BajaNomad

Suggestions Wanted on Annual Libility Ins. Policy?

sancho - 8-12-2008 at 10:31 AM

Planning to spend a few months in Baja
this next 12 mo. (Please jump in and correct
me if you see any incorrect assumptions).
Looking for an annual libility policy,
my 'full coverage' US policy will cover me
for collision while in Mex.
Lewis&Lewis Mex Ins., has what looks like
an annual libility $300,000 policy for
$123 which seems very afforadable.
Any experience with Lewis Lewis?
Any other Co's that I should
look at?
thanks for your time
and info

Bajaboy - 8-12-2008 at 10:39 AM

That's who I've been using for quite some time. I have AAA and am covered in Baja and only need liability. Just received my renewal last week.

Zac

oldlady - 8-12-2008 at 10:47 AM

We used Lewis and Lewis for 2 years, also with a favorable experience.

rpleger - 8-12-2008 at 10:59 AM

I used L&L for about 8 years...OK by me

Pescador - 8-12-2008 at 11:06 AM

Lewis and Lewis is great. I am a little confused by your collision coverage by your US policy while in Mexico. Is there a mileage limitation of how far from the border you must be. Is there a repair clause that allows you to either have it fixed in Mexico or does it have to be towed back to the US?
Is towing covered in the event you have an accident in Mexico. Does it include Uninsured Motorists? Will they allow a Mexican Adjuster in the event the car is totaled to examine the car and submit a report.
Generally speaking some of these policies work but there are a multitude of problems that can arise when using a combination. For example, in the US if you have an accident with another driver, the insurance companies usually are able to come to an agreement as to subragation or who has the responsibility concerning who pays for what. That could take an international treaty to solve when you are across the border.
I chose to insure for collision with Lewis and Lewis when south of the border and suspended my American policy for the period that I am out of the country.

DianaT - 8-12-2008 at 11:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador

I chose to insure for collision with Lewis and Lewis when south of the border and suspended my American policy for the period that I am out of the country.


Do you have to pay a reinstatement fee when you go back to the U.S.?

Diane

tripledigitken - 8-12-2008 at 11:17 AM

We have used the insurance services offered by Discover Baja for many years. We have never had to submit a claim however, so can't comment on claim service.

I will have to look into AAA, as to coverage in Baja. That is news to me, other than some very limited coverage close to the border.


Ken

danaeb - 8-12-2008 at 01:31 PM

Here's a good source of general information regarding Mexican insurance requirements. I'm not pushing their business, it just answers a lot of questions.

http://www.bajabound.com/info/faq.php

Iflyfish - 8-12-2008 at 05:11 PM

We used Lewis and Lewis a couple of years ago for Baja. Did not need to file a claim. We are going to the mainland for a few months this winter and are exploring the same issue now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

There are of couse different insurances for different areas of Mexico. If you are going only as far south as Ensenada a different policy is required than one that has you taking the ferry to the mainland etc. Same on the mainland, different policy as far south as Mazatlan, then a different one to cover the rest of the country.

One of the major considerations is this question: How fast will you guarentee that an agent will be at the scene of the accident to advocate for me?

Iflyfish

Insuranc

grito - 8-12-2008 at 06:36 PM

Highly unlikely that your US policy will cover you collision in Mexico.
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Planning to spend a few months in Baja
this next 12 mo. (Please jump in and correct
me if you see any incorrect assumptions).
Looking for an annual libility policy,
my 'full coverage' US policy will cover me
for collision while in Mex.
Lewis&Lewis Mex Ins., has what looks like
an annual libility $300,000 policy for
$123 which seems very afforadable.
Any experience with Lewis Lewis?
Any other Co's that I should
look at?
thanks for your time
and info

CaboRon - 8-13-2008 at 07:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Iflyfish
We used Lewis and Lewis a couple of years ago for Baja. Did not need to file a claim. We are going to the mainland for a few months this winter and are exploring the same issue now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

There are of couse different insurances for different areas of Mexico. If you are going only as far south as Ensenada a different policy is required than one that has you taking the ferry to the mainland etc. Same on the mainland, different policy as far south as Mazatlan, then a different one to cover the rest of the country.

One of the major considerations is this question: How fast will you guarentee that an agent will be at the scene of the accident to advocate for me?

