BajaNomad - No tourist card and in an accident - major issue?

No tourist card and in an accident - major issue?

TecateRay - 4-13-2009 at 10:12 AM

Unless I'm passing through the Baja and BCS border check near Guerrero Negro I usually don't get a tourist card. I know it is required south of Ensenada, but since there are no checkpoints I just don't go through the hassle.

My question - I have heard that if you are in an accident and the police get involved you may be in extra trouble because you are an "illegal alien" and it may also impact your insurance's coverage.

Does anyone know more about this or have you experienced a problem like this? It hasn't happened to me, just thinking ahead a little bit. :?:

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2009 at 10:21 AM

Double whammy. Without the card, if you are in Mexico even North of Maneadero, more than 72 hours, you are violating the law. That will void your insurance coverage, which becomes a second violation. You can get a free seven day card at the border, or you can pay the fee and get one valid up to six months. I must admit that until I learned from this forum, I had on occasion overlooked the card. I now know better. Sure, you could probably drive all the way to Cabo and back, perhaps never be requested to show the FMT, and not get into an accident. But it only take one time.

Baja&Back - 4-13-2009 at 10:47 AM

I had a claims adjuster in Ensenada tell me that underwriters instruct Mexican adjusters to verify FMTs or they will likely disallow the claim. She said it's a stupido way to save 20 bucks.
Also, an aquaintance was forced to fly from Loreto to Tijuana border, at his cost, by Migracion to obtain his FMT or face criminal charges. He went.

Cypress - 4-13-2009 at 12:36 PM

No tourist card? No insurance? Had an accident! That's a big-time boo-boo! :lol:

Paulclark - 4-13-2009 at 01:23 PM

After 20 years in Baja and experiencing 3 accidents with claims adjusters and all the usual check points I have never been asked for an immigration document except at Guerro, when flying or taking the ferry.

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2009 at 03:21 PM

In all my years and trips, I have only been asked once at Guerrero Negro. But that would be little solace if I had an accident.

sancho

sancho - 4-13-2009 at 03:38 PM

Don't believe missinformation about
not needing an Fmt, for No. Baja
or anywhere in Mex. Mex Immigration themselves
will give out false info. The 'I've been
going to Baja for 40 yrs. and have never
been checked for an Fmt'
is not what one should listen to.
Baja and Back said all that is necessary,
in that Mex Ins Adjusters verify
that the Insured is in Mex Legally
in accordance with Mex Immigration
Rules

CaboRon - 4-13-2009 at 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
Don't believe missinformation about
not needing an Fmt, for No. Baja
or anywhere in Mex. Mex Immigration themselves
will give out false info. The 'I've been
going to Baja for 40 yrs. and have never
been checked for an Fmt'
is not what one should listen to.
Baja and Back said all that is necessary,
in that Mex Ins Adjusters verify
that the Insured is in Mex Legally
in accordance with Mex Immigration
Rules

David K - 4-13-2009 at 04:36 PM

Ray, it is better to have it and not need it... Then to need it and not have it!

Free for 7 days, takes 5 minutes to get... what hassel???

Bajahowodd - 4-13-2009 at 04:50 PM

Consider that we constantly complain about Mexicans breaking our immigration laws by entering illegally. Going South of Maneadero, or staying North of there for more than 72 hours without FMT is illegal. Why not take the moral and legal high road and get the FMT?

TonyC - 4-13-2009 at 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Ray, it is better to have it and not need it... Then to need it and not have it!

Kinda of like having 4 wheel drive, right David. :biggrin:

David K - 4-13-2009 at 04:54 PM

10-4 Tony!!! :bounce:

SKIDS - 4-13-2009 at 05:07 PM

How early do they open at the border in TJ ? :?:

woody with a view - 4-13-2009 at 05:11 PM

24 hours for the bank. if immigra not open walk behind the row of offices and walk north until your nose is against the turnstile for people walking south across the border. turn left and you are looking at the after hours immigra office.

