BajaNomad

Auto insurance

Rossman - 1-27-2015 at 06:28 AM

I have a quick question about
Auto insurance. I will be living in Baja for a year beginning around March first. I have obtained an annual Mexican insurance policy but at some point during the next year I will spend a month or so in the US. In order to be covered in the US during the period that I am there do I have to maintain my current policy for the whole year or are there companies that offer monthly policies in the US similar to being able to get a monthly Mexican policy.

rogbag - 1-27-2015 at 07:26 AM

I used Coast Insurance last year when I drove up for a week. They offer monthly coverage. Did it all on the phone & online.
COAST AUTO INS (831) 394 1990

Bob and Susan - 1-27-2015 at 07:51 AM

if you let your insurance in California lapse
your plates are no good

if your plates are no good you cant drive in the usa

unless you are getting a mex plated car you need to continue insuring your car in California

if you cancel your insurance and have a good rate right now...when you come back rates will be way higher...be careful

gnukid - 1-27-2015 at 07:54 AM

CA DMV recognizes mexico insurance for cars based in baja and will not cancel insurance if the policy is on record. That said, it is cheaper for me to maintain two policies year round as opposed to start-stop for short periods.

sd - 1-27-2015 at 08:50 AM

And your Mexican policy may require you to have insurance in USA.

RnR - 1-27-2015 at 09:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sd  
And your Mexican policy may require you to have insurance in USA.


Only if you elect for full coverage on your Mexican policy (ie: Collision Damage)

Liability only policies do not require US insurance to be in effect.

mtnpop - 1-27-2015 at 09:09 AM

Don't know if you can do this in Ca. or not but works for us..

Put the vehicle on comp only effective a day or so after you get into Mexico.. this keeps it active while you are gone at a greatly recuced cost... then just before you go north activate it to a day or so before you cross the border going north...
and so on and so on....
we in Colorado have the same problem with DMV for our plates...
Looks like the vehicle is just parked for awhile until you start using again...
Wife is an insurance agent in Colorado and figured this out...
DMV system would still show you have insurance....

willardguy - 1-27-2015 at 11:34 AM

so what do folks with south dakota plates do to travel to california a few days a year, just wing it?

bajalearner - 1-27-2015 at 12:44 PM

An option might be "planned no-nop status" PNO with CA. You wouldn't need CA insurance. I don't know what it would mean to the Mexican requirements.


PNO means that the vehicle will not be driven, towed, stored, or parked on public roads or highways for the entire registration year.

google it for complete information.

Udo - 1-27-2015 at 01:07 PM

Our South Dakota Insurance (Mercury) is valid in all US states.

BTW, our Mercury insurance ended up being 25% less in South Dakota than in California.
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
so what do folks with south dakota plates do to travel to california a few days a year, just wing it?

South Dakota

bajaguy - 1-28-2015 at 07:28 AM

Another benefit if you LEGALLY change your residence to South Dakota is no personal STATE income tax

That along with the savings on your vehicle registration fees will pay for your trip to South Dakota to take care of business.


[Edited on 1-28-2015 by bajaguy]

durrelllrobert - 1-28-2015 at 09:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
so what do folks with south dakota plates do to travel to california a few days a year, just wing it?
Every time I renew GIECO sends me a South Dakota proof of insurance card that matches my plates. Also, because my annual mileage in the US is less than 5,000 I get a super low rate.

[Edited on 1-28-2015 by durrelllrobert]

willardguy - 1-28-2015 at 09:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by durrelllrobert  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
so what do folks with south dakota plates do to travel to california a few days a year, just wing it?
Every time I renew GIECO sends me a South Dakota proof of insurance card that matches my plates. Also, because my annual mileage in the US is less than 5,000 I get a super low rate.

[Edited on 1-28-2015 by durrelllrobert]


I recently switched from gieco to ameriprise and the rate is low,about $290 bucks a year, $290 bucks a year to cross the border into SD to see the VA a couple times a year!!! THATS whats making me crazy!:O

bajaguy - 1-28-2015 at 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  

I recently switched from gieco to ameriprise and the rate is low,about $290 bucks a year, $290 bucks a year to cross the border into SD to see the VA a couple times a year!!! THATS whats making me crazy!:O





Why don't you just buy US insurance for your trip. Couple of places in Ensenada sell policies good for up to 30 days in the US

willardguy - 1-28-2015 at 09:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  

I recently switched from gieco to ameriprise and the rate is low,about $290 bucks a year, $290 bucks a year to cross the border into SD to see the VA a couple times a year!!! THATS whats making me crazy!:O





Why don't you just buy US insurance for your trip. Couple of places in Ensenada sell policies good for up to 30 days in the US

I guess that takes us right back to rossman's original question! where can I find these folks in ensenada?:?:

bajaguy - 1-28-2015 at 10:20 AM

Elena Betts in Ensenada. I'll get her contact info in a couple
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  

I recently switched from gieco to ameriprise and the rate is low,about $290 bucks a year, $290 bucks a year to cross the border into SD to see the VA a couple times a year!!! THATS whats making me crazy!:O





Why don't you just buy US insurance for your trip. Couple of places in Ensenada sell policies good for up to 30 days in the US

I guess that takes us right back to rossman's original question! where can I find these folks in ensenada?:?:

bajaguy - 1-28-2015 at 10:31 AM

[/rquote]I guess that takes us right back to rossman's original question! where can I find these folks in ensenada?:?:[/rquote]




Elena Bretts Paul
(646)178-4394 (Ensenada)
elenabretts@yahoo.com

willardguy - 1-28-2015 at 10:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
[/rquote]I guess that takes us right back to rossman's original question! where can I find these folks in ensenada?:?:[/rquote]




Elena Bretts Paul
(646)178-4394 (Ensenada)
elenabretts@yahoo.com


now were talkin! gracias :D

bajaguy - 1-28-2015 at 10:52 AM

Anything for you, Willie
Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
[/rquote]I guess that takes us right back to rossman's original question! where can I find these folks in ensenada?:?:[/rquote]




Elena Bretts Paul
(646)178-4394 (Ensenada)
elenabretts@yahoo.com


now were talkin! gracias :D

Rossman - 1-28-2015 at 05:38 PM

Great information. Thanks for all of the responses. Gives me some other options to consider.