sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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Anyone Ever Filed a Claim with a Mex Ins CO?
Looking to get an annual full coverage policy, I'm familiar with the US Mex Ins Brokers. My ? is regarding the Mex
Ins Co's themselves, and their timely/sucessful response to calims filed by policy holders. To me, it is of little or no importance which US Broker
one's buys a policy, whether it is the San Diego,
LA, or Texas based Brokers, since once one buys a policy,
the US Broker has basically nothing to do with a claim.
I can't seem to get any info on how the Mex Carriers
respond. I want a Co who has a good track record
regarding liability/vehicle repair payout.
I've heard one good report about Genworth Mex Ins CO,
Qualitis Mex Ins CO, has good covergae and good
rates but I can't find much about them.
When I was younger, I didn't pay much
attention to such matters, getting older
and a bit more cautious
thanks for your time
sancho san clemente,ca
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Beachgirl
Nomad
Posts: 206
Registered: 1-1-2008
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...it'd be a good bet to talk to some of these folks down here who went through the "floods" and that had mexican insurance...some pretty sad
stories....we're actually foregoing mexican house insurance down here and we live in the flood plain; on the river...reason is; we have lots of
friends who had insurance and were paid pennies on the dollar...or not at all..that would be on this last flood...we figured it cost us to clean
completely up about $2000usd..that's labor and materials....and we didn't pay monthly premiums and have to hassle the insurance company...do the
math......my take
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losfrailes
Senior Nomad
Posts: 577
Registered: 11-16-2004
Location: Ejido San Lucas near Santa Rosalia
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Mood: Good!
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Check with Lewis and Lewis, they are the underwriters for Qualitas and very responsive.
I had a major claim with Qualitas several years ago and they settles without a whimper. Darn good company and the rates are reasonable.
http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/
All can be handled online also. Nice company to work with.
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Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
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Had a claim with Seguros de Potosi two years ago. I was hit by an uninsured, unlicensed driver. Made phone call, adjuster showed up the next day.
made police report, took photos. I had car (new 4Runner) repaired in the US when we returned 3 months later. Claim was paid quickly except for
deductable. Insurance was obtained through Vagabundos del Mar, but all contacts were with Seguros de Potosi.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Can someone explain to me why you have to have full coverage in the US in order to get full coverage on a tourist policy in Mexico? Every one I've
seen mandates this.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2762
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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We only carry US liability, as required by law because we do drive in the US and have Oregon plated vehicles. We have an annual Mexican policy (full
coverage) that does not require US insurance. Our policy is with MAPFRE.
[Edited on 1-25-2009 by bajabound2005]
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Lewis & Lewis doesn't require full coverage on a US policy, I've never heard of this before.
Mean people suck!
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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We went with Lewis & Lewis, mostly because of ease in obtaining it online. However, one significant issue is how quickly can an agent get to the
scene of the accident. In Baja this can be an issue due to the long distance between major cities. I believe this is an issue throughout Baja.
I am interested also in this question.
Iflyfish
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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What policy would I need if... I want to insure a US Citizen living part-time inMeico with an FM3 AND want to let a Mexican national drive it within
Mexico (lliability only- the truck isn't worth much). Truck has a valid California Plates with Allstate insurance.
The tourist policies won't cover nationals or people with FM3's ??? I'm confused. What if a worker (mexican qwith drivers license) runs an errand
with your US plated/insured truck?
... just when i though I knew everything. 
[Edited on 1-27-2009 by Woooosh]
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65306
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
Can someone explain to me why you have to have full coverage in the US in order to get full coverage on a tourist policy in Mexico? Every one I've
seen mandates this. |
Here's what I think Hook:
Tourists are only in Mexico on vacations... and to 'prove' they are on vacation (and not getting the cheaper tourist insurance) they want to see your
U.S. (full time resident) policy. If you aren't insuring your car with full coverage were you live, all the time... why would you get full coverage
only during your vacation? They want to make sure you are not abandoning your car in Mexico, I bet... then trying to recover the 'loss'...???
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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Unrelated but informative:
I have live Liberty Mutual Insurance and it is valid up to 75 miles south of the border for those who are going to San Felipe. I of course also have
an annual drivers lic. policy for my older truck that I drive to be legal in Mexico.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Since I am an insurance agent, I am asked this question about claims frequently so will share some experience. I chose Lewis and Lewis because they
have the highest amount of legal coverage and in Mexico this is a really important issue that can not be overstated.
