BajaNomad

AAA Insurance in Baja???

Ken Cooke - 12-22-2005 at 05:57 AM

A Jeeping friend of mine has purchased special AAA insurance for use in Baja, Mex. for next weeks Baja Pole Line Run. His rig is a pricey one (~$50,000.00 Rubicon), and I'd hate for him to get into a legal tangle with the Federales for not being properly insured. Does AAA sell legitimate insurance for south of the border???

bajajudy - 12-22-2005 at 07:48 AM

Only AAA can answer that question correctly. The rest of us would just be guessing

bajalou - 12-22-2005 at 08:13 AM

I'm sure AAA can sell colision and comprehensive insurance to cover vehicles wherever they decide to. The liability insurance is the one to question.

TMW - 12-22-2005 at 08:23 AM

Yes they can and do, it's thru a Mexican Underwriter or what ever you call em. I've used them before I started getting an annual policy thru Discover Baja.

Ken Bondy - 12-22-2005 at 08:27 AM

I've bought AAA insurance for several Mexico trips. It included civil liability, legal assistance, travel assistance, theft, medical expenses for occupants, and physical damages. The policy seemed to be very comprehensive, and it was very expensive. It was issued through a Mexican insurance company called GNP (Grupo Nacional Provincial). Fortunately I've never had to use it but because of AAA's reputation and history in Baja California I would anticipate it would provide good service.

++Ken++

David K - 12-22-2005 at 08:28 AM

I have heard from others it (AAA sold) is quite higher in cost then others...

If not an annual policy at one of the clubs (Discover Baja or Vags) or Lewis & Lewis, then a daily policy through www.BajaBound.com has always been easy to do (online, before you leave home) and lowest in cost... Discover Baja sells GE insurance.

[Edited on 12-22-2005 by David K]

Ken Bondy - 12-22-2005 at 08:39 AM

I should have added that, on the last several trips, I have used Discover Baja Travel Club for my insurance. Very convenient, online service and substantially less expensive than AAA. But then I've never had to use any of my policies so it's impossible to evaluate them on price alone.

++Ken++

turtleandtoad - 12-22-2005 at 08:46 AM

FYI
According to their website, the Vags sell ADA-Vis Global, not GE

David K - 12-22-2005 at 08:55 AM

Bedman did an excellent research paper on all the insurance companies/ sellers on how they responded to questions and what they claimed to provide... That was maybe 3-4 years ago. Based on his research he went with Lewis & Lewis (who sells Qualitas). A report on an accident near Punta Prieta by a family who had Lewis & Lewis/ Qualitas seemed to confirm they do what they say and allowed the truck to be repaired in the U.S.

I like being able to walk into a place like Discover Baja, in San Diego and deal face to face with nice people who I have faith will assist should I have problems with GE should I ever have a claim.... Since I have written a couple articles for Discover Baja's newsletter and am friends with the owners (Hugh and Carol) and their editor (Graham Mackintosh), I like to give them my business. I have been a member of their travel club before buying their annual insurance just for the great newsletter ($39/yr.)

Reports from Nomads on their personal experience with how claims are handled would be great... just unfortunate that something bad has to happen to find out!

As already stated Baja Ken was unable to contact Zurich insurance on the phone number provided when his Ford Ranger broke down on the Observatory road a few years ago... After that problem with the phone number, Discover Baja stopped using Zurich for their insurance! Fortunately, there was no accident to report.... and Baja Nomads, including 'Desert Bull' provided great assistance to Ken to get his truck towed home.

David K - 12-22-2005 at 08:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by turtleandtoad
FYI
According to their website, the Vags sell ADA-Vis Global, not GE


I was talking about Discover Baja, but that wasn't clear, so I will edit my post above... thanks!

Ken Cooke - 12-22-2005 at 09:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Bedman did an excellent research paper on all the insurance companies/ sellers on how they responded to questions and what they claimed to provide... That was maybe 3-4 years ago. Based on his research he went with Lewis & Lewis (who sells Qualitas). A report on an accident near Punta Prieta by a family who had Lewis & Lewis/ Qualitas seemed to confirm they do what they say and allowed the truck to be repaired in the U.S.

