BajaNomad

What American auto insurance compliments Mexican auto policies best?

Ken Cooke - 5-19-2013 at 12:54 PM

I am in the process of evaluating my American auto policy - looking for one which can be utilized in the border region with Mexico. What are some U.S. companies policies which offer this to U.S.-registered vehicles?

sancho - 5-19-2013 at 02:58 PM

If you mean US Ins Co's that extend the comp/collision
so. of the border, that is a ? I've had for a long time,
there is some VAGUE terms and conditions I've found
in US Co's claims to cover you x amount of miles into
Mex. I don't have Allstate, but as I remember they MIGHT
claim 75 mi. sob. not positive. So one could carry only
libility, if that is what you are asking. I have read of a
US Co that claims to cover you in Mex, 'if travel to Mex
is not frequent', that language spooks me. I
have a distrust of Ins Co' in general, so ambiguity scares
me. On a side note. I walked across to TJ last week, at the
Mex Ins/peso exchange we park at the border I noticed their Ins policy coverage posted, their policies now reflect
the new Mex Govt Ins regs, their CSL libility limit on
their policies is now $500,000, instead of the $50,000-
$300,000 in the past, from now on, I'm going with the
$500,000, maybe overkill, who knows

chuckie - 5-19-2013 at 03:03 PM

Call em and ask em?

Barry A. - 5-19-2013 at 03:15 PM

Several offer the "coverage" but I believe the real problem is that the Mexican Govt. does not recognize them------they only recognize as valid Mexican Companies Insurance policies.

I could be wrong, but that is always the way we interpreted it.

Barry

sancho - 5-19-2013 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Several offer the "coverage" but I believe the real problem is that the Mexican Govt. does not recognize them------they only recognize as valid Mexican Companies Insurance policies.

Barry





I was referring to US Ins Co's that EXTEND their collision/
physical damage part of their US Policy a certain # of miles
into Mex, I was not saying they extend their LIBILITY portion
into Mex, we all know the LIBILITY has to be thru a Mex Ins Co. This in no way conflicts with Mex Ins Regs, it has nothing
to due with the Mex Govt, it is between the US Policy holder and the US Ins Co, of course you have to get the vehicle
back to the US

CortezBlue - 5-19-2013 at 05:36 PM

I use to have liberty mutual and my policy was good 75 miles south of the boarder. Now that being said, the Mexicans did not recognize the insurance, but I could at least file a claim for money from the USA

Ps I'm now with the lizard and it is substantially cheaper than liberty mutual.


[Edited on 5-20-2013 by CortezBlue]

Phil S - 5-19-2013 at 06:53 PM

In all the years Wendy & I had travelled into Baja (guess ing 25+ by now) we've NEVER tried to figure out comparisons. Your asking for trouble. There is NO way I want to get into an accident & rely on something I heard. Get it in writing, and let that be your answer. that is if you find an agent that will "put it in writing" from the states. For years I used Lewis Lewis, and about five years ago, switched to vagabundo del mar's company. No accidents. So can't say how the service is. But can certainly tell you from a travel club, it doesn't get any better being a member of them, and enjoy all the benefits they offer. Though we have been members of Vagabundos for over 20 years now. Just didn't use the insurance part. Wouldn't buy anything else now. And that's with owning an insurance agency for seven years in Oregon.

daveB - 5-19-2013 at 07:01 PM

I have heard that Progressive will extend their comprehensive protection into Mexico, for a modest amount to cover the rider. There has been another U.S, company, cannot recall the name. Yes, certainly, liability insurance in Mexico is the sole domain of the Mexican companies doing business there. It has often been said that one does not need insurance to operate a vehicle in Mexico, but once some sort of incident happens that could mean an exchange of money you'd better have insurance. Things will not go smoothly without.

From British Columbia, we have nothing available that will cover us there. However, what we buy and use there, thus not utilizng what we have for Canada and USA, we can get refunds for that time on our return, using proper receipts, etc., of course.

Barry A. - 5-19-2013 at 07:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Several offer the "coverage" but I believe the real problem is that the Mexican Govt. does not recognize them------they only recognize as valid Mexican Companies Insurance policies.

Barry





I was referring to US Ins Co's that EXTEND their collision/
physical damage part of their US Policy a certain # of miles
into Mex, I was not saying they extend their LIBILITY portion
into Mex, we all know the LIBILITY has to be thru a Mex Ins Co. This in no way conflicts with Mex Ins Regs, it has nothing
to due with the Mex Govt, it is between the US Policy holder and the US Ins Co, of course you have to get the vehicle
back to the US


Sancho-------you seem to know more about this than I do. Sorry if my answer was misleading. I thought it was a general inquiry.

My Ins. Company, State Farm, totally covers me for a short distance below the border, but the Mexican Govt. does not recognize that coverage, so I always buy the minimum liability coverage from a Mexican Company, thus I have duplicate liability coverage. (I read the small print)

Barry

Howard - 5-19-2013 at 07:36 PM

I completely agree with Phil S.

It's not that expensive to start with so why take any chances? I can just see trying to explain to the officer and/or courts that I really do have insurance but it is with a US based company.
When I call the insurance company someone in India or Pakistan will answer and say. "hi this is Bob, how can I help you?"
No thank you, I'll cut corners on something else.

bajaguy - 5-19-2013 at 07:47 PM

Many US based insurance companies will cover you for collision/physical damages.....NOT liability within certain mileage limits into Baja/Mexico....however, as soon as you turn in a claim, your US carrier rates will go up and if you have repairs made in the US, it will be reported to CarFax.

I prefer to purchase full coverage insurance from BajaBound.

