Rental Car Insurance while in Mexico? Buy?

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mayaboy

I am the same individual that answered your question on what to do on your vacation. I own a vehicle in Yucatan, and have rented many. I LOVE the bus system and the taxis are very useful. But having your own vehicle is key to getting the vacation you want.

However...

Do you get the insurance? - absolutely. In the United States I would normally say "only if you can afford it" but in that worst-case scenario of an accident-with-injury you will be much better off with the insurance.

First, any accident in Mexico results in a wacky carnival of cops, locals and your own panic. Believe me, I've been there. I was driving behind a friend of mine when his rental vehicle had to swerve to avoid a drunk man getting off a bus in the middle of the highway. His vehicle flipped three times. We had to pay cash to reconstruct my friend's nose (Mexican hospitals do not take foreign insurance - you must pay cash then get reimbursed).

The true moral to this story is not "get insurance" (although that is what I recommend) but "drive slowly and carefully" even if it seems to be a wide open road.

The saving grace for our group was that our rental agency was willing to put the accident on their insurance. We still had to pay the cash up front to the hospital, but our agreement with the rental agency saved us about $2,000 U.S. dollars.

My friend is fine, by the way - his nose looks better than before!! The hospital and doctor were top-notch.

I cannot promise that your rental agency will be as willing to help you as ours was, but having that added level of protection will save you so many headaches if you have an accident. You will have a local phone number, a local representative, and someone to translate the problem to the local authorities.

Keep your rental agreement on your person and if there ever is an accident with injuries, INSIST that the rental agency send an agent to the scene. Do NOT leave the scene of the accident (unless it is for a serious injury) without a clear understanding that the immediate account of what happened has been resolved with the authorities.

Please note: there are "local" officials - who have NO pull in the end - and there are "federal" officials who can say you have given a complete account. Don't just tell your tale to the local official and think you have made a complete statement.

If you have paid the insurance, don't pay any up-front money to any official at the scene of an accident (this is a bribe - but might get you out quick if there are no injuries). Let the insurance company and the rental agency tell you what you may owe. Very few cops are corrupt in this area of Mexico (especially the state of Yucatan), but you never know what you will encounter in terms of bribes.

I don't mean to frighten you at all. Like I said, I own a vehicle in Yucatan and I have rented many (including a cute jeep for my honeymoon in the exact area that you are visiting). I would do it again in a second. But I suggest printing the advice above to keep in your wallet in case of an emergency. Accidents happen, everywhere, to anyone. Better to be prepared.

Have a safe and happy trip.

edrcc

The best: the buses and taxis.
http://www.drivemex.com/
http://www.bnm.com/joe.htm

husker&cancun to die for

welll myself wouldnt get rental car in cancun bec there r a lot of transportation avaible and take advange of it it is cheap to take a bus or if u go to day tour to explore the meican world there a alot of packages that provides transportations so wouldnt rent a car !! have fun and we r going to cancun for fourth time in may cant w3ait !!!!!!!!!!!

gtyuool

I recommend you do the taxi and bus. I had a few people hit my car with a moped and they charged me up. I got a bill for the full amount 3 months later.

SAMMY BOY

go with the rental company insurance. just make sure the agency is reputable and ask them to explain the plan to you. you should be fine, but do buy the insurance. it is very worth it!!

hOlLiStErRoXrtfffff

It depends on how much it is to rent a car. It also depends on if the insurance is too much cauz i had to when i went to Cancun too and it was alot of money for renting a car and for buying insurance but i did it and i lost a lot of money but it was still fun. I spent all my money on the car and its insurance that i only got to get food at cheapy crapy fast foods and the food was horrible, and i only got to get an ugly bathing suit because some chick stole it from my bag when i was at the beach and i went to go to the bathroom and i only got a necklace!! u can do it if u have alot of money. Have a great time!!!

soccergirlez

absolutly cause we went to mexico and we had to use the rental insurance and everyone i know that has been to mexico has had to use it.

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