Diver Car-Rental Scam in Cozumel

In our October issue, we shared a reader’s report about suspicious charges at Budget Car Rental in Bonaire, and stressed the importance of buying collision-damage insurance when renting a car abroad. Now another shady car scam has surfaced in Cozumel, says Undercurrent subscriber Rick Feig (Baton Rouge, LA).

“I rented a small Chevy from the Sol y Mar rental company located directly in front of the El Cid - La Ceiba beach hotel. Upon returning the car, I discovered a small hole on the left tail light, obviously made by a small nail and a hammer, or a 1/8-inch drill bit, that destroyed the entire lens. The car had been parked overnight at the hotel’s parking lot, about 20 yards from Sol y Mar.

“Having just read the October issue of Undercurrent, I had purchased insurance at the time of rental, but I wasn’t surprised when Roger, the counter clerk, said the hole in the tail light was not covered, and I would have to pay him U.S. $60 in cash for the damage. I told him to just put it on the bill and I would take it up with the rental car company, but Roger said he couldn’t do that as all ‘small’ damages had to be paid in cash. After a heated discussion, I finally gave him $40 just to close the problem.”