BajaNomad

does not having a FMM void insurance?

dsd - 6-10-2016 at 12:39 PM

I only drive to Maneadero and back and not having an FMM hasn't been an issue so far. However, I'm worried about my car insurance. Anyone have any eperience yet with this?

mtgoat666 - 6-10-2016 at 12:59 PM

You will get answers of yes and no from the internet.

I suggest you ask your insurer, as your insurance contract is between you and your insurer.

If in doubt, get an fmm and sleep without worry.

sancho - 6-10-2016 at 01:18 PM

According to 1 or both of the San Diego Mex Ins brokers,
that the 2 major Mex Ins they represent, that no, not having
an fmm will not invalidate Mex Auto Ins. I have read on
the fine print of a Mex policy wording that indicates the
policy may be invalid if not in the country LEGALLY, never
read of a problem though. Read that on the mainland, if
the temp import permit, which I believe is connected to
your fmm, if overstaying, the policy MAY be invalid. I would
not want to be asked for an fmm, if involved in an incident,
and not have one, at the least, seems it would open up one
to some mordida. Because it hasn't happened, doesn't mean
it will not

BajaGeoff - 6-10-2016 at 01:18 PM

It depends on who you are insured with.

Why not just get the 6 month FMM so you won't have to worry about your status with authorities OR your insurance? Should be way less than $20 U.S. at the current exchange rate...

Bajahowodd - 6-10-2016 at 05:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGeoff  
It depends on who you are insured with.

Why not just get the 6 month FMM so you won't have to worry about your status with authorities OR your insurance? Should be way less than $20 U.S. at the current exchange rate...


Word.

chuckie - 6-10-2016 at 05:32 PM

CHEEP

weebray - 6-10-2016 at 06:03 PM

It has been my experience that any insurance policy is absolutely terrific until you have to use it. The insurance companies spend millions to employ lawyers and "adjusters". There job is to make sure that the company does not have to pay anything unless they absolutely have to.

PaulW - 6-11-2016 at 07:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by dsd  
I only drive to Maneadero and back and not having an FMM hasn't been an issue so far. However, I'm worried about my car insurance. Anyone have any eperience yet with this?

====
My insurance company does not care about FMMs. What about yours?

No FMM? Kinda risky what if you get in trouble with the MX cops?

bajagrouper - 6-11-2016 at 07:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGeoff  
It depends on who you are insured with.

Why not just get the 6 month FMM so you won't have to worry about your status with authorities OR your insurance? Should be way less than $20 U.S. at the current exchange rate...



First there is no 6 month FMM, they are good up to 180 days...

Second they are not multiple entry, they are a multiple use form.
read the back under the word IMPORTANT..........

mtgoat666 - 6-11-2016 at 07:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by dsd  
I only drive to Maneadero and back and not having an FMM hasn't been an issue so far. However, I'm worried about my car insurance. Anyone have any eperience yet with this?


It has never occurred to me to not stop and get an fmm. Why don't you just stop and get one? The 7 day fmm is free. The 180 day fmm is cheap.

chuckie - 6-11-2016 at 07:41 AM

:?::?: Aint 6 months like pretty close to 180 days? Kinda pickin chit with the chickens....

JZ - 6-11-2016 at 09:29 AM

Only time I didn't get an FMM was flying out of Tijuana. Damn line was so long I would have missed the flight. Made sure with the airline it wasn't going to be required to get a boarding pass and then said screw it.

sancho - 6-11-2016 at 04:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajagrouper  



First there is no 6 month FMM, they are good up to 180 days...

Second they are not multiple entry, they are a multiple use form.
read the back under the word IMPORTANT..........










Really, 6 mo. vs 180 day? A bit petty, don't you think? Second,
the 180 day CAN be used for mulitiple entries, that is to return
to the US, and use it for a furture visit to Mex as long as it is
valid. Went thru Mexicali West last mo., asked them twice
about using it for furture visits, both times said yes, it can be
used for mulitiple entries, in addition, peds walking into TJ
can show a previously issued 180 fmm, and bypass the line
for TJ daytrippers getting fmm's, so 180 fmm's, at least at
Mexicali West and TJ can be used for mulitiple entries. I know
what is printed on the fmm about returning it upon exit, that
is a thing of the past


yellowklr - 6-11-2016 at 09:18 PM

WHY even ask just GET it and be LEGAL respect Mexicos laws.....!!!!