I like being able to walk into a place like Discover Baja, in San Diego and deal face to face with nice people who I have faith will assist should I have problems with GE should I ever have a claim.... Since I have written a couple articles for Discover Baja's newsletter and am friends with the owners (Hugh and Carol) and their editor (Graham Mackintosh), I like to give them my business. I have been a member of their travel club before buying their annual insurance just for the great newsletter ($39/yr.)

Reports from Nomads on their personal experience with how claims are handled would be great... just unfortunate that something bad has to happen to find out!

As already stated Baja Ken was unable to contact Zurich insurance on the phone number provided when his Ford Ranger broke down on the Observatory road a few years ago... After that problem with the phone number, Discover Baja stopped using Zurich for their insurance! Fortunately, there was no accident to report.... and Baja Nomads, including 'Desert Bull' provided great assistance to Ken to get his truck towed home.


Great summary, David.

I might add that my most recent incident in Baja involved getting hit by a deer on a stretch of Hwy between Laguna Chapala and Santa Ynez. I did not report this incident to the insurer I had used at the time because I simply did not have the time to devote to this on my way back home. The dent will be taken care of this summer when I have more time to devote to bodywork, but I purchased Instant Mexico Insurance because the owner is a nice lady who likes Chihuahuas! :yes:

i am considering getting an annual policy...

eetdrt88 - 12-22-2005 at 12:12 PM

for my rig as i plan to take quite a few trips south this upcoming year and really hate to stop on the way for insurance...is Discover Baja the best way to go online?

Ken Cooke - 12-22-2005 at 05:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by eetdrt88
for my rig as i plan to take quite a few trips south this upcoming year and really hate to stop on the way for insurance...is Discover Baja the best way to go online?


EETDRT,

You'd be better off by doing the research before committing to any particular insurer. Also, get to know the people in the United States who you will be dealing with in the event of a claim and/or accident. Having a good relationship with the representatives is a great idea.

David K - 12-22-2005 at 06:49 PM

Eet, there has been SOOO much written about insurance here on Nomad, just use search and spend a few hours trying to decide.

Getting an annual policy is a no brainer IF you spend more than 15-20 days a year in Mexico! My $29,000 Tacoma costs near $200 a year to insure for my Baja vacations... If I were to buy daily policies, in just 10 days I would spend that much.

The other nice thing is no rushing home before your trip policy expires should you decide to stay long or have some kind of problem preventing you from leaving Mexico on time!

bajadave1 - 12-22-2005 at 07:33 PM

FYI

I had a small fender bender a few months ago (my fault). I use Lewis & Lewis as my agent, I think they sell Qualitas. Anyway, I called the Mexican toll free number to report the damage, and they had an adjuster here in Los Barriles, in TWO HOURS. No Kidding!!!!!!! He came from La Paz. Very courteous. I was really impressed.:O:O:O

bufeo - 12-23-2005 at 09:37 AM

We use Lewis & Lewis and have for seven years. Two of our vehicles have coverage for all of Mexico and the third for Baja and Sonora only.

AAA has an on-line policy here http://www.aaa-arizona.com/insurance/mexico.htm

I may perform a pro-forma with the AAA site just to compare with the policies we have with L&L...but not today. :spingrin:

TMW - 12-23-2005 at 07:37 PM

A word of caution with Mexican insurance. You must report an accident etc before returning to the U.S. So I suggest you keep a list of insurance claim offices and your policy number on your person in case your vehicle is stolen. Second, things go much faster if you do the leg work on getting the police papers signed etc. Third, when dealing with the federales speak spanish or get someone who does, they won't discuss the paper work in english with you, especially in TJ. I've been there and done that on all the above.

wrk - 12-23-2005 at 08:54 PM

Many years ago when we were new to Baja we bought AAA insurance - yes, very expensive. However, our car was totalled on the toll road between Tijuana and Ensenada and we were paid the full amount we were insured for - took a while but we got it. We now have Lewis & Lewis - have had for many years - which is much less expensive but haven't had to use it.

turtleandtoad - 12-23-2005 at 09:10 PM

Today I purchased my insurance for my RV (Liability, Legal, and road service) and my toad (Full, with road service and medical) for a 6 month period.

