BajaNomad

Most Loved Mexico Auto Insurance

1Bajalover - 4-15-2011 at 11:25 PM

I have used Lewis and Lewis and like them but am wondering if anyone has another to recommend?

Bajabound

bajaguy - 4-16-2011 at 07:51 AM

Look at the top of this page. Geoff is a strong supporter of Baja Nomads!!!!!!

Ken Bondy - 4-16-2011 at 07:53 AM

I have had good dealings with both Lewis and Lewis and the Auto Club.

TecateRay - 4-16-2011 at 08:06 AM

Bajabound without a doubt.:tumble:

bonanza bucko - 4-16-2011 at 08:20 AM

Agree completely.... BajaBound is the hot ticket. Very nice people..no hassle...quick service...access to several Mexican insurance companies with good reputations.

Couldn't be happier. They just got me a refund on my policy because I got a SENTRI pass...didn't know that was possible.

BB:-)

David K - 4-16-2011 at 08:23 AM

I have been working with Geoff and the crew at BajaBound.com and they seem to be excellent people... I have purchased their online policies for short trips many times since 2001.

To be fair, I also have used Discover Baja Travel Club (I am a member) annual insurance coverage... and never had an issue... but, I never had a claim either.

Both BajaBound and Discover Baja sell policies from the same Mexican company that will cover the cost of your repairs to be made in the United States.

BajaBound.com supports Baja Nomad :saint:

Pompano - 4-16-2011 at 08:33 AM

$100 US bills. Don't leave home without them. :biggrin: :rolleyes:

Seriously, I have dealt with Lewis and Lewis with good results.., but will go with BajaBound next go-round.

woody with a view - 4-16-2011 at 08:47 AM

most loved? the one i never need to use....

lizard lips - 4-16-2011 at 09:16 AM

BAJABOUND

DENNIS - 4-16-2011 at 09:17 AM

They're only as good as their response to your problem. We, as a group, must be pretty good drivers 'cause we hear very little about that part of insurance coverage.

schwlind - 4-16-2011 at 10:50 AM

We've used IGIB (International Gateway Insurance Brokers) in Chula Vista for years. Don't know about the loving them part, however, a couple of years ago, my husband had a fender bender in Ensenada. They were very responsive and had an insurance adjuster meet us at a body repair shop within an hour or so, and paid the claim on the spot... and even better, they didn't increase our insurance rates.
Linda

goldhuntress - 4-16-2011 at 11:20 AM

I do NOT recommend Lewis and Lewis. They sell Qualitas and they suck. I'm wondering if people who say they have had good luck with Lewis and Lewis have ever had to file a claim? Of course the claim is with Qualitas but you hope that when they try to screw you that L and L would do something but in my case they didn't, just a lot of lip service. At the time I filed the claim the repair shops were only in TJ. Loooong story short, the work was awful, paint peeling etc. They guarantee the work, supposedly. After 6 months of fighting I finally gave up. Go with someone else, Bajabound or I use Discover Baja to get mine. I bought the one that gives you any 90 days during a one year period. I had 3-3 week trips in the year.

Ken Bondy - 4-16-2011 at 11:54 AM

Good point goldhuntress. I made over 70 flying trips to Baja, each time the airplane was insured by Lewis and Lewis. My four driving trips have been insured by AAA. In all those trips I have never filed a claim. When I say I had "good dealings" with each I was referring to administrative stuff in getting the policy only, paperwork, efficiency, etc. I have no idea what a claim would be like.

goldhuntress - 4-16-2011 at 01:08 PM

I would like to know if there are individuals out there who have filed claims and had a good experience, been totally satisfied with the company, and, if so, what companies? What body shops? We should really support those companies. Many of us, me anyway, aren't really thinking we'll ever have to use the insurance, it's just a necessary precaution. Then, it happens, and OMG, the adventure begins!! One problem is the adjustors. In my case I think he low-balled it so much that I think the body shop had trouble doing it for the price he came up with, maybe they cut corners to not lose $$ and as a result did lousy work. It was about $1000 in TJ, the body shop here was $4,600. Anyway, just venting. Every time insurance comes up here on BN .......:fire:

monoloco - 4-16-2011 at 01:09 PM

I have Qualitas that I purchased through Costco, it was way cheaper than Lewis & Lewis. I hit a cow last year and the adjuster came right out, I had no problems with the claim.

woody with a view - 4-16-2011 at 01:40 PM

good to know, loco.

