| Pages:
1
2 |
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
Liability Insurance Not Mandatory in Mexico [?]
Consumer Misinformation in Car Insurance Industry
Liability Insurance Not Mandatory in Mexico
By Vivian Stratton & Reporter X
Information provided to consumers by the US car insurance industry regarding
Mexico's requirements for third party liability auto insurance is frequently
false, fraudulent, or misleading. A large number of US auto insurers, Mexico
information websites, and other sources of information for US tourists are
promulgating untrue information about Mexico's auto insurance requirements. In
Mexico, there is no law requiring a personal vehicle to carry any type of auto
insurance, including liability. There is no Federal law, state law, or municipal
law requiring drivers to carry liability insurance. Although liability insurance
is not mandatory when visiting Mexico, most tourism experts agree that it is
highly recommended. But, "highly recommended" is not the same thing as "legally
required" or "mandatory". Nevertheless, many cross border insurance companies
regularly tell clients that it is illegal to drive in Mexico without liability
insurance. The practice is so widespread that it probably warrants an
investigation by US insurance regulators.
The Gringo Gazette conducted a survey of companies selling insurance to people
living and traveling in Baja. Callers asked the companies about Mexico's auto
insurance requirements. Amazingly, these companies provided a huge range of
answers as to what insurance requirements, if any, were actually required by
law. About one third of the companies truthfully answered that there were no
laws mandating liability insurance. Two thirds of the companies insisted that
liability insurance was mandatory in Mexico. Several of the companies even said
that drivers could not cross the border into Mexico without it, that you could
be arrested or fined for driving without insurance, and that the President of
Mexico had recently enacted a new auto insurance law, none of which is true.
Besides the false information from the auto insurance companies, much
misinformation circulates on the internet and in news articles about Mexican
tourism. Many of these websites probably obtained their information from
insurance companies. Information sources based in Mexico tended to contain more
accurate information than US based sources. The Mexican Tourism Board, for
example, correctly informs callers to their 1-800 number that insurance is not
mandatory, but is highly recommended. Two major Mexican based insurance
companies, Atlas and Sanborns, consistently provided correct information to the
public. People giving out wrong information usually say that there is a Mexican
law requiring liability. But, if you ask the representative to specify what law
they are referring to, they cannot cite it.
Third party liability insurance is highly recommended for Mexico travelers
because it determines how long you will stay in jail if you are involved in an
accident and arrested. Under standard Mexican procedure, anybody that causes
bodily injury or serious property damages during an accident will be immediately
jailed. If you don't have liability insurance, you will have to post a bond to
get out of jail, usually around $50,000. American visitors usually don't realize
that jail is the standard procedure, and the prospect of Mexican jail is
terrifying to most tourists. For that reason, most experts, including the US
State Department, highly recommend the liability policy for visitors.
Companies Providing Correct Information
Adventure Mexico
Mexico Tour Baja
Sanborns
Huggy Bear Insurance
Atlas
Baja Travel Club: "Traveler must have either $50,000 cash, bond, or liability
insurance"
Mexican Tourism Board 1-800 Number: "Insurance is not mandatory, but is highly
recommended"
Companies Providing Incorrect Information:
Mexico Insurance Online: "Liability is mandatory, ex Mexican President Fox
passed this new law", Cristine
ASA: "Liability is mandatory, driver can be fned without it", Elena
Safe-Mex: "Mandatory", Alma
Mexico Insurance Professionals: "Liabiltiy is recommended to be in compliance
with Mexican law", Fernando
Vagabundos del Mar: "Mandatory, must be written by a Mexican underwriter",
Carol
Mexican Insurance Proessionals: "Absolutely, it's the law. You can be taken to
jail just like in California. A cop can pull you over and demand proof of
liability insurance", Erin
Got Mexico.com: "You must have liability insurance to cross the border. You are
not allowed to cross without it." Shannon.
American Mexican Insurance: "You need Mexican insurance to cross the border",
Gaby
Baja Bound: "Liability insurance is mandatory"
Adventure Mexican Insurance: "Liability insurance is a civil law", Eddy
|
|
|
BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
Member Is Offline
Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
|
|
The law went into effect January of 2012....liability insurance is absolutely mandatory in Baja Norte. Whether or not they begin aggressively
enforcing this new law remains to be seen.
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
Sorry Dennis but the only missinformation is the on beeing provided by the article you posted.
The law was decreed on July 1st, 2011 and went into effect immediately. There was a (so called) grace period until January 2012 but that is it.
It is decree #66 that you can find here and starts on page 47.
http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/portal/gobierno/legislacion...
On page 48 Article 18 BIS, if you look at the 4th paragraph, it states that out of state or foreign vehicles are also subject to this law.
