BajaNomad

FMT/Car insurance

jodiego - 2-3-2010 at 06:11 AM

Is it correct that mexican car insurance is invalid if I do not have a tourist card, even if I am just traveling in baja norte. And could someone please tell me exactly where the office and bank are just inside the border. I know I need to get in the far right lane and park. Thanks.

David K - 2-3-2010 at 07:27 AM

No, not correct since you don't need an FM-T if you stay in the border zone up to 72 hours. ASK your Mexican insurance agent if having an FM-T has anything to do with coverage to be valid if you are somewhere beyond the border zone.

In Tijuana, far right lane/ I-805 southbound best/ 'Something to declare' gated lane... gate opens automatically... Park in the covered secondary inspection area... walk to the far right office 'INM' with your passport and a pen, ask for or mark yourself 180 Days if you are paying for over 7 days... take form to bank teller, about 6 offices to the left of INM and pay (for over 7 days), return to INM for final stamp... When you drive away, there will be a possible inspection and press of the red/ green light button for a for sure inspection. I posted photos in my July trip report.

jodiego - 2-3-2010 at 07:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
No, not correct since you don't need an FM-T if you stay in the border zone up to 72 hours. ASK your Mexican insurance agent if having an FM-T has anything to do with coverage to be valid if you are somewhere beyond the border zone.

In Tijuana, far right lane/ I-805 southbound best/ 'Something to declare' gated lane... gate opens automatically... Park in the covered secondary inspection area... walk to the far right office 'INM' with your passport and a pen, ask for or mark yourself 180 Days if you are paying for over 7 days... take form to bank teller, about 6 offices to the left of INM and pay (for over 7 days), return to INM for final stamp... When you drive away, there will be a possible inspection and press of the red/ green light button for a for sure inspection. I posted photos in my July trip report.


Thanks David:yes:

David K - 2-3-2010 at 08:02 AM

De nada! Please let us know what your Mexican insurance person says about validity without an FM-T ...

bajaguy - 2-3-2010 at 08:10 AM

Time for BajaGeoff to chime in with expert information

Bajahowodd - 2-3-2010 at 03:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Time for BajaGeoff to chime in with expert information


I perused the Bajabound website, as well as two other competitors. They are virtually all silent on the topic of whether failing to have a valid FM-T (where required) could result in a denial of coverage. It just strikes me as strange that so much has been posted on this board about the subject and yet there never seems to have been a definitive answer posted. I would guess, that like any insurance policy issued in the US, there are myriad conditions and exclusions in the fine print. But until one actually obtains a copy of the entire policy, one would be unable to make any determination. I'm guessing that there's probably some language related to "the commission of a crime". If so, and if it might be enforced, why, oh why, don't any of the Mexico insurance brokers' websites make any mention? Or is the whole concept nothing more than a legend?

sancho - 2-3-2010 at 04:01 PM

Just checked my Lewis and Lewis annual, says clearly
'for stays longer than 72 hrs., an fmt is required
otherwise this policy MAY be invalid'
Insurance Co's are in the business of trying NOT
to pay claims. Why give them the opportunity to deny you?these US Mex Ins Brokers just sell the policies,
it's the adjusters you have to satisify, explain to
me why this topic is even debateable,
There have been reports of Mex Insurance Adjusters that
'MAY' ask for your Immigration Permit (fmt) if
you are involved in an accident, I don't have the slightest
idea why anyone would take the chance of that happening,
to me not carrying a valid fmt is totally irresponsible, regardless of the time of your trip, driving in Mex is
risky enough, running the CHANCE and GIVING THE
MEX INS CO A REASON to invalidate your policy is lunacy,
bottom line is, get a free 6 nt - 7 day free fmt,
or if staying longer the pay 180 day, Mex IMM at the border
will tell you you don't need an fmt for 7 days or less,
tell them you need it for your Insurance,
they are not the Insurance Adjuster, nor are the posters
on this board regardless of their experience in Baja,

why do they offer a free 7 day
fmt if you don't need one? If you are staying for 72 hrs
and have a policy for just that 3 days, technically
you are good, but the question remains,
Why would one take a chance?

This is off Discover Baja's Site, I believe David K has
or does use them:

Be advised that if you are going to be in Baja for seven days or less, you may obtain this document for free at the Immigration office at the border. For visits of eight days or more paid visas (from DISCOVER BAJA or the border) are required.

[Edited on 2-4-2010 by sancho]

David K - 2-3-2010 at 04:24 PM

Sounds right to me Sancho... I do have an annual policy (full coverage)... and there is NOTHING I could see in the book or policy about an FM-T being a condition of coverage.

A side note, the policy sold by Discover Baja (HDI Seguros) includes international air medical transportation (to San Diego or Houston) if it is determined by the company medical team and doctor that the illness or injury cannot be treated in a Mexican hospital.

tripledigitken - 2-3-2010 at 04:25 PM

Here's my take on this insurance issue.