After getting quotes from the Vagabundos and Discover Baja, I went with Discover Baja. For the coverage being offered they were better.

The Vags were lower on the boat & fishing permits and I was able to get my FMT through them without having to go to the office in person.

Taco de Baja - 12-24-2005 at 09:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wrk
Many years ago when we were new to Baja we bought AAA insurance - yes, very expensive. However, our car was totalled on the toll road between Tijuana and Ensenada and we were paid the full amount we were insured for - took a while but we got it. We now have Lewis & Lewis - have had for many years - which is much less expensive but haven't had to use it.


If your wreck occurred on the toll road, it should have been covered through the toll road. Just remember to always keep the receipts. Several years ago, my sister backed into someone after using the rest room at a toll station. The claim was handled through the toll road, not the policy she bought before crossing. No out of pocket on her part at all:).

An in response to the original question, yes, AAA offers Mex. Insurance, but it is way more expensive than other policies out there like Lewis and Lewis.

[Edited on 12-24-2005 by Taco de Baja]

TMW - 12-24-2005 at 11:29 AM

In 1988 my son rolled his 1 month old Toyota pickup near San Luis. The insurance was purchased from Padilla in Calexico. I did all the leg work and got all the papers signed, sealed and delivered with the excellent help from a lady named Lucy at the insurance office in Mexicali. Insurance paid the full value of the truck minus $100. They paid $8,000. Everyone was easy to deal with except the Federales. Both the one in San Luis, he acted like it was a rub to do it. The head of the Federales in Mexicali required $220 to expedite the paper work. $200 for him and $20 for his assistant, Paco. I paid the the $220 and Paco typed up the document in about 5-10 minutes and I was on my way. The head of the Federales would only discuss the matter in spanish so I had a friend of mine with me to speak to him.

turtleandtoad - 12-24-2005 at 01:41 PM

That's where the Legal coverage comes in to play. They supply a "lawyer" that speaks spanish and knows the system.

Bob H - 12-25-2005 at 09:17 AM

We have all our vehicles insured in the U.S. A. through AAA. They informed me that we are covered all over Mexico except for liability, so we just purchase liability coverage when we go south of the border.
Bob H

TMW - 12-25-2005 at 12:09 PM

In 1995 I was involved in a wreck at La Rumorosa. Two young couples from Mexicali ran off the hwy into the snow at the top of the grade across from the toll gate, this was when the down side was still two ways. Anyway he goes off then comes back on and overshoots, I quickly whip to my right to keep from getting hit but he slides all along my left side. Hwy patrol there in no time. The kids in the car came running up to see if we were OK which we were, so nobody was hurt. I had insurance thru Discover Baja and everything was covered. Whether their insurance paid or not I don't know, that was handled by the insurance company. My only regret is that I let the insurance company handle it, but I should have insisted that I have City Chevrolet do the repairs. I moved to Texas when I got the truck back and later a lot of things had to be redone at my expense. At the time I asked about City doing it and they said if City was higher than their estimate ($6500) I would have to pay the difference, which I should have. By the way it was repaired in San Diego at a shop off the 15 south of I8, Tony's Autobody or something like that.

TMW - 12-25-2005 at 12:11 PM

Bob that's a good point. I have Allstate and at the time I think they would have probably paid the difference. Oh well live and learn.

comitan - 12-25-2005 at 12:39 PM

Had friend here in La Paz get into an accident Fri. night, with Mexican vehicle put 3 of them into hosp. friend OK except in the jail, Had been drinking they gave him a Breathalyzer test flunked, had insurance when insurance co. found out that he had been drinking no help whatsoever, had to come up with his own bail money considerable amount. will post when know I more. Had to pay $17,000 us dollar that he will not get back, he was hit in the side by 2 teen age boys driving 2006 Murano. one still in Hosp.

[Edited on 12-25-2005 by comitan]

Insurance

tehag - 12-25-2005 at 12:40 PM

Had Fxxxxx's in the early 90's and was assured that my coverage was fine in all of Baja. Officially it was only supposed to be good for 75 miles below the border, but the agent said not to worry, they would cover the whole peninsula.

Got rear ended in SJC and called the agent. He said that he was real sorry to hear I'd had an accident. That's all the help I ever got.