What insurance company would you recommend for a trip down Baja way? Is it worth joining BajaBound or DiscoverBaja or Vagabundos or one of those
clubs?
Thanks!
Chrisadvrider - 10-7-2018 at 12:38 PM
I always use Baja bound, I don't remember having to join to get insurance? They have good prices and I've only read good things about them. AKgringo - 10-7-2018 at 12:45 PM
Because I drive a low value vehicle, and like the freedom of heading south with little planning, I have an annual policy with Bajabound.
It covers liability only, but is far less than buying a couple of short term policies over a years time. There is no membership requirement.
Edit; The policy I bought is a driver's license policy, which covers me no matter which car I drive. I only have myself insured, but I am pretty
sure more than one person can be on the policy.
[Edited on 10-13-2018 by AKgringo]sancho - 10-7-2018 at 12:50 PM
As mentioned, bajabound is not a pay to join club,
you have to toss numbers around, some of the $
depends on the amount of liability you feel comfortable
with, starts with some at $50k to $500k, I've always
debated with myself over that amountKell-Baja - 10-7-2018 at 01:51 PM
Baja Bound and Discover Baja both sell high-quality Mexican insurance, annual or by the day, full coverage or just liability. Both are headquartered
in San Diego.
Discover Baja is a club (has nice discounts at businesses in Baja and a full Baja bookstore, they sell to non-members, too). Baja Bound is not a club,
nothing to join. You can buy from either, online, and print the policy out before you leave home.
I have used both and have received great personal service from both. I do currently write the Baja Travel Adventure articles for Baja Bound's online
newsletter: https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/
Baja Fever & Baja Legends author Greg Niemann ('GregN' here on Nomad) is also an article writer for Baja Bound.John Harper - 10-7-2018 at 01:52 PM
I have to run down this Saturday/Sunday for a dental appt. I used Lewis and Lewis. Under $20 for a 24 hour policy with full coverage.
JohnAlm - 10-7-2018 at 08:25 PM
They all sell the same 3-4 Mex policies and are priced similarly (Lewis too). When you buy from places that don't require membership, they either
add "processing fee", or their plans are priced accordingly from the beginning, to include this. In the end you will pay roughly same money for the
same package, no matter what.
What matters is the type/amount of coverage that you're buying, all of them will give you some choice in this matter. On quote pages for DiscBaja or
BaBound pay attention to green tabs/sliders, you can change the options/amounts and the premiums will change. woody with a view - 10-7-2018 at 09:06 PM
DB sells a “any 90 days in Baja” yearly policy with many options. We been locked in to this for many renewals now! YMMVAlm - 10-7-2018 at 11:43 PM
For trip exactly "down Baja way", i.e. getting in and then getting out, it may be cheaper to buy split coverage. Few days for going in, few days for
going back North. In between it will be sitting on the camp while you are enjoying the beach.
Under 1 month you are stuck with expensive daily rates.DeMinimis - 10-8-2018 at 08:25 AM
I've used a couple different ones. Lewis and Lewis is another option (used them the last two times (based solely on value)): https://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/Marc - 10-8-2018 at 10:13 AM
DB sells a “any 90 days in Baja” yearly policy with many options. We been locked in to this for many renewals now! YMMV
Me 2sancho - 10-8-2018 at 02:11 PM
Try as I might, never could see the 90 day policy, I always
thought it left some holes, if push came to shove, where one would have to prove
one was in Mex 90 days a yr. or less per yr., while holding
a 180 day fmm, but I'm a skeptic.
I know fmm's are not regularly part of providing Ins info
in the event of an accident, nor spparently does having a valid
fmm effect one's Mex Insurance
[Edited on 10-8-2018 by sancho]LAKingsFan - 10-13-2018 at 02:42 PM
They all sell the same 3-4 Mex policies and are priced similarly (Lewis too). When you buy from places that don't require membership, they either
add "processing fee", or their plans are priced accordingly from the beginning, to include this. In the end you will pay roughly same money for the
same package, no matter what.
So would I be correct in thinking that if I either pay a membership fee or a processing fee and it all ends up about the same, going with a
membership makes sense because of the other benefits that (I assume) come with it?J.P. - 10-13-2018 at 03:20 PM
I wanted to come down and get my Jeep so a friend offered to bring me down.He had just bought a new car so we stopped at Tecate border and purchased
full coverage ins. for his new car I was impressed with the service and the PRICE WAS FAIR 22 Dls.. FOR 24Hrs.PaulW - 10-13-2018 at 04:01 PM
Most of the folks I know just have MX liability. That provides you with the get out of jail deal in case of an accident.
