Renting a car in Cozumel

[Andrew1965]

In Cozumel now at Fiesta American. We were talking about renting a car but got warned not to do it. My friend told me that if I had a accident that was my fault the Mexican law says that I would have to pay all the medical bills and damages to any Mexican citizen that was involved or injured and the amount can be set by the person you hit. If you don't have enough insurance or can not pay up they don't let you leave the country even if you need medical care and they can't give it. They can even throw you in jail, worse case. Does anyone know more about this Mexican law? The mandatory minimum insurance offered with the car rentals is expensive and covers the minimum but not excesses. There are so many exclusions in the policy that you're hardly covered. Trying to figure out if renting a car in Mexico is really worth the risk. Seems I saw something like this on Dateline. Anyone know more about this?

Andrew

 

[NadMat]

When I don't feel like walking I just grab a cab. I have considered renting a bike before, but have not yet. I like to stay at Caribe Blue and actually enjoy walking into town for supper, then grabbing a cab back. JMHO, YMMV

 

[5615mike]

In Cozumel now at Fiesta American. We were talking about renting a car but got warned not to do it. My friend told me that if I had a accident that was my fault the Mexican law says that I would have to pay all the medical bills and damages to any Mexican citizen that was involved or injured and the amount can be set by the person you hit. If you don't have enough insurance or can not pay up they don't let you leave the country even if you need medical care and they can't give it. They can even throw you in jail, worse case. Does anyone know more about this Mexican law? The mandatory minimum insurance offered with the car rentals is expensive and covers the minimum but not excesses. There are so many exclusions in the policy that you're hardly covered. Trying to figure out if renting a car in Mexico is really worth the risk. Seems I saw something like this on Dateline. Anyone know more about this?

Andrew

First of all your insurance here will not cover a thing in MX. If you want coverage you have to purchase MX insurance. If your going to rent a car then get the insurance........period. Like here, you never know how much your going to need in coverage until you have a loss but at least purchase the coverage. Also get the Physical damage. If you dont and have an accident, they will charge your credit card for the amount of damage. bottom line, it you can afford to rent a car, you can afford to protect yourself. No matter how fare or unfare you may think things are you have to remember that your in THEIR country and not your own. They have different laws/rules and you play by them.

 

[deborahdelamar]

Attentive & careful driving & you should be OK. A car is definitely the best way to do the drive around because you can stop anywhere you want at your leisure -- and there is lots to see. Be especially cautious about Topes (speed bumps) and mopeds coming around from the right.

Yes, your friend is right and you should have the Mexican collision (all rentals include liability.) If you drive a stick, Rentadora Isis on Ave. 5 bet. Calles 2 & 4 Norte has VW convertibles at $35/day that include insurance with 10% deductible. You can also pay them a little more for no deductible.

Automatic transmission will be more expensive -- check Avis on Juarez near Ave. 10 but it may be cheaper to reserve a car online through avis.com or one of the internet travel agencies, even at this late date. There are also some rental agencies near the airport you can check out -- but don't rent from any in the terminal as they charge extra tax because of the in-airport location.

 

[don Francisco]

Renting a car for a days sightseeing is a good way to do a land excusion on Coz. If you rent from a reputable agency they'll have the requisite liabilaity insurance, ask them to comfirm that. Collision risk (who pays for dings and dents in the rental car itself) often is insured in 2 levels. No insurance means you're totally responsible, partial insurance means you'll still liable up to 10%. and full CDW means you're 100% covered. I suggest you purchase at least the partial coverage.

When you rent, do a full and thorough walkaround, being sure to point out any dings and chips the renter misses, since the more damaged that's noted beforehand, the less they can find later.
(For the record, I've never had a dispute over dings, despite many rentals in Mexico.)

Driving in Coz. is really no worse than in any US metropolitan area, except that you're sharing the road with more mopeds and cyclists, so you need to be extra attentive at intersections, especially of left turners.

Watch for the speed bumps (topes), some aren't well marked. (hint- watch the cars ahead of you for brake lights and the characteristic hop) Also, be sure to review the rules of the road. For instance, in town when driving on calles (streets), which are perpendicular to the water you have to yield to traffic on the avenidas (parallel to the water).

Lastly, the island has begun a crackdown trying to reduce it's accident and injury rate, (and maybe to raise some dough) so they're strictly enforcing seatbelt and drunk driving laws. Wear your seatbelt, and if you're planning on partying in the evening, turn in the car first, and take a cab back to your hotel.

Have a great trip, dF

 

[robint]

Attentive & careful driving & you should be OK. A car is definitely the best way to do the drive around because you can stop anywhere you want at your leisure -- and there is lots to see. Be especially cautious about Topes (speed bumps) and mopeds coming around from the right.

Yes, your friend is right and you should have the Mexican collision (all rentals include liability.) If you drive a stick, Rentadora Isis on Ave. 5 bet. Calles 2 & 4 Norte has VW convertibles at $35/day that include insurance with 10% deductible. You can also pay them a little more for no deductible.

Automatic transmission will be more expensive -- check Avis on Juarez near Ave. 10 but it may be cheaper to reserve a car online through avis.com or one of the internet travel agencies, even at this late date. There are also some rental agencies near the airport you can check out -- but don't rent from any in the terminal as they charge extra tax because of the in-airport location.

ditto......... rent a car, get insurance. We have been to Coz 5 times and rented a car every time with no problems at all. Just remember that your home car insurance covers you for certain things but not all. Check with them.

 

[Diver Kat]

Last trip we stayed at FA and we did rent a car for the week. Paid for the extra insurance .. whether for a day, or your entire trip, the extra insurance is the only way to go. Driving around is pretty easy. Downtown there are a number of parking lots - about $1 per hour (or less) and having a car lets you do the East side, or any of the beach clubs at your leisure. Just watch out for the topes! They sneak up on you if you're not paying attention!

 

[Andrew1965]

Thanks for the info. Decided to stick with the taxis in spite of the cost. We looked into the rental with full insurance and decided to not do it at all. Not worth the risk! Even the recommended rental companies have to many small print exclusions and we are not covered for a lot of stuff one might think would be included. Next time we will stay close to town and walk. Food here sucks but having a good time anyway. Cozumel diving is great!

Andrew

 

[don Francisco]

Andrew, tomorrow is Sunday, treat yourselves to an evening in town. Sunday's the day to see the square come alive at night, and there are a ton of good restaurants to choose from where the food definately won't suck. dF

 

[judydivescoz]

We visit Cozumel several times a year and have have always rented a car for the week. My husband had an accident the last trip down, it was his fault. The liability insurance took care of the local and his damages completly. We paid the car rental company $60. to repair the car. We always rent from Rentadora Isis. Margarita was great in what could have been a terrible situation. We will continue to rent a car, we like to stay in the Corpus Christi part of town and love the freedom having a car gives us.