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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65282
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marv sherrill
Rolled a brand-new truck in 92 - had Lewis and Lewis - and Oscar Padilla ins.- I could not get a settlement for 9 months - had to pay $525 every month
on a dead truck -and ended up with ultra low blue book. L and L simply no help - go with Discover Baja or others who have a working partnership with
the Insurance company and not a broker - buyer beware - you might save a few bucks but its not worth it in the long run - |
It is possible that Baja Bound does also, but the insurance sold by Discover Baja covers your vehicle repairs to be done in the U.S. (or Canada).
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Whitehorse
Thanks for the input. To tell a bit more of the story...we have lived in the Baja for 6 years, and my husband has dual citizenship. We were returning
from San Diego, crossed the border, and just leaving TJ, going a normal speed when rear-ended. The impact was so great that it spun us around 4 times
skidding from one side to the other and coming to a stop finally crosswise across heavy traffic, and only luck and my husband's good driving kept us
from going over the edge and rolling. (We do feel very lucky!) Our cell phone was lost in the impact, and doors had to be pried open to get us out.
The police came in about 45 minutes, we did not think it safe to sit in the rain on the highway and we spent most of the rest of that Saturday in the
police station. (The police were quite polite and helpful). The driver of the other car admitted blame, and insurance for both was copied. Her
insurance was current and did cover 75 miles into Mexico. However, her boyfriend was driving.
We signed only one document...the signatures required on the police report. By this time, it was still raining, Saturday night, our car was barely
drivable, and we started slowly home. It was a BIG mistake to so, but our (ignorant) thinking was that our agent was in La Paz,we were still shaking
and it was already the weekend, and we did not want to spend nights in Tijuana. This is the point and our mistake that will probably do us in.
My husband has called Jim Lewis many times, and he has been quite nice, saying that we were in shock, not to blame, it was raining, and going home a
small point, but now he says that because we did so, we basically have no claim. And because the other driver was not the owner of that car, we were
hit by uninsured car. If there is no settlement, this has been a very hard lesson, even if we didn't follow the correct procedures. We've paid full
coverage premiums for almost 5 years, and never had a claim.
Thanks for the comments. |
I'm assuming you have US Insurance too and if so maybe it will cover your vehicle. Some do, my Alstate insurance covers my vehicle within 75 miles of
the border.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
| Quote: | Originally posted by DirkEXC
I think there are a couple of issues going on here. First we need to know the specific reason they are denying your claim. It is usually because you
left Mexico and reported the claim but you did not do that so why are they denying your claim. |
As I read the report I believed they returned to the USA before reporting the claim tothe insurance company.
[Edited on 1-8-2011 by bajalou] |
incorrecto
they have a US plated vehicle with current tags and full coverage with Lewis and Lewis. they live full time in baja and were on their way home when
they were struck by the other vehicle. this took place in tijuana. at no time afterwards where they ever out of Mexico. it was Saturday night and
raining heavily. they were on a multi lane road and had spun four times nearly rolling it. doors had to be pried open. police were at the scene and
they filed the reports signed and have copies...
why didn't the polis take them all to jail to sort it out? who the hell knows point is they are in no way at fault and that this could have happened
to any one of us. well not me, I don't have a Lewis policy but I do know I'd never consider one nor refer any future business to them. they need to
make this right. I wish I could offer a good suggestion maybe someone here can, fingers crossed.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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I see I that I misunderstood the statement.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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SteveWil
Junior Nomad
Posts: 29
Registered: 7-9-2010
Member Is Offline
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We have L&L and had dealing with them. Were in San Carlos, Main land. We pull out in front of a Mexico Driver. He went up and over a curb to avoid
hitting us. There was on contact between the cars. The police were there in about 5 minutes. The Mexico Car had over $1000 US damage. By the time we
got to the Police station( the police called the Insurance agents) and about 20 minutes both Insurance agent were there. We all went in to the police
captain office.
Since there was not contact between the cars there was not any liability on our part, The Mex did not have full coverage so he was to pay for his own
repairs. The Captain Ask if we would like to pay for some of the damage and we supply a number, our agent said we were agreeing to pay to much, we
were so please not to be in the hospital ( we would have been if he had hit us) that we said that was OK. We never felt that we had to pay but want
to. We were then sent out to the front desk were the clerk type up what we agree to pay and back to the Captain, I think the Captain felt we were
paying to much also as he told use we could leave and no ticket. This was all out of our pocket, Other then The agent telling us what the rule were.
