I'm starting to wonder after so many situations - Is Insurance in Baja really necessary (other than vehicular theft) when Police demand their bribes
to be paid at the scene, Visas never get checked, hotlines sometimes don't work, etc.
Does the system justify the costs?
-KenDENNIS - 9-26-2010 at 02:31 PM
If you get into a wreck, you'll find out....especially if another party is hurt.Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 02:35 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
If you get into a wreck, you'll find out....especially if another party is hurt.
Been there, done that. The owner of the Bus complained of a 'Stiff neck', he got paid. The Police all wanted their cut. Nothing was written down,
nor cited. I towed the offending vehicle as if nothing happened until we stumbled upon the next group of officers who then wanted their cut.KasloKid - 9-26-2010 at 02:37 PM
I figure that it's required to enter my country, so it's only right to meet the requirements of another country to enter it. Period.Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 02:37 PM
When my 4x4 group traveled south into BCS w/o Tourist Visas, we could have continued south, instead, we turned north into BCN for gas and supplies.
Dirt roads sometimes do the trick.
Inflation hurts...OUCH!
Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 02:40 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by KasloKid
I figure that it's required to enter my country, so it's only right to meet the requirements of another country to enter it. Period.
I bought a Full-Coverage policy for $120 for 1 week along with a $40 Club membership because I couldn't afford $450 worth of coverage for 1 year on my
2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
That same policy 3 years ago (2007) cost me $220 through Instant Mexico Insurance. The price has doubled, and then some, cutting my fun short in the
process.DENNIS - 9-26-2010 at 02:40 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by KasloKid
I figure that it's required to enter my country, so it's only right to meet the requirements of another country to enter it. Period.
Insurance isn't required. Only suggested.KasloKid - 9-26-2010 at 02:51 PM
Hmm, I was told by a Mexican border official that insurance was required. Doing a quick search, I found this: "In Mexico, insurance is not mandatory,
however, it is mandatory that you demonstrate the ability to pay for damages caused in an accident. You can demonstrate ability to pay with either
cash or insurance"
I think I'd rather have the insurance than trying to prove with cash that I have the ability to pay
My feeling on the visa required is a valid point. No?Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 02:52 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by KasloKid
I figure that it's required to enter my country, so it's only right to meet the requirements of another country to enter it. Period.
Insurance isn't required. Only suggested.
Dennis - What are the requirements of entering Mexico?monoloco - 9-26-2010 at 02:59 PM
The insurance is worth having in case you get in an accident. Your odds of being asked for a visa are close to zero, and if you were asked and didn't
have it, I suspect that the consequences would not be great. Some might argue that your insurance would not be valid without it, but I have made two
claims against insurance companies and was never asked for immigration papers in either case.KasloKid - 9-26-2010 at 03:09 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
The insurance is worth having in case you get in an accident. Your odds of being asked for a visa are close to zero, and if you were asked and didn't
have it, I suspect that the consequences would not be great. Some might argue that your insurance would not be valid without it, but I have made two
claims against insurance companies and was never asked for immigration papers in either case.
The bail bond addition to your vehicle insurance is what I make sure is added on.
I've talked to people who have been asked to produce their visa. Those who didn't have it were told to get in immediately, and had to pay a fine for
the days that they didn't have it (this was a few years back.) If you had to leave Mexico by air, you have to forfeit your visa. If you didn't have
one, then there might be some issues.
I still stand by my point that a person visiting my country without a visa is considered an illegal. The reverse should also stand. No?DENNIS - 9-26-2010 at 03:12 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by KasloKid
My feeling on the visa required is a valid point. No?
Absolutly valid. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would take the chance to be in a visa-required zone without one.
It's almost painless to get an FMM so why try to get around it? Saving the effort only leaves one vulnerable to the whims of a predator cop.
Be prepared for everything.DENNIS - 9-26-2010 at 03:15 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Dennis - What are the requirements of entering Mexico?
KasloKid pretty well summed that up, Ken. I have so much insurance on both sides of the border that I wouldn't know where to start if I needed it, but
I have peace of mind.monoloco - 9-26-2010 at 03:17 PM
I wasn't advocating not getting it, just my observation that the odds of having to produce it are pretty negligible.Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 03:22 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I wasn't advocating not getting it, just my observation that the odds of having to produce it are pretty negligible.
I have purchased my insurance, and I have obtained my Tourist Visa - except in the case of traveling to El Arco and driving North on Hwy 1 without one
(big deal). Full Coverage on my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon plus Ravelco Ignition system plus Sentry (w/GPS) are all standard.DENNIS - 9-26-2010 at 03:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
I wasn't advocating not getting it, just my observation that the odds of having to produce it are pretty negligible.
