Cancun car rental
insurance
When in Cancun you'll be driving in a foreign country where you may not speak
the language or understand the legal system. You want to make sure you have
every protection possible to avoid a hassle should an accident occur. Not only
do you need to protect yourself from liablities that you may cause, you also
need insurance against those that are not as responsible (there are a lot of
uninsured cars on the roads). Having an accident with proper insurance could
literally be the difference between spending an afternoon on the beach, or
spending it in jail--Don't skimp on insurance!
the language or understand the legal system. You want to make sure you have
every protection possible to avoid a hassle should an accident occur. Not only
do you need to protect yourself from liablities that you may cause, you also
need insurance against those that are not as responsible (there are a lot of
uninsured cars on the roads). Having an accident with proper insurance could
literally be the difference between spending an afternoon on the beach, or
spending it in jail--Don't skimp on insurance!
ALI
Additional
Liability
Insurance
Liability
Insurance
This insurance covers damage that you may cause to
other people and/or property in the even of an accident.
In Mexico, if you cannot pay compensation for these
damages you will go to jail until you come up with
restitution.
other people and/or property in the even of an accident.
In Mexico, if you cannot pay compensation for these
damages you will go to jail until you come up with
restitution.
We purchase as much of this
insurance as possible from the
rental company.
In case of an accident you want to
be able to show the police a policy
written in their language, purchased
through a rental company that they
can easily contact. Do not rely on
liability coverage that is part of your
credit card services, or coverage that
comes with travel insurance. Although
these may offer reimbursement, they
will do you absolutely no good at the
scene of an accident in a Spanish
speaking country.
insurance as possible from the
rental company.
In case of an accident you want to
be able to show the police a policy
written in their language, purchased
through a rental company that they
can easily contact. Do not rely on
liability coverage that is part of your
credit card services, or coverage that
comes with travel insurance. Although
these may offer reimbursement, they
will do you absolutely no good at the
scene of an accident in a Spanish
speaking country.
CDW
Collison
Damage
Waiver
Damage
Waiver
When you rent a car, you are responsible to bring it
back in the same condition, or pay for the damages.
If you total a $25,000US car (or if it is stolen), you are
responsible to pay the company $25,000US. CDW is
an agreement that limits the amount you have to pay.
Some CDW's limit your liability to 10% of the total
value (10% of $25,000 = $2,500US).
Others set the limit in a dollar amount.
Commonly, $1,500 to $2,500US.
back in the same condition, or pay for the damages.
If you total a $25,000US car (or if it is stolen), you are
responsible to pay the company $25,000US. CDW is
an agreement that limits the amount you have to pay.
Some CDW's limit your liability to 10% of the total
value (10% of $25,000 = $2,500US).
Others set the limit in a dollar amount.
Commonly, $1,500 to $2,500US.
You not only want the "CDW" offered,
but you also want to purchase
additional insurance such as CRD or
EPC (see descriptions below).
We prefer to purchase a full-coverage
EPC with 0% deductible.
Read our section on "the inspection
scam" for more information on why
0% deductible is a good idea.
but you also want to purchase
additional insurance such as CRD or
EPC (see descriptions below).
We prefer to purchase a full-coverage
EPC with 0% deductible.
Read our section on "the inspection
scam" for more information on why
0% deductible is a good idea.
LDW
Loss
Damage
Waiver
Damage
Waiver
Same as CDW above, but some companies sell this as an option that includes insurance against theft.
CRD
Deductible
Reduction
Cost
Reduction
Cost
Additional insurance that reduces what you have to pay
for damage to the rental car. At many companies these
plans reduct your liability by 50% (A $25,000 car with
10% CDW would leave you with $2,500 in liability.
The 50% CRD would reduce this to $1,200US).
for damage to the rental car. At many companies these
plans reduct your liability by 50% (A $25,000 car with
10% CDW would leave you with $2,500 in liability.
The 50% CRD would reduce this to $1,200US).
Purchasing a CRD that reduces
liability is a good idea if there are
no other options, but we'd prefer
to deal with a company that offered
a full-coverage "EPC" with
0% deductible.
Even with these plans you may not
be completely covered. Some do
not cover damage to the windshield
or tires. Also make sure that the
policy covers theft.
liability is a good idea if there are
no other options, but we'd prefer
to deal with a company that offered
a full-coverage "EPC" with
0% deductible.
Even with these plans you may not
be completely covered. Some do
not cover damage to the windshield
or tires. Also make sure that the
policy covers theft.
Collision insurance updgrades
EPC
Extended
Protection
Coverage
Protection
Coverage
Additional insurance that reduces or eliminates the
deductible you have to pay for damage to the rental car.
Many full-coverage plans are called EPC's, however
there may also be CRD's that offer 0% deductible.
deductible you have to pay for damage to the rental car.
Many full-coverage plans are called EPC's, however
there may also be CRD's that offer 0% deductible.
LAS
Legal
Assistance
Supplement
Assistance
Supplement
Provides you with an attorney if you are involved
in a serious accident, or there are complications
in determining fault.
in a serious accident, or there are complications
in determining fault.
PAI
Personal
Accident
Insurance
Accident
Insurance
Covers ambulance and medical care for you
and the passengers of your rental car.
and the passengers of your rental car.
PAI: We error on the side of safety.
Quality medical care is expensive,
and the hospital will want your credit
card to pay the fees. Even travel
insurance should be considered as a
reimbursement plan (they'll pay you
back when you return from your trip)
rather than a ticket to free health care.
LAS: If I miss a stop sign and ran
over a group of people, I would really
be glad to have legal assistance.
Theft protection: May be covered
under your CRD or EPC upgrade.
Quality medical care is expensive,
and the hospital will want your credit
card to pay the fees. Even travel
insurance should be considered as a
reimbursement plan (they'll pay you
back when you return from your trip)
rather than a ticket to free health care.
LAS: If I miss a stop sign and ran
over a group of people, I would really
be glad to have legal assistance.
Theft protection: May be covered
under your CRD or EPC upgrade.
SLI
Supplemental
Liability
Insurance
Liability
Insurance
Same as "ALI" shown above, just a different name
used by some rental companies.
used by some rental companies.
PLI
Personal
Liability
Insurance
Liability
Insurance
Same as "ALI" shown above, just a different name
used by some rental companies.
used by some rental companies.
TP
Theft
Protection
Protection
Protects you in the event of auto theft.
Check your paperwork, this may also be
covered in a CRD or EPC upgrade plan.
Check your paperwork, this may also be
covered in a CRD or EPC upgrade plan.
Code
Definition
Description
Our recommendation
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Definition
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Our recommendation
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Our recommendation
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Cancun & the Riviera Maya
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Copyright, 2009 by Perry McFarlin for Can-Do Publishing