Jamaica Auto Rental Insurance
I made a reservation through Expedia for thrifty.com auto rentals in MBJ (Montego Bay, Jamaica airport). I bought rental car insurance from Expedia and read the insurer's fine print. There was a point about not covering damages where prohibited by law. I called the insurer and they could not / would not advise if the policy was valid in JA.
If I make the reservation again through Thrifty and buy the policy through Thrifty, can I be certain that if the car is damaged / stolen, I will be covered?
Also, what are the common insurance pitfalls applicable for me?
Best Answer
First of all, I would like to take the chance to warn you off of this particular provider. As per this person's review,
The name on the rental agreement [on the car picked up at Thrifty at the MBJ airport] is with a company called Tropical Tours Car Rental, not Thrifty.
Also, as per this site's numerous reviews, the Thrifty (whether or not it is actually Thrifty) company is incredibly misleading in that particular area and the insurance in particular is detestable.
However, as per your actual question, "not covering damages where prohibited by law" means that they will not insure you if you do something criminal or otherwise illegal, or that the law prohibits them from doing so. This would most definetely be the case no matter what country you have rented a car in and would depend on Jamaican law. Bottom line: if you don't do anything illegal, this doesn't apply to you.
That particular part of the fine print doesn't relate to covering losses because of theft, so I'd read the rest of it to make sure. In any case, since Thrifty in MBJ isn't reputable, I'd be careful.
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Should I pay for car insurance on a rental car?
If you carry comprehensive and liability coverage on your personal car, coverage typically will extend to your rental car within the United States. If you're renting a car in the U.S. of similar value to your personal car, in all likelihood your auto insurance coverage will be adequate for the rental.Is car insurance mandatory in Jamaica?
In Jamaica, it is legally required that all motor vehicles be insured, whether or not it is a personal, commercial or public passenger vehicle.Does my car insurance cover rental cars internationally?
Most U.S. auto insurers won't cover you while you're driving abroad, with the possible exceptions of Canada and Mexico. So unless you have a credit card that offers rental car insurance, you'll probably need to purchase your insurance from the rental company itself.Can I buy insurance for a car rental?
Yes, you can use your own car insurance for a rental car as long as your trip is for personal travel. Your personal coverage limits and deductibles will apply. If the trip is for business, your personal auto insurance policy might not cover any type of damage or injury unless you have commercial coverage.I MADE A $54k MISTAKE | Rent A Car In Jamaica: What No One Told Me
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