BajaNomad

Leaving a car in Mexico

Alan - 8-14-2008 at 05:47 AM

With the ridiculous cost of car rentals I am considering just buying a car to drive down and leave there. I'm sure this subject has been brought up before but I've had no luck using the search feature. Residing in Ca. we are required to pass a smog test every other year to keep the vehicle registered. I plan to keep the car in BCS so I have no desire to drive it back just for a smog check. I have been told that if I provide proof that the vehicle is stored in Mx (Ie; receipt from storage yard and Mx insurance policy) that the smog test could be exempted and I could just pay my registration fees and keep my tags current. CA DMV has never been known for logical reasoning so I was curious how others do this.

With the current cost of fuel here, gas guzzlers such as older Explorers, ect. are pretty cheap. It will only take a few trips to pay for it with the savings of the rental car rates.

CaboRon - 8-14-2008 at 05:58 AM

Alan,

Just before I moved my Bronco down here permanently, I registered it and transferred title to South Dakots. Here is a thread that goes into some detail .... there are others also.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=31253#pid3177...

Good Luck,

I just renewed by mail (you need a US mail address) and have my new tags,

CaboRon

Edit Add: Just wanted to mention that to leave things in Mexico you need a proper visa (FM3/FM2) ... a tourista pass (FMT) does not allow you to leave possesions here.

[Edited on 8-14-2008 by CaboRon]

David K - 8-14-2008 at 07:36 AM

Good for Ron to mention that 'tourists' cannot leave personal property in Mexico when they go back home... A tourist is someone in Mexico using an FM-T (Tourist Card) visa for a max. 180 days.

See 'FM-3' (use Nomad search) and get a drink, because you will have alot to read!

joel - 8-14-2008 at 07:46 AM

I've had no problem leaving my vehicles in Baja -- so far -- beyond the 180 days. I'm not aware of any way of the authorities checking. The local police in our town don't bother even with registration, much less the 180 day limit.

As to the issue of smog checks on California registered vehicles. I was able to get an exemption from smog on my Suburban. I was at the AAA (which is able to perform all of the DMV functions but with a smile and $40 membership fee). I asked the representative what I could do about a vehicle that was in BCS that I didn't want to drive home just for a smog. He handed me an exemption form on which I wrote that the car was currently in BCS and he gave me new reg tags on the spot.

jeffg - 8-14-2008 at 07:54 AM

As noted you can get an exemption from the smog requirement, the DMV Statement of Facts form is here:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg256.pdf

Even though it says that Mexico is not exempted, if you explain that the car is 1000 miles from the border they will allow it.

But what you can't get out of anymore is the requirement for California insurance. Theoretically you should be able to get that waived as well by showing permanent residency and a Mexican insurance policy, but I've had no luck with it. For me that was a big annual expense for a vehicle that will never see CA again, so I too am now a South Dakota refugee.

Jeff

joel - 8-14-2008 at 07:58 AM

Yes, the insurance is an issue. I have the least coverage possible on the vehicle that stays in Baja.

CaboRon - 8-14-2008 at 08:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joel
Yes, the insurance is an issue. I have the least coverage possible on the vehicle that stays in Baja.



If the vehicle does not leave Mexico you are literally throwing money out the window ...

Maybe you can afford to do this, I can't.

And evidently you can afford to ditch the vehicle when immigration finds out you do not have papers.

Maybe you can afford to do this, I can't.

I prefer to adhire to the law of the land.

CaboRon

[Edited on 8-14-2008 by CaboRon]

joel - 8-14-2008 at 08:14 AM

CaboRon,

Easy on the high ground.

I was just offering my experience to the original poster.

I've never heard of anyone having their car seized by immigration officials, but it would be good to share the details if you have.

I'm sure if you run afoul of the authorities and they're kicking you out of the country, your car may be in trouble, but I suspect few of the posters here get into the kind of trouble that gets you thrown out of the country.

joel - 8-14-2008 at 08:19 AM

I should also add that if you have South Dakota plates and are a California resident, it is illegal in California to drive the car back to California -- especially if you don't have U.S. insurance.

While my car has been in Baja a long time, at some point I'm going to want to be able to drive home in case I need to bring something up or down that is too big for the plane. I like always having the option to drive back to California if I really need to.

Stay within the law

Lee - 8-14-2008 at 08:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joel
I should also add that if you have South Dakota plates and are a California resident, it is illegal in California to drive the car back to California -- especially if you don't have U.S. insurance.


