BajaNomad

Insurance for older 4x4

N2Baja - 10-3-2016 at 07:55 PM

Hello Everyone,

Has anyone found a source for insurance coverage for their older 4x4? One that will offer more than just liability?

I have a 67 Bronco that's had some upgrades done on it, and I would like to have a bit more coverage.

Thanks for any advice!

Melanie

liknbaja127 - 10-3-2016 at 08:08 PM

We had to get our 74 VW thing appraised before we could get better coverage. State Farm did it for us. but we are paying for it!
67 Bronco, very cool! I have 2 friends doing rebuild, one is a 72 the other is a 74.

N2Baja - 10-3-2016 at 08:21 PM

Thanks for the reply liknbaja! Good luck to your friends with their Broncos. Keep an eye on them though. Once they start with the rebuild, they won't be able to stop! lol.

Does State Farm cover your 74 VW down in Baja?

MMc - 10-3-2016 at 08:25 PM

Nope. It's not a Mexico recognized insecure.

N2Baja - 10-3-2016 at 08:53 PM

I'm beginning to think I'm out of luck. :no:

David K - 10-3-2016 at 09:40 PM

Talk to Baja Bound or Discover Baja for Mexican insurance options.

captain4tuna - 10-3-2016 at 09:58 PM

BB and DB liability only for vehicles older than 15 years.....Call Elena in Ensenada.....We've been dealing with her for a few years now....She's awesome....and affordable....646.146.3730 or 646.178.5715.....email is elenabretts@yahoo.com or cbretts@me.com

N2Baja - 10-3-2016 at 11:48 PM

Thank you for the tip Captain! I'll call tomorrow! :bounce:

pacificobob - 10-4-2016 at 09:28 AM

i would think the rub would be when a total loss occurs due to theft, or collision. the pay-out might reflect their opinion of value, not yours. some us policies cover collision in mex , but not libility. if the repair work is done in the US.
thats the way we insure tour class b rv.... a liability policy for mex, full coverage in the USA. good luck, its tough to end up feeling good about insurance ,cheers

roldanojr - 10-4-2016 at 09:50 AM

Hi

As far as I know, State farm covers 25 miles at border city's, but last month we went to B S L Gonzaga and bought additional insurance 5 days for around 40.00 Dls. And they offered a tourist insurance for a whole year.

In 2010 I worked for a company in San Diego, and I had to travel 3 to 4 days week to Tj and Mexicali as a sales man, in order to be covered I bought a tourist insurance for my 1983 Mercedes Benz full coverage 600.00 Dls whole year. I did not have problem about the year or how old it is.

TMW - 10-4-2016 at 05:52 PM

Check with your US insurance co. Allstate covers the vehicle within 75 miles of the border.Several years ago I asked my agent how they would know if I was within 75 miles and he said "isn't everywhere in Baja within 75 miles".

David K - 10-4-2016 at 05:58 PM

State Farm covers damages to my truck to 50 miles from the border line south. Of course, that is not liability, which you must have from a Mexican company.

Many years ago, I was hit from behind, and that driver did not stop after hitting then passing me... it happened near Laguna Hanson. State Farm covered the small damage to my truck.

pacificobob - 10-5-2016 at 06:37 AM

i think progressive just states "mexico", w/o stating a mile limit SOB.

Allstate and 75 miles

John M - 10-5-2016 at 07:21 AM

Once again TMW is correct - Pretty soon I'm going to start believing EVERYTHING he writes!

We had two accidents within 24 hours in Baja, many years ago. Our Mexican insurance was void for reasons I won't go into.

When we got home we contacted our agent. We dealt with him only.
Our Allstate insurance paid for repairs to our vehicles plus the "other guy" in Baja.

I don't know how our agent dealt with the company and didn't ask, just pleased we had Allstate and a good agent.

John

pappy - 10-5-2016 at 12:56 PM

check out Grundy auto insurance. they specialize in older, collectible cars as well as modern stuff as well.

N2Baja - 10-6-2016 at 10:39 AM

Thank you everyone for your replies. I'm going to be about 200 or so miles south of the border, so any company that limits the distance from the border wouldn't work for me.

I'll check with the companies suggested here and post back what I find.

Again, thank you!

pacificobob - 10-8-2016 at 06:12 AM

this regarding ins from progressive:

A number of car insurance companies do offer coverage for physical damage to your car when driving a short distance into Mexico -- generally only 25 to 50 miles south of the border, although Progressive offers an RV policy that extends physical damage coverage throughout all of Mexico, but must be supplemented with a Mexican liability policy. U.S.-based insurance companies are not permitted to offer liability insurance in Mexico; this type of policy must be purchased separately from a Mexican insurance carrier.

N2Baja - 10-8-2016 at 07:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
this regarding ins from progressive:

A number of car insurance companies do offer coverage for physical damage to your car when driving a short distance into Mexico -- generally only 25 to 50 miles south of the border, although Progressive offers an RV policy that extends physical damage coverage throughout all of Mexico, but must be supplemented with a Mexican liability policy. U.S.-based insurance companies are not permitted to offer liability insurance in Mexico; this type of policy must be purchased separately from a Mexican insurance carrier.


Great information Pacificobob, thank you! Do you know if there is a mexican company that will offer more than just liability for an older vehicle? I'd like to get theft and collision too, if at all possible. So far, I'm not having any luck.

