Film Unions
Rental vehicles in México are usually more expensive than U.S. rentals .A majority of the productions shooting in Baja have chosen to rent their vehicles in the U.S. from companies that allow their cars and vans to be driven across the border. Keep in mind, Mexican law prohibits Mexican nationals from driving U.S. vehicles in México. If you should allow Mexican nationals to drive U.S. vehicles on your production, we recommend that they are English speaking drivers and carry some form of proof indicating that they are employed by the production. (Rental agreements and certificates of insurance evidencing coverage for both domestic and Mexican auto insurance should be kept in the car at all times). You utilize Mexican drivers who have a California drivers licenses (many do).
Two rental car companies in LA that allow their cars to be driven to México are: Enterprise Rent- A-Car, main contact is: Sonny Pax 1 (310) 516 4838 mobile 1 (310) 851 3493; in San Diego contact: Brett Tyrrell ph 1 (858) 643 1287, cell 1 (619) 726-1461. Midway Rent-A-Car contact number 1 (310) 826-4585. It is often less expensive to rent vehicles in Los Angeles that it is to pick them up at the San Diego Airport. Local vehicle rental company is RENTAUTO and you can contact Luis Navarro at 011 52 (664) 684 7201 or 011 52 (664) 684 7139.
Before you rent any cars or trucks in the U.S., make sure the legal owners of the vehicles are made aware that you plan to take their cars and/or trucks out of the country and into México. A letter or a Request For Mexican Auto Insurance signed by the legal owner granting his or her permission for the vehicle to be driven into México, along with a copy of the vehicle’s registration, must be kept with the vehicle at all times. (If there is ever any question, this is your proof that the vehicle was not stolen.) This documentation, along with proof of insurance coverage – both domestic and Mexican - should always be kept in the car or truck.
Personal Vehicles
Due to liability issues, production entities shooting in México may or may not choose to extend company auto coverage to individuals driving their personal vehicles into México. Individuals, responsible for their own Mexican insurance coverage, may arrange for a personal policy (before they even arrive) with insurance companies.
Before securing Mexican insurance, individuals should contact their own insurance companies to assess whether their current policy’s physical damage coverage would protect them against damage to their car should they be involved in an accident while in Baja. If so, then only third party liability coverage would be necessary. If an individual’s policy does not extend to coverage while in Baja, then full Mexican coverage would be required.
Baja Club is a company designed to assist people traveling to Baja and México. Club members can save up to 80% on vehicle insurance and receive discounts at more than 300 hotels, RV parks and restaurants. Baja Club also offers a bi-monthly news magazine filled with information on where to go , the weather and road conditions.
For more information on the Discover Baja Club check www.discoverbaja.com, contact them by email ask@discoverbaja.com or by phone 1 (619) 275-4225 in San Diego, Ca. Anyone entering México for even a day must have at least liability coverage for the vehicle he or she is driving. Mexican auto insurance may be obtained by the day, the weekend, for multiple entries within a year, or for an entire year. There is a company in Rosarito that handles any kind of insurance: Bernie’s Mexican Insurance , phone 011 52 (661) 612 0044, 011 52 (661) 612 1028, bernies@telnor.net , contact: Aracely Chairez. For an individual flying in and out of San Diego Airport en route to Baja for a day or two, be note that certain rental car agencies, such as Enterprise and Avis, will supply Mexican insurance on their rental vehicles. When reserving your car, let the rental agency know in advance that you are planning to drive the car into México. Auto insurance can be purchased at any of the last exits on the U.S. side.