Phil S - 5-19-2013 at 10:45 PM

Dave B. Since you mentioned progressive Insurance brought to mind something I had heard recently, and that was, George Soros owns Progressive Insurance Co. You know anything about that???? (wonder how many Nomads are going to say, Who's George Soros?)

daveB - 5-19-2013 at 11:23 PM

Phil S, sorry I have very limited knowledge on the subject, which amounts to about what an RV'er who follows the RV. Net forums sometimes learns

We started with Vagabundo del Mar and have only dealt with Lewis and Lewis after that year; we've never needed to use them but they got our friends full payment after their car was stolen on the Mainland.

Bob and Susan - 5-20-2013 at 04:36 AM

remember all usa insurance companies that sell mexican insurance
are only brokers for mexican insurance companies...

the mexican insurance you buy from them
is only as good as the mexican company

so if you get "paid off" its NOT the american company that paid you
it's the mexican company you insured with

i really like baja bound...you can call them and speak to a "real" person
and they travel baja...so they understand

also their companies provide legal and bond assistance...
very important here...remember you are guilty till you prove differently

windgrrl - 5-20-2013 at 06:35 AM

Some research on companies that offer international insurance might also provide some illumination on the subject. It's not the least cost, but is available for medical, too.

Happy Monday,
w

David K - 5-20-2013 at 08:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
remember all usa insurance companies that sell mexican insurance
are only brokers for mexican insurance companies...

the mexican insurance you buy from them
is only as good as the mexican company

so if you get "paid off" its NOT the american company that paid you
it's the mexican company you insured with

i really like baja bound...you can call them and speak to a "real" person
and they travel baja...so they understand

also their companies provide legal and bond assistance...
very important here...remember you are guilty till you prove differently


THIS...

(Ken, what you should do to alleviate all concerns is get an Annual policy at BajaBound.com, or Discover Baja if you are a member as they both use the same Mexican company).

An annual policy for northwestern Mexico will cover your Jeep anytime you take a trip across the border, without calling, emailing or stopping to buy. It is cheaper than if you bought separate policies for as many trips you seem to take, and is hassle free. I think I figured my Tacoma covered for a calendar year (and not over 90 days in Mexico total) was the same price as 21 days of daily coverage...

Of interest, my U.S. policy (State Farm) does cover damage to my truck that occurs up to 50 miles from the border. You still need liability from a Mexican company.

With their support of Baja Nomad and publishing my Baja Travel Adventures articles, I naturally recommend using BajaGeoff and the rest of the crew at BajaBound.com :light:

sancho - 5-20-2013 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by daveB
I have heard that Progressive will extend their comprehensive protection into Mexico, for a modest amount to cover the rider





Yrs. back I contacted Progressive about their extending
their collision into Mex, as I remember, and I could be
wrong, they said their collision was good for the entire
country of Mex, they said this was ONLY for
a Motorhome, not a car/truck. As mentioned the Mex Ins Co is the most
important factor, not the US Broker, although I've heard
bajabound will be as much help as they can. The 2
primary Mex Ins Co's that bajabound uses HDI and
ACE are listed as A+ financially, the Lewis & Lewis
Mex Co. Qualitis, I cannot find a listing on, don't know
if that matters
Barry, excuse me if i was a bit overzealous
sancho

[Edited on 5-21-2013 by sancho]

Barry A. - 5-20-2013 at 10:57 AM

Quote:
Barry, excuse me if i was a bit overzealous
sancho


Not a problem, Sancho. I am relying on what my State Farm Agent told me, and that could be a huge mistake, especially since he is in Redding, CA and not near the border. Your points (and others) are very helpful.

Barry

Ken Cooke - 5-20-2013 at 10:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

An annual policy for northwestern Mexico will cover your Jeep anytime you take a trip across the border, without calling, emailing or stopping to buy. It is cheaper than if you bought separate policies for as many trips you seem to take, and is hassle free. I think I figured my Tacoma covered for a calendar year (and not over 90 days in Mexico total) was the same price as 21 days of daily coverage...


The past couple of purchases, I went with bajabound.com and not http://www.instant-mex-auto-insur.com/ due to the fact that Baja Bound insures Jeeps and Instant Mexico does not. I hope to get in a couple of Baja treks with the Mrs. by years end, but I have to pay as I go as far as insurance is concerned. (Pinching every penny)

David K - 5-20-2013 at 10:24 PM

Baja Bound also sponsors this web site... pretty good reason to use them, as well as they use a top rated Mexican company, with legal aid and pays for vehicle repairs in the USA.

BajaRun - 5-22-2013 at 09:04 PM

Baja Bound Drivers License policy for all my liability coverage and Travelers for Comp and Collision 50 miles south...

Ken Cooke - 5-22-2013 at 09:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaRun
Baja Bound Drivers License policy for all my liability coverage and Travelers for Comp and Collision 50 miles south...


Travelers is an American company?

vgabndo - 5-23-2013 at 01:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Dave B. Since you mentioned progressive Insurance brought to mind something I had heard recently, and that was, George Soros owns Progressive Insurance Co. You know anything about that???? (wonder how many Nomads are going to say, Who's George Soros?)


George Soros does not own Progressive Insurance company, neither does his friendship with their Chairman of the Board make him an owner. (look it up, it is all over the anti-scam sites) Both men are known for their political activism, and Mr. Soros has been commended since the middle of the last decade for his massive philanthropy. Mr. Soros is a socialist. In most of the civilized world this term can be used in polite conversation. In one nation under God, it is commonly used as a slur. I project that this was the point of Phil's comment, but I invite him to defend it for himself. ELSEWHERE.