BajaNomad

Insurance coverage off road.

philodog - 9-19-2017 at 08:16 AM

I found this exclusion to coverage deep down in my Mexico auto insurance policy. I read this as not only is my vehicle not covered for damage when on a non paved road but also it is not covered for damage caused "by" my vehicle (including injuries) on a non paved road. In other words my vehicle is not insured on dirt roads for anything. Thoughts? This is ABA Seguros insurance from Vagabundos.

CLAUSE 2. EXCLUSIONS
This insurance will never cover:

XI. The losses or damages caused by
the Vehicle described in the cover
sheet of the policy caused for
using non-paved roads or which
conditions render them unusable.

woody with a view - 9-19-2017 at 08:25 AM

Not sure of your policy but mine says something to the effect of non standard roads. Meaning if its the only road thru an area that all traffic must use i'm covered. Driving down a sandy beach and getting stuck and swamped, not so much.

philodog - 9-19-2017 at 08:33 AM

Non paved road is a direct quote from my policy.

SFandH - 9-19-2017 at 08:34 AM

Mine has an exclusion that says:

"Damages caused from traveling on nonconventional or non-municipal roads."

BTW, there is also an exclusion that says:

"The insured is illegally in the country."

ACE Seguros via Bajabound insurance services.

[Edited on 9-19-2017 by SFandH]

motoged - 9-19-2017 at 08:54 AM

Yep, it's good to read the fine print...I discovered that wording 10 years ago.....primary concern was theft more than off-road collisions....

Dirt crash???? Have it towed to pavement is the only option....or don't crash....a few years ago some BN jeepers crashed due to losing control when going too fast for the conditions....off-road crashes are usually due to excessive speed, raised testosterone, and limited cognitive integration . It comes with the territory:light:

philodog - 9-19-2017 at 09:40 AM

my biggest concern is damage or injury caused "by" my vehicle (as opposed to to my vehicle). Injury or death can get pretty expensive. What do other companies policies state for exclusions of this type? Direct copy and paste from the policy would be best.

David K - 9-19-2017 at 09:51 AM

You should just call your agent. Baja roads are mostly dirt road miles. Even driveways from the highway into RV parks are usually unpaved.

philodog - 9-19-2017 at 10:01 AM

Last insurance agent I talked to assured me my trailer was covered until I got in an accident and oops, he meant for liability. Good bye trailer. It`s all about what is written in the contract not what an agent might tell you. I just asked Bajabound to email a copy of their policies. Any other reputable companies?

SFandH - 9-19-2017 at 10:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by philodog  
my biggest concern is damage or injury caused "by" my vehicle (as opposed to to my vehicle). Injury or death can get pretty expensive. What do other companies policies state for exclusions of this type? Direct copy and paste from the policy would be best.


Yes, that's the worry, liability. I don't even carry collision. My concern is the little kid that runs out into the street chasing a ball when I drive into town to go to the store. Accidents that you just can't avoid no matter how careful you are.

[Edited on 9-19-2017 by SFandH]

AKgringo - 9-19-2017 at 11:17 AM


I don't know if there is something useful in the thread, but the topic came up a while back, here is the link; http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86825&got...

Finchaser2020 - 9-19-2017 at 11:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Not sure of your policy but mine says something to the effect of non standard roads. Meaning if its the only road thru an area that all traffic must use i'm covered. Driving down a sandy beach and getting stuck and swamped, not so much.



Why do I think the last sentence was directed at me????:O

sancho - 9-19-2017 at 11:47 AM

As already posted, on the Bajabound ACE policy states,
1.6 EXCLUSIONS #12 'Damages caused from traveling
on unconventional or non-municipal roads'. That leaves
a lot of wiggle room for an Ins Co to deny a claim

4x4abc - 9-19-2017 at 01:31 PM

always remember - insurance companies are in the business of making money. They make the most money when they don't spend much (on claims).

bajatrailrider - 9-20-2017 at 08:58 AM

as above post tow from dirt road to pavement then report. if only truck damaged.

norte - 9-20-2017 at 09:05 AM

Thats right. Don't clarify with your insurance agent. Lie, cheat, and steal. That is the way to take care of it. Builds character.

TMW - 9-20-2017 at 09:50 AM

Some US insurance companies will cover your vehicle within a certain distance from the border and I don't think they care whether you have been in the dirt or not. Allstate is 75 miles. When I asked my agent how they would know if I was within 75 miles he said aren't you always within 75 miles.

