Can anyone tell me if it is advisable to take out a separate auto insurance policy when renting a car in Bonaire? I have also been told not to lock your car while there because it will definately be broken into. Is this true?

We take it but it does not cover the first $500.00 and costs about $100 USD. Many credit cards cover you but some limit it to in the US only.

We always leave the car open with only tanks and empty dive bags with no problems. We have seen broken window glass on the ground at some sites. I think definitely broken into is too strong but I would not leave visible valuables in a car at an isolated dive site either. I do not do it around home either.

Before we went in May I checked with my M/C company. We have the platinum card and they said they would cover everything for any driver who originally signed the rental agreement (even if they were not family). I got this in writing and therefore did not take the extra coverage.

I haave been told the insurance is for accident, not theft. Better check it out!

Linda, you vehicle will NOT be broken into unless you leave items of possible value and lock the door. Common sense prevails. If you leave a camera, nice sunglasses, watches, wallet, etc. and lock the door there is a possibility your vehicle may be broken into.

I always take the vehicle keys with me, that way I am fairly sure that my buddies will help me if I get into trouble.

Concerning credit card coverage... Note that the card only covers the rental car. Your stateside liabilty policy will almost certainly not cover you in Bonaire. If you have an accident and are responsible/liable for repairs to the other car, you will have to pay the damage yourself.
I called four or five of the major stateside carriers and none of them had liabilty policies that covered me outside of the US and Canada. They did not offer riders on the policy that would provide coverage either.

What Clay sez !!!! I always get the additional insurance coverage. A very dear friend pretty much destroyed a vehice while on Bonaire, he lost his deposit but the rental agency had a replacement vehicle for him as soon as he was ready to drive. The potential loss is just not worth the savings.

Could someone please clarify what is generally covered by US auto insurance and credit cards and what additional coverage generally may be purchased in Bonaire. I am particularly interested in 1)damage to the rental vehicle caused either by the person who rented it or by an uninsured motorist, 2)damage to the property of another person caused by the driver of the rental car, and 3) injury to third parties caused by the driver of the rental car.

It varies from insurance company to insurance company and credit card (and card level, e.g. gold, platinum, etc.) to credit card.

In other words, contact your particular insurance company and credit card companies to see what they will cover abroad, and if they have any limitations on which car rental companies you can use (I recall that some required one of the big 6 - Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, or Dollar).

Jake

Anonymous... Items 2 and 3 are covered stateside by your liability policy which will not cover you on Bonaire. Neither will credit card policies, since at best they cover the rental car.
This is based on research I did a couple of years ago, but I suspect it hasn't changed.
If you get the insurance from the rental company it should cover those items as well as your item 1. I would ask to make sure.