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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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And SO ?
Qualitas was correct in denying the Claim ?
Sounds like this is WHY they say DON'T enter into ANY agreements of ANY kind before contacting their adjuster.
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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Now I am confused. Was page 5 signed or not signed. That seems to be the most relevant part of the whole process.
Quote: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.
If that was signed, that basically removes the responsibility of both parties to settle. Now the only recourse is to go after the driver of the
other car since the signed document actually releases both insurance companies from responsibility.
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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 Santiago
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. |
Great questions, Santiago, and certainly very important to consider. Since I am retired and no longer active in the insurance business, I find it
interesting that people generally do not read their policies or spend much time on checking procedures, even though I used to spend a lot of time
explaining all the possible scenarios and things that might happen if they were in a situation where a claim might become imminent.
I do not mean to imply that Jim Lewis is not able to have any influence with the companies he represents. I am sure they have his number on speed
dial and he communicates with them on a regular basis. The distinction of being a "surplus lines broker" means that the insurance being marketed, in
this case Qualitas, is not registered or controlled by the California Department of Insurance, and is being sold through another avenue. If he were
selling State Farm, then the buyer has a level of government protection and can make a claim with the State in the event of a misunderstanding or
error. But when a policy is sold in California as Surplus Lines, then the State has no jurisdiction or control over the settlement or action of that
company. In my dealings with Jim Lewis, I found him to be a very responsive and responsible agent and he did help me to settle a claim with Qualitas
that needed some pressure to get done. So, I am sure he understands completely the challenges of doing business with Mexican companies that
oftentimes are a nightmare of bueracratic malfunction.
Bancomer offers a home owners policy for those customers who have fideo's on their houses and a friend south of Mulege had a claim following Hurricane
Jimena and was told by the insurance company they were not paying anything because the house was not built to proper standards. He is fighting with
the federal insurance commission but a year later he seems no closer to a resolution. Many of the statements on this thread echo the same feeling of
: "I was surprised but they did pay my claim".
So, yes there are agents who live in Mexico and sell Mexican policies, but to assume that you get no stonewalling and runaround would be a little
naive about how a lot of things work down here. I have Mexican friends who have full coverage on their vehicles but I hear a lot of the same stories
as I am hearing here.
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 641
Registered: 4-4-2006
Member Is Offline
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There is a list of the TOP insurers in Mexico. This list has important info such as to how solvent they are, claims paid vs money at hand etc.
I make my choice well within the top 10. that way I know that they are not hurting for cash. They are major players well funded ,often times backed by
major european companies. I have had to make claims on some substancial
damages including one total loss. Even with using the best of the insurance companies,following all the stipulations, things always went painfully
slow. I had good results with pay outs estimates etc. But it takes a lot of prodding and follow up. I speak spanish and found my self having to
make a lot of calls some times to branches in the USA until I fould a person who was kind enough and had the positon of power to move things
along. The only thing I did not have to worry about was if the company had
enough financial resourses. Some things you just don't want to cheap suit.
KNOW YOUR FINE PRINT. REMEMBER THAT IT IS A CONTRACT IN EVERY SENSE. Offer, Acceptance, binded by $ Consideration.
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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vacaenbaja, do you have or could you publish how to find that top-10 list??
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fishingmako
Nomad
Posts: 259
Registered: 10-10-2008
Member Is Offline
Mood: always up
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There seems to be a lot of they said, we said, and a lot of back and forth BS going on, and because of all this I think we are all confused.
It would be really nice if someone could lay out the complete procedure as what to do in an incident such as this.
What do we need as far as insurance...coverage..uninsured..underinsured...liability...full coverage..who do we contact...what do we
say???????????????????
Just lay out the complete procedure as we all can follow the road map of what to do, I really don't think any of us know the correct procedure from
what the post are saying.
Just my pennies worth.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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it seems logical.
1. i hope to Neptune everyone is okay!
2. do whatever the cops say.
3. call the ins co ASAP.
4. where the hell is my rig, and all my stuff?