When the eventual accident occurs just drive or trailer the car back to the states and have your US insurance fix it. Works just fine. Does not
really matter who your Mx carrier is because you don't want the car fixed in Mexico anyway.Hook - 10-13-2018 at 04:15 PM
We have only Mex liability. But we opt for the driver's license policy that covers us no matter what vehicle we drive. Quite a bit cheaper than simply
insuring one car. But we are in Mexico for months at a time. There are occasions where we drive others vehicles.
I gotta find some friends who can hold their liquor....................sancho - 10-13-2018 at 05:33 PM
When the eventual accident occurs just drive or trailer the car back to the states and have your US insurance fix it. Works just fine. Does not
really matter who your Mx carrier is because you don't want the car fixed in Mexico anyway.
That is a fair point re: getting a vehicle fixed in Mex, not
sure one would want that, I suppose some minor repairs
would be possible. Many
Mex Full coverage policies do state repairs can
be done in the US, but some of the $ per hr. they are willing
to pay in the US are not realistic. Having a vehicle towed to
the border, depending on distance could be $$$, there
never has been an easy answer to Mex Ins
So would I be correct in thinking that if I either pay a membership fee or a processing fee and it all ends up about the same, going with a
membership makes sense because of the other benefits that (I assume) come with it?
Yes, it has been my experience that membership does not make things cheaper, in total. Purchased once car and trailer insurance, then car liability
insurance, and on one occasion - so called "driver's license insurance" (liability-only, can use different cars for one year). Could not see savings
with membership. Don't recall any other benefits that come with membership - nothing of value, to me. They are talking about benefits like FMM,
fishing permits etc - don't hold your breath, you will pay same price that Mex govt is charging everybody, and possibly a little extra.
For liability-only and more than one trip, consider annual driver's license insurance. Places without membership sell it from $130/year, membership
clubs - from $90, but membership costs $40... you got the picture.
Like people suggested, shop all 3 providers - BaBo, DiBa and Lewis, play with options/sliders and see what you come up with.
[Edited on 10-14-2018 by Alm]vandy - 10-13-2018 at 07:10 PM
I just got a driver's license annual policy from Bajabound HDI company 150k/150k liability/death and 10k/50k passenger medical for about $260.
Hidden in there somewhere are plane tickets home, legal fees, towing reimbursement.
I used to belong to Discover Baja Travel Club, and I love those people, but I never travel through San Diego any more. Check out their collection of
Baja books sometime. They offer hotel discounts, newsletter, prepaid FMM, fishing license, all printable online.
As said before, it adds up about the same.
[Edited on 10-14-2018 by vandy]AKgringo - 10-13-2018 at 07:43 PM
My driver's license policy is issued by HDI Seguros, and I just looked at it again. One thing that I did not remember because it did not affect my
drive last season, is a couple of exclusions.
I am not covered while driving a motorcycle, ATV, motorhome, rental car, or Mexican plated vehicle.J.P. - 10-13-2018 at 08:53 PM
Most of the folks I know just have MX liability. That provides you with the get out of jail deal in case of an accident.
When the eventual accident occurs just drive or trailer the car back to the states and have your US insurance fix it. Works just fine. Does not
really matter who your Mx carrier is because you don't want the car fixed in Mexico any
I have to disagree I have had several car's fixed in Baja. One example my brother in Laws truck was hit in San Diego they totaled it and he bought it
back for 1.500 and we brought to Ensenada and had it fixed and he came out 3.500 to the good. truck looks better than before accident.
[Edited on 10-20-2018 by BajaNomad]PaulW - 10-14-2018 at 05:38 AM
Agree. Mexican body shops specialize if bringing a totaled vehicle back to drive-able condition. I have had some very good body work done in in San
Felipe. My comment was about having a serious issue and having only liability insurance. In that case take it north and let your US insurance pay. It
always works and is easier on the pocket book.motoged - 10-14-2018 at 09:52 AM
Agree. Mexican body shops specialize if bringing a totaled vehicle back to drive-able condition. I have had some very good body work done in in San
Felipe. My comment was about having a serious issue and having only liability insurance. In that case take it north and let your US insurance pay. It
always works and is easier on the pocket book.
I was under the impression that an accident in Mexico is NOT covered by your Canadian/US insurance....and that is why Mexican insurance is
recommended. An accident/police report may be needed once back home for your claim at home.
What am I missing?Alm - 10-14-2018 at 09:59 AM
FMM and fishing permits can be purchased online, directly from the govt, prepaid and printed without any membership and without postage. FMM can also
be purchased at the border.
Hotel discounts - if you are really after bargain prices - rarely happen when hotel is already priced reasonably.
Collection of books... don't know. Books are not something that people use very often, these days.