Same with Colorado. If you are a resident here, and have a vehicle registered in another state, it's best not to drive the vehicle in Colorado. If you're caught, you're in trouble.

Woooosh - 8-14-2008 at 08:51 AM

I have both my vehicles and a motorcycle registered in California and insured in Colorado (only US residence I have) using a South Dakota billing address. I added the annual Mexico supplement policy. Works for me- but then again I haven't had to file a claim.

When I cross the border into the USA I see maybe 1 in 10 other cars with clearly expired CA tags. I'd say 50% of the CA plates I see in Rosarito Beach have expired tags. You'd think the local police would hone in on those violators first- before bothering anyone with current plates and tags no mattter which sate.

viabaja - 8-14-2008 at 08:51 AM

Alan,

Alot of good info. Here is my personal experience:

Legally you need an FM3 or FM2 to store anything (house, boat, car etc.) But that is your own busness.

Ca. DMV may or may not issue tags for a vechicle left in Baja. If it has to be smogged, they may issue a variance as long as it is not left in the border cities. The DMV in Oceanside issued tags on my 1980 Jeep which I leave in Baja the first year. Second time I got the runaround (must be smogged, etc. etc.) - waiver will NOT be granted. Even got the Supervisor involved. Said look, you guys waivered it last time. Didn't matter. Different Super. The solution was to bring back plates & get an off-road sticker only for the jeep since it is used 95% of the time off pavement. So it's still legal with registration in case I'm stopped by the Mexicans.

So, smile, schmooze, & maybe the DMV Supervisor will be in a good mood! Something to grease one's palms always helps!!

gnukid - 8-14-2008 at 09:05 AM

The fine point here for California residents is the part of the form where it asks if the car is exempt from smog, because

1) it is stored outside of California

Except for Mexico. Baja California Sur is not considered Mexico. So the statement is true, the vehicle is stored outside of California but not in Mexico.

For clarification, Baja California Sur is not Mexico because a different set of laws apply to BCS versus Mexico, in the country of Mexico.

Simply check the box, smog exempt, reason stored outside California and if needed state vehicle is stored in Baja California Sur.

Insurance is required in California, I have both California and Mexico Insurance since California will revoke your registration without insurance however it is possible to complete the registration and then later submit the mexican insurance document and allow california insurance to lapse.

On the other hand it is not expensive to maintain california insurance for a vehicle of low value say it is valued at $100 and is a second vehicle, driven for pleasure, with only liability in the lowest range. The cost will be under $200 a year and likely lower if you have a good record.

In regard to FM3 and FM-T for stored vehicles, you may leave the vehicle with someone who is a resident or who maintains a FM-3 and write a declaration that the person is authorized to maintain posession, including mexicans of us plated vehicles however the vehicle will remain in your name. This is a legal process and quite common, the forms exist in most places where forms are sold.

In fact if you have a car in Baja and you will pass large cities you might as well maintain these blank documents in your vehicle in case of an emergency where you will need a mexican to drive your car or you need to leave it to be repaired for a length a time.

This explanation usurps david K's explanation of the laws which restrict FM-T visitors for over 180 days and both FM-3 and FM-T visitors from allowing Mexican Nationals to drive their vehicles legally.

Once more get the authorized driver documents from a store which sells forms and maintain blanks for emergencies.

The alternative is to go directly to someone who will assist with office of Transito and begin the Mexican importation process however that is equally hard and problematic with its own advantages.

CaboRon - 8-14-2008 at 09:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by joel
CaboRon,

Easy on the high ground.



I am not on high ground ....

That is why I HAVE to be squeeky clean :lol:

CaboRon

oldlady - 8-14-2008 at 09:55 AM

Lee makes a very good point on staying within the law. Think about your tolerance for risk. Insurance companies in any country will look for any reason not to pay a claim. That's their business and their commitment to their shareholders. If you register and title the vehicle in a state where you have no residency can that be a loophole for the insurance company? My biggest concern is always that small chance that some vehicular disaster occurs and because of an attempt to circumvent the inconveniences of the "system" big consequences can arise.

Bruce R Leech - 8-14-2008 at 10:00 AM

why don't you just buy a car here in Baja Ca.? It is easy, Quick, cheep, and legal

Bruce R Leech - 8-14-2008 at 10:01 AM

and you get allot more respect driving around with a local plate on your car

bajalou - 8-14-2008 at 10:01 AM

The whole world knows that Baja California and Baja California Sur are part of Mexico even though they have some different laws. They are part of the "Frontera" which includes part of Sonora. This does not make them different countries.

