BajaNomad - ACE or HDI Seguros?

ACE or HDI Seguros?

Hook - 10-1-2017 at 10:05 AM

Its about time to renew for me. Probably going through Baja Bound again.

There are two options. ACE and HDI. Significant difference in premium of about 30% for what appears to be identical coverage. HDI is more expensive. I go the drivers license liability route, so I have liability on most anything I drive down there.

According to the BB insurance site, ACE is an A++ rated company, while HDI is "only" A.

Recent memory tells me that ACE had a few instances where they refused to pay for stuff that the policy seemed to cover.

I read Whale-ista's account from 2016, with HDI. That did not seem to be an HDI problem, really. Just questionable stuff with the adjuster and the federal police.

Any other stories that any of you have?

Geoff, care to weigh in?

[Edited on 10-1-2017 by Hook]

bajaguy - 10-1-2017 at 10:41 AM

I had HDI full coverage (with the SENTRI discount) through Bajabound when we had our double rollover.

HDI took care of everything to my satisfaction and went over and beyond what I expected. Even after the accident the rep contacted me several times to make sure I was satisfied

Also a big thanks to Geoff for being there and assisting with the many details.

Completely satisfied with HDI and Bajabound

Udo - 10-1-2017 at 11:12 AM

I will echo bajaguy's report.

Two weeks ago my sister rear-ended a car in Ensenada (the car had no stop lights that worked).
HDI was on site in less than one hour.

aguachico - 10-1-2017 at 12:32 PM

HDI + Sentri. Added the boat and trailer liability also.

sancho - 10-1-2017 at 02:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook

I've had that ? for yrs., I somehow feel I'm settling for something
less with ACE. Don't have any info to back up that feeling though. Not sure, but I believe the rating is for economic slovenly, standing,
as opposed to what I thought as customer satisfaction. I .know one thing, if
standing on the side of a road with a Mex cop after an incident,
and I saved a few $ by not going with what APPEARS to be
a standup Ins. Co. HDI I would feel foolish. Hook, what is
the liability coverage on the drivers license policy?

woody with a view - 10-1-2017 at 03:46 PM

We’re up in 4 months. I love the ANY ninety days in Baja policy w/ Discover Baja!

Your mileae may vary?

Hook - 10-2-2017 at 04:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

There are two options. ACE and HDI. Significant difference in premium of about 30% for what appears to be identical coverage. HDI is more expensive. I go the drivers license liability route, so I have liability on most anything I drive down there.

I've had that ? for yrs., I somehow feel I'm settling for something
less with ACE. Don't have any info to back up that feeling though. Not sure, but I believe the rating is for economic slovenly, standing,
as opposed to what I thought as customer satisfaction. I .know one thing, if
standing on the side of a road with a Mex cop after an incident,
and I saved a few $ by not going with what APPEARS to be
a standup Ins. Co. HDI I would feel foolish. Hook, what is
the liability coverage on the drivers license policy?

You choose the amount of liability coverage you want. Both companies, I believe go up to 500k for third party liability. HDI offers the option of excess liability beyond that, in case a third party is fatally injured. ACE does not offer that. HDI also offers increased medical payments for persons in your vehicle. Not sure if that covers members of your family or whether it is third party persons in your vehicle. That could be rather important, really.

You should go online to the Baja Bound site. Very easy to get a quote. Choose the coverage options you want and it shows the premium below, in real time.

Still hoping for some feedback about ACE, one way or the other.

[Edited on 10-2-2017 by Hook]

15389 - 10-2-2017 at 01:43 PM

ACE A+ COMPANY!
We hit a large pot hole with our truck & camper last year and did over $6000.00 in damages to the truck bed and body mounts. We couldn't avoid it as there was a truck coming in the other lane. We could still drive so we drove it to a RV park. Ace sent an adjuster right out. They asked if I wanted to take it to LaPaz and get it to a body shop but luckily with a little bit of repair we were able to drive it back to the US. We got 3 quotes to get it repaired when we got home emailed them to ACE and they wire transferred the money into my account in just a couple of days.

David K - 10-2-2017 at 05:05 PM

Great to hear that BOTH companies used by Baja Bound and Discover Baja have such great reviews!

I personally have HDI Premium (with the legal aid package... to get me out of jail, I hope)!

Hook - 10-2-2017 at 08:07 PM

I'm strongly leaning towards HDI, even with the premium, er, premium.

I received a horror story about "the other company" by u2u that, combined with the glowing accounts about HDI, has me leaning. Not willing to share the details but it was a tale of impedance, all along the way.

Maybe "the other company's" premiums are lower because they wiggle out of paying more; hence, lower expenses?

I need to be upfront that all of these accounts, good and bad, were about collision/comprehensive-type coverage with claims for repairs to their own vehicles. That's not the type of coverage I am getting. Simple liability.

But the patterns are what have me leaning towards HDI.

[Edited on 10-3-2017 by Hook]

WestyWanderer - 10-2-2017 at 09:31 PM

For those that are more experienced than I, what about Qualitas and Grupo Ausa as offered by Lewis and Lewis? Has anyone had first hand experience filing a claim with them?

(Sorry for the thread jack Hook but it seems that you’re well on your way to making your decision and I felt this was along the same lines as the original post)

bajabuddha - 10-2-2017 at 10:31 PM

I will never... EVER... buy an insurance policy... FROM ANYONE WEARING... a WHITE KITCHEN APRON!