I know what you mean. You could go a life time and never be asked although, I was once deported and had I been legal at the time, I wouldn't have been
asked to leave.
That wasn't the reason for the deportation....it just made it a lot easier to put me out.Bajahowodd - 9-26-2010 at 04:27 PM
I think you guys have summed it up. Peace of mind and respect for the laws of a sovereign nation. If folks want to ignore that, they do at their own
peril.
I especially feel that given the kerfuffle in the states, especially in AZ, there is a heightened sensitivity in Mexico. Several years back, maybe no
one cared much. But traveling beyond the border zone without proper papers is akin to flipping the bird at our neighbor to the South. And the epitome
of hypocrisy.DavidE - 9-26-2010 at 05:10 PM
Real case. Twelve year old boy runs out into the street and bounces off the side of a motorhome fully stopped for a red light. Cuts head, goes to
hospital. Cops come and arrest driver. He goes to the station with cops and the motorhome goes to a corralon via towtruck.
Family of young man demands eqvt. of five thousand US dollars cash. The couple had full insurance through a very reputable california surplus line
broker including legal aid package. The ministerio publico got involved. The insurance adjuster cut a check to the m.p. office for almost three
thousand dollars. The man was released but it took five days of wrangling by the adjuster to get the motorhome out of jail.
This occured in the state of Tabasco.
Come to your own conclusion...Woooosh - 9-26-2010 at 06:23 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Real case. Twelve year old boy runs out into the street and bounces off the side of a motorhome fully stopped for a red light. Cuts head, goes to
hospital. Cops come and arrest driver. He goes to the station with cops and the motorhome goes to a corralon via towtruck.
Family of young man demands eqvt. of five thousand US dollars cash. The couple had full insurance through a very reputable california surplus line
broker including legal aid package. The ministerio publico got involved. The insurance adjuster cut a check to the m.p. office for almost three
thousand dollars. The man was released but it took five days of wrangling by the adjuster to get the motorhome out of jail.
This occured in the state of Tabasco.
Come to your own conclusion...
It still beats the ambulance chasing lawyers NOB. The reality is most Mexicans don't have insurance- so the other person they hit doesn't have it
either. They work things out on their own. If they are lucky enough to hit a US plated car some will take your insurance company or you for all they
can quickly get. I'll bet that family sends their kids out to bounce off motorhomes every week now- what's the chance it's owned/driven by a Mexican?
Annual Mexican insurance isn't that much- it's the daily rates that get you.Ken Cooke - 9-26-2010 at 06:30 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by WooooshAnnual Mexican insurance isn't that much- it's the daily rates that get you.
In 3 years, for my particular vehicle, the Annual policy has risen 50%. I think that is outrageous.sancho - 9-26-2010 at 07:42 PM
This is such an absurd question, totally
without logic. I suppose I understand
the sarcasim. I guess it makes good
conversation. Don't bother with either.
Don't know if you remember the guy
who, just so. of Ensenada, was involved in
a wreck, with of all things, a Mex Army
vehicle with a few Army guys standing up
in the back of the truck. Now you are telling
us, that you can pay the Police of in such an
accident. The guy, I believe his name was Kiddo,
was, after spending 3 days under guard in the
Ensenada Hospital, in the process of being
admitted to the Prison in Ensenada when his
Legal Aid from the Ins Co. finally showed up.
This question doesn't deserve replysDavid K - 9-26-2010 at 08:02 PM
Ken, I have full coverage on my 2010 Tacoma ($30,000) and it is less than $300 a year... and includes legal aid. Perhaps you should shop around a bit,
as your Jeep is older, so would be less. I have three Mexican Auto Insurance providers linked on VivaBaja.com, and it is one of them I use.monoloco - 9-27-2010 at 06:00 AM
Ken, check out the rates through Costco.com, we saved a lot using them over Discover Baja. The carrier is Qualitas, I had a claim against them last
year after hitting a cow, didn't have any problems.David K - 9-27-2010 at 06:41 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Ken, check out the rates through Costco.com, we saved a lot using them over Discover Baja. The carrier is Qualitas, I had a claim against them last
year after hitting a cow, didn't have any problems.
DK, I read that post, but I didn't have any problems when I needed them, the adjuster showed up promptly, the repairs were authorized quickly and
satisfactorily completed at a professional shop.David K - 9-27-2010 at 08:05 AM
