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Car Rental Agencies at Cancuns Airport

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Information about buying

 car rental Insurance in Mexico

Will my credit card company cover Collision Damage Waiver:

No one in Mexico cares if your credit card covers the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or not. In Mexico you have to pay for the damages made to the rental car, regardless of whether you made the damages or the damages were made by another person. When there is an accident and it was the other party's fault, then the other party will pay for the damages of your rented car, that is why the police stay at the accident scene until both parties have met their obligations.

The point is that the only benefit of having a damage waiver on rental cars with your credit card (credit card insurance), is being able to get the complete refund for cost of the damages, but what they don't tell you and nobody seems to understand, is that the damages at the moment of the accident or car return, must be paid by you before you leave the country, usually the same day of the accident or the car return. That is why car rental companies keep a blank voucher, in case you refuse to pay, for instance, claiming that your credit card company will cover the damages.

That is why it is always advisable to purchase the local car rental agency insurance that one WILL cover the damages done to your rented car. It usually comes in two prices and fashions: cheap with a deductible fee and higher with zero deductible fees (full cover).

That was regarding the damages done to your rented car. Now, regarding damage to other cars and it being your fault. This will not be Collision Damage Waiver; this is called Liability Insurance, and this you must purchase. All car rental agencies make it mandatory. Very few credit cards cover this one, and again, even if they do, all credit cards work on the same refund basis; no credit card company will ever come to the rescue nor send an agent, ever. That is why is ok to purchase that one with your car rental agency, plus they give the legal advice in case of an accident.

All major car rental American companies, usually at the airport, advertise their rates (without any insurance) at all, then when people arrived they find out that the liability insurance and the airport fee are mandatory charges, that's why it's known as the rate (like you see on Orbitz or Expedia), is never the real rate, it is always plus plus.

The small local companies, usually outside of the airport, usually advertise their rates a bit higher but with some or most insurance included. The liability insurance is almost always included. All companies, large or small, provide good coverage, such as 50,000 to 80,000 usd.

Mexican law does not make it mandatory that all vehicles carry liability insurance. This is important to know because in the case of being hit by another driver, that does not carry liability insurance, he must pay at the moment for the damages or medical expenses, and the worst thing that can happen to that other driver in case he doesn't have money to pay, is that the authorities will not let him go until he meets his obligations. The thing here is that the car rental companies don't care if the other party pays or not. Sure, they will help you collect the money but in case the other party never pays, the car rental agency will collect from you through your blank voucher.

Type of cars
most car rental companies now, big or small, always have automatic cars. In a market which 80% of the customers are American, most companies know this and do provide automatic cars. What is true though is that cars should be reserved in advance.... it is not a good idea to arrive in Cancun and rent the few choices left, if any. During low season you may find about anything available, but during high season you might find almost nothing available.

Are advice is to pay for the extra insurance and get full coverage.