OK, for all those who've had a humorectomy, sarcasm alert: Flo on TV commercials selling insurance. Get it now? Sheesh.

[Edited on 10-3-2017 by bajabuddha]

TMW - 10-3-2017 at 07:24 AM

Why? Sounds like a motherly touch.

Hook - 10-3-2017 at 08:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha

I will never... EVER... buy an insurance policy... FROM ANYONE WEARING... a WHITE KITCHEN APRON!

What's this all about? :?:

David K - 10-3-2017 at 08:54 AM

Late night TV infomercials selling kitchen aids and grilling machines.

woody with a view - 10-3-2017 at 01:39 PM

Get it and forget it!

sancho - 10-3-2017 at 04:25 PM

4 yrs. ago, or so, Mexico raised it's death benefits, that is if one
is at fault driving a vehicle and causes a fatality. To confuse things, the amount can be different in different Mex states, BC
is different than BCS. etc. Does anyone here factor that in?
Libility on policies can go from $50k to $500k. I believe one or both of
the San Diego Mex Ins brokers suggest $300k. Not sure what
is considered sufficient, but to be underinsured would ruin
one's day, or yrs. You can beat this Ins question thing into
the ground, but a policy with $50k is gambling

SFandH - 10-3-2017 at 05:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

4 yrs. ago, or so, Mexico raised it's death benefits, that is if one
is at fault driving a vehicle and causes a fatality.

I'd like to see an authoritative source that contains the numbers for BC and BCS.

sancho - 10-3-2017 at 08:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

I'd like to see an authoritative source that contains the numbers for BC and BCS.

I appreciate your inquiry, maybe? These # may be used to inflate the cost of a policy,
the second one may make my point, not to suggest these #
are absolute nor typically awarded, but here they are in print,
for BCS total @ $335k dlls. per fatality.
www.sanborns.com/hdi_excess_liability/default.aspx
www.mexadventure.com/insurance-information/Death_Liability_L...

BajaGeoff - 10-4-2017 at 03:15 PM

Sorry for the late reply Hook....I was off the grid down in Baja the last few days. ACE and HDI are good companies, and I have personally used both to insure various vehicles over the years. If I had to pick just one, I would go with HDI simply because they seem to have more flexibility in resolving claims that are more complicated. Other than that, the coverage options they offer are very similar.

A question for Geoff about the drivers license policy

AKgringo - 10-4-2017 at 03:55 PM

I am planning a fall, and spring trip this year. Since I plan on driving two different vehicles and they are both low value, I am looking at the annual policy.

If one of my family intends to join me at some point, can they be added to an existing policy, or must they be named on the original document?

[Edited on 10-4-2017 by AKgringo]

PaulW - 10-4-2017 at 06:29 PM

only good for persons named on the original policy. Not even sure if someone else not living at the same address can even be on the contract? Ask the insurance person.

surabi - 10-4-2017 at 06:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I am planning a fall, and spring trip this year. Since I plan on driving two different vehicles and they are both low value, I am looking at the annual policy.

If one of my family intends to join me at some point, can they be added to an existing policy, or must they be named on the original document?

[Edited on 10-4-2017 by AKgringo]

I have HDI insurance on my Mexican plated car. Not a tourist policy. My agent told me that anyone can drive my car, that it is the car that is covered, not a specific driver.
This might vary on a tourist policy. And you should be asking your question of the insurance company or agent, not folks on a public forum, unless you are just going to blindly trust what people have to say.

David K - 10-4-2017 at 08:26 PM

He said a "question for Geoff" (Geoff is the owner of Baja Bound Insurance).

AKgringo - 10-5-2017 at 09:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

He said a "question for Geoff" (Geoff is the owner of Baja Bound Insurance).

You are correct David, Geoff was on line when I asked the question, and I thought others might be interested in the answer.

I have already decided to get an annual liability only policy, which allows for up to three drivers. Another annual occurrence is family and friends that tell me they would love to fly down and join me in Baja. Trying to guess who might actually follow through and make the trip is a bet that I would not take, so I was wondering if someone could be added to an existing policy.

When I get around to setting a start date (soon) I will share the info here.

BajaGeoff - 10-5-2017 at 01:09 PM

Hello AK....glad you found the info about adding extra drivers. One quick note.....for the annual policies, ACE and HDI only allow us to make one edit for the duration of the policy, as it changes the policy number and all of the new information has to be resubmitted to the underwriter.

One easy option is just having your friend(s) get a daily liability policy on your vehicle for the time they will be visiting...which is very inexpensive.

AKgringo - 10-5-2017 at 03:18 PM

Thank you Geoff, That is the information I needed!

eguillermo - 12-3-2017 at 12:08 PM

This is a really helpful thread, thanks

The only thing I would add is, that if you're buying from Discover Baja, make sure to try turning the dials up and selecting higher amounts of coverage for the options; it's surprising how little the premium rises to double the coverage.

Saying this in case anyone else might be a hasty and thoughtless as I have been in the past, thinking insurance was "just a box to be checked." A couple times I have just uncritically bought the first policy shown.

sancho - 12-3-2017 at 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by eguillermo

That goes for any policy/ broker.
I'm spooked by the thought of being underinsured, there are
some $50k commonly issued policies out there. Although one of the San Diego brokers
got back to me stating they believe the highest amount
one of their claims was $90k, but if the unlikely were to
happen, I can think of nothing worse than than holding
a policy that would not cover you