Alm - 6-14-2016 at 06:59 PM

Purely academically...
There could be a few reasons not to get FMM at SY. One is the time - you have to park and spend 15-40 minutes on this, depending on how many other tourists are there, some tourist van arrives and you're at the end of a long line.

Another reason is when you are on a bus - don't know if many nomads heard about that ;), but there are scheduled buses from SY to TJ Camionera Central near Otay. They in fact go from LA and SD, and stop at SY. A joint US/Mex venture. 9 chances out of 10 that you will be the only person aboard not Mexican or RP, and "chaffeurs" might not wait for your for too long. You may ask them to, but there is no guarantee.

As to the respecting Mex "laws"... This is not a country with clearly defined laws. Their approach is an "interpretive law", i.e. whatever practice they "normally" follow at some particular location. FMM says that it needs to be returned, meaning that it is a single-entry form. Official form issued by federal government. Should be a "law", right? But.... being Mexico, it is a "sort of" law. SY officers don't "usually" consider it a single-entry and don't insist on returning it. Unless this is a free 7-day form - then they suddenly remember that the law requires returning it, and very much follow up on this, fines are not uncommon. Again, the "law" is that paid FMM is 180 days max. Not 6 months. There is usually no argument about this as your stay is entered in days - not months. Just a matter of accuracy.

Back to the topic... It shouldn't matter to you whether missing FMM invalidates insurance or not. With all their freedom of interpretation, you don't want to be at the receiving end of whatever version of law they decide to use against you when some sh-t hits the fan. Not having FMM is illegal. When you are in an accident, the last thing you want is giving them an excuse to drag you to INM and hold you there until some jefe comes from lunch.

[Edited on 6-15-2016 by Alm]

David K - 6-14-2016 at 07:06 PM

The higher-end insurance companies used by Discover Baja and Baja Bound want REPEAT customers. If they ever nit-pick about honoring a policy over you having the FMM or not (it can easily get lost if your car is wrecked or stolen), then they lose credibility and repeat sales.

FMM and insurance

akshadow - 6-14-2016 at 07:31 PM

I wonder if an insurance company would be so willing to overlook the lack of an FMM if you had insurance for a $500,000 amount and deaths of a mexican child were involved. Why not just get the FMM?

woody with a view - 6-14-2016 at 07:38 PM

and not so much as a thank you for this veritable treasure trove of diverse opinions.....

mtgoat666 - 6-14-2016 at 07:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
The higher-end insurance companies used by Discover Baja and Baja Bound want REPEAT customers.


in my experience insurance companies only want repeat payment of policy premium. as soon as you file a claim, they tell you to get lost.
dont know about the firms selling daily policies, but i suppose their very high daily rates more than make up for the occasional claim - i see they charge you the same rate regardless of your driving record, eh?

willardguy - 6-14-2016 at 07:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dsd  
I only drive to Maneadero and back and not having an FMM hasn't been an issue so far. However, I'm worried about my car insurance. Anyone have any eperience yet with this?


well it sounds like the short answer is "no".

Bajahowodd - 6-17-2016 at 04:42 PM

Maybe I'm out of touch, but I thought I had read that the FMM was now a requirement for anyone crossing the border no matter how long they would stay and no matter how far South they were traveling.

So my question is if the FMM is good for 180 days, is there a system in place when you cross back North where to can stop the clock from ticking so you can actually get a full 180 days in Mexico, no matter how many entrances you make, from what you paid for?

SFandH - 6-17-2016 at 05:03 PM

hahahaha, you gotta be kidding. It's 180 days from the day you bought it.

Weren't you talking about chump change in another thread. :lol:

David K - 6-17-2016 at 06:05 PM

You are paying for 180 days in a row of 'legal' time in Mexico (like insurance) if you don't stay in Mexico all of those calendar days, your loss! Now, insurance can be refunded if you come home early!