Rental Car??

[mikef]

Has anyone ever heard of these guys or rented a car from them before? How was it? How are the cars? I want to rent an SUV....

Economy Rent a Car

[mikef]

When I got the rental confirmation it actually is called America Car Rental... Anyone ever used them? I didnt give them my credit card so I can cancel anytime.

[V]

There was someone who recently had an experience with them, and ended up getting arrested, following an accident. It seems they had not placed the insurance the customer paid for with an insurance company, something they may have reserved the right to do, in the written contract the customer signed.

Mexico's laws require arresting the driver of a car involved in a serious accident, unless they can provide proof of financial responsibility. Many, if not all personal, U.S. auto insurance policies do not cover you while driving in foreign countries.

My most recent car rental experience (with a different company) included the following: the agency never disclosed the amount of the deductible for collision damage, but said there was one, even if I purchased the collision damage waiver! They said I would be fully responsible in any case of theft of the car. They said even if I take the personal liability insurance that their participation in covering any claims was limited to $64,000 USD and, perhaps worst of all, that they reserved the right to be self-insured (so that even if you purchase the insurance options, you were not buying any insurance!) I took all the insurance extras that they offered, but sure didn't feel confident about what might happen, if anything happened!

Even in the states it seems hard to find out exactly where you stand in regard to insurance coverage on car rentals; and, it seems most are independent agencies, regardless of what brand name they carry, meaning there may not be a deep pocket, at all, if you have a complaint against them.

Some Mexican car rental agencies do say that they actually place the insurance coverages you purchase with real insurance companies: questioning them closely, and getting the right answers, can help find the ones that do. Avoid the ones whose contracts state they reserve the right to be self-insured, or from whom you get vague answers to questions about the exact dollar amounts of deductibles you are responsible for and the limits on liability coverage you are purchasing.

There is a company that seems to pride itself on actually delivering the insurance coverage they say they are, and at least one poster to this forum. T.J., has reported a good experience (as you might expect, it is somewhat more expensive). http://www.executive.com.mx/

[On another point, whereas in the states, minor damage is mostly overlooked at check in/check out, here it is noted carefully. Because you are likely to be charged if they find even the slightest additional damage, I suggest taking the time to go over the car very carefully at the start, adding to the record any damage the agency has missed with their inspection; and, making close up photos of every part of the car. This takes five minutes, but can save you time and money, not to mention aggravation, later.]

Drive carefully, don't leave the car unattended, and good luck!