Car rental cancun - use my home insurance car rental liability coverage?

I am planning to rent a car, probably from Alamo at the Royal Sands, for two weeks. My VISA card covers collision, theft, damage with $0 deductible. My CHUBB home insurance provides $5M Canadian in excess third party liability insurance for rental vehicles worldwide. I have confirmed with CHUBB and my broker that our Cancun rental would be covered. I would bring the documentation with me. Is there any reason why I would still have to buy Alamo's excess third party liability insurance?

You can bring all the documentation and paperwork you want but it probably won't matter. They still will want you to buy the per Mexican law required liability insurance. If you don't take anything else they'll put a $3K-$5 hold on your credit card. Hit up the Cancun forum on TripAdvisor for insight.

You might be covered, but if the unexpected happens, and you are involved in an accident, you WILL be taken to the hoosegow while the situation is sorted out by a judge during business hours. And Mexican jails are not pleasant places to while away a few lonely hours. Buy their insurance and consider it a cost of a Mexican vacation.

Oh, I suppose that if you want to risk it, PLEASE take the 3rd party liability somewhere and have it translated so that the constable who might have need to read it, can do so.

Jim

jasm said:

I am planning to rent a car, probably from Alamo at the Royal Sands, for two weeks. My VISA card covers collision, theft, damage with $0 deductible. My CHUBB home insurance provides $5M Canadian in excess third party liability insurance for rental vehicles worldwide. I have confirmed with CHUBB and my broker that our Cancun rental would be covered. I would bring the documentation with me. Is there any reason why I would still have to buy Alamo's excess third party liability insurance?

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Yes, the reason is the purchase of the liability insurance from Alamo is mandatory. This can be found on the Alamo website.

Avis, Budget and Hertz will allow you to decline their upgraded 3rd party insurance and will place a $2,500 hold on your card if you do not purchase their primary insurance. Some of the other rental agencies include the minimum 3rd party liability in their rate and offer an enhanced 3rd party liability coverage that can be purchased.

I used Alamo last winter in Cancun and thought it was a very good experience. I did have to purchase the 3rd party liability but used my Amex for the rest of the coverage. They place a $2,500 usd hold on your card if you do not purchase their primary insurance.

Bill

Passepartout said:

You might be covered, but if the unexpected happens, and you are involved in an accident, you WILL be taken to the hoosegow while the situation is sorted out by a judge during business hours. And Mexican jails are not pleasant places to while away a few lonely hours. Buy their insurance and consider it a cost of a Mexican vacation.

Oh, I suppose that if you want to risk it, PLEASE take the 3rd party liability somewhere and have it translated so that the constable who might have need to read it, can do so.

Jim

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That is only partially true Jim.

Like in the USA if you cause an accident while breaking the law you will end up incarcerated. Drunk driving, reckless driving and fleeing the scene will likely be treated as a serious violation as it should.

If you bump into some one and cause damage, the tourist police might arrive to take your information or you might need to go to the police station to fill out forms. If an accident occurs you would call the rental car agency who would facilitate by translating and giving the proper information where needed.

This is why I feel it is important to have a working cell phone with the auto rental agencies number in the contact list. The need to go to the police station can be mitigated by speaking with the rental agency in minor accidents. Before I leave with the car, I add the rental agency number and then call it to make sure it works.

Bill

their country - their insurance - as others have stated .