They do play with different rules. It seem that the police captain was acting as an judge at times.
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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 464
Registered: 11-18-2003
Member Is Offline
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When you call the person you paid the money too and they tell you " good Luck
we can't help you' -find another agent. The Mexican agent I had listed on my policy had been dead for 3 years! I lost 2 days of work in Mexico
trying to find someone to report he accident to! HEED THE WORDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE - MARV
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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I hope we are missing something here. Seems reasonable that if you have a police report and everyone signed it you would be allowed to return home and
file a report the following day. Photos of the accident scene are always good but with a police report and photos of the damaged car there really
should not be an issue. I sent L&L a note about this post and perhaps one of their reps will have some advice. I doubt they will respond here to a
specific claim but may offer advice to their policy holders.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Russ
I hope we are missing something here. Seems reasonable that if you have a police report and everyone signed it you would be allowed to return home and
file a report the following day. Photos of the accident scene are always good but with a police report and photos of the damaged car there really
should not be an issue. I sent L&L a note about this post and perhaps one of their reps will have some advice. I doubt they will respond here to a
specific claim but may offer advice to their policy holders. |
I wish you were missing something but you are not. What they did was reasonable and they are getting the runaround. This happened in mid November
and they've been trying like hell to get their claim approved since. Simply put, Lewis and Lewis is flat out not honoring their policy. My friends
car is technically totaled with the frame bent and the rear bashed in but it is drivable. Passenger door is not able to open but they can still get
around town. It can't be easy for her to squirm in and out out of the passenger seat and over the console to enter and exit the drivers side door
just to get in and out. Two hip replacements and knee work in the past, no wonder she walks around town a lot now. This can happen to any of you!
Stand up and fight it as it doesn't have to be this way. Lewis needs to make this right or find another clientele because ex-pats in Mexico are on to
them!
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DirkEXC
Junior Nomad
Posts: 64
Registered: 12-14-2006
Location: Sherman Oaks, Ca.
Member Is Offline
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This is from the Lewis & Lewis web site. In the middle it states if you can not make a report immeditately then do it online. I would think that
if the police told you come to the station you would have to go.
In re-reading the original post I see they are denying the claim because you went to the police station first , that is not a lagitimate reason to
deny this claim.
Claim Reporting Information
What to do in case of an Auto Accident or Auto Theft
Immediately call the Claim Hotline: 01 800 00 49600
This Mexican toll free number 01 088 00 49600 must be called from Mexico at the time of the accident or theft. For the hotline to work you must call
from a Mexican Land Line or a Mexican Cell Phone only. Operators are available 24 hours a day / 365 days a year. The operators will dispatch the
closest, available Adjuster.
Give your exact location, and the description of your vehicle, to the Qualitas Dispatcher.
Do not leave your vehicle, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Do not assume any responsibility, whether expressed or implied, to a third party as doing so may give the impression that you are assuming fault for
the accident.
When your adjuster arrives, present your insurance policy, driverÃs license, vehicle registrations, and a brief account of the accident to your
Adjuster.
When reporting the accident or theft to the Adjuster, please provide a specific, complete and detailed account of the incident.
Please fill out the accident report with the adjuster and have the adjuster assist in the documentation made by the Police.
Be sure to keep a business card from the Adjuster, a copy of the Adjuster's Report so that you have his or her contact information and a copy of the
Police Report if possible.
If for some reason you cannot meet a Qualitas Adjuster right away, please make a preliminary report at our web page: http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/autoloss.html
Please provide the Adjuster with all required information, including a detail of optional equipment on your vehicle; the odometer reading; a record of
mechanical service; and its condition prior to the accident so that an accurate settlement offer is made can be made the first time. If your vehicle
has been involved in a crime, a police report must be filed.
If necessary, the adjuster will help provide you with the following services: Recommend an Auto Repair Garage. Please note you will need two estimates
for the repair of the damage. These estimates can be from any garage of your choosing.
Provide you with a Medical Pass to the Hospital
Recommend an Attorney to represent you and initiate the assignment of legal assistance.
