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jfriesen1

Nov 14, 2010, 6:01 PM

Post #1 of 5 (2616 views)

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Mexican vehicle insurance for Mexican rental

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I realize that if I drive my own car (from Toronto) to Mexico I need special Mexican insurance. However, we now plan to fly in late January and intend to rent a car at the GDL airport. I need to know if I need to purchase some special insurance for the month-long rental. I'm not talking about the usual damage waiver insurance, but insurance beyond that. Has anyone information about this?
Thanks,
John

chinagringo

Nov 15, 2010, 6:05 AM

Post #2 of 5 (2586 views)

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Re: [jfriesen1] Mexican vehicle insurance for Mexican rental

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When planning for a trip, which we ultimately didn't make this past fall, I spent a good deal of time and effort researching the rental car and insurance thing. I could not get satisfaction from any of the airport companies from my requests for details on their exact coverage. Not only did I send emails directly to the agencies in Guadalajara but also communicated with the US help desks for these companies. The same basic answer - yes, we will sell you the additional policies (at an expensive price per day) but we cannot or will not provide you with details. I did check with American Express to determine their coverage both that which is included when using your card and optional. My big question was the "legal assistance" found in the better Mexican policies and to me an essential for a Gringo. After throwing up my arms in disgust, I decided on renting through Karen & Spencer at S & S AUTO at the Lake: http://www.ssauto.com.mx/
An email inquiry to Karen produced my desired results with respect to the insurance and since we have had prior very positive dealings with them in the past, there was no apprehension. Not inexpensive but would have been a comfort for the 1500 or so miles we were planning on driving.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

jfriesen1

Nov 15, 2010, 9:57 AM

Post #3 of 5 (2563 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] Mexican vehicle insurance for Mexican rental

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Thanks Neil for the info. I contacted a couple of places at Ajijic but the prices were way over the airport counter prices. I've found a couple of companies at the GDL airport (ACE etc.) looking for a compact or economy automatic car for the month of February and at ACE it was under $300 for the 4 weeks, which is good. This is without any of the optional insurances they offer, but includes all other costs such as taxes etc. It's a good price. It doesn't include PAI ($11/day), LDW ($24/day) and SLI ($11/day). I'm hoping my existing auto insurance policy at home in Toronto will cover those, but I still need to check out the details of my policy.
The SLI (supplemental liability insurance) is probably the only kind of insurance that is actually required, and is likely covered by my own insurance policy.
Still more research to be done:>(
Cheers,
John

Rolly

Nov 15, 2010, 10:06 AM

Post #4 of 5 (2558 views)

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Re: [jfriesen1] Mexican vehicle insurance for Mexican rental

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Liability coverage is absolutely NOT covered by your USA insurance.
Only a Mexican company can write liability insurance in México.
Your USA policy may or may not cover collision damage. Ask them.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

(This post was edited by Rolly on Nov 15, 2010, 10:07 AM)

chinagringo

Nov 15, 2010, 10:31 AM

Post #5 of 5 (2553 views)

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Re: [jfriesen1] Mexican vehicle insurance for Mexican rental

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Unless Canadian policies are much different than those issued in the US, what Rolly says it very true! Since we have a great deal of experience purchasing Mexican Auto Insurance when making trips SOB, I was directly comparing coverage from prior policies with those stated by the various auto rental agencies. We have always purchased the very best coverage available for our trips without quibbling about minor cost differences and none of the coverage offered through the rental car agencies even came close! As stated in my prior post, a legal assistance clause/coverage was of prime concern. No legal assistance coverage and one may sit in a Mexican jail while matters get sorted out. Just not worth it for us!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM