BajaNomad

Insurance coverage for "conventional" roads only?

Santiago - 9-17-2019 at 12:20 PM

Coverage is only valid on conventional roads. Coverage while off-roading, racing and driving on non-conventional roads is excluded.

The above is on an Mexican auto insurance website. How would this be interpreted? Has anyone been denied coverage because of this language?

Bajazly - 9-17-2019 at 01:48 PM

I think the argument would be what is a conventional road. I don't think they could argue that means dirt. I live on a dirt road but there are houses everywhere and so many roads in Baja are dirt. Seems to me if a road goes somewhere, which most do, that people use to get to ranchos or the next town, the road in question could be called a conventional road.

Probably a good conversation to have with the broker and get their take on it but when I talked to Bajabound about having an accident where there was no cell coverage, what would one do in the case of getting the adjusters to come to you before the cars were moved. The general attitude was use best judgement and get to a place where contact could be made and deal with it from there.

Be interesting to see what they will tell you their definition of conventional is but I suspect they are trying mostly to shield themselves from pre running type of accidents because they could certainly make the case that the "racecourse" is surely not a conventional road even tho most of it is in non race times.

David K - 9-17-2019 at 02:39 PM

If I recall, if it is on a map, it is a road.
If it is not on a map, then you are "off-road".

Everywhere I drove in 2017 and 2018 mapping and road logging, I was insured by Baja Bound.

However, what could happen on a remote dirt road that you would need insurance for? I have insurance for when I am in cities and highways in Baja where someone else might crash into me or if I accidentally hit someone. Once I am away from civilization and on a dirt road or no road, I don't need insurance for anything.

Edit: It is also for theft, so if someone stole my car while camping... then that is also covered. However, where I camp there is little chance of that, since bad roads bring good people, lol!

[Edited on 9-17-2019 by David K]