Many threads on this forum about being sure the mexican car rental includes the insurance which you

I just got back from Cancun, I got a rate from Expedia to rent a car thru Dollar-Thrifty Car rental company (at the Cancun Airport). The quote was for 9 days for $119 usd. When I went to the Dollar-Thrifty company to rent my car they told me I HAD TO BUY an insurance or they wouldn't rent me my car (adding this to a total of almost 500 usd).
When I returned my car I asked to speak with the Manager (Marisela Escalante) and she told me that she was very sorry, but that the insurance was "optional" but no money could be returned. They are actually telling this to people car rentals hertz so that they can sell the car rental at a much higher price, be advised, I just wanted to advise all of you about this terrible situation that is happening.
And if this wasn't enough they give you and exchange rate completely on their favor, we also complained about this and they lower the exchange rate, this is stealing and has to be stopped. I have the invoice and I can send it to you, the name of the people renting us the car at the Cancun location was Ariel Hau.
Sorry you had a bad experience. Extra insurance, as far as I know is still optional but no one with any sense at all would NOT take it. Tourists in that area have spent a day in jail if they were in an accident and could not provide proof of full coverage, true story.
If you read any of the other posts here or elsewhere about taking the "extra" insurance offered in Mexico, almost car rentals hertz everyone will tell you the same thing. Cover your a$$. It's not stealing. I'm sorry you did not fully understand this.
I'm sorry that you weren't satisfied with the cost of the rental, but you really do have to get the insurance in Mexico. It's only "optional" in the broadest sense of the word. Dollar/Thrifty is by no means "stealing" car rentals hertz your money. You are obviously inexperienced in the ins and outs of renting a car in Mexico.
Many threads on this forum about being sure the mexican car rental includes the insurance which you REALLY do need to get, and which at least where we frequently car rentals hertz rent, is not optional. There are several good car rental places at Cancun airport area that do not charge $500 for a wk of insurance.
Mexico car rental is not a dela where you want the absolute lowest price. You need to be sure the insurance is included in your quote. Again, this has been covered here mutliple times in many threads. Be advised to do your homework for foreign country car rentals.
I know of several online reservation sites for car rentals at Cancun airport area that show you the TOTAL price including all insurances and taxes when you search for the rental online. We use Cancun Car Rental (first choice)or Europcar. Both of them have the full insurance included in the cost of rental car rentals hertz right in the quote online, you can't not take the insurance w/them if you are a foreigner. And the insurance is never $500 a wk! But yes, insurance costs more than the car rental price. For a midsize 4 door automatic car we pay about $240-260 a wk total w/full insurance, and all fees.
Buyer beware, always w/car rentals, make sure all fees are included in the quote. If I had been preswnted w/this problem, I would have walked right out of that place and not rented from them (assume they did not have any deposit money from you yet, correct? they shouldn't have), and gone to another car rental place. Even if I had to go to back to the airport in a taxi (which can be flagged down on the hwy. where the car rental places are) to find another car rental deal.
I would recommend National Car Rental in Mexico, having used them several times. Their on-line site is very detailed car rentals hertz about ALL the actual costs; for example I just checked for 9 days in Cancun starting next week and a small car was about $89 without insurance, but $466 if you select car rentals hertz each of the three insurance options, each of which is explained in detail (in the past we've been able to skip at least one of these by charging with the right credit card).
So many of the on-line car rentals hertz quoted prices are misleading. Its a bit like the airlines who would quote a one-way price, but you HAD to purchase a round-trip ticket. So...they are actually quoting a price for something that one can not purchase. Its the same with Mexican rental cars. You have to have the insurance. Your US coverage is no good in Mexico and the laws are so different than in the States. I say.....use taxis. You are on vacation.....who needs the hassle?
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