Renting a car

[Kenster]

I've always been a big advocate of renting a car if you're going to be in Tulum for a week. I always figure that the cost of two round trip bus fares from Cancun to Tulum, plus potentially several round trip taxi fares from the beach hotel into the Pueblo at about $4 each way would come close to equaling at least half of the weekly rental of a car. The other half is a very acceptable premium for having your own wheels whenever you want to pop into the market for another case of beer and a couple of bags of hielos or want to take off to Coba or go exploring down the beach road. And having a car greatly reduces the stress on the day it's time to head back to CUN and you're sweating out if you're going to be able to get on a bus and if it's going to be on time and if you'll miss the connection in Playa. You just go when you want to go.

And, as I always go solo I frequently offer new found friends a ride into town for supplies, dinner, etc.

I have always been able to get a cheap stick shift with A/C through Avis for about $115 a week. (with my airline employee discount) Pretty much the same rate over the past eight years. So, I was rather shocked tonight to find it would cost about $210 this year for a weeks rental.
The other majors were about the same. Continental-Rentacar was much worse.
Then I tried Travelocity. Of course I can't get a travel industry employee discount through them but I didn't need one. I got a car from Eurocar with a stick shift and air conditioning for $99 a week!
Actually I'll have it for nine days at a total of $146. Avis for nine days was going to be about $280. That's a big difference.v Like almost double!
I've never used Travelocity before because I've always got better deals through the airlines own websites but it really worked for renting a car!

And no, that does not include the price of waivers or other insurance. I let my gold card handle that. But the price does include all other fees and taxes.

I'm pleased.

Now, if I just didn't have to wait another two months and 12 days........

[beachreader]

That's a great rate. I just hope you have enough liquid assets to cover the cost of the car in case anything goes wrong. You'll be on the hook before you're allowed leave Mexico, then when you get home you'll deal with your gold card people for reimbursement. It's my understanding the Mexican agencies won't deal directly with the card companies, so that's all on you.

Still, thanks for the tip. I'm going to go out and search around, see if anyone else has a better rate than I already have that includes all the insurances. Peace of mind is worth a chunk of change to me.

Continental was the highest you checked because they automatically include insurance in their rates, no hidden fees that I know of.

[Kenster]

This ain't my first rodeo.

I understand the potential downside. I'm willing to accept the risks. I've been driving down there for many years. I don't drive at night. I don't drink and drive. I obey the laws and the speed limits. But I'm not one of the overly cautious tourists who are so scared to be driving in a foreign country that they drive 30 miles under the limit, which becomes even more of a hazard. (I pass them by the dozens on 307 every year.)

I also understand that a lot of folks prefer to pay the insurance premiums for the piece of mind. I respect that. I just prefer to put my money to other uses... like spending a week at Azulik.

Cheers,
Kenster

[beachreader]

Fair enough, cowboy.

But now that I'm thinking about it all, I went out to Orbitz, and while I can't find a rate that cheap for my dates (bummer), I did find a good rate. If I add their optional insurance, it's still $100 less than my current rate with Continental.

So, guys and gals, does anyone know anything about this AccessAmerica insurance offered by Orbitz? Here's what it says about the insurance available. It's not as complete as the insurances from the local companies, but $100 is $100... What do you think? Is this enough?

Rental Car Damage Protector Provided by Access America

BenefitsLevel of Coverage*Collision/Loss Damage $40,00024-Hour Hotline Included
*Benefits are provided on a per person basis.

Orbitz has partnered with Access America to provide you with Rental Car Damage Protector. Collision/Loss Damage Insurance provides coverage for damage or loss of a rental car. This competitively priced coverage is provided on a primary basis. Coverage is only available to U.S. and Canadian residents. For program questions, please contact Access America at 877-593-4989.
Please note that changes to your travel plans may require changes to your coverage. If your plans change, please contact Access America at 877-593-4989 to ensure your policy is still valid.
Satisfaction Guarantee:
Within 10 days of purchasing the program, Access America will process a full refund of premium to you, as long as you have not already departed on your trip or filed a claim. No refunds shall be paid to you after 10 days of purchasing the program.
Travel Protection:
This is a brief description of the insurance protection and services provided in this program. Exclusions, conditions, and limitations may apply. A complete description, including a complete list of exclusions, conditions, and limitations, will be emailed to you upon completion of the purchase process with Orbitz. You may also view the Certificate of Insurance/Policy by going to http://www.accessamerica.com/TC/orbitz/RBAI.aspx. Be sure to call Access America at 877-593-4989 if, after purchasing this insurance, you do not receive the Certificate of Insurance/Policy that contains this vital information. Terms and conditions may vary according to your state of residence.
For questions regarding coverage, please contact Access America at 877-593-4989 or by email at orbitz@accessamerica.com.