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 641
Registered: 4-4-2006
Member Is Offline
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I would go for a stronger rated company at this time.
Certainly one with better customer service.
http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=231253&type=...
[Edited on 1-11-2011 by vacaenbaja]
[Edited on 1-11-2011 by vacaenbaja]
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by soulpatch
I have the uninsured motorist protection on my insurance.....how many places are there in baja where you would HAVE to leave the scene of an accident.
I can think of a lot of lonely miles where this could occur based on the simple fact that people get injured and have to seek medical attention or you
would need to find a phone to call an adjuster....it ain't like there is a phone within easy reach all the time.
If this is, in fact, the reason for denial of coverage than they are a company that nobody should be doing business with.
Also, based on a few of the posters here whose opinions I actually value I would have to say that their statements carry more weight with me than
something stated by an insurance carrier. After all, they are in the business of selling so if nobody calls them on the carpet then they just keep on
selling.
I will be watching for the outcome of this since my insurance is up for renewal late this year. |
Here is what I posted earlier in this thread:
"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."
[Edited on 1-11-2011 by toneart]
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
Member Is Offline
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Sadly, I look at my Mexican insurance policy as a way to keep me out of jail if I am involved in an accident. A piece of paper to show to the cops.
Nothing more. Therefore, I buy liability only insurance and drive vehicles I can afford to replace.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Originally posted by Santiago
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.
It is my understanding that Mexican insurance agents cannot write coverage on non-Mexican plated vehicles. That's the main reason for all the US
based brokers that we see.
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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 Bajahowodd
It is my understanding that Mexican insurance agents cannot write coverage on non-Mexican plated vehicles. That's the main reason for all the US
based brokers that we see. |
I've had 3 US plated vehicles insured here with 3 different insurance companies over the past 11 years. Policies were issued by Mexican insurance
brokers direct....not through L & L. No claims, so too late to tell if I was actually insured....my assumption is that I was.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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I've bought a 1 day Mex Ins policy from an Agent in San Felipe to drive to the border
from San Felipe, while I was in SF, I can't remember
the details, I believe some Ensenada residents
buy through an Ins agency in Ensenada
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Paladin
Nomad
Posts: 164
Registered: 3-25-2006
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A Best rated Company of B- is dog poop.
I have never in 37 worked at an Agency that would allow placements with a company rated this low.
Most Agents Errors & Ommissions insurance companies wouldn't allow coverage for companies rated this low.
And by the way the California Department of Insurance DOES REGULATE non addmitted, surplus lines companies.
Poor rated companies do pay good commissions however.
Yes I'm an Insurance Broker. I've been in the Independent Insurance Agency system for 37 years.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paladin
A Best rated Company of B- is dog poop.
I have never in 37 worked at an Agency that would allow placements with a company rated this low.
Most Agents Errors & Ommissions insurance companies wouldn't allow coverage for companies rated this low.
And by the way the California Department of Insurance DOES REGULATE non addmitted, surplus lines companies.
Poor rated companies do pay good commissions however.
Yes I'm an Insurance Broker. I've been in the Independent Insurance Agency system for 37 years. |
Who do you buy your Mexican Auto insurance from?
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Paladin
Nomad
Posts: 164
Registered: 3-25-2006
Member Is Offline
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Ive either flown in or gone with another person in his car.
I wont be buying from Lewis however.
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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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I commented before I saw whitehorses last post about the document they signed which was (I haven't seen it) explained to be a contract between the two
affected parties by the ins. company. (I was told police report). Is this Tijuana SOP? If a non-spanish speaker were told to sign a "police report"
and they signed this instead, then what? My friend's husband is a Spanish speaker (Spanish first language) and this eluded him apparently.