Let's frame it with travelers going beyond the free travel area, ok?

We ALWAYS either get a prepaid unstamped visa from Discover Baja or stop at the SY/TJ border to get one, we always stop in SY/TJ to get it stamped.

The problem is several times there has been no one there to sign it. INCLUDING the little office behind.

In the past we have gone on our merry way thinking we have a Visa just not signed and we will attempt to get it signed at the BS border. Seldom any one there to sign it either.

Recently, it was posted by a Nomad the issue of your insurance not being valid without a Visa where required.

So now I/we have a quandry. What do you do?

I cannot find language in my insurance policy either about the issue. I have a call in to Discover Baja to clarify, I will pass on this info when I get it. I also wish Geoff would clarify as well.

For our next trip down we are going to make a separate trip to the border to secure a Visa.

Ken

tripledigitken - 2-3-2010 at 04:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
.........

A side note, the policy sold by Discover Baja (HDI Seguros) includes international air medical transportation (to San Diego or Houston) if it is determined by the company medical team and doctor that the illness or injury cannot be treated in a Mexican hospital.


David,

I read that as well. I'll bet that is one of the avenues for reinbursement of expenses that Celia handles.

Ken

David K - 2-3-2010 at 04:34 PM

Interseting that at the 24/7 border there is no migra officer to be found to stamp your fm-t (I have never seen an officer sign it beyond filling in his pportion or the number of days in Mexico (I try to beat them to that because they have written in 90 days in the past after I paid the $21... and I had them edit it to 180 days, twice (same money, why not the full period).

The earliest I have crossed was about 4 am, and they were there.

Well, all you can do is try! I personally think it is a big joke to get dinero, as there is no tracking, follow up or check point at the end of the border zone (Maneadero) like there was many years ago. There never has been on going south of San Felipe.

None-the-less, it is 'illegal' to not have one where required (south of border zone or over 72 hours in the border zone /maybe 7 days)...

Sunman - 2-3-2010 at 04:34 PM

There was a post here awhile back where this was mentioned. I got concerned and gave my insurer a call (Instant Mexico/Qualitas), they said that my insurance would still be valid without a visa.

Bajahowodd - 2-3-2010 at 05:10 PM

Would love to see that in writing.

jodiego - 2-11-2010 at 09:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sunman
There was a post here awhile back where this was mentioned. I got concerned and gave my insurer a call (Instant Mexico/Qualitas), they said that my insurance would still be valid without a visa.


The lady insurer near the border said the same thing. In fact she looked at me like, "Well of course your insurance is good without a visa, what a silly question!"

Bajahowodd - 2-11-2010 at 11:49 AM

If it's not in writing, how good is it? Reread sancho's post.

BajaGeoff - 2-11-2010 at 11:56 AM

Somehow I missed this post last week...I apologize for chiming in so late.

Anyways, I sent an email to our contact at HDI Seguros. They said that coverage is still valid even if the driver does not have an FM-T.

And I do have that in writing.

Even still, the $20 and 15 minutes I spend to get an FM-T is worth it in my opinion.

Sunman - 2-11-2010 at 01:04 PM

Agree on all points, most if not all of us have visa's but that's not what the original question was. I think it has now been answered.

knuckles - 2-11-2010 at 01:51 PM

My latest Lewis and Lewis Policy also has the 72 hour FMT statement. I purchased the boiler plate edition over the internet, I wonder if it could be amened pr a ryder added for an extra fee? Normally we return by 72 hours but several times a year, we just call in to work and stay a few extra days as we like to be spur of the moment types. Guess its getting harder to live spontaneously.

sancho - 2-11-2010 at 02:21 PM

Not in exact reference to an fmt requirement,
but with mex insurance Adjusters,I remember
an account of a Motorhome Gringo Driver
on the Mainland towing a small car behind the
Motorhome, fully insured including the
towed vehicle, a mex Local on a motorcycle
who was totally at fault,
hit the towed car while it was being TOWED,
the Ins Adjuster attempted to DENY the
Gringos Ins Policy because there was no one
DRIVING THE TOWED VEHICLE! Believe me,
Ins Co's are not your FRIEND nor do they
have your best interest in mind,
protect yourself and make the extra
effort

David K - 2-11-2010 at 02:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGeoff
Somehow I missed this post last week...I apologize for chiming in so late.

Anyways, I sent an email to our contact at HDI Seguros. They said that coverage is still valid even if the driver does not have an FM-T.

And I do have that in writing.

Even still, the $20 and 15 minutes I spend to get an FM-T is worth it in my opinion.


Thank you very much Geoff!

Also, for those Nomads who have annual policies through Discover Baja Travel Club, they also use HDI Seguros.

Bob and Susan - 2-11-2010 at 06:46 PM

that should end the "urban myth"

David K - 10-4-2010 at 03:20 PM

Nope... after so much time and newbies joining Nomad, it must be refreshed!