BajaNomad

No FMM = Invalid Auto Insurance ???

DJM86 - 6-28-2016 at 10:02 AM

So everyone must obtain an FMM when traveling to Baja now. Last year when I stopped at El Chapparel to get the free (less than 7 day) FMM for myself and family we were the only people in there. There were literally hundreds of vehicles crossing the border into Baja at the time. I asked the Mexican border agents if the FMM were required and he said yes. So I said and pointed towards all the vehicles crossing "then all of those people already have FMMs?" He nodded and said they should.

Obviously the laws are only good when enforced and the FMM isn't enforced. My concern is that I have read that if you get into a vehicle accident and do not have your valid FMM that the auto insurance company may make your policy invalid. What is everyone's thought on this?

Thank you
Darren

David K - 6-28-2016 at 10:08 AM

A call or email to your Insurance agent will give you peace of mind. Many of us here use Baja Bound (a sponsor of Baja Nomad) and the owner of Baja Bound has posted that your immigration status does not invalidate the policy you paid for.

AKgringo - 6-28-2016 at 10:10 AM

This discussion was very recent; http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=83294

[Edited on 6-28-2016 by AKgringo]

elgatoloco - 6-28-2016 at 10:20 AM

I would not want to find out the hard way so I get the FMM for 180 days and rest easy knowing that I am in full compliance. :saint:
Quote: Originally posted by DJM86  
So everyone must obtain an FMM when traveling to Baja now. Last year when I stopped at El Chapparel to get the free (less than 7 day) FMM for myself and family we were the only people in there. There were literally hundreds of vehicles crossing the border into Baja at the time. I asked the Mexican border agents if the FMM were required and he said yes. So I said and pointed towards all the vehicles crossing "then all of those people already have FMMs?" He nodded and said they should.

Obviously the laws are only good when enforced and the FMM isn't enforced. My concern is that I have read that if you get into a vehicle accident and do not have your valid FMM that the auto insurance company may make your policy invalid. What is everyone's thought on this?

Thank you
Darren

David K - 6-28-2016 at 10:26 AM

Yes indeed! The OP even comments he was getting his... but wondered about all those non-Mexican plated cars driving into Mexico without stopping for their tourist card.

While getting ours in Mexicali, we were the only car that stopped at INM to get the FMM in the 20 or so minutes we were there, on a busy Saturday morning... We could see dozens of U.S. campers and 4x4s driving into Mexico and not stopping.

Obviously, everyone else already had a 180 day FMM that was still valid!! (LOL, wink, wink)

DJM86 - 6-28-2016 at 11:20 AM

Thanks everyone for the replies. I searched prior to posting but that link to the post above didn't come up. I used "auto" and not "car". Oh well.
Yeah I'm sure the vast majority of people do not get FMMs or even auto insurance for that matter. But the practical side of me says to just get it. A small price to pay for the peace of mind.

Thanks again for the replies. T-3 days until I'm headed down to Baja.

[Edited on 6-28-2016 by DJM86]

Welcome to the forum!

AKgringo - 6-28-2016 at 12:53 PM

I just realized you were new to this board, welcome, and please let us know how it goes! If you see something, say something (and photos would be nice)!

sancho - 6-28-2016 at 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DJM86  

Yeah I'm sure the vast majority of people do not get FMMs or even auto insurance for that matter. But the practical side of me says to just get it. A small price to pay for the peace of mind.

[Edited on 6-28-2016 by DJM86]










Up until last Oct., Mex Imm would unofficially not require fmm's
for short, a few days visit, down to Ensenada or so. As of last
Oct., their official position changed, so ALL visitors to Baja
regardless of length of days or milage into Baja technically
require an fmm. All peds walking into TJ have to get some
fmm to enter. They don't have the space or manpower to
enforce that for tourists entering by vehicle to get an fmm.
Some tourists don't know the current regs others don't want
the bother. Good ? as to what % of tourists get Mex Ins, I'm
guessing it is fairly high


Alm - 6-28-2016 at 01:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DJM86  
Thanks everyone for the replies. I searched prior to posting but that link to the post above didn't come up. I used "auto" and not "car". Oh well.
Yeah I'm sure the vast majority of people do not get FMMs or even auto insurance for that matter.

"auto" - must be the other side of the pond, eh?

It's hard to tell, but I don't think that majority of people don't get FMM. Though I think that there are many. Who knows...