FMTs require the removal of ALL possessions when one leaves Mexico.

Whether one wants to obey the laws is, of course, another subject

Osprey - 8-14-2008 at 10:12 AM

"Insurance companies in any country will look for any reason not to pay a claim. That's their business and their commitment to their shareholders."

Oldlady, where did you come by that broad statement? Did you read that somewhere? Did some insurance company official say that you you? An insurance policy is a contract. Are you saying company owners tell adjusters to find ways to void or alter the contract and that's how they do business, commit to shareholders that that's how they make a profit, pass it through to holders of preferred or common stock? Tell us more.

gnukid - 8-14-2008 at 10:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
The whole world knows that Baja California and Baja California Sur are part of Mexico even though they have some different laws. They are part of the "Frontera" which includes part of Sonora. This does not make them different countries.

FMTs require the removal of ALL possessions when one leaves Mexico.

Whether one wants to obey the laws is, of course, another subject


Believe me or not, legally Baja California Sur is not Mexico as far as transit laws are concerned. As you know vehicle laws are quite different for Sonora than for La Frontera.

I happen to know this fact because I follow the law at all costs, I have met at length with DMV and have completed my registrations for along list of cars according to the laws and convenants of both nations. To come to this understanding I patiently met with DMV officials in California and initially waited while we paged through the large book of laws for many hours. The law is quite clear. Baja California Sur transit laws in particular are not qualified as Mexico transit laws according to the documentation.

Clearly, BCS is in the country of Mexico (duh). But anyone knows that we do not follow the same laws and restrictions of Mexico, such as importation permits.

The reason is quite clear, the historical distance to BCS, the difficulty in making the passage, the quality and type of gas, all mean that you do not have to return for smog check because it would cause an undue burden to the individual.

Now having this info, I register cars with no problem and am exempt from smog for my vehicles which are in BCS.

Furthermore, a FM-T may not maintain possession of goods while gone but you can turn those items over legally to someone else while you are gone. This makes quite good sense and is completely reasonable. If you were tryig to circumvent the law in a gross fashion, that would be different. But for a part time traveler to sign his vehicle over to someone is else is completely in the law and there exists forms to do so at most places that sell forms.

You are welcome to disagree, or to accuse people like myself of being illegal. We are not. in no case are laws supposed to be unduly burdensome where the individual is attempting to conform to the law but is unable to due to physical and infrastructure restrictions.

Why you would insist on arguing with facts which are the common experience, legal and just is beyond me. Perhaps you wish to punish travelers or you simply are unwilling to see our two countries as integrated and therefore reasonable.

Having made myself clear, drawing from laws of both countries and having spent great lengths of time in DMV and la offcina del transito yo se es la verdad. It is the truth.

In reviewing this issue it seems some Americans would prefer to project restrictions which are unreasonable and certainly not the intent of the law.

You may make your choice. I am 100% legal have been pulled over and had my mexican friends pulled over and never had a ticket in either country. Hah!

For the record I do maintain a FM-3 and a large packet of laws of copies to educate those who persist to claim ignorance and make this more difficult than it should be. I think you know who you are.

[Edited on 8-14-2008 by gnukid]

oldlady - 8-14-2008 at 10:38 AM

Osprey, it's a fair question and it is a broad statement.
In my career I spent a reasonable amount of time with a "close up and personal" view of the Insurance industry from several perspectives. I observed that middle managers have performance objectives that are aligned to the profit that their organizational entity (branch, department) generates. More often than not these objectives are connected to the compensation plan of the manager. There's an adage, if you want to understand a company's behavior or policies, (or change them), look at the details of the compensation plans. Insurance companies are for profit businesses, either for their sharelholders if they are public or for the members of they are mutuals. Insurance contracts are typically very detailed documents and if for example the document requires that a vehicle be legally registered that word legally may have implications. While many companies have excellent claim service, that should not be construed that they are easily going to write a check if the customer has not ticked off all their obligations accurately under the terms of the policy.
My intent was not to be alarmist, just to provide an angle of thought based upon my experience. If my credibility as I have chosen to state it does not stand up...so be it.

[Edited on 8-14-2008 by oldlady]

Osprey - 8-14-2008 at 11:10 AM

I don't see how anyone could take issue with your courteous answer to my query. I just didn't want the readers here to think the goal of insurors is to avoid paying legitimate claims. I think, with or without our discussion on the matter, many think insurors of every stripe devise, license and sell policies with provisions for coverage they do not intend to honor -- that they purposefully deny claims that should be paid according to the coverages and covenants of the contract. Most standard policies wording has been court tested in every state judicial district a bizzillion times. It's a rare bird buyer who reads the contract before or after he agrees to the conditions. What policies do lawyers buy? Can't decide? Get their endorsement.

