BajaNomad

Wanted: Auto insurace co. recommendations for US and Mex.

bajalearner - 9-4-2010 at 08:12 PM

I am new to living in TJ and have to spuare my auto insurance situation away. I still have my US (GEICO) policy and Mexican policies on my cars which I bought before I was full time in TJ. Now, I live in TJ and cross for temporary trips to San Diego.

I am asking for recommendations on insurance on both sides of the border? I called GEICO to inquire and related my situation. I was told they will cancel my policy since I live in TJ. They will not issue a limited visit type policy. So as of Oct 15th, I will not have GEICO. I'm thinking this is not much of a problem for the experienced...and thanks in advance.
PS; I have a motorcycle to insure too.

jeremias - 9-4-2010 at 10:03 PM

Titan seems to be the new one to get-the most affordable and seems good.

mulegemichael - 9-5-2010 at 06:52 AM

all of our insurance is through vagabundos del mar...seems to be ok and the people on the phone are fab.

k-rico - 9-5-2010 at 07:21 AM

Reminds me of when I moved to TJ 4 years ago and called my car insurance agent. He doesn't work for the insurance company, he's an independent agent, I've known him for years.

"Hi Jim, it's k-rico and I want you to know that I moved to Tijuana, help me figure out what to do about car insurance."

"YOU WHAT?"

"I moved to TJ"

"k-rico, do you have a California address?"

"Well, I have a private mailbox." (Not a post office box.)

"k-rico, you don't live in Tijuana, you live in that mailbox and park your car inside of it every night."

"Oh, I see, you're right, I live in the mailbox. Please adjust my rates to reflect my new address. Thanks Jim, have a good day."

So I live in a mailbox in San Ysidro for California insurance purposes.

Now it's true that some American companies will cover you in the border region of Mexico, assuming you live in California and you're just visiting Mexico.

But, if you get in an accident, the Mexican authorities don't want to hear about an American insurance policy. If that's all you have you are uninsured in their eyes. Could be BIG trouble. Like $$$$$$ NOW, get your wrecked car impounded, maybe a visit to the TJ jail.

So I buy an annual liability only Mexican policy from Discover Baja designed for Americans who visit Mexico. I keep it in my car. It's my get-out-of-jail-free card.

So I live in a California mailbox and visit Mexico, rather frequently, like 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

If either insurance company knew what I'm really doing, they'd cancel me.

That's the best solution I could come up with.


[Edited on 9-5-2010 by k-rico]

woody with a view - 9-5-2010 at 07:56 AM

i love fraudulent behavior, no matter how it shows itself.

durrelllrobert - 9-5-2010 at 08:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
i love fraudulent behavior, no matter how it shows itself.

never volenteer any info, don't ask questions you don't want to hear answers too and never tell the truth to an insurance co.
:lol:

[Edited on 9-5-2010 by durrelllrobert]

MikeYounghusband - 9-5-2010 at 09:39 AM

Hi Steve

bajalearner - 9-5-2010 at 10:08 AM

Hi Mike, Gotta be you, I don't know anyone else and if I did they probably wouldn't admit it :-)
I am going to the paella festival today near Rosarito. Thanks for telling about this site. Like you said, it's a great place to get info.

bajalearner - 9-5-2010 at 10:20 AM

I fully agree about giving the minimum info to insurance companies or other places. My dad taught me that early in life. But sometimes I lay it out and see what the best alternatives appear especially when it can come back to bite me. I thought I might come out better by looking at other companies because I am paying for full time in the US when in reality my cars are only there a fraction. The co. is making out there. I have Mexican policies for this side of the border. I only need occasional coverage not $2,000 a year coverage. (I have 3 cars and a motorcycle).
So I decided to lay it out to Geico and see if they would offer something that makes sense. They didn't. But I want to research more. My Mexican company offers coverage if a car is only in Mexico less than a certain period (180 days a year if I remember right). That is what I hope to find for the US policy.

Thanks for all the help!!!

David K - 9-5-2010 at 10:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
I fully agree about giving the minimum info to insurance companies or other places. My dad taught me that early in life. But sometimes I lay it out and see what the best alternatives appear especially when it can come back to bite me. I thought I might come out better by looking at other companies because I am paying for full time in the US when in reality my cars are only there a fraction. The co. is making out there. I have Mexican policies for this side of the border. I only need occasional coverage not $2,000 a year coverage. (I have 3 cars and a motorcycle).
So I decided to lay it out to Geico and see if they would offer something that makes sense. They didn't. But I want to research more. My Mexican company offers coverage if a car is only in Mexico less than a certain period (180 days a year if I remember right). That is what I hope to find for the US policy.

Thanks for all the help!!!


Some of the advice you are getting is for Mexican auto insurance for tourists who take trips into Mexico... They must have an American policy and the Mexican one covers them on their vacations in Mexico.

Folks, if you LIVE in Mexico then the 'tourist' policies sold by Vags, Discover Baja or Baja Bound aren't for you. They may have the correct policy, but perhaps not.

If you search Nomad... or someone who lives in Mexico will reply with the correct data, you will learn of Mexican insurance agents in Mexico that can cover you. One in Rosarito is mentioned often on Nomad as being helpful.

MikeYounghusband - 9-5-2010 at 02:12 PM

Glad to see you here, you'll get all of the help you can imagine. Good folks.