1. Collision Loss/Damage Insurance*: Covers physical damage to a rental car, up to a maximum of $40,000, which is caused by a collision, fire, storm, vandalism or theft and occurs during the rental period. This benefit is limited to car rentals of up to 45 consecutive days. This coverage is not available to Texas residents.
   
   Collision Loss/Damage Insurance is available for travel in the United States and most foreign countries. No coverage is provided for motor vehicles rented in Israel, Jamaica, Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
2. 24-Hour Hotline Help: Help is just a phone call away with Access America travel protection. A staff of multi-lingual problem solvers is available to help you gain access to local resources and information you need to solve a medical, legal or travel-related emergency.

** Benefits are provided through Access America, a division of World Access Service Corp. Insurance coverage is provided under Form No. 52.401 or 52.201 issued by BCS Insurance Company or Form No. 101-C-XX-01 or 101-P-XX-01 issued by Jefferson Insurance Company.
California residents: Please note that World Access Service Corporation is doing business in California as WASC Insurance Agency and their California License # is 0B01400.
Texas Residents: Please be advised that this optional coverage may duplicate coverage already provided by your personal auto insurance policy, homeowner's insurance policy, personal liability insurance policy or other source of coverage.

[beachreader]

Oops, on re-checking my Continental reservation, I see this Orbitz deal would only save me about $50, and Continental includes an upgrade, liability insurance and multiple drivers as well as 0% deductible. So I might just stick with Jesus and co.

Still, I'm curious about that AccessAmerica insurance, and whether anyone has worked with them before.

[minniemex]

BR is that for your vacation insurance also?? Or just the Collision / Loss Damage?? My first thought would be is it is only Collision & theft - what about the Personal Injury?? To me that is the bigger one of the two I cannot handle on my credit card.

I guess I am a proponent for the "big catastrophe" coverage. I want to know that if I am in one hummer of an accident, I have all the coverage I would hopefully need. I have been paying insurance everyday of my life on two automobiles and never needed it except for glass replacement, so has that been a waste of dollars?? No, first off, required by law, second, offers me peace of mind.

[mayaflya]

So I might just stick with Jesus and co.

I, for one, am glad that you found Jesus and are sticking with him...;-)

Seriously, this is the first time we are reserving with a local car rental (Cancun-Rent-A-Car) rather than a big name franchise. We've always taken the insurance options...which are wildly variable with the "cafeteria" plans. It just got too confusing to try to make comparisons...and nothing was apples to apples, particularly on liability limits. At some point, you just have to draw a line at what risk you are willing to take on. Ken's line is way south of mine, but he is drawing it fully informed. Lot's of folks walk in fat dumb and happy thinking. "hey, it's Hertz or Avis or Budget...it should work just like back in the US"...this is why we need to keep beating the insurance drum.

I decided to try one of the local companies mostly because I just wanted to simplify the transaction...

[think]

Seriously, this is the first time we are reserving with a local car rental (Cancun-Rent-A-Car) rather than a big name franchise.

I'm glad to see you are going to try these guys out. I was going to go with National but then heard about this company. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on them.

[BuckFuna]

Does anyone have any first-hand experience wrecking a rental in Mexico? With or without insurance?

[beachreader]

I, for one, am glad that you found Jesus and are sticking with him...;-)

New bumper sticker: Jesus is my rental agent.


I know what you mean, Maya, it is nice having it all just laid out there for you, being reasonably certain that all needs are covered. Minnie, I agree with that too, the personal liability is one thing I'm most nervous about. Paying for a cheapo car is one thing, being sued by an injured local is entirely another.

BuckFuna, I'm not sure any of the regulars here have had direct experience with a wreck, but someone did post that they had an accident, called their company (Buster?) and had a replacement vehicle in short order.

I think you'll find some horror stories on LocoGringo or PlayaInfo, though. That's where I first heard the Word on insurance and took it to heart.

[mariposa]

We're trying to figure this out still..last time went with easyway and it worked out fine. We had a discount for triple AAA and a discount for paying cash. Does anyone know if Continental has any of these discounts?

I emailed Continental and they haven't replied. Does anyone know if Easyway is part of this same company (continental/caribbean/cancun et al..)? I ask because there was a Jesus at Easyway last February when we were there. It looks like Continental is a little cheaper than Easyway from website info. Not sure if this would still be true with a cash and AAA discount.

We want a compact with A/C, probably an automatic. Last time we got a VW Pointer which was a nice car in good condition but very basic. I guess I'll have to go ahead and book before I get any questions answered from them since they haven't responded. Last year I called them on the phone and arranged it because I had questions I wanted to ask before booking...

