ROAD TRIPS FROM HELL
Mexican Fiasco
Warren Eisenberg of Chevy Chase, vacationing in Cozumel, Mexico, had just pulled from a stop sign when a motorcycle driver later found to be drunk hit his rental car. The cyclist went to the hospital with a broken leg. Eisenberg, despite having bought Mexican auto insurance, went to jail .
A man saying he represented the motorcyclist initially demanded $2,000 in cash . When the man heard that the cyclist's blood test showed he was drunk, his demand dropped to $500. Additionally, authorities insisted that Eisenberg pay $800 cash for what he was told was "bail." Authorities refused to give Eisenberg any receipts or documents , but released him once family members came up with $1,300 cash -- about 12 hours after the March 30 accident.
Eisenberg then returned home to find that LessPay Car R ental , a small Mexican outfit, had billed his credit card an extra $1,125. LessPay said the insurance Eisenberg bought had a $1,000 deductible, and that the company had also paid his $180 fine. (CoGo realizes these figures don't add up. LessPay did not respond to an e-mail from CoGo, and the U.S. phone number on its Web site doesn't work.)
Turns out Eisenberg's treatment is pretty standard. A U.S. State Department report on Mexico warns: "If you are involved in an automobile accident [in Mexico] you will be taken into police custody until it can be determined who is liable and whether you have the ability to pay the penalty. If you do not have Mexican liability insurance, you may be prevented from departing the country even if you require life-saving medical care, and you are almost certain to spend some time in jail until all parties are satisfied that responsibility has been assigned and adequate financial satisfaction received."
Mexico does not recognize any U.S. coverage your insurer or credit cards may provide for rental vehicles. Additionally, Mexican insurance is invalid if you are found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Eisenberg has challenged the $1,125 charge with his credit card company. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Kelly Shannon said he would have to hire a Mexican attorney to try to get the money back.
Bottom line: If you're going to drive in Mexico, buy Mexican liability insurance, insist on a document outlining what it covers and carry it with you. In addition, the U.S. State Department urges Americans traveling overseas to register with the U.S. embassy and to carry embassy phone numbers. To register with U.S. embassies and get a contact list: http://www.travel.state.gov .
travel aidS
How You Say, Good Deal?
Heading to a foreign country and don't speak a word of the language? A computer-based language company is offering free tutorials of at least 25 essential travel phrases for 10 languages -- French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Irish, Swedish and Arabic.
At http://www.byki.com/travelcards , you'll find flash cards that drill you visually and with a recorded voice. Clearly the company is hoping you'll be so impressed that you'll spend $29. 95 to $49.95 to buy an entire language program. But the free part will teach you how to exchange pleasantries with the locals and say important things like, "Where's the hospital?"
TRAVEL TICKER
Avis will begin renting the Hummer H3 next month at five airport locations: Denver; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City; and Seattle. Details: http://www.avis.com . . . Marriott is rolling out 32-inch flat screen, digital, high-definition TVs for rooms and lobbies at select properties. Cleveland Marriott Downtown begins installation next month; the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront by mid-July.
