BajaNomad

Auto Insurance-Which Company should I use?

Cielomar - 6-15-2011 at 07:32 PM

I'm headed for Baja Sur on Sat and need to get auto/atv insurance for a 6 week stretch. Any suggestions on which company to use. I seem to remember a few months ago some posts about problems and preferred suppliers. Thanks...

woody with a view - 6-15-2011 at 07:47 PM

discover baja or bajabound.

David K - 6-15-2011 at 09:59 PM

BajaBound.com supports THIS website... and give excellent support to their customers. Discover Baja is a great club to join and sells the same insurance as BajaBound. You can't go wrong either way.

vagabundos

mcfez - 6-15-2011 at 10:44 PM

http://www.vagabundos.com/

https://www.vagabundos.com/quote/detail/


These folks are great. Always friendly over the phone....their website is great.....rates are best.

You have to get a membership from them too....but that is well worth the $35 bucks. I order all my needs.....from fishing license to insurance thru their on line service.....and download the Docs on the spot.

willyAirstream - 6-16-2011 at 06:21 AM

My only experience is with bajabound and they are inexpensive, fast support, easy to set up online and they have a great newsletter.

Marc - 6-16-2011 at 06:39 AM

Discover Baja sells a one year policy good for any 90 days, in and out. Covers all northwestern states in Mexico; Sonora etc.

Curt63 - 6-16-2011 at 07:03 AM

To purchase MX ATV insurance, you must first have US ATV insurance. It gets expensive.

cabobaja - 6-16-2011 at 07:21 AM

BajaBound! Get the policy online and say"hi" to Elias Calles. Have a safe trip!

sancho - 6-16-2011 at 09:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Discover Baja sells a one year policy good for any 90 days, in and out. Covers all northwestern states in Mexico; Sonora etc.




How does that 90 day policy work? Do you check in
with Discover Baja when you cross? How do they
regulate the 90 period?

David K - 6-16-2011 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Discover Baja sells a one year policy good for any 90 days, in and out. Covers all northwestern states in Mexico; Sonora etc.




How does that 90 day policy work? Do you check in
with Discover Baja when you cross? How do they
regulate the 90 period?


It is not checked...

It is what I have had for many years. A one year policy for people who spend less than 3 months of the year in Baja over-all. It is perfect for us living near the border that take several short trips and maybe one long trip a year into Baja.

bigmike - 6-16-2011 at 09:59 PM

I have been with Discover Baja for years and have always purchased my auto insurance thru them, I just went to renew my 2003 F-150 and Baja Bound was $80.00 cheaper thru the same Insurance company,$40.00 was due to the fact I have a Sentri pass and received a discount for that.
Add to that I did not have to pay a club membership.
Have always been a big fan of Discover Baja, but the dollar difference made sense to change.

Pescador - 6-17-2011 at 06:50 AM

I must be the only retired insurance guy on the board, but I get a big kick out of all the postings that tell how nice someone is or how easy it is to get a policy online, but the real test of the policy is to compare your coverages. I do a comparison chart when I shop policies to see who has the best coverage for liability limits, who covers legal and what amount, what is the cost for extra coverages like trailers or boats, and etc. It is very easy to see at a glance who provides the best coverage for the money. Then it gets a little more complicated because some of the companies pay much better than the others. You can look at AM BEST ratings for each of the companies but this only gives you a general idea of their financial ability to pay. Over the years there has been a lot of discussion on this board about which companies pay the best and you may get really educated if you choose to look at the search engine.
All of the Mexican Insurance sold by United States Agents is sold as a Surplus Lines Brokerage which means they are not controlled by the Department of Insurance in their home state. So if two policies are anywhere close in price and you get a better feel for one of the companies marketing the Mexican Insurance, for sure go with that.

edm1 - 6-17-2011 at 08:00 AM

My new Progressive insurance includes a Mexico coverage, I'm pleasantly surprised. I wonder if I still need a usual Bajabound insurance.

[Edited on 6-17-2011 by edm1]

David K - 6-17-2011 at 08:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
My new Progressive insurance includes a Mexico coverage, I'm pleasantly surprised. I wonder if I still need a usual Bajabound insurance.

[Edited on 6-17-2011 by edm1]


You need the Mexican policy for liability (at least). My State Farm policy covers my truck 50 miles into Mexico... but not liability.

sancho - 6-17-2011 at 09:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by edm1
My new Progressive insurance includes a Mexico coverage, I'm pleasantly surprised. I wonder if I still need a usual Bajabound insurance.