Iflyfish


There are no guarentees :lol:

rhintransit - 8-13-2008 at 08:10 AM

Lewis and Lewis are insurance brokers. they sell the policies, selecting among Mexican insurance companies. I think they are using Seguritas now. if you have an accident or problem you contact the insurance company. do not expect any assistance from Lewis and Lewis other than your policy, phone numbers, etc.

I did have a claim, rolled and totalled a car, with 'them.' the story is on another thread a few years back and I won't bore anyone with it here. short insurance version...the broker spoke no English, the company ignored me as long as they could, paid as little as they could, as late as they could and it was a real battle compounded by my having a concussion and trying to deal alone (zip help from L&L). am not sure that this is different from trying to deal with a US company. have since checked out other companies (insurance, not brokers) and am still with Lewis and Lewis. best of the limited choices.

get some coverage and row away from the rocks. we're not in Kansas, Toto...

David K - 8-13-2008 at 08:21 AM

BajaBound.com ('Baja Geoff' on Nomad) supports Baja Nomad (see top of every page here).

Check your AAA policy and see (in writing) where they will cover your collision expenses anywhere in Baja, I used to have AAA insurance, and that wasn't the case way back then... My State Farm will cover 50 miles into Mexico.

You need liability from a Mexican company... and I would spend another $150 or ? to have FULL coverage for a year!

I have been a Discover Baja Travel Club member for a number of years and have my annual policy through them... Good people.

taxcutter - 8-13-2008 at 08:57 AM

I have used Lewis & Lewis for years, but some other friends have used others.
I use Lewis because my Dad used them, so now I used them.
Always a good experience, and they always respond to my calls or emails.
I get the year policy, bump up on coverage, and have no worries.
Don't drive at night

sancho - 8-13-2008 at 11:18 AM

I asked this question originally,
all info appreciated, my full coverage
states it is valid for the Country
of Mex and Canada, and yes vehicle would have to
be towed back to the US in event of an accident. Since I'm not too far below the
border, I don't 'think' that would be
much of a factor. The uninsured motorist
?, I would have to look into.
It is my opinion that many US Tourists to Mex
automatically purchase full coverage
essentially duplicating their US full
coverage policies. Several US Ins. Co's extend
their full coverage at least partway
into Mex. I'm definately not trying
to pass myself off as an expert
on this question. As with most of us,
I've never had an accident, or a claim
regarding Mex Ins. One thing on the
Lewis and Lewis full coverage
policies that baffles me, is the
specified maximum hourly wage they
will pay for repairs. Which is way
below actual repair costs. I don't understand
that part. Thanks for the responses

Pescador - 8-13-2008 at 11:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter

Do you have to pay a reinstatement fee when you go back to the U.S.?

Diane


No, I do not with State Farm. And since we have two vehicles here at home and the one we are driving, the savings is significant. You should ask your agent though for the final word.

Pescador - 8-13-2008 at 12:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
I asked this question originally,
all info appreciated, my full coverage
states it is valid for the Country
of Mex and Canada, and yes vehicle would have to
be towed back to the US in event of an accident. Since I'm not too far below the
border, I don't 'think' that would be
much of a factor. The uninsured motorist
?, I would have to look into.
It is my opinion that many US Tourists to Mex
automatically purchase full coverage
essentially duplicating their US full
coverage policies. Several US Ins. Co's extend
their full coverage at least partway
into Mex. I'm definately not trying
to pass myself off as an expert
on this question. As with most of us,
I've never had an accident, or a claim
regarding Mex Ins. One thing on the
Lewis and Lewis full coverage
policies that baffles me, is the
specified maximum hourly wage they
will pay for repairs. Which is way
below actual repair costs. I don't understand
that part. Thanks for the responses


You are right, a lot of people duplicate coverage and that is why I posted about suspending your policy. You just need to make sure that you are covered and the limits of coverage. I would suggest that you call the home office for that information instead of your agent. Since I am an agent, I always encourage my clients to talk to the home office for any determination and the limits.
I have had a claim with Seguros which was sold to me by Lewis and Lewis. First, I think that Lewis and Lewis do a great job of being an agent, but the situation is doubly difficult when dealing with a Mexican insurance company. Lewis and Lewis can call and complain but they really do not have the leverage over the insurance company that they might have if they were doing business in the United States. I found that the appraisals done by Seguros were way lower than the actual cost of repair even in Mexico and if I were to have a similar situation where I needed an appraisal, I would go to two or three different repair shops and get appraisals so that I had some information to negotiate with the insurance company.
I had them appraise my vehicle and decided that I would have the work done in the United States for quality reasons since it was a new vehicle. For $3,000 worth of damage their appraisal was around $450 and since I had no actual estimates from body shops in Mexico, I did not have a leg to stand on when it came time to try to get them to raise their appraisals.
When comparing policies offered in Mexico, the one thing that I think is really important is to compare the legal coverage limits. The one place you really need to have good coverage is whenever you get into an accident, you need to know that you have sufficient coverage to get through the legal hurdles and mazes. No US policy can provide that coverage or knowledge.