[beachreader]

I don't think Easyway is part of that group of 'C' companies, but Jesus is a pretty common name.

I'm paying in US$ cash because it will mean I'm paying exactly what my quote is. If I paid in pesos cash I'd be paying more because of the exchange rate back and forth, and if I paid in credit card, the same thing. They'd convert the $ rate to pesos and then back again. Something strange like that. So I'm paying in US cash. I don't know about AAA because I don't have that.

The only way I've communicated with Continental is after sending my reservation, they send a confirmation e-mail. I reply to that e-mail and he answers my questions (but they've been very busy this season so took a lot longer than he did in December).

[Giddy]

I'm looking into cars this week, and was going to get a car from dollar via Orbitz for $230 (with just 40K collision loss/damage insurance), but then read the posts here and am reconsidering. Both Continential and cancun-rental-car are $300 for the same time but include full insurance.

I've been in two car accidents this year (driving in familar places, and not under any influence of substances) after 20 years of driving with no accidents....these things can happen suddenly, surprisingly, and under any circumstances. If it isn't your fault you have no ability to prevent it, and yet you still have to deal with sorting out the details.

I'm thinking that it's worth the extra $70 to know that someone else will deal with any headaches that might occur. Still, it does smack a little that my car will cost as much as my flight.

[beachreader]

I know what you mean. My car is costing almost as much as what I'll be paying for 7 nights of hotels! OK, not quite as much, but 5 or 6 nights, anyway. I've got $276 or so through Continental for an automatic (I think it'll be a VW Pointer), and he's giving me an upgrade even though one wasn't available when I booked because I'm a returning customer.

When I looked again last night, though, the upgrade offer was available again, so do check that if you book with them. You go to the left of the screen first, where they show the specials, put in your dates and click on the special you want (I take the upgrade, but the full tank of gas might not be a bad choice so you won't have to buy any gas). Then it'll take you to the reservations screen and will have the upgrade logged in. Book the car you want without the upgrade and the confirmation will show that you're getting an upgrade.

I was trying to think of a way we could share the car too, but then we'd have to get you down to Tulum and me back up to the airport when I leave and that might be more trouble than it's worth for three days.

When you get the confirmation, write back and tell him you're with me, maybe he'll give you the same rate?

[think]

How do the "C" companies work as far as pick-up and drop-off? Seems like I've read that they meet you at the airport then drive you to their office, and you fill out paperwork and leave from there. Is this about right? What about drop-off? Thanks in advance.. I'm thinking about going with one of these companies because I like all the insurance that is included. However, if it's going to take an extra hour or so to get the car vs. a company inside the airport, it might not be worth it in my situation.

[PhyllisB]

They pick you up at the airport, take you to their office (ideally, to their Cancun office, about 5 minutes from the airport). It didn't take us long to go through the paperwork, etc - maybe 10 mins - you want to check that car over carefully and make sure they have every little ding noted on that little sheet!

We also dropped it off at the airport -- right back at the same spot where they had the car waiting when we arrived.

[lazydog]

I think we should figure out if it's the same Jesus or not. Mine at Caribbean, was tall, about six feet, pretty good looking and was very fluent in English. Possibly his first language was English? Same Jesus?

[Kenster]

I've been renting from Avis at the Cancun airportf or several years. The last three times I've been in there, my agent was Jose. Nice guy.

Someone told me that their waiter at Zamas was named Jose! It has to be the same guy, moonlightling in Tulum. I mean, come on! Dark haired, speaks Spanish fluently, named Jose???? What are the odds???

[mariposa]

I think that my Jesus at Easyway was a different guy; I feel like I'd be dissing him to say it but he didn't meet your description..more average appearance and height. His english was very good though and like I mentioned in another thread, they did offer us all cervezas for the road! And as my husband just said he really liked our Jesus (not sure if the cerveza offer had anything to do with it..)

As far as I can tell though, Easyway is not as cheap as the "Cs".. though they did respond quickly to emails and aside from the price difference we had a pretty flawless experience..

Awesome snarkiness Kenster...but speaking for myself, I was just trying to see if these smaller rental car places we all talk about were connected..

[lazydog]

Well, he wasn't amazing looking or anything, but not unattractive, and he seemed taller than average. (oh and he upgraded me to that new car, so anyone who does that probably seems better looking) And the reason the discussion about Jesus comes up is because there has always been some confusion around the three C car rentals. Are they the same company or not. It seems that Jesus rents for all three. None of the other guys had Jesus for names, there was George also and Frank. I really don't think I was generalizing about the Jesus name.
Or...maybe they all agree to use the Jesus name so if there are any complaints, hey Jesus did it!