BajaNomad - Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance

slimshady - 9-17-2008 at 09:48 PM

I wanted to buy auto insurance for my truck which I will keep in Mexico. I heard Lewis and Lewis are good. Are there others?

I want an insurance policy that will actually do what it says and with good customer support should I need it.

Pescador - 9-18-2008 at 10:15 AM

If you do a search on here, you will find way more information than you can possibly use. This issue has been dealt with a lot.

DENNIS - 9-18-2008 at 10:17 AM

Just raise your eyes up toward the top of the page. BajaBound

slimshady - 9-18-2008 at 07:37 PM

HOW ABOUT OTHER CARRIERS THAT DON'T ADVERTISE WITH BAJA NOMAD?

whalemeat - 9-18-2008 at 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Just raise your eyes up toward the top of the page. BajaBound

Care to elaborate Dennis, Bajabound?

BajaWarrior - 9-18-2008 at 07:43 PM

discoverbaja.com

bajaguy - 9-18-2008 at 07:51 PM

I use Bajabound.......and they are great, in addition to supporting this board, they support the charity golf event, and Geoff is a regular poster here.

Tom Montana - 9-18-2008 at 08:45 PM

Whomever you insure with, be sure to tell them your truck will stay in Baja and not just be there with you for vacations. It will require a different type of policy for a vehicle that is based in Baja, and a tourist-type liability policy may not cover you.

David K - 9-18-2008 at 08:53 PM

Tom is correct... the kind of insurance that BajaBound, Discover Baja and Lewis & Lewis usually sell is for tourists on vacation... NOT those who leave property in Mexico because they live there part time or otherwise (FM-3 visa holders).

Don Alley - 9-18-2008 at 10:22 PM

I've used several, but can't say too much about reliability as I have never had to file a claim.

The latest one I used was BajaBound. I just renewed with them. They save your info on their site and make renewing easy. It's a Genworth Seguros policy. Avoid AIG. :lol:

They sell tourist and resident policies. All done over the web, print out you policy on your computer.

BajaGeoff - 9-18-2008 at 10:27 PM

Actually David, we do sell "Resident Use" policies for those that will be living full time in Mexico, or leaving a US plated car there permanently. Genworth Seguros (formerly GE Seguros) offers "Resident Use" policies at the same price as the "Tourist Use" policies, which is a nice feature, as many companies tack on an additional surcharge for the "Resident Use".

We also offer "Business Use" policies as well, for people who travel into Mexico for work.

Keri - 9-18-2008 at 11:17 PM

Hi Geoff, do your "resident use "policies require an in force american policy in order to be valid , This was a problem I ran into with another policy, the answer might be of interest to some people that have their cars registered in South Dakota or other places that don't require proof of insurance.Thanks mucho for your input.k

[Edited on 9-19-2008 by Keri]

CaboRon - 9-19-2008 at 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Actually David, we do sell "Resident Use" policies for those that will be living full time in Mexico, or leaving a US plated car there permanently. Genworth Seguros (formerly GE Seguros) offers "Resident Use" policies at the same price as the "Tourist Use" policies, which is a nice feature, as many companies tack on an additional surcharge for the "Resident Use".

We also offer "Business Use" policies as well, for people who travel into Mexico for work.

Just went to your website and did not see a quote for a simple driver's liscense policy ... Do you offer one ?

CaboRon

Russ - 9-19-2008 at 06:49 AM

I think there are hundreds of us that would like a policy to cover both sides of the boarder at a reasonable rate. And many of those won't drive farther that Orange County.

Don Alley - 9-19-2008 at 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Russ
I think there are hundreds of us that would like a policy to cover both sides of the boarder at a reasonable rate. And many of those won't drive farther that Orange County.

Yes, I'll second that.

vandenberg - 9-19-2008 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley
Avoid AIG. :lol:

Why ??
They have the US government behind them.
Almost like getting to pay your own claim. :biggrin:

Russ - 9-19-2008 at 11:12 AM

Just spoke with Lewis & Lewis. He tells me that as long as I have not imported my car nor have Mexican Citizenship I'm covered. From the horses mouth so to speak. However the next one to talk to them could ask the same questions and confirm this. I was under the impression if you have an inmigrado visa the policy was no longer valid.

BajaGeoff - 9-19-2008 at 11:33 AM

Thanks for the questions!

Keri, with a "Resident Use" policy, you do not need to have an active U.S. policy in force.

CaboRon, when you go to our homepage, the first field you click on to start a quote allows you to select "auto" "motorcycle" "drivers license" etc. We offer them!

Russ, I wish a single policy existed that would cover on both sides of the border. It would be a great product to offer. Unfortunately, it would be extremely difficult to get a U.S. underwriter and a Mexican underwriter to come to an agreement that would allow this to happen. I would like to see it someday though!

vandenberg - 9-19-2008 at 12:05 PM

Geoff,
Does having inmigrado status any bearing on what insurance you carry ?

SkyMedBarbara - 9-19-2008 at 12:39 PM

Just received and e-mail from Lewis N Lewis...As long as you are Non Mexican Nationals and the car is not registered in Mexico you are considered a "tourist".

Don Alley - 9-19-2008 at 01:08 PM

OK, so for an American owned, Baja-based car, is there a convenient web-based insurer that can write short policies to cover several days in the USA? To avoid the cost of an annual US policy?

vandenberg - 9-19-2008 at 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley
OK, so for an American owned, Baja-based car, is there a convenient web-based insurer that can write short policies to cover several days in the USA? To avoid the cost of an annual US policy?

No, at least we couldn't find one.
This spring, Comitan referred me to an insurer in Ensenada. After we signed on for a week in California, prepaid, found out that it's only for Baja plated vehicles. Took 6 months and a kazillion calls to get the money back. Found a Farmers agent in San Diego, who was willing to write a week's policy.
Expensive, but convenient. Likely need a Ca. drivers licence though.

BajaGeoff - 9-19-2008 at 02:35 PM

Hello Vandenberg,

We recommend that if you have an FM-3 you should also have a "Resident Use" policy.

In regards to a short-term policy for the states, I don't think there is anything out there for U.S. plated vehicles. I am doing some research on how useful a "Lay-Up" endorsement might work in this situation. In this situation, your U.S. policy would carry the bare minimum amount of coverage while your vehicle is in Mexico. When you plan to come up to the U.S. you would contact your insurer to get the policy limits raised to your regular coverage for the period of time you need. I am not sure of the costs involved, or what companies can do it, but it is worth looking into. I will let you know what I find out!

David K - 9-19-2008 at 03:58 PM

Quote:

I figured as much Geoff... that's why I said "the kind you usually sell (to folks like us)"... Glad you popped in and verified you offer the other kinds, as well!!

Russ - 9-19-2008 at 04:09 PM

Thanks Geoff, Nice to have an answerman handy. Will look for you in April when my policy ends.