On foreign plated cars in Mexico:
why live in Mexico for so many years and not import vehicles? There are people who have lived here for well over a decade and all their vehicles are
foreign plated (many with expired tags). why? is it because they don't really live here or?? Is US purchased Mexican insurance really meant for
temporary travel into Mexico or is it OK for a vehicle that's left here full time? there are local insurance agents here but the service is pretty
poor from what I've experienced and I do not know if they have coverage for foreign plated vehicles. What kind of police report would we be obliged
to sign if a problem occurred? would we understand it and would we be obliged by the conditions and how would our insurance company interpret it?
should we all become fluent in spanish and be experts in Mexican legalese...after all all valid contracts in Mexico are en puro español, inglés es
invalido... aggghhh
I have more questions than ever I'm afraid.
I hope my friend's can get their claim approved and that everyone can learn from this.
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 641
Registered: 4-4-2006
Member Is Offline
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The company that paid my total loss at the correct US market value to my
region was Seguros Comercial which I had bought through International Gateway brokers. At the time Seguros Comercial was A.M. "A" rated, well funded
and backed by a Dutch company ING I believe, who held a forty
percent share of the business. I think that ING has since taken a majority
share and this company is now among, if not the largest Insurance Company in Mexico.
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oladulce
Super Nomad
Posts: 1625
Registered: 5-30-2005
Location: bcs
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by flyfishinPam
On foreign plated cars in Mexico:
why live in Mexico for so many years and not import vehicles? There are people who have lived here for well over a decade and all their vehicles are
foreign plated (many with expired tags). why? is it because they don't really live here or?? Is US purchased Mexican insurance really meant for
temporary travel into Mexico or is it OK for a vehicle that's left here full time? ... |
HDI seguros offers Tourist and Mexico resident policies for US plated vehicles. We paid more for a "Resident policy" this year
because we're now here full time. Their "tourist policy" covers you 90 days/year and specifically states that a claim will be invalid if your vehicle
is discovered to be in country longer than that. How would they know?- we didn't want to take a chance. Our 2008 Silverado is too "new" to import in
to Mexico so we maintain US plates. We wouldn't drive with expired tags- the cops are set up in Insurgentes/Constitucion and we get stopped for
registration checks all the time. I can't answer for others.
Jefe and Soulpatch got me thinking about the costly full coverage policy we get. Obviously we need the liablilty, but I usually get the full boat in
case of theft more than anything. We'd be s.o.l. if our truck was stolen now that we're down to only one vehicle since retiring. I wonder if Mexican
insurers are good at paying out in case of total theft? It would sure save a bunch to go with liability only.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vacaenbaja
The company that paid my total loss at the correct US market value to my
region was Seguros Comercial which I had bought through International Gateway brokers. At the time Seguros Comercial was A.M. "A" rated, well funded
and backed by a Dutch company ING I believe, who held a forty
percent share of the business. I think that ING has since taken a majority
share and this company is now among, if not the largest Insurance Company in Mexico. |
I believe Seguros is or was owned by Carlos Slim. In their homeowners' policies, they arbitrarily disallowed many many items of loss, at the
discretion of the adjuster, with those of us who were insured in Mulege during Hurricane John.
All adjusters are contract personnel and are not employees of the company. They are compensated according to how much they can screw you out of. We
eventually received less than half the total of our claims. It took a long time because the adjusters would not answer our communications. The agent
in Santa Rosalia tried for us but finally she quit selling H.O insurance because of her frustration with the company.
I had keep calling by phone to the home office and to the adjusters. I kept bugging them until they finally paid. Also, they had said they would
deposit it in my U.S. bank account, in U.S.$. I had no Mexican Bank Account. They did not. They sent it in Pesos to the agent in Santa Rosalia. What a
hassel trying to get that cashed. A Mexican friend finally ran it through his bank and paid me in pesos.
Conversely, we had good results with GNP during Hurricane Julio. But they were so late in paying that I did not buy a new policy before Hurricane
Jimena, the worst Hurricane in history to hit central Baja. That was in 2009. All losses were out of pocket. Those who did hold policies during that
year were paid and satisfied with GNP's performance.
Their agent is a good guy. He is in El Paso, Texas. I did buy a policy from him for 2010, but alas, no hurricane occurred.By the way, they are still
insuring our casitas.
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