Bruce R Leech - 8-14-2008 at 11:28 AM

cant you folks help anyone without fighting among yourselves?:no:

oldlady - 8-14-2008 at 11:36 AM

Bad call on this one, ref......Osprey certainly didn't offend me and seemed to react that my explanation has a modicum of rationality and was well intended caution. Relax, I think all is peaceful in paradise.

Alan - 8-14-2008 at 06:29 PM

Thank you to every one for all of your answers. I knew about the FM-3 requirement and am in the process of getting that. I have more concerns over losing the house I intend to keep it at than the beater I intend to buy.:lol:

I had completely forgotten about the Ca. insurance requirement. Thanks for the reminder. I have no intention of ever having to make a claim against a US insurer on this vehicle because as I said I have no plans to return the vehicle here and they usually don't cover accidents in Baja. It sounds like maintain a Ca liability policy isn't going to be cost prohibitive but I will definitely explore that. Mexican insurance is another matter. I haven't read too many glowing reports about how they handle claims but then we often only hear the bad experiences. However I don't care to give them an excuse to not pay just for expired tags (not legally registered).

Again, thanks to everyone. You have all given me great options to explore.

Car in Mexico

grito - 8-14-2008 at 06:47 PM

It is really quite simple-get a FM3 visa and then you can leave the car in Mexico legally as long as your visa is updated yearly. You do not need to keep renewing your US registation as Mexico doesn't requite your foreign registartion to be current. That is why there are tens of thousands of US plated vehicles with expired date tags on their plates.
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
With the ridiculous cost of car rentals I am considering just buying a car to drive down and leave there. I'm sure this subject has been brought up before but I've had no luck using the search feature. Residing in Ca. we are required to pass a smog test every other year to keep the vehicle registered. I plan to keep the car in BCS so I have no desire to drive it back just for a smog check. I have been told that if I provide proof that the vehicle is stored in Mx (Ie; receipt from storage yard and Mx insurance policy) that the smog test could be exempted and I could just pay my registration fees and keep my tags current. CA DMV has never been known for logical reasoning so I was curious how others do this.

With the current cost of fuel here, gas guzzlers such as older Explorers, ect. are pretty cheap. It will only take a few trips to pay for it with the savings of the rental car rates.

CaboRon - 8-14-2008 at 07:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by grito
You do not need to keep renewing your US registation as Mexico doesn't requite your foreign registartion to be current. That is why there are tens of thousands of US plated vehicles with expired date tags on their plates.
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan


This statement is true IF you are on the MAINLAND
and have the vehicle temp import sticker on your windshield (and have a current FM3 or FM2) ....

In BAJA you do not need the sticker BUT you do need to have current tags ... You will be stopped in major cities such as La Paz and Cabo San Lucas if you have expired tags.

CaboRon

Mexico Vehicle Permit (Tempory Import Permit) can be applied for online ... it is not required in BC, BCS or Sonora, but is required in most states of mainland Mexico.

http://www.banjercito.com.mx/site/tramiteitv_ing.jsp






[Edited on 8-15-2008 by CaboRon]

gnukid - 8-14-2008 at 07:36 PM

The law related to this is Customs Law 106 or Articluo 106. When the cops pulls you over you and asks for registration, yell out the window "Sabes Articulo Ciento-Seis?" or just "ARTICULO CIENTO SEIS" If they don't turn and walk away, give them a copy in spanish and tell them, "No puedes molestar me, no tienes permiso." Works everytime. But they will pull you over.

Articulo 106 is interpreted as FM-3 holders may legally import a vehicle for 1 year plus 4 more or 4 years from the expired reg date if you plan to return it to USA afterwards.

In the vehicle:

Keep a copy of the law below
Keep a copy of the FM-3
Keep a copy of your Passport
Keep a copy of your original valid registration and the original valid sticker

Articulo 106 Ley Aduanera
Que Se Entiende Por Régimen De Importación Temporal


ARTICULO 106. Se entiende por régimen de importación temporal, la entrada al país de mercancías para permanecer en el por tiempo limitado y con una finalidad especifica, siempre que retornen al extranjero en el mismo estado, por los siguientes plazos.