[Edited on 6-17-2011 by edm1]


Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Progressive Co US
Policy does in fact cover the holder for their collision/comp
anywhere in Mex, but I'm under the impression that policy
is ONLY FOR RV's. Not for other vehicles. Although you didn't
specifically indicate what you drive, from your pic it looks
like that vehicle is a Cl B RV. As DK points out, everyone
needs a liability policy form a Mex Ins Co. Recent talk
about Mex Ins Co's and one in particular, has me changing
to discover or bajabound, re: tha CSL limits, I was told
by one of the brokers that $100,000 is adequate
I've had yearly policies with the Mex Ins Co that has
$300,000 standard liability, a high liability doesn't mean
jack if the Mex Co has a reputation for looking for
loopholes to deny a claim. Ins Co ratings are fun to look
at, but CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS THE REAL TEST

[Edited on 6-17-2011 by sancho]

mcfez - 6-17-2011 at 09:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
I must be the only retired insurance guy on the board, but I get a big kick out of all the postings that tell how nice someone is or how easy it is to get a policy online, but the real test of the policy is to compare your coverages. I do a comparison chart when I shop policies to see who has the best coverage for liability limits, who covers legal and what amount, what is the cost for extra coverages like trailers or boats, and etc. It is very easy to see at a glance who provides the best coverage for the money. Then it gets a little more complicated because some of the companies pay much better than the others. You can look at AM BEST ratings for each of the companies but this only gives you a general idea of their financial ability to pay. Over the years there has been a lot of discussion on this board about which companies pay the best and you may get really educated if you choose to look at the search engine.
All of the Mexican Insurance sold by United States Agents is sold as a Surplus Lines Brokerage which means they are not controlled by the Department of Insurance in their home state. So if two policies are anywhere close in price and you get a better feel for one of the companies marketing the Mexican Insurance, for sure go with that.


Pescador....great information! Thanks.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 6-17-2011 at 03:04 PM

SORRY...I HIT THE WRONG KEY.

has anyone had the unforunate need to use any mexican insurance companies services and if so, what was your experience ?

i'm not looking for the cheapest but am wanting the best service in the event.

i thank you in advance.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Frank - 6-17-2011 at 07:23 PM

I just purchased mine through Bajabound.

bajajurel - 6-17-2011 at 08:28 PM

I've used Vagabundos for the last 5 years and all their members are happy with the policy. The real test is when you go to file a claim which I have never had to do. The price is right too.

woody with a view - 6-19-2011 at 07:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
Discover Baja sells a one year policy good for any 90 days, in and out. Covers all northwestern states in Mexico; Sonora etc.




How does that 90 day policy work? Do you check in
with Discover Baja when you cross? How do they
regulate the 90 period?


i was thinking the same when i bought mine. maybe those cameras that are clicking your license plate when you cross both directions are for more than just looking for stolen vehicles....

ever wonder why the border guard asks how long you've been in mexico? it's an easy question to see if you are trying to lie to the guy.

DiscoverBaja - 6-30-2011 at 10:31 AM

We have been in business for 20 yrs and strive for 100% customer satifaction. We only write policies with A+ rated companies. We sell daily policies to everybody and have special policies for Members Only. Like David was saying we sell an Annual 90 day mutilple entry policy as well as 120 day multiple entry policy that's good for all of Mexico(Members Only). All of our policies include Liability, Medical and Legal aide and bail bond. We also sell polcies that include medical evacuation, Roadside assistance, Partial theft and vandelism.

Call us today for a quote We're open monday thru Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.
(619)275-4225 or (800) 727-2252
www.discoverbaja.com

wessongroup - 6-30-2011 at 11:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
I must be the only retired insurance guy on the board, but I get a big kick out of all the postings that tell how nice someone is or how easy it is to get a policy online, but the real test of the policy is to compare your coverages. I do a comparison chart when I shop policies to see who has the best coverage for liability limits, who covers legal and what amount, what is the cost for extra coverages like trailers or boats, and etc. It is very easy to see at a glance who provides the best coverage for the money. Then it gets a little more complicated because some of the companies pay much better than the others. You can look at AM BEST ratings for each of the companies but this only gives you a general idea of their financial ability to pay. Over the years there has been a lot of discussion on this board about which companies pay the best and you may get really educated if you choose to look at the search engine.
All of the Mexican Insurance sold by United States Agents is sold as a Surplus Lines Brokerage which means they are not controlled by the Department of Insurance in their home state. So if two policies are anywhere close in price and you get a better feel for one of the companies marketing the Mexican Insurance, for sure go with that.


Spot on... thanks for telling it as it is....