I know some people may think I am crazy but I have a little bit of a theory on the breaking in of rental cars.

I just find it odd how the same kind of car keeps getting robbed. Mainly jeeps.

Like I have read many times how peoples jeeps are getting broken into, windows broken, tires stolen, ect and the insurance there doesnt cover theft. What kind of bs is that? Why dont they have theft insurance? If this is a problem why dont they have it?

I think they dont have it because if they did then the cops would be involved more than they are now. The insurance companies would make them investigate it and the rental companies dont want that.

I believe its either the rental companies or someone working for them breaking and stealing from cars. Think about it. Someone wrote how 3 tires were stolen off the car and it cost them about 800 dollars. The rental companie could be lying, be the ones who stole the stuff and are the ones collecting the money.

I know I may sound nuts but this is my theory. It just all seems very odd. It makes me not want to rent a car because having to dish out 800 bucks would KILL me financially and I wouldnt pay it. Id say sue me. Haha.

Well let me know what you think,
CHRIS

PS- 137 days and counting. HAHA

Chris from CT - Not bad. I think your on to something. I didn't rent because all I would need is a wreck on my vacation.<BigPapa>

Yes, There is a scam going on down there on renting cars, so I never do.

We NEVER rent a car in Aruba. I'd rather pay for a cab.

I agree does sound odd? & they do ask what hotel you are at so they know exactly where to go to rip off, maybe give them a different hotel name.

I have written all this before to help others, I give it a go once more:
These are actual and factual occurences. When renting first check over the vehicle 100%. Check the tire rims or hub caps. Have noted on your contract any defects, gouges, etc. Friends had to pay $145 for a gouged rim replacement and they did not do the damage. Have all and any dents ,scratches etc. noted also. Make sure all trunk equiptment is there. When a vehicle goes out, it is considered all trunk eq. is there, checked or not checked. Meaning you can never say it wasn't there.

Call you credit card maker, Visa, Chase, etc. and check this: They will insure any accidents you may have while on the island. Theft may be diff. but check it out with them. PUT THE RENTAL FEE ON YOUR CARD.
A Gold or Platinum card will insure you without you taking the Ins. when renting. We had an accident and we were re-imbursed. Took about 10 WKS. We did the paper work from the US.
If you have an accident you need a bonafide estimate & police report. Then you need to put the dollar amt. on your Credit Card.
If you have an accident or a claim over late Friday or on the weekend that you are leaving
getting an estimate and police report real quick does not exist. MAKE DBL. COPIES OF EVERYTHING AND KEEP ALL RECEIPTS. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A RECEIPT IN ADDITION TO THE ONE YOU SEND IN. . Return the vehicle with the exact gas you rented it.
BEWARE: Make sure you are getting the gas you are paying for at stations.
More than several times I've read where they are a little short on your amount but not short on the cash they want. $20.00 US is about $12.00 in Florins.
About 30 car rentsl agencies in Aruba...thats big business!!

I totally agree,and recommend to you to let the aruba board of tourism know so maybe the will do something about this,because this could impact to a certain extent visitors to the island.

I had a rental car stolen a couple of years back, and I suspect that the rental car company had something to do with it. Since they knew what hotel I was at and they had a spare key to the car, I think it would have been easy for them to take the car and chop it up for spare parts. I was charged $6000 on my credit card for the stolen car and the credit card company held me responsible for the charge even though I contested it. Fortunatly for me, the entire charge was covered by the credit card insurance, but I did have to pay the 6K before I got reimbursed about 2 months later.

We find its much easier to use cabs and the bus than to have a rental that sits in the parking lot most of the time. Not only easier but we feel cheaper for the 2 of us.

Chris CT

Two issues here:

1. Break-ins. Thieves are after personal property of the renter, wallets, cameras and other valuables, rental companies don't own these so they are not insured under the policy for the auto. Your Homeowners/Renters policies from the states insures this property while away from home. Up to 10% of the limit on personal property on premises. Deductible applies and you are required to make a police report of the incident.

2. Theft of the vehicle or parts of the vehicle. This is where the rental contract gets interesting, the renter IS NOT responsible for things like fire, earthquake, hail etc. Specifically on vandalism and theft it states, "each case will be [looked at] or evaluated individually, depending upon whether or not the car was left locked or unlocked". In other words, if you park on the beach leave the door open w/ keys in the ignition and go parasailing, you bet there are going to hold you responsible for the total cost. You are also totally on the hook if you race it, tow something, carry drugs, use it as a taxi etc. They are expecting you to take "reasonable care" including securing the vehicle by locking the doors. If that is done I would expect that their coverage would apply. They could and probably would try to get YOU to pay THEIR deductible on the vehicle. This is where credit cards come in, "good ones" if there is such a thing will pick up that cost.

Tires are really expensive in many parts of the world. Especially large off road jeep tires. Due to conditions in Aruba they must have very short life expectancy.They are expensive, in demand and relatively easy to remove. For what its worth I saw many privately owned jeeps on the island. If I lived there it would my vehicle of choice.