Mexico: Watch Out — Well-Documented Surprises — typical deposit $300-1,000.
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Watch Out — Well-Documented Surprises — typical deposit $300-1,000. Mexican law requires third-party liability insurance that most US/Canadian credit card coverage and home auto policies do NOT cover — this is real and mandatory, but aggressive upselling of full/comprehensive coverage beyond that legal minimum is one of the most commonly reported tourist complaints anywhere. Confirm exactly what's legally required versus what's being upsold.
Mexico: Watch Out — Well-Documented Surprises — typical deposit $300-1,000. Mexican law requires third-party liability insurance that most US/Canadian credit card coverage and home auto policies do NOT cover — this is real and mandatory, but aggressive upselling of full/comprehensive coverage beyond that legal minimum is one of the most commonly reported tourist complaints anywhere. Confirm exactly what's legally required versus what's being upsold.
Mexico has a well-documented pattern of surprise charges, aggressive upselling, or risky practices — read the note above carefully and read your rental contract in full.
Check what your own credit card or home auto insurance already covers before buying extra coverage — you may already be covered for some or all of it. But confirm any legally mandatory local coverage separately, since that's not optional regardless of what else you have.
Photograph and video the entire car from every angle, including a timestamp — this is your best protection in any damage dispute, especially in destinations with a documented pattern of post-return charge disputes.