FRACCION IV. Por el plazo que dure su calidad migratoria, incluyendo sus prorrogas, en los casos.
a) Las de vehículos que sean propiedad de turistas, visitantes, visitantes locales y distinguidos, estudiantes e inmigrantes rentistas, siempre que los mismos sean de su propiedad a excepción de turistas y visitantes locales. Cuando no sean de su propiedad deberán cumplirse los requisitos que establezca el Reglamento. Los vehículos podrán ser conducidos en territorio nacional por un extranjero que tenga algunas de las calidades migratorias a que se refiere este inciso, por el cónyuge, los ascendientes o descendientes del importador, aun cuando estos ultimo no sean extranjeros, o por un nacional, siempre que en este ultimo caso, viaje a bordo del mismo cualquiera de las personas autorizadas para conducir el vehiculo.
Los vehículos a que se refiere este inciso, deberán cumplir con los requisitos que señale el reglamento.

__________________________________

Article 106 Customs Law
Temporary Vehicle Importation Regulations

ARTICLE 106. Temporary importation is understood as the entry of merchandise into the country, which will remain in it for a limited period of time and for a specific purpose, so long as it is returned abroad in the same condition. The former applies for the following term:

PART IV. For the term of his or her migratory status, including extensions, in the following cases:
a) Vehicles owned by tourists, visitors, local visitors and distinguished visitors, students, and immigrants who are tenants, whenever said vehicles are their own, excepting tourists and local visitors. When the vehicles are not their own, requirements established within the regulations must be met. Such vehicles may be driven within the national territory by a foreigner --the importer—holding one of the migratory status referred to in this paragraph, by his or her spouse, parents or descendants, even when the latter are not foreigners: and by a Mexican as long as one of the persons authorized to drive the vehicle travels with him or her in the car.

Vehicles referred to in this section must meet the requirements pointed out in the regulations.

http://www.aerointel.com/CustomsDocuments/mexico.pdf
http://www.clickoncuernavaca.com/Article%20106.htm


My notes: CaboRon is correct sort of. This can widely be interpreted in various ways, so just play it straight and know this will get you by but they can get you on something else for example if there is a light out or anything at all not right this is invalid. Obviously very few police know or care to know the rules one way or the other. Be persistent and get going. Its far easier to reg the car under the smog exemption previously noted than to be hassled. Of course people only get hassled in cities not pueblos.




[Edited on 8-15-2008 by gnukid]

CaboRon - 8-14-2008 at 07:58 PM

Gnukid,

There is a Nomad in La Paz who told me they used to carry around copies of the pertinent law ,

however got tired of explaining it to the La Paz police ...

They are all over the registration thing ...

I see almost regular exercizes on Abasolo where they stop Mexican plated vehicles only ... and vehicles with no plates.

When I first moved to La Paz I was stopped four times in two days because the South Dakota plates only have one decal and the big numbers are the month and the small vertical numbers are the year ....

I would get out and point it out to them .....

Guess they finally worked it out as I haven't been stoped again :lol: ....

CaboRon

gnukid - 8-14-2008 at 08:59 PM

Yep your right, the quad cops drive down the street looking backwards at the opposite lane, crazy, to check everyone's sticker? Don't give 'em any money.

BTW if your car is legal now and you want to prepare to take it down, go online and complete the change of address and include your legal address in baja. You can specify registration address and mailing address as the same or different. Choose both as your mexican mailing address. This will automatically trigger the exemption in most cases, if not complete aforementioned renewal form and check exempt and state car is stored at the noted address. If they say smog required fax it in during renewal noting the exemption. The stickers will come to you in Mexico, that is if mail ever gets to you. Really works and surprisingly well.

Also, I tried to go directly to the DMV and spoke only spanish and they gave me stickers with no smog exemption and no insurance proof... no questions...


[Edited on 8-15-2008 by gnukid]

Insurance Companies and there model behavior

wessongroup - 3-31-2010 at 06:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldlady
Bad call on this one, ref......Osprey certainly didn't offend me and seemed to react that my explanation has a modicum of rationality and was well intended caution. Relax, I think all is peaceful in paradise.


Just for fun.... AIG.. Who had responsible for coverage of medical insurance payments and/or coverage to individuals who were contract workers in Iraq, (for an example Blackwater)... these folks were in FACT denied out of hand ALL claims when first filed for coverage.... this was written policy!!! by AIG... seems this came out about two or three years ago.. from the families of many, many folks that got just plain terrible treatment when it came to getting medical coverage for injuries incurred while in Iraq.

There was many of the folks, that went over there and got hurt.... and what did they get.. from the folks at their insurance Company...