Insurance

grito - 8-13-2008 at 07:18 PM

The reason many US tourists automatically purchase full coverage of Mexican insurance is because their US insurance doesn't cover them at all in Mexico (the usual case) or if it their US insurance does provide some coverage it is so restricted it is useless. I doubt very much your US insurance is good for more than a very short distance in Mexico. If police see you have an accident, or if there is major damage, or if there is an injury the police will get involved. You need your adjuster there ASAP. Quoting from Rolly's page "As soon as possible (like first thing!), call your insurance emergency 800 number so that an adjuster can be dispatched to the scene as quickly as possible. The fact that you have insurance, even with the policy in hand, will mean nothing to the police. Only the adjuster can invoke the benefits of your policy. Until he gets there, you are, effectively, uninsured....if your adjuster does not arrive on the scene before the police complete their on-scene investigation, you and, perhaps, your passengers will be "detained" at police headquarters until the matters of fault and financial agreements can be worked out.

You should clearly understand that you will be detained until the police are satisfied that they know who is a fault; and if that is you, you'll be hanging around until the other party is satisfied with the financial arrangements and says it is OK for the police to let you go. Strange, but that's the way it works. Or until your insurance adjuster gets there to bail you out."
I doubt if your US insurer would have any adjusters in Mexico let alone one near to your accident.
Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
I asked this question originally,
all info appreciated, my full coverage
states it is valid for the Country
of Mex and Canada, and yes vehicle would have to
be towed back to the US in event of an accident. Since I'm not too far below the
border, I don't 'think' that would be
much of a factor. The uninsured motorist
?, I would have to look into.
It is my opinion that many US Tourists to Mex
automatically purchase full coverage
essentially duplicating their US full
coverage policies. Several US Ins. Co's extend
their full coverage at least partway
into Mex. I'm definately not trying
to pass myself off as an expert
on this question. As with most of us,
I've never had an accident, or a claim
regarding Mex Ins. One thing on the
Lewis and Lewis full coverage
policies that baffles me, is the
specified maximum hourly wage they
will pay for repairs. Which is way
below actual repair costs. I don't understand
that part. Thanks for the responses

Santiago - 8-13-2008 at 08:48 PM

When a US company says that you're insured in Mexico, they mean the comp/collision part - NOT THE LIABILITY. That is why the poster is asking about liability only. Anyone who relies on an agent who says you're covered in Mexico for "X number of miles below the border" and does not buy liability from a mexican company is crazy. But then - I know a guy who lives in Baja, hasn't had insurance for years and doesn't even bother with an FMT, let alone an FM3.

Woooosh - 8-13-2008 at 09:08 PM

I'm only covered as far south as Ensenda with Allstate.

I have been using an auto supplemental policy from International Gateway Insurance Brokers ( http://www.igib.com/ ) . They have a bricks and mortar office in Bonita I went to, but you can buy policies online and print them out. It covers your Mexican liability (most important part) some medical, theft and collision. There are deductibles. I've never filed a claim in five years though- so no claims experience to vouch for them yet..

Insurance coverage is supposedly included when you pay for the cuota (toll road).

It's been my experience in Mexcio that in a fender-bender where no one is hurt- it's ok to work things out (for a few hundred dollars) with the other driver. The local bodyshops are good and cheap. The other driver likey doesn't have the required insurance/registration/drivers license either- and are just as motivated as you not to deal with the police.

[Edited on 8-14-2008 by Woooosh]

wakemall - 8-15-2008 at 09:09 PM

Some interesting info from this posting? I have annual full coverage insurance for my Suburban in Loreto with Oscar Padilla Insurance. When I drive my truck down, I also utilize there insurance. They have always been very helpful and explain exactly what they offer and what they will cover. Basically they offer me a "piece of mind" for a minimumal expense.....

No stress and more fishing will keep you alive.....