TMW - 9-20-2017 at 09:58 AM

When I wrecked my 93 Toyota in Dec of 07 at the south end of Mexicali on Hwy 5 we towed it across the border and fixed it enough to drive home. When I contacted Allstate they had me fill out a form and send it to the CHP. The CHP sent it back saying since the wreck was in Mexico they had no jurisdiction. Allstate totaled the truck and paid me off.

FYI, I had no police report since they wanted a payoff, actually paid two different set of officers at different times getting to the border. Ken Cooke can tell you about that. Allstate never asked about a police report.

BajaTed - 9-20-2017 at 10:12 AM

Common story told in the paddocks @ racetracks in SoCal :

Over the top guy takes his high $$$ Porsche to race track and wads the car up in a roll over. Calls flatbed to take him up to the side of highway and tries to stage the car as a street accident. Then convicted of insurance fraud when Porsche got the cars black box to rat him out with GPS and time stamped data.

Don't kid yourself if a Raptor or a newer TOYOTA doesn't have the same capability.

David K - 9-20-2017 at 10:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
When I wrecked my 93 Toyota in Dec of 07 at the south end of Mexicali on Hwy 5 we towed it across the border and fixed it enough to drive home. When I contacted Allstate they had me fill out a form and send it to the CHP. The CHP sent it back saying since the wreck was in Mexico they had no jurisdiction. Allstate totaled the truck and paid me off.

FYI, I had no police report since they wanted a payoff, actually paid two different set of officers at different times getting to the border. Ken Cooke can tell you about that. Allstate never asked about a police report.


State Farm coverage goes 50 miles into Mexico... as the crow flys.

philodog - 9-20-2017 at 11:28 AM

Got this response from Bajabound:

On the ACE terms and conditions you can find that information in the
Exclusions section, which are in sections 1.6.
The 12th exclusion states:

- Damages caused from traveling on nonconventional or non-municipal
roads.


On HDI's terms and conditions, the information is found in Section 4,
Clause 1.
The information reads:

- Loss or damages sustained or caused in the operation of the insured
vehicle off conventional roads or on roads not in good driving condition.
(Conventional Road shall be understood as a road adapted and/or designed to
be used by vehicles authorized to transport passengers on a private basis,
and on which there are reasonable signs of the normal transit of vehicles).


Conventional roads are roads that are normally transited, have signage, and
are on a map are generally considered conventional roads. Dirt roads may be
municipal as well if they have these characteristics. There is no coverage
on roads that are impassable.

Looks like I`m switching to HDI because of their clear language.

woody with a view - 9-20-2017 at 11:41 AM

That HDI statement was what I was paraphrasing. I keep forgetting to look in my truck for the policy. Discover Baja's any 90 day annual full coverage.

David K - 9-20-2017 at 11:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by philodog  
Got this response from Bajabound:

On the ACE terms and conditions you can find that information in the
Exclusions section, which are in sections 1.6.
The 12th exclusion states:

- Damages caused from traveling on nonconventional or non-municipal
roads.


On HDI's terms and conditions, the information is found in Section 4,
Clause 1.
The information reads:

- Loss or damages sustained or caused in the operation of the insured
vehicle off conventional roads or on roads not in good driving condition.
(Conventional Road shall be understood as a road adapted and/or designed to
be used by vehicles authorized to transport passengers on a private basis,
and on which there are reasonable signs of the normal transit of vehicles).


Conventional roads are roads that are normally transited, have signage, and
are on a map are generally considered conventional roads. Dirt roads may be
municipal as well if they have these characteristics. There is no coverage
on roads that are impassable.

Looks like I`m switching to HDI because of their clear language.


That's what I have! Thanks for relaxing those who were stressed out with the printout. Baja is covered with dirt roads of all types. If it is impassable, we wouldn't be on them, right? I have messed up my rear bumper and put a dent in the underside while on a pretty bad but popular dirt road but would never whine to an insurance company for covering that kind of thing. Probably any road that requires 4WD or Low Range would be considered impassable (to most), and that was what I was on (going to Mission Santa Maria)!

I have insurance more for the cities and highway to protect me from damage caused by the other guy. HDI Premium also has legal aid included as we know in Mexico, you are guilty until proven innocent (at least it was that way, but I think they are changing those Napoleonic laws?)!