People living in Ca and crossing this border often, usually get 180 days FMM. Or they get Residente Permanente status.

I would not completely 100% rely on words of US insurance broker. They sell insurance but they don't make decisions when it comes to paying.

David K - 6-28-2016 at 01:55 PM

If only they could allow on-line FMM purchasing to be as easy as Baja Bound on-line insurance purchasing... without the need to stop at the border to have it validated!

Bajaboy - 6-28-2016 at 01:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If only they could allow on-line FMM purchasing to be as easy as Baja Bound on-line insurance purchasing... without the need to stop at the border to have it validated!


You should hear all the troubles Mexicanos go through trying to get their tourist visas. Stopping at the border to get a validation is nothing:light:

Bajaboy - 6-28-2016 at 02:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Well, you see that's how we differ... I am for people rights, which means less government regulations and less interference with our mobility. You seem to want governments to compete to make things the most difficult for people to live and travel?

I propose a way to make travel to Mexico easier.
You respond with a reason to keep it difficult.
Anyway, this thread is about going into Mexico, not about going into the U.S.


David, I travel to Baja all the time and find it is very easy to do so. And I respect the laws of Mexico and get the required paperwork. Why would one not is beyond me?!

I am relating first hand information from plenty of Mexicans who point out the difficulties they have traveling to the US. I agree we should make it easier for Mexicans to enter the US instead of more difficult. More tourists in the USA is a good thing, right?

UnoMas - 6-28-2016 at 05:17 PM

Even though your insurance company say your insurance is valid without a visa does anyone know about an accident with an injury or fatality. Even though you might get your car fixed how would being in Mexico illegally play with the laws in Mexico?

David K - 6-28-2016 at 05:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Well, you see that's how we differ... I am for people rights, which means less government regulations and less interference with our mobility. You seem to want governments to compete to make things the most difficult for people to live and travel?

I propose a way to make travel to Mexico easier.
You respond with a reason to keep it difficult.
Anyway, this thread is about going into Mexico, not about going into the U.S.


David, I travel to Baja all the time and find it is very easy to do so. And I respect the laws of Mexico and get the required paperwork. Why would one not is beyond me?!

I am relating first hand information from plenty of Mexicans who point out the difficulties they have traveling to the US. I agree we should make it easier for Mexicans to enter the US instead of more difficult. More tourists in the USA is a good thing, right?


Yes, more legal tourists is a good thing, with none of us staying on after the vacation to get free medical care, housing, and voting privileges.

I have no disagreement about it being harder for Mexicans to visit the United States, but it is done all the time.
It is no excuse for anyone crossing over a frontier, fence, wall, or tunnel instead of the authorized border gates.

PaulW - 6-28-2016 at 07:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by UnoMas  
Even though your insurance company say your insurance is valid without a visa does anyone know about an accident with an injury or fatality. Even though you might get your car fixed how would being in Mexico illegally play with the laws in Mexico?

=======
Depends on the cop. Breaking the law with no papers you should plan on some jail time. With good papers they wont care about jail.

bajaguy - 6-28-2016 at 07:02 PM

How would Mexican INM validate a US passport on-line??
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
If only they could allow on-line FMM purchasing to be as easy as Baja Bound on-line insurance purchasing... without the need to stop at the border to have it validated!

Bajaboy - 6-28-2016 at 09:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Well, you see that's how we differ... I am for people rights, which means less government regulations and less interference with our mobility. You seem to want governments to compete to make things the most difficult for people to live and travel?

I propose a way to make travel to Mexico easier.
You respond with a reason to keep it difficult.
Anyway, this thread is about going into Mexico, not about going into the U.S.


David, I travel to Baja all the time and find it is very easy to do so. And I respect the laws of Mexico and get the required paperwork. Why would one not is beyond me?!

I am relating first hand information from plenty of Mexicans who point out the difficulties they have traveling to the US. I agree we should make it easier for Mexicans to enter the US instead of more difficult. More tourists in the USA is a good thing, right?


Yes, more legal tourists is a good thing, with none of us staying on after the vacation to get free medical care, housing, and voting privileges.

I have no disagreement about it being harder for Mexicans to visit the United States, but it is done all the time.
It is no excuse for anyone crossing over a frontier, fence, wall, or tunnel instead of the authorized border gates.