Hey, I wonder who the guys from NORRA use. :light:

pacificobob - 10-9-2016 at 02:04 PM

N2baja, good question regarding norra. i would venture a guess finding a mexican company who would value a total loss like you would. i look forward to the results of your research. keep us posted, cheers

PaulW - 10-10-2016 at 07:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by N2Baja  

Hello Everyone,

Has anyone found a source for insurance coverage for their older 4x4? One that will offer more than just liability?

I have a 67 Bronco that's had some upgrades done on it, and I would like to have a bit more coverage.

Thanks for any advice!

Melanie

=== =====
MX insurance more than liability is a waste of money. Any MX company settlement will be so down graded that your out of pocket cost will be high. The older the vehicle the worse it is. Generally old rigs sell for low prices and the insurance companies know it. Up grades are usually ignored for insurance purposes, especially in MX.

Considering you have a very collectible rig your biggest risk is theft.
My advice is leave the Bronco in the states and find a substitute. That is what I do, I bought a Jeep for use in Baja. My 72 EB will not be seen in Baja.
Having said the above, I have a big Bronco prerunner that has lived in Baja for 13 years. No problems, however it is kept in a locked garage at my casa and is never used for trips to town or any public place and for sure when those rare occasions, it is always attended. It is strictly for desert use.
The last EB I saw in town was stolen right in front of the Miramar Bar while the owner was not looking. That Bronco was never located. I think the owner and his buddy were distracted to allow the theft to occur. Someone said it was pushed into a box trailer.
If you are coming to Baja for a race or other event I would just recommend getting the usual MX liability and skip any add ons. However you must have the Bronco attended at all times. Do like the racers do - the sleep in the thing or find a hotel with attended security. Do not park in front of a Bar.

As an alternative, Buy MX liabilty insurance and try to find a specialty company that will cover theft regardless of where the thing is stolen. Get on Race-dezert.com and ask which insurance company offer theft insurance for a fancy early bronco in MX and US. Two policies would be good.

Sorry to be so negative, but that is what I believe.

N2Baja - 10-10-2016 at 10:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Quote: Originally posted by N2Baja  

Hello Everyone,

Has anyone found a source for insurance coverage for their older 4x4? One that will offer more than just liability?

I have a 67 Bronco that's had some upgrades done on it, and I would like to have a bit more coverage.

Thanks for any advice!

Melanie

=== =====
MX insurance more than liability is a waste of money. Any MX company settlement will be so down graded that your out of pocket cost will be high. The older the vehicle the worse it is. Generally old rigs sell for low prices and the insurance companies know it. Up grades are usually ignored for insurance purposes, especially in MX.

Considering you have a very collectible rig your biggest risk is theft.
My advice is leave the Bronco in the states and find a substitute. That is what I do, I bought a Jeep for use in Baja. My 72 EB will not be seen in Baja.
Having said the above, I have a big Bronco prerunner that has lived in Baja for 13 years. No problems, however it is kept in a locked garage at my casa and is never used for trips to town or any public place and for sure when those rare occasions, it is always attended. It is strictly for desert use.
The last EB I saw in town was stolen right in front of the Miramar Bar while the owner was not looking. That Bronco was never located. I think the owner and his buddy were distracted to allow the theft to occur. Someone said it was pushed into a box trailer.
If you are coming to Baja for a race or other event I would just recommend getting the usual MX liability and skip any add ons. However you must have the Bronco attended at all times. Do like the racers do - the sleep in the thing or find a hotel with attended security. Do not park in front of a Bar.

As an alternative, Buy MX liabilty insurance and try to find a specialty company that will cover theft regardless of where the thing is stolen. Get on Race-dezert.com and ask which insurance company offer theft insurance for a fancy early bronco in MX and US. Two policies would be good.

Sorry to be so negative, but that is what I believe.


Good Morning Paul. You've said here exactly what has been lurking in the back of my mind. I jokingly told a friend that I was going to just handcuff myself to the steering wheel.

I have posted in RDC and anticipate the same responses there as I've gotten here.

All this is making me reconsider which vehicle I drive down. Luckily I have some time before the trip to decide what I should do. I appreciate you being blunt and straight forward.

I appreciate all the great information that has been provided here. I wish I could have found a company that offered more coverage, but every one I contacted had the same policy.

So my conclusion at this time is that any vehicle over 15 years old will be eligible for medical/liability only

Thanks again everyone!!

pacificobob - 10-10-2016 at 04:01 PM

my 2 cents , i had a collision in la paz 2 years ago. the adjuster was on the scene 20 minutes after the crash. the repairs were done to a high standard. i would hope things would go that well up north with my US insurer. btw i was insured by ACE .

N2Baja - 10-10-2016 at 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
my 2 cents , i had a collision in la paz 2 years ago. the adjuster was on the scene 20 minutes after the crash. the repairs were done to a high standard. i would hope things would go that well up north with my US insurer. btw i was insured by ACE .


My husband rolled and totaled his truck about 8 years ago and we were very pleased with the service we got from the insurance company. It seems we only hear of the horror stories from people who don't get the service they should have. Its good to be able to relay stories of when it goes right, like you and I have here.

In this post I was hoping to find a company offering full insurance coverage for an older vehicle. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem possible.


Thank you