It was investigated....... given their track record, would think they got their Corporate hand slapped...

I'm an insurance agent and I here to help...... sorry I don't believe in commercials... never had a loss, where I didn't loose what ever it was, and then still found my coverage had some "provision" which allowed me to be offered less...

Insurance is yet another business industry which makes a profit... and has a very lot of money to "walk the halls of Congress" and gets what it needs... just like all the rest.

Both point have validity... however, removed from an academic and clean discussion to someone that has lost their legs... and arm.. and is trying to come up with enough money to live and provide for "his or her" family ..... and gets a sharp stick in the eye...

Sorry, the Insurance Industry is no different from the lending ........ take, take, take... payout.. well...... step one!! your denied... now go for it!!! get help, get a lawyer, get some more help.... and let's see what is going on in your life... right now!!!!.. not our problem... we deal in insurance, not personal problems..

If you want to walk a fence on this issue, your call... for me... they are skunks... in most cases

k-rico - 3-31-2010 at 07:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wessongroup

Just for fun.... AIG.. Who had responsible for coverage of medical insurance payments and/or coverage to individuals who were contract workers in Iraq, (for an example Blackwater)... these folks were in FACT denied out of hand ALL claims when first filed for coverage.... this was written policy!!!


That's true. I wrote the code for an Internet based system that enabled American employees of defense contractors (management personnel) based in Iraq to initiate insurance claims for injured or killed personnel with AIG, and AIG to process claims. One of the inputs was "claim status". During a system design meeting with AIG I asked what the default status for a new claim should be, thinking "new" might be a reasonable value. Their answer was "denied".

[Edited on 3-31-2010 by k-rico]

MitchMan - 3-31-2010 at 10:58 AM

The posts to this topic have been superb. Nomads blow me away with their intelligence. Gnukid, thanks for the on-point substantiated detailed quality of your posts - the best there is, man.

I am considering South Dakota registration, or Calif registration if I can get out of paying Calif insurance and having to get smogged every two years. Certainly, I intend to cover the vehicle with bonafied "Visitor" Mexican insurance. My biggest concern with Calif registration being able to get current tags from AAA while not having Calif insurance, having the Calif DMV revoke, in fact, said registration at a later date because the DMV never got electronically notified of Calif Insurance coverage.

Here's the issue:

If I have an accident in Mexico (let's say it's my fault) and the fact is that Calif DMV revoked my registration prior to the accident because the DMV realizes that I never got Calif ins coverage (and, accordingly, the DMV never got any electronic notification of such coverage) EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CURRENT CALIF REGISTRATION TAGS on the vehicle, will the Mexican insurance company reject my claim relating to said accident using the fact that I don't actually have current legal Calif DMV registration at the time of the accident?

Bottom line is, I want to be covered, in fact, with valid enforceable insurance coverage while in Baja.

The type of policy I am talking about is the type one gets from Mexican Insurance companies thru Discover Baja for US citizen visitors to Mexico on vehicles with US registered plates wherein the policy is not intended nor written for coverage of a vehicle that is in Mexico full time and permanently. These policies are for a year, but stipulate that the vehicle cannot be continuously in Mexico for 365 consecutive days but can be in Mexico intermittantly during certain specified intervals only.

Side note. 1)For profit businesses do WHATEVER THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH to maximize profits and/or lead to greater earnings for the CEOs and top executives without regard to the law, equity, fairness, or morality. "Getting away with things" means their never being discovered for the the bad/harmful/illegal/unfair/immoral things that they do or it can mean limited discovery wherein the cost of such limited discovery is sufficiently less than the cost not to do the bad things. 2)Price of a product is not at all necessarily dependent on the cost to produce the product, but is much more influenced by the gross sales and reated maximized profit a price can bring. The best examples of this are found in the disparity of airline ticket prices as it relates to distances traveled, diamond production and prices are completely artificial and manipulated to generate high profit margins, the completely manipulated price of a barrel of oil.

[Edited on 3-31-2010 by MitchMan]

bajalou - 3-31-2010 at 11:27 AM

South Dakota - no smog requirements - no insurance required if not on highways in US. Only requires US address and SS#.

Doesn't this fit your requirements?

Bajahowodd - 3-31-2010 at 01:30 PM

MitchMan- On your particular question, why not U2U BajaGeoff at BajaBound?

El Jefe - 3-31-2010 at 01:37 PM

Before you cancel your USA insurance, check your Mexican "tourist" policy. It may require that you have current US coverage for your Mexican policy to be valid.