If you need further assistance, or follow up, after you have filed your claim, the most expedient method is to contact one of the claim managers at
Tijuana Qualitas:
Victor Rodriguez Tijuana_Siniestros4@Qualitas.com.mx
Claudia Hernandez Tijuana_Turistas2@Qualitas.com.mx
Ramon Verdugo Tijuana_Turistas@Qualitas.com.mx
Telephone 011 52 (6646) 34 27 81
Telephone 011 52 (6646) 34 14 46
Facsimile 011 52 (6645) 34 68 72
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3531
Registered: 8-27-2003
Member Is Offline
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I have a few more general questions that this issue speaks to: why are we even buying from USA reps who really have no power with the carrier?
1. How is insurance marketed and sold in Mexico? Why not buy from a Mexican citizen who is an employee (agent) of the carrier?
2. Do Mexicans who have full coverage have these problems?
3. Are claims on the liability parts just as difficult to get resolved or is it just comp/coll?
4. Some of you who live in Mexico have indicated that you buy your policy locally, is this true?
5. In the USA, insurance companies market themselves as either cheap and/or have really fast/good/fair claim services. How do they market themselves
within Mexico.
6. From other reports on Nomads, Mexican banks have started giving ex-pats the type of service they are used to. Is there any sign that insurance
companies are doing the same? Seems to me they would clean up.
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
Member Is Offline
Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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On the other side of the coin, a guest of ours ripped up his bumper badly on a guardrail in the border lineup coming back at San Ysidro. We phoned San
Xavier Insurance from the KOA campground in San Diego, and an adjuster drove ACROSS THE BORDER from Tijuana to inspect the vehicle. No problema, and
the vehicle was repaired in the US.
We were all very impressed!
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Whitehorse
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 1-6-2011
Member Is Offline
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This will be my last post until we hear the final verdict, and then of course we will post that information. Thanks for the advice, information, and
interest.
As for the accident, it was on November 20th, and we did not return to the States after our hours in the TJ police station. By the time we were
through with all of the paperwork there, it was late Saturday, raining, and so we very slowly began driving to our home in Loreto. We arrived late
Sunday, and called our adjuster in La Paz the first thing the next morning.
This was a big mistake (although Mr. Lewis said at first that it was a minor problem ...and quite understandable under the circumstances, but now has
changed his mind). We've never before had a claim, didn't have a phone after the accident...it had flown under the back seat, (but certainly could
have found one if we thought it necessary), didn't pull out our policy to check,. We believe in good karma and were naive and ignorant enough to
believe that we'd done the right thing, and that itwas then up to the insurance companies to settle both claims. The other party was insured, and it
wasn't until later that we discovered it wasn't valid.
The bottom line is...we are now at their mercy. Mr. Lewis is tired of us and the many telephone calls to him, and hung up on my husband yesterday, and
so far nothing further has been done. Our American insurance is Farmer's,(the same company as the girl whose car hit us). they have always been good
to us, but our American insurance with them is liabiltiy only, as we are only in the States for a few weeks each year. Their denial of responsibility
is understandable as the girl's Mexican boyfriend was driving and hit us.
So....this has been a costly lesson for us, and the money, if lost is more than we can easily afford, but....perhaps others can benefit from our
mistake, and right now, we are thankful that we are alive, well, and will go on from this, as one of life's hard (and unfair) lessons. Thanks
Pam...your response touched us!
Last words....if you are in ANY kind of accident, check your policy before you do anything else.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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The libility L&L offers, $300,000 for the standard policy is
was what influenced me to go with L&L. With the full coverage
you can opt to have your vehicle repaired in the US for a surcharge.
That is all of no use if they try to worm out with a simple
technicality. I remember an RV'er on the Mainland who
had a couple incidents, his Ins Co was Genworth,
I believe is part of the GE family, (not sure of that),
he had a timely response from them, although nothing
of a large amount. With this discussion I will seek another
Insurer than Qualitis L&L
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bajadave1
Nomad
Posts: 225
Registered: 7-20-2004
Location: Los Barriles, BCS
Member Is Offline
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I totaled out a truck 2 years ago. I had Lewis and lewis,
Qualitas, and had almost no problem. The adjuster and body shop both agreed quickly that the truck was toast. The only problem I had was how long it
took for Qualitas to send the check from the mainland to the rep in Los Cabos. Jim Lewis was very helpful in that regard. The crash was just a few
miles from the airport CSL. The truck was hauled off on a tow truck. I have a feeling the big problem with your claim is having left the scene, plus
the uninshured driver. he should never been released. Sorry. Jim lewis was courteous and helpful for me.
