Originally posted by gnukid
CA DMV accepts a Baja address as an exemption from smog and many road taxes as well accepts Mexican policies as proof of insurance. As I noted I have
been doing this for a dcade and it's been accepted at any DMV. This is valid for every place in Baja except TJ and Tecate.
If you enter your baja address for your vehicle when you register you are automatically exempt from smog and you may use a Mexican driver's liability
policy total cost under $100 as evidence of FR (financial Responsibilty), of course you can opt for more insurance and I do maintain two policies with
high personal injury coverage but the costs are low overall. The costa go up for new cars and full coverage. Note there are cases noted below where
cases re also exempt from reporting FR.
DMV Chapter 10 Financial Responsibilty
Financial Responsibility (CVC §4000.37)
All insurance companies licensed to do business in California are required to electronically report insurance information for all private-use
vehicle liability policies.
Commercial insurance policies and alternative forms of financial responsibility are not reported electronically.
If the renewal notice requests evidence of financial responsibility, the electronic insurance is not on file and evidence must be submitted.
The following are acceptable for registration renewal:
A document or insurance card from an insurance company indicating that the vehicle is insured.
An insurance document or ID card from Canada. A Mexico resident insurance policy, only if:
the vehicle record shows a residence address in Mexico, or
the owner changes his/her residence address to an address in Mexico, and completes a Statement of Facts (REG 256) that certifies he/she is a
resident of Mexico and gives his/her Mexico residence address. The Statement of Facts must be submitted with the renewal.
A DMV authorization letter for cash depositors or self insurers. A photocopy of a current Surety Bond.
Non-receipt of Renewal Notice
Acceptable FR for renewals
NOTE: A Mexican resident insurance policy will be labeled as such or will indicate that it is only valid for coverage of Mexican residents; it is not
valid if the insured is not a Mexican resident. A travel policy which does not contain residency restrictions cannot be used as evidence of
financial responsibility.
VEHICLE INDUSTRY REGISTRATION PROCEDURES DECEMBER 2009
Page 108
RENEWALS
10.050
Financial Responsibility (CVC §4000.37), continued
A California Proof of Insurance Certificate (SR 22) for broad coverage or owners policy. An operators policy does not satisfy financial
responsibility.
Evidence that the vehicle is owned or leased by a public entity defined in Government Code §826.2.
Motor Carriers as defined in CVC §34601 may complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256) indicating that the carrier has evidence of insurance on file
with the Public Utilities Commission or DMV pursuant to CVC §34630.
Although CVC §16058 requires electronic reporting of private-use automobile liability policies to the department, commercial or business insurance
carriers are exempt.
Commercial/business insurance policies are normally issued to an applicant registering a vehicle as one of the following:
Company, Co, Corporation, or Corp. Incorporation, Incorporated, or Inc. Doing business as or DBA. Limited, LTD, or LLC
If insurance information does not appear on the vehicle record at time of renewal, proof of financial responsibility must be submitted.
The Notification of Alternative Forms of Financial Responsibility (REG 5085) is not acceptable for renewals.
Owners of the following vehicle types are not required to provide evidence of financial responsibility:
Trailers Off-highway vehicles Vehicles registered to a government entity (city, county, state, and federal) Special equipment vehicles V
ehicles registered under planned non-operation status |
