Hi everyone,
Heading to Mexico in March and looking to rent a car from the Cancun airport.
From what I've read, it's not uncommon to be presented with unexpected insurance costs as well as unjustified damage charges on return of the vehicle.
Does anyone have advice or suggestions for rental companies that have been OK in this regard and that clearly outline all rental and insurance costs online? I have CDW insurance through my credit card so ideally looking for somewhere I can use that.
Thanks!

Yup, i had this issue. Got picked up and taken to a off site location where they said this insurance was mandatory. I suggest documenting the condition of your car at the start and at the end with as many pictures / videos. Then also using a credit card to pay with it, so if something happens you can always pay with the card and have the credit card company dispute the charge later if they are unreasonable.
Not sure about better companies. I think i used "Economy Rent a Car" so stay away from them if you see em.

Yikes yea that seems to be pretty common. Thanks for the tips James!

Make sure you take pictures of the car especially if there are any damages ( scratches or dents) they will try and ding you for them when you return the car

Take the bus or hire a taxi. It's cheaper and safer.

I used Hertz in Puerto Escondido (not Cancun but I'd imagine that they would be there too!). We actually did not have any issues with crazy insurance, though we did have to pay for insurance through them, but it was only $75. No issues upon return.

pack a ladder

Watch out for then dirty cops. We bought ourselves out of a "speeding" ticket which we were 110% not speeding in the zone as we knew about it and purposely drove slow. He just said basically oh well... my word vs yours
I will never drive Cancun roads again.
Ever. Dirty dirty...
We do still drive elsewhere in Mexico... but never Cancun/Mayan riviera. Just FYI

Phone your credit card company and ask them for a print out of the insurance so you can take it with you, that's what I did in Ireland and no problem

No. Not in Mexico. You buy their insurance. Period. Better to take cabs than to drive.

If you want to decline their expensive CDW, they require a credit card deposit for the full value of the car. So if you have a high enough limit on your credit card, and the charge gets approved by your credit card issuer, then you may be able to avoid their CDW. I rented from Sixt, prepaid online, my Amex approved their deposit of several thousand dollars, and I had no issues with the car. There were numerous scratches and dents, I did not document anything, and there was no problem.

Got a great deal with national $7/day, I was aware of their 3rd party liability -19$ per day, still was a good price. Couldn't put a hold 9k on my credit card, so I have to negotiate for the full coverage cdw and other crap. At the end was an ok deal. Lesson learned : need high enough limit, plus a backup reservation. Looks like they get you to sign a blank cheque, which cc company says not to do, which means cdw from cc company is not going to work, and Ill be liable any way. Looks like there is no win in this game.

Walk around the car and take a video of it at the dealership. Get the dealership sign in the video, then pan over to the car. Take a pic of the level of gas and mileage on the car before you drive it. And do the whole thing again when you return it.

I purchased 3rd party insurance from here that is supposed to apply to Mexican rental cars. http://www.sanbornsinsurance.com/ I'm currently trading emails with National to get them to tell me that its acceptable in Mexico. If it's not, I can get a refund, as long as it's before the insurance's effective date. National's website says ins can't be attached to a credit card or purchased from "3rd party travel sites", and must state "Valid in Mexico" on the policy, which the Sanborn's polcy does. National also requires an additional $2500 holdback on your CC if you have 3rd party ins
SANBORNSINSURANCE.COM
Mexico Auto Insurance - Sanborn's Mexico Insurance

I'm talking 3rd party liability, not CDW. I use my card for CDW on a Mexican rental in the past. Put a dent in it, ~$200 damage, and the CC paid up

Further to this, National just told me the third party liability policy I purchased is acceptable in Mexico

Nice, thanks! Do you know off hand the daily rate for third party you ended up paying?

I paid US $205 for 30 days. I'm renting for 28. Coverage is $150,000. Also includes medical, bail bond etc.

Check with your hotel. A lot of them provide the service in their lobby and I think you are less likely to have issues as they are representing the hotel you are staying at.

Annaliese Dickson

I went through "avant" rental on line and they met us with car at airport!! They were good!

Costco rentals are VERY reasonable, but can you get them there? Not sure.....

Our rental car was broken into and the lock was completely busted, they didn't charge us any extra. We rented it in Cancun, just outside the airport.

Wer just rented a car from a new company called FIX. it was the first positive experience and fair price ( my hubby is from there).

I used Herz and had a positive experience. I had my bqankguy send me a pdf of the letter stating that my HSBC Mastercard idemnity waiver would be applicable in Mexico. Once they had that, it wasnt a problem.

I rented a car from the hotel I was staying at and used a cc. When I got home my bank called and said that there was numerous purchases with it. I only used the cc once for the rental. Make sure you check with the cc company/bank that no extra charges are on it!