Dave
[Edited on 1-8-2011 by bajadave1]
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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on the "uninsured driver" being reason to deny a claim...how many Mexican drivers are insured? crap, how many even have a driver's license or valid
tags for that matter? policy holders in Mexico should be asking those questions and reading their policies carefully. chances are that if the policy
period has not expired the insured can cancel and change to another company and get a refund for the unused portion.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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I think everyone who is holding an insurance policy with Lewis and Lewis needs to contact them about this specific claim.
They need to know that you are aware and concerned.
They need to use their agency relationship and influence to lean on the Mexican insurance company. Now that it has generated all this publicity, it is
to be considered bad will. If they fix it they will generate good will.
They need to know that your future business hinges on their reputation for honoring claims.
They need to know that the final disposition of this claim will be reported here on The BajaNomad. I would also imagine that it will find its way to
other Baja websites too.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Great. Whitehorse has decided that this is their last post on the subject AND, YET AGAIN, DID NOT SPECIFICALLY STATE THE REASON(S) GIVEN BY LEWIS AND
LEWIS AS TO WHY THEY ARE NOT HONORING THE CLAIM.
What is the purpose of posting this here if not for the rest of us to learn from it?
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larryC
Super Nomad
Posts: 1499
Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
Member Is Offline
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Maybe, just maybe Whitehorse might be able to get some help from the California ins commission. Since Lewis and Lewis are in California and selling
ins in California then they should be under California law. Maybe worth a try.
Larry
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by flyfishinPam
chances are that if the policy period has not expired the insured can cancel and change to another company and get a refund for the unused portion.
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Nope!!! Been there, tried that directly with the Qualitas office in La Paz, they told me if I canceled my auto policy they would NOT refund the
remaining term of the policy....and in that, they were true to their word! I figured my protection with them was virtually nonexistent, so I canceled
it anyway & bit the bullet on the money.
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Whitehorse
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 1-6-2011
Member Is Offline
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________________________________________
I hope these summaries of our correspondence with Mr. Lewis, and with Ramon in Tijuana help to answer any questions and can help anyone else who may
have an accident. The quoted copy of the police report did not copy, and is in Spanish (which is my husband's first language).
Cc:__________________________________________________________________
(From Mr. Lewis)..
Did you sign an agreement with the person who was driving the car that hit
you, the owner of the vehicle that hit you, any representative of the driver
and/or owner of the car that hit you?
Did you make a verbal agreement with the person who was driving the car thathit you, the owner of the vehicle that hit you, any representative of the
driver and/or owner of the car that hit you?
If not, please send me an e-mail reply that you did not agree to anything.
If so, please send me the document or write down what you agreed to and send
it to me via scan/e-mail or fax to my Santa Monica USA office: (310) 450
0700.
Dear Mr. Lewis,
We will fax all copies of the police report and the Farmers Ins. papers
copied from the other driver, to you tomorrow morning.
I did not verbally, or in writing, agree to anything.
The only signatures sent are those on the bottom of the police report (as
required by them.)....on the left hand corner is the other driver's
signature.....Responsible Party ...(Conforme Responsable)in Spanish), and onthe right side, mine as Affected Party (Conforme Afectado).
We assumed that it was of paramount importance to contact the Tijuana policefirst, and to do so immediately, and this was done. They arrived about
45minutes later, and we spent hours in the station. They were quite kind andunderstanding. By the time we got back to our car, it was already late
Saturday, and weassumed that nothing further could be done over the weekend, that our agentresided in La Paz, and we could not afford several more
days staying in Tijuana
motels etc. in TJ. We contacted our adjuster, Ricardo, when we reached Loreto.
Tijuana 09 (Ramón A. Verdugo) [coord. stos. turistas] <tijuana_turistas@qualitas.com.mx>
Thank you!
Dear Ramon,
There is a police report and our Client, did not settle his own
claim with the other party. Please see the statement as
captioned below.
Good afternoon, please see the following image which is part of page 5 of the attachment. This document is not a police report, it is called “convenio
de reparación de daños” (damage repair agreement) and it is signed by you, and it states “both drivers don’t require the intervention of the authority
because the US company will solve it”. This document is used when the parties involved in an accident decide to take care of the accident between
themselves and don’t want the authority to intervene.
This claim was never reported to this insurance company and because of this, we are now unable to recover anything from the other insurance company.
If you would’ve called and report the accident, we would’ve sent an adjustor to take care of this.
Because of the information mentioned here, we must close out this claim and respectfully deny any coverage.
Regards,
Ramón Verdugo
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