all of them can have my biz may 5, 2011 when my costco runs out... they don't cover uninsured drivers that might hit me..... that's why i'm in the market for a new company to take my $.

sancho - 4-16-2011 at 02:33 PM

The most IMPORTANT question asked, it is difficult
to get a true read on this subject, I've had Lewis & Lewis
for a few yrs. I like the $300,000 standard CSL they
have. But due to a few posts the last few months,
I'm bailing on L&L. There were posts as to L&L taking
8 months to pay a claim. And to the contrary, there
have been a post or 2 in L&L's favor. I believe the
Mex Adjuster is a key component to timely, satisfactory
service. May none of us ever need to use a policy

monoloco - 4-16-2011 at 03:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
I would like to know if there are individuals out there who have filed claims and had a good experience, been totally satisfied with the company, and, if so, what companies? What body shops? We should really support those companies. Many of us, me anyway, aren't really thinking we'll ever have to use the insurance, it's just a necessary precaution. Then, it happens, and OMG, the adventure begins!! One problem is the adjustors. In my case I think he low-balled it so much that I think the body shop had trouble doing it for the price he came up with, maybe they cut corners to not lose $$ and as a result did lousy work. It was about $1000 in TJ, the body shop here was $4,600. Anyway, just venting. Every time insurance comes up here on BN .......:fire:
When I hit the cow the adjuster took a few photos, filled out the forms and sent me to the Ford body shop in La Paz, they are the ones who set the price for the repairs, I made sure they used all OEM parts, Qualitas okayed their estimate and paid for the repairs minus the $500 deductible.

Jack Swords - 4-17-2011 at 06:49 AM

We have used Vagabundos for years, hit by uninsured driver a few years ago in La Paz. Adjuster came right out, photos, forms, visit to police for report. Claim filed, had it fixed in US in home town. Paid less deductable with no problem. Be sure to get "Legal Aid" coverage for increased comfort. We also had our sailboat covered through Vagabundos when Hurricane Marty damaged her. Adjuster flew down, repaired with full payment from insurance. Only had those two claims, but very happy with Vagabundos. Not going to change based upon the above experiences.

toneart - 4-17-2011 at 09:25 AM

I too, always buy auto insurance through Vagabundos. It comes with the Legal Rep fee included now. I have never had a claim, but I talked to some people who had a horrible accident and they said the insurance rep and legal rep were there very quickly. They paid without any problems to the surprise and satisfaction of the claimants.

Bajahowodd - 4-17-2011 at 04:44 PM

You guys seems to be missing the point. You cite L&L, Bajabound, Vagabundos, and, there are a number of other..... surplus lines brokers.

Fact is that you are entering into a contract with a Mexican insurance company through a US, most likely, a CA based broker.

There are a handful of Mexican insurance companies that provide this product. It is, at the end of the day, these insurance companies, and their practices and peformance, that give you the end result if you find yourself in an accident or other such loss.

Noting that I've seen more than one complaint against Qualitas, if and when you search on line for coverage, you ahould not only compare coverage for cost, but also the number of actual insurance companies any of these brokers places business with. I have viewed L&L with a somewhat jaundiced eye for quite some time in that the vast majority of their business has been placed with Qualitas. And, although their web site claims to have another company, fact is that other brokers, Bajabound, and Mexadventure, for example, offer coverage with other companies, most of which do business internationally.

Insuring LOVE ?

MrBillM - 4-17-2011 at 05:56 PM

Having bought Mex Insurance from (probably) a Dozen or more insurers over the last 35 years +, I have to say I've been satisfied with ALL of them.

Of course, I've never had a claim, either, so Quien Sabe ?

I suppose LOVE then would be for the least expensive one.

Bottom Line: Unless you've had a Claim, there's no basis for evaluation.

Other than price.

And, customer relations.

As far as "searches" for complaints (and the Internet), I found long ago that Negatives are easy to find.

Unhappy customers are the LOUDEST.

[Edited on 4-18-2011 by MrBillM]

wessongroup - 4-17-2011 at 07:59 PM

Yes, the pleasure of dealing with a loss an a insurance company ... or

Sure Doc, I don't need any Novocain for that tooth extraction...