Now, as far as claims. I had a rather extensive claim and was somewhat uncomfortable with the repair facility that they had chosen and since it was
a new truck, I decided that I would have them appraise the repair in Ensenada and then I would have the work done in the US. Big, Huge, Stupid
Mistake, as the amount that they claimed for repair was a serious underestimate of the damages and repair. Now that I am a little older and wiser, I
have learned that I get two or three written repair estimates from body shops in Mexico and then I have a point of negotiation. I am not uninformed
enough to expect the costs to be equal, but I am also not uninformed enough to figure that $5.00 US, Per hour is a going rate for body shop work.
When I had a small ding that needed to be repaired, I stopped by the Appraiser in Ensenada and made sure that I left copies of the estimates I had
already secured and that time we were in complete agreement as to the costs of the repair.
I would also add that any of the Mexican Policies like Vagabundos and Lewis and Lewis are all sold by Surplus Lines brokers and the agent has very
little if any clout with the Mexican Insurance Company so your best bet on any claim situation is to try to find an adjuster that you feel you can
communicate effectively with and things will go much smoother. You will be frustrated if you assume that the Surplus Lines Broker will have the same
ability to interact on your behalf as your local insurance agent back home.
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HCR
Junior Nomad
Posts: 47
Registered: 3-23-2008
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Very, very informative. Thanks for taking the time to write the reply.
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.
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Bernardo
Junior Nomad
Posts: 44
Registered: 12-3-2007
Location: La Paz
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Mood: Bien
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I go through Vagabundos (google it).
Two years ago I had a bad accident south of San Antonio which destroyed my 11.5' Lance camper. Local police brought an English speaking Mexican to
the scene and all went quite well with police and Federalies.
My Mexican insurance company had a claims agent meet me in La Paz the night of the accident. In two weeks I had a check for the Lance camper and for
the repairs to my truck.
The service was more than excellent and much better than I would get from State Farm in the USA.
 
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bajadave1
Nomad
Posts: 225
Registered: 7-20-2004
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
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Qualitas
I've filed 2 claims in the last 4 years with Qualitas. first was minor. 2nd was a total loss. Second was a few clicks north of SJD airport. both times
the adjuster was there in short order. only an hour for the total. Very helpful & spoke english well. Good thing, because I was too rattled to do
well with my spanish . Chief problem is a 90 day window for cashing check. Check does not get received here from the home office for 20 working days.
(one month).In los cabos office. Will not do a direct deposit, to your account anywhere.
My policy's have been written by Lewis & lewis.
Jim Lewis was a big help in securing a replacement check for one that ran out of time.
The downside here is the lack of any help in the Los Cabos office. They don't seem to care. Will not return a call either!
Buenos Suerte.
Dave
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BobM
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 12-22-2007
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Mex Insurance
We filed a claim throught Mexican Insurance they told me to take my trailer home and send in estimates. When the cheque arrived they only paid about
1/3 of the labour rate, so we were on the hook for the rest. The insurance was through Vagabundos. When I complained the broker phoned me and said
that $ 33.00 / hour was all that they paid. Here at home it is 110/hour and that was just the way it was. So be careful and check all companies and
if you need too get your broker at home to read the policy.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BobM
We filed a claim throught Mexican Insurance they told me to take my trailer home and send in estimates. When the cheque arrived they only paid about
1/3 of the labour rate, so we were on the hook for the rest. The insurance was through Vagabundos. When I complained the broker phoned me and said
that $ 33.00 / hour was all that they paid. Here at home it is 110/hour and that was just the way it was. So be careful and check all companies and
if you need too get your broker at home to read the policy. |
I am sensitive to this kind of claim becaus the policy paid exactly as it said it would nothing more, nothing less. If you want a policy to pay
American rates, you have to know that up front. The insurance company assesses risk on the basis of repair costs in the country that they do business
in and to expect anything else is pretty much uninformed. I only know of one policy that had it guaranteed that they would cover repairs in the
United States but there were some major problems since US standards of repair may be different than Mexico standards. All policies have a description
of coverage and it is printed in English, I suggest that it be read first. You can even request sample policies from the brokers.
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Pescador,
Brokers are not directly involved in the claims process, but that does not mean we don't help our clients when they need assistance in following up on
a claim. We have direct constant contact with both of our underwriters and often call on behalf of our clients just to make sure the claims process is
moving along smoothly. To say that we don't have clout with our underwriters is totally false.
That is the way we do business...
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