, drug wars, assault on foreigners, and theft rates, you would be well advised to take the maximum coverage offered. Sure it will drive up the rental rate a lot, but it's better than buying someone a new car!

Your own personal auto insurance policy will NOT be valid in Mexico unless you first get a supplemental policy or rider to your policy -- that too is expensive. These can usually only be offered at official locations on the border.

Be safe and wise in Mexico -- buy the insurance and keep a close eye on your surroundings.

added info concerning LIABILITY INSURANCE:

Liability insurance does nothing to cover the vehicle you are driving -- it only provides coverage to pay for damage you do to another vehicle, medical payments to someone injured by an accident with you, etc. Again, it does NOTHING to pay for any damages caused to you or your vehicle. If someone or something smashes out the window of your car, you will personally have to pay for the repair costs; the liability insurance will not cover it and the repair costs will be whatever the rental company says it is-- you won't be able to shop around for some better deal.

If you are involved in an accident in Mexico, chances are the other party will NOT have any insurance and you are personally stuck will paying all the expenses for ALL the property damages and injuries. This can also lead to jail if you can't provide proof that you can cover those costs.

fjfj2007

Evidently you don't understand "liability insurance". It only pays for what happens to someone else. Stuff that you would be liable for.

It will not pay for anything else. It doesn't pay for damage to your car no matter what the cause. It doesn't pay for medical treatment for you if you are injured. It doesn't pay to replace the rental car if it is damaged or destroyed. It doesn't pay for "loss of income" for the rental car company.

They can sue you to recover those damages since your own insurance in the U.S. will not cover anything in Mexico unless you pay for a special policy to do so and it still might not cover rental cars.

Like Idiot Detector and others said.

From the tone of your questions, I am sure you don't understand much about automobile insurance. In the U.S. you are only required to have liability insurance unless you still owe money on your car loan in which case the lender will require that you have collision insurance and comprehensive insurance to cover the repair or replacement of their vehicle.

You might want to check on your own auto insurance policy to find out what you have for your own vehicle -- it sounds like you probably don't know what you really have.

Be safe. It's better to pay a few hundred dollars for insurance you hope you will never need than to be in jail because a tree limb fell onto your car and you can't pay the rental car company enough to replace the car.

By the way, you don't mention your age, but if you are under 25 you probably can't rent a car anyway -- not even in the U.S.

Give Me a HUG!

Exactly, you said it too. Damage or loss on the vehicle itself, additional liability, personal accident coverage. Get everything and on an old car.

Cokidd

From my own experience in Mexico and I have a lot 25 years and have always rented cars or jeeps , well first I always rent not the best car or jeep but one that has been around for sometime and looks used and keeps people from steeling it also don't have to worry about how you treat it like scratches and dings just make sure you check all the damage before you rent it, my best car to rent is a jeep and since it is older and used you get better rates like $40.00 a day or more and can have lots more fun driving around in Mexico. As for insurance make sure you get damage and lost coverage but liability is already covered. Rent a beater and in joy Mexico, if your going away from the borders you will not find trouble unless you cause it.
P.S. if you are bring your own car into Mexico then you will need to get good insurance at the border :)

StymieHo

Depends on where in Mexico you are visiting. The additional insurance is to cover theft, damage (scratches, dents), deductibles. Just like renting a car here. If you buy the extra insurance, you can roll that sucker straight off the edge of a cliff, call them, tell them to fish it out of the ravine and bring you a new one... No questions asked, kind of.

The basic insurance covers the other party should you hit them... the meaning of the word liability. If anything happens to the car itself, that basic liability will not cover you. You will pay for the damages. If you have ever been to Mexico, then you see the way they drive. It is scary. I would recommend buying life insurance too... lol

If you are going to a resort area, like Cancun or Cabo, dont even get a car. You dont need it.

sloopy

When we fly someplace and rent a car we use our Amex card and prior to leaving sign up for their Car Insurance Program. It's very reasonable and covers all the costs you mention.
Check it out.
Whatever you do, though, verify by reading the entire agreement, what is and what is not included. Liability insurance and the limits must be stated in plain English. Don't take someone's word for anything.

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