SKIDS - 4-13-2009 at 05:16 PM

Thanks Woody !! Thanks Nomads for all the great info !!

Bob H - 4-13-2009 at 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Ray, it is better to have it and not need it... Then to need it and not have it!

David... for us locals here in the San Diego area - that is what King Stallman (famous bail bondsman)used to say in his commercials (before he passed on). His went like this "It's better to know me and not need me, than to need me and now know me"
Bob H

thebajarunner - 4-13-2009 at 07:28 PM

We got checked northbound at Guerrero Negro ten days ago.

Very polite, very quick, but checked passport and FMT

David K - 4-13-2009 at 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Ray, it is better to have it and not need it... Then to need it and not have it!

Bob, I wouldn't think of asking how or why you memorized a bail bondsman's slogan! :lol:

Gadget - 4-14-2009 at 03:08 PM

I don't see the problem :?:

The government wants you there.
You will do work that the local population won't consider doing.
There are numerous, good, hard working folk, who will work extra hard to provide for your needs, so you can just enjoy yourself and send what ever you earn back to relatives.
Vehicle maintainence / safety, drivers license or training, insurance...all that stuff is just guidelines, not really requirements or laws.
The police, if they stop you and find any of these guidelines lacking, will just let you go on your way.

.......Oh wait, that's on this side, sorry

Better tow the line, Mex has rules of law they enforce.

I'm gonna duck now :cool:

i'm with ya

woody with a view - 4-14-2009 at 04:20 PM

check this out:

1.. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools.

* * * * * * * *

2. All ballots will be in this nation's language.

* * * * * * * *

3... All government business will be conducted in our language.

* * * * * * * *

4. Non-residents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here.

* * * * * * * *

5. Non-citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office.

* * * * * * * *

6 Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. Any burden will be deported.

* * * * * * * *

7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount at least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage.

* * * * * * * *

8. If foreigners come here and buy land... options will be restricted. Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for citizens naturally born into this country.

* * * * * * * *

9.. Foreigners may have no protests; no demonstrations, no waving of a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. These will lead to deportation.

* * * * * * * *

10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively hunted & when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be arranged. All assets will be taken from you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Too strict?......

The above laws are current immigration laws of MEXICO !!!

These sound fine to me. NOW, how can we get these laws to be America's immigration laws??

dtbushpilot - 4-14-2009 at 04:30 PM

Woody, you're my new hero.......dt

David K - 4-14-2009 at 04:31 PM

Borders/ Language/ Culture : That's what make a country a country, right?

woody with a view - 4-14-2009 at 04:31 PM

now back to our regular programming, er, i mean thread!

Gadget - 4-15-2009 at 07:42 AM

Woody,
Good one dude!
Can we forward this to Napolatano, our new Home Land Security director who's department just authored the draft directive that any dissent against the new admin should be considered terrorism by LEGAL citizens?

I'm starting to feel like I should go out and buy myself a blue and white checked scarf :no:

David K - 4-15-2009 at 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gadget
Woody,
Good one dude!
Can we forward this to Napolatano, our new Home Land Security director who's department just authored the draft directive that any dissent against the new admin should be considered terrorism by LEGAL citizens?

I'm starting to feel like I should go out and buy myself a blue and white checked scarf :no:

Just like it was done in Germany, Cuba, Russia... Even Castro told his supporters he wasn't a communist when they put him in power! WOW...

woody with a view - 4-15-2009 at 07:15 PM

during a previous life "they" told me i could never own a gun. please hoard all of the weapons you can afford. soon they will be coming for those, too! although assault weapons probably are over the top, i feel every American should be able to own a gun for the protection of their families.

i'm counting on "them" never finding mine!

don't forget your fmt!

TecateRay - 4-19-2009 at 07:16 PM

Seems like this thread has wandered a bit off topic. Thanks to those of you who provided on topic, well though out answers. :yes:

arbee - 4-20-2009 at 07:25 AM

Ray,
What was the original topic about? :?: