San Diegan stuck in Mexican jail after crashing without insurance

Reminder: insurance is good (so is a valid fmm)

https://www.10news.com/news/san-diegan-stuck-in-mexican-jail...

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Friends and family are desperately trying to secure the release of a 41-year-old San Diego man who has been held in a Mexican jail since Sunday.

Rob Thomas, a Marine veteran and avid surfer, has been kept in custody after Mexican authorities determined he was at fault for a traffic collision that sent four people to the hospital, according to friends and local news outlet Rosarito en la Noticia.

Under Mexican law, drivers found at fault in a collision can be detained until they prove they can cover the estimated costs of the crash.

Thomas did not have valid car insurance in Mexico, so authorities are demanding a cash bond, said longtime friend Mikey “Beats” Beltran. The amount of the bond is being negotiated by an attorney representing Thomas, but it could be $20,000 to $50,000, friends said.

“This is without a doubt a traveler’s worst nightmare, ending up in a foreign jail surrounded by people that don’t speak your language,” he said. “They don’t feed the people in detention, and so friends of ours that are down there, they’ve had to feed him daily.”

Thomas was in Rosarito on a surf trip. After eating tacos with his girlfriend, Thomas made a left turn in his pickup truck and collided with a passenger van Sunday around 5:10 p.m. on Highway Rosarito-Ensenada near the Las Rocas hotel.

Two adults and two children in the passenger van were taken to the hospital, Rosarito en la Noticia reported.

Thomas' mother, Pauline Thomas, said the U.S. Consulate provided a list of attorneys, but otherwise not much help.

"I’ve cried so much, my eyes are almost swollen shut," she said by phone from Kansas. "I need him to be safe. He’s my baby."

Friends are now scrambling to come up with the money to get Thomas out of custody and have launched a GoFundMe campaign.

“The passenger van, they’re saying that thing is worth $20,000. The injuries to people, someone has to have surgery because they have a broken hip,” Beltran said. “So we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars.”

Standard U.S. auto insurance does not cover travelers in Mexico. Drivers must secure a separate insurance policy through an authorized Mexican insurance company, which typically costs about $12 a day.

“You are gambling if you go down there without insurance, and this is the worst-case-scenario that can happen,” Beltran said.

A Penny (stupidly) Saved ...............

The photo connected to the story...

Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher

Hopefully, he has gringo insurance that will cover him. State Farm covers you 50 miles south of the border.

Mexican Liability Insurance is a must... Collision damage may be covered in some of Mexico by your American company (like State Farm's 50 mile limit). There is just no reason to ponder the maybes. Get a full-coverage policy from a known Mexican Auto Insurance company... like the one that sponsors this website. See the ad banner at the top of Baja Nomad pages.

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Mexican Liability Insurance is a must... Collision damage may be covered in some of Mexico by your American company (like State Farm's 50 mile limit)

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

Quote: Originally posted by David K   Mexican Liability Insurance is a must... Collision damage may be covered in some of Mexico by your American company (like State Farm's 50 mile limit) Amen Sancho... I am a State Farm Agent …. you cannot believe what people tell me about "their US Policy covers them in Mexico"-- I don't care what your US Policy states, if you don't have Mexican Liability (with Legal) at the least you will end up in jail or worse and spend thousands... all to save about $12 a day People are unbelievable With DK one this one, unless someone can prove otherwise. To my knowledge a full coverage US policy MAY cover the damage to the policy holder vehicle within x miles of the border, but Mex does not accept US policies, so one has to have a liability policy issued by a Mex Ins Co. Your US policy does not cover you in Mex in regards to liability

too many craft brews at Sin Fronteras.......between Charly's and the K38 bridge SLOOOOW DOWN. always terrible wrecks there

Quote: Originally posted by David K

In case there is confusion (from any typos above), every non-Mexican car going into Mexico needs Mexican liability insurance. Period.

Quote: Originally posted by Mr. Bills

AAA offers two very good policies.

Quote: Originally posted by sancho

I've driven several times with no Mex Ins. and a beer between my legs. A lot older now, but don't think I'm going too far out on a limb to suggest it is still common

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by David K   In case there is confusion (from any typos above), every non-Mexican car going into Mexico needs Mexican liability insurance. Period. Well, they don’t “need” liability ins but they “should” have it.

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666   Quote: Originally posted by David K   In case there is confusion (from any typos above), every non-Mexican car going into Mexico needs Mexican liability insurance. Period. Well, they don’t “need” liability ins but they “should” have it. Wrong. Liability insurance is legally required in Mexico. Doesn't mean eveyone has it, but it isn't a "should" rather than "need".

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob

Ya but, think how your Spanish will improve in jail!

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob   Ya but, think how your Spanish will improve in jail! "Jesus loves you" may take on a whole different meaning too.

Took me a minute, but that's funny right there!

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo

How many of us still have a beer while driving on dirt roads ?? I have'ta admit I still do.... It's a freedom and nostalgia thing.. I love it! Although I'm not talkin' drunk..

"Well, your Honour, I admit I had an open beer when driving, and, yes, those empty cans are mine.....but I swear I was not drunk. "

I have seen key-chain breathalizers for sale in automotive shops....a great party toy.

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

"Well, your Honour, I admit I had an open beer when driving, and, yes, those empty cans are mine.....

If you throw all the empties out the window, because they will be gone tomorrow, problem solved.

Quote: Originally posted by del mar

man its a hot one like seven inches from the midday sun......

guessing a different Rob Thomas!