I'm sure there are those who fine both experiences pleasurable... almost approaching love .... :lol::lol:



[Edited on 4-18-2011 by wessongroup]

TecateRay - 4-18-2011 at 09:43 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
I would like to know if there are individuals out there who have filed claims and had a good experience, been totally satisfied with the company, and, if so, what companies? What body shops? We should really support those companies. Many of us, me anyway, aren't really thinking we'll ever have to use the insurance, it's just a necessary precaution. Then, it happens, and OMG, the adventure begins!! One problem is the adjustors. In my case I think he low-balled it so much that I think the body shop had trouble doing it for the price he came up with, maybe they cut corners to not lose $$ and as a result did lousy work. It was about $1000 in TJ, the body shop here was $4,600. Anyway, just venting. Every time insurance comes up here on BN .......:fire:

I had an accident last fall in Baja. I rear-ended a car and someone rear-ended me. I got great response from Bajabound, they even got on the phone and helped me translate with the adjuster at the accident site. He came out from Ensenada within 2 hours of the incident. We were at least 30 minutes from town. Fortunately no one was injured and I was able to drive the vehicle back home. I had extensive front end damage and some to the back as well. Lots of issues, determining deductible, total or not, etc. came up and Bajabound was with me every step of the way. I got a fair settlement and got my truck repaired on this side of the border. It was invaluable to have an agent on this side of the border who was more than willing to act as my advocate in getting disputes with the insurance company and their US claims office settled - Geoff at Bajabound, earned my gratitude and my continuing business.:yes:

larryC - 4-18-2011 at 10:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
Having bought Mex Insurance from (probably) a Dozen or more insurers over the last 35 years +, I have to say I've been satisfied with ALL of them.

Of course, I've never had a claim, either, so Quien Sabe ?

I suppose LOVE then would be for the least expensive one.

Bottom Line: Unless you've had a Claim, there's no basis for evaluation.

Other than price.

And, customer relations.

As far as "searches" for complaints (and the Internet), I found long ago that Negatives are easy to find.

Unhappy customers are the LOUDEST.

[Edited on 4-18-2011 by MrBillM]


As usual you hit the nail on the head. All these ins companies will take our money without any hassel. Try getting it back, that is the trick. My neighbors had a claim with qualitas on a homeowners policy through Lewis and Lewis, Qualitas screwed them around and Lewis and Lewis were absolutely no help. I will be looking at other options next time.

David K - 4-18-2011 at 05:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TecateRay
Quote:
Originally posted by goldhuntress
I would like to know if there are individuals out there who have filed claims and had a good experience, been totally satisfied with the company, and, if so, what companies? What body shops? We should really support those companies. Many of us, me anyway, aren't really thinking we'll ever have to use the insurance, it's just a necessary precaution. Then, it happens, and OMG, the adventure begins!! One problem is the adjustors. In my case I think he low-balled it so much that I think the body shop had trouble doing it for the price he came up with, maybe they cut corners to not lose $$ and as a result did lousy work. It was about $1000 in TJ, the body shop here was $4,600. Anyway, just venting. Every time insurance comes up here on BN .......:fire:

I had an accident last fall in Baja. I rear-ended a car and someone rear-ended me. I got great response from Bajabound, they even got on the phone and helped me translate with the adjuster at the accident site. He came out from Ensenada within 2 hours of the incident. We were at least 30 minutes from town. Fortunately no one was injured and I was able to drive the vehicle back home. I had extensive front end damage and some to the back as well. Lots of issues, determining deductible, total or not, etc. came up and Bajabound was with me every step of the way. I got a fair settlement and got my truck repaired on this side of the border. It was invaluable to have an agent on this side of the border who was more than willing to act as my advocate in getting disputes with the insurance company and their US claims office settled - Geoff at Bajabound, earned my gratitude and my continuing business.:yes:


Thanks Ray... that speaks volumes about BajaBound.com!:bounce:

showstep - 4-21-2011 at 08:33 AM

Yes I Like ^^"

Vagabundos

mcfez - 4-21-2011 at 05:48 PM

Always there to help. All needs on line. They'll Fed Ex whatever you may need too besides on line download. Friendly. Will speak to you with legal language you can understand.

Get a membership. Well worth it.

SoCal-Bob - 4-21-2011 at 08:35 PM

We used to stop at the last exit off the 5-fwy in San Ysidro to buy insurance. "Instant" insurance or something like that. I believe they sold Qualitas policies.

Then I found out about Bajabound and being able to buy online and print before I leave and use it for all my trips.

captkw - 4-22-2011 at 08:46 AM

had 1 claim with vagabundo's,, many year's ago.. got 2 check's sent from diifferent office's for my claim!! SWEET !! the oldest baja club,,but they are getting OLD..