So yes we're in agreement! We don't need anymore walls just enforcement of the existing laws! :light:

mtgoat666 - 6-28-2016 at 09:36 PM

Tear down the wall!
Open borders!
One world, one people!
peace and harmony trump nationalistic hoarding!

bajatrailrider - 6-29-2016 at 08:32 AM

:bounce:
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Tear down the wall!
Open borders!
One world, one people!
peace and harmony trump nationalistic hoarding!
:bounce::bounce::bounce:

BajaMama - 6-29-2016 at 08:49 AM

Personally I love the whole Baja experience. I like stopping at the border to get my FMM stamped. The agents are so serious I make it my mission to get smiles out of them. I like the soldiers at the check points (I have been giving gifts of American chocolate candy - the only check that refuses the gift was San Ignacio). They are respectful and nice and always ask about my dog. It is especially funny because my father in law, who I follow when we drive home, always tells them something about me which I can't figure out. All I know is that they are always laughing and smiling when I drive up for inspection. In turn I respect Mexico and its' laws. So far I have never had trouble.

David K - 6-29-2016 at 08:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
Personally I love the whole Baja experience. I like stopping at the border to get my FMM stamped. The agents are so serious I make it my mission to get smiles out of them. I like the soldiers at the check points (I have been giving gifts of American chocolate candy - the only check that refuses the gift was San Ignacio). They are respectful and nice and always ask about my dog. It is especially funny because my father in law, who I follow when we drive home, always tells them something about me which I can't figure out. All I know is that they are always laughing and smiling when I drive up for inspection. In turn I respect Mexico and its' laws. So far I have never had trouble.


Perfect attitude! The best way to enjoy a Mexican vacation is to blend as much as you can with the way it is done there.

sancho - 6-29-2016 at 10:38 AM

Quote: Originally posted by UnoMas  
Even though your insurance company say your insurance is valid without a visa does anyone know about an accident with an injury or fatality. Even though you might get your car fixed how would being in Mexico illegally play with the laws in Mexico?









I'm highly sceptical of Ins Co's, Mex Ins Co's included. I see them looking for a way out, either thru fine print, which many
ploicy holders don't read. The adjusters that respond, are not
employees of a particular Ins Co, but work with many Co's.
The US brokers don't have the final say. the Mex Ins Co's do. Many Mex cops responding to an
incident, if given the chance. are not above soliciting mordida.
Never did understand the intentional avoidance of Mex regs,
laws

mtgoat666 - 6-29-2016 at 12:39 PM

The thought of not carrying a valid visa while in mexico has never crossed my mind



daveB - 6-30-2016 at 10:49 AM

So, pedestrians heading for the TJ area are now made to buy the FMM? Is this new? We have crossed many times at El Algodones, and for some years past one could not readily figure out even if you were in Mexico yet. Quite a nice way to "greet" visitors to your country I thought. Leaving was a bit different, show your passport at US Customs after waiting in line, for us we never waited longer than two hours. We used to get on a bicycle rig that could carry four people up to the road entrance, where everyone needed to show their passports, including the Mexican driver, and we got off without going through a long line. They stopped doing the bicycle thing two or three years ago.

sancho - 6-30-2016 at 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by daveB  
So, pedestrians heading for the TJ area are now made to buy the FMM? Is this new?










All peds entering TJ at the newer ped entrance into TJ, on the
east side of Hwy 5, on the east side of the US Customs bldg
will get the free 7 day fmm or the 180 fmm to enter TJ. Those
without passports escorted back to the US, they claim if the line coming in is overly long, they will let tourists in without the fmm. There are 6 desks where one gets an fmm. I understand one can walk into Mexicali for the day without an fmm, TJ appears to be the only crossing with such ped control. Vehicles into TJ are not
stopped, I assume due to lack of space and manpower to
enforce the newer fmm regs













daveB - 7-1-2016 at 10:11 AM

Sancho, gracias for the info!

willardguy - 7-1-2016 at 10:20 AM

kind of related....here's a nice video about the new west pedestrian northbound crossing, from our friends at talkbaja.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhcGbzMY-4o&feature=shar...

SFandH - 7-1-2016 at 11:42 AM

thanks

Babsy - 7-2-2016 at 10:51 AM

It is my understanding that Mexican Auto Insurance for non Mx national cars are auto tourist policies. So, you must have a valid FMM o for be insured. Somewhere on your policy it should state this. If you buy Mx. insur and are not in the country legally you just wasted the money you spent on insurance and you are not covered.