Saludos
Fernando
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGeoff
The law went into effect January of 2012....liability insurance is absolutely mandatory in Baja Norte. Whether or not they begin aggressively
enforcing this new law remains to be seen. |
It is beeing enforced !
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
|
|
what about baja sur???...gawd, i hate getting mixed messages!
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by fdt
Sorry Dennis |
Don't be sorry. I'm but one of the messengers and insured to the limits available.
I was going to say where I got the article, the Punta Banda Bulletin Board, but had people knocking at the door and I rushed The POST REPLY button.
.
[Edited on 12-20-2012 by DENNIS]
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGeoff
The law went into effect January of 2012....liability insurance is absolutely mandatory in Baja Norte. Whether or not they begin aggressively
enforcing this new law remains to be seen. |
Am I correct in remembering this reg also includes Mex Plated National cars? That they must have liability?
Although we all know that is a total fantasy
[Edited on 12-20-2012 by sancho]
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
what about baja sur???...gawd, i hate getting mixed messages! |
This is in effect in the state of Baja California, don't know if the state of Baja California Sur has something similar.
What I'm finding is that only 2 states have it as mandatory within the United States of Mexico and they are Baja California and Yucatan.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Am I correct in remembering this reg also includes Mex Plated National cars? That they must have liability? |
The law says that all vehicles.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by fdt
| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Am I correct in remembering this reg also includes Mex Plated National cars? That they must have liability? |
The law says that all vehicles. |
So, are you saying that if a BC plated vehicle is involved in an accident, and can't show proof of insurance, the driver will go to jail?
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
|
|
I never said that. I would imagine it is all depending on the accident whether you go to jail and stay for life or just pay a fine.
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by fdt
I never said that. I would imagine it is all depending on the accident whether you go to jail and stay for life or just pay a fine.
|
Actually, it would depend more on WHOM was in the accident.
|
|
|
Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
Member Is Offline
Mood: Waiting
|
|
Buy it anyway.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
Buy it anyway. |
I don't know anyone who doesn't buy at least liability coverage.
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
Buy it anyway. |
I don't know anyone who doesn't buy at least liability coverage. |
My policy includes a get out of jail free clause.
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13049
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
|
|
gosh, very very few locals have any insurance on their vehicles here....maybe some rich guy who has a big fancy new truck but I dont know anybody who
has it.
|
|
|
J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
|
|
I just recived a notice from Progressive my ins. carrier that they have formed an association with a International ins. provider where they can handle
all your Mexico needs via Internet Daily, Weekly, Monthly or ever 6 mos and you can pay with credit card or they will bundle your U.S.and Mexico
coverage
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
I just recived a notice from Progressive my ins. carrier that they have formed an association with a International ins. provider where they can handle
all your Mexico needs via Internet Daily, Weekly, Monthly or ever 6 mos and you can pay with credit card or they will bundle your U.S.and Mexico
coverage |
I would rather use BajaBound. local people who I can trust. I have met and talked to Geoff and know nhe will take care of me if needed
|
|
|
Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
|
|
We carry liability insurance and was as Ruben's by Cantamar when an American had a mexican plated car run the stop sign hitting him so hard it flipped
his vehicle over. We rushed outside and witnessed everyone getting out of the vehicles and the judical police came up focusing on the American.
However, enough people had seen the accident that the mexican plated vehicle was the offender. The local police stepped away as soon as the Federal
Police showed up and took control of the accident.
The American had struck his head and was not able to put everything in order when being talked to but we let the police know he had a head injury from
the accident and that the other car ran the stop sign. Now, the American had insurance which we found in his vehicle and helped him get all of his
stuff out of the car as both vehicles got towed to T.J., where after the police report was completed the American could get his vehicle we were
informed. His vehicle was pretty messed up so it wasn't going anywhere anyway. The showing of his insurance made a big difference in the way he was
being questioned by the police. We also called in to his insurance so he could get assistance.
The Mexican National had no insurance and no drivers license and since the American was injuried off to jail he went. Glad we got involved and my
wife's fluent spanish came in real handy instead of my broken spanish which gets me by but not real good for this type of situation. Better to have
the insurance and better to know you have an insurance that will go to bat for you quickly. Much better than one looking for the side door to bailout
on you just when you need them the most. Take Care & Travel Safe-----"No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777
|
|
|
J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
I just recived a notice from Progressive my ins. carrier that they have formed an association with a International ins. provider where they can handle
all your Mexico needs via Internet Daily, Weekly, Monthly or ever 6 mos and you can pay with credit card or they will bundle your U.S.and Mexico
coverage |
I would rather use BajaBound. local people who I can trust. I have met and talked to Geoff and know nhe will take care of me if needed
|
To each thier own. Dont shoot the messenger I was just relaying Information.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
