Arthur
Nomad
Posts: 232
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: San Anselmo, CA
Member Is Offline
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Getting back to the US after an accident
Lewis & Lewis sounds good for Mexican auto insurance -- especially since we'd be able to fit into the under-14-day category.
One thing that I was advised to watch out for, though: They don't have to pay for repairs in the US, which means that if you're tight for time you're
up a creek.
Does anyone know a company besides the one that Discover Baja uses that lets you get back to the US before you do the repairs? I've used DB before
with no problems -- but, of course, I didn't have an accident. I guess I'd go with them again if I had to -- and hope that they aren't making any more
mistakes.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The accident must be reported while you still are in Mexico, which may delay you a day waiting for the adjuster to show up.
There was a detailed report on an accident (near Punta Prieta) and quite a follow up. They were insured by Lewis & Lewis (Qualitas) and they had the
repairs made in the U.S.. So, once okayed it can be done at home the same as GE does (Discover Baja's underwriter).
Another GE agent is www.BajaBound.com where I always get short term policies, since I can buy & print it out at home before I leave... get a free quote.
An annual policy is cheaper than 3-4 weeks of daily coverage, so consider it unless your 2 week trip is all the Baja you will have in a year. Annual
GE coverage is cheaper through Discover Baja than Baja Bound (volume and club membership is the reason I suspect). Lewis & Lewis (sell Qualitas
insurance) has been rated the best by research done by Bedman and others who have bought it.
Use the Baja Nomad search engine and type in Lewis & Lewis or Lewis and Lewis, also again with Bedman in the poster's name section to read past
details.
FYI, I have always used Discover Baja for annual policies... no mistakes ever made.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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Your U.S. insurance policy may cover your vehicle. I haven't checked lately but Allstate use to cover a vehicle up to 75 miles into Baja. You still
need the Mexican policy for liability. As David said if the repairs are approved by the Mexican insurance it can be done in the U.S.
I had an accident in Dec 95 at La Rumorosa on hwy 2. A car creamed my whole left side. The Mexican insurance estimated $6500 damage. When I asked
about having City Chevrolet in San Diego give me an estimate I was told that if City had a higher estimate I would have to pay the difference for them
to do the job. I let the Mexican insurance do it. The repairs were made at a shop in San Diego. It was a big mistake. When I got my truck back, after
7 months, 3 months of which they couldn't find it, I moved to Texas. Several things were not right. They did not put on the Rancho shocks like I had
asked and were on it when hit, but cheap ones. The bed liner was not a Rhino type liner but the stuff they spray into car trunks. It's like an eraser
rubber and is crap for a truck liner. Within 1 year both rear axle oil seals leaked and had to be replaced, they used a used axle for repair or maybe
the same one, but it looked new. Later the rear differencial broke in pieces, that may or may not have been due to the accident. Also the paint
peeled. The tire they put on looked like a new BFG TA KO but after a year the side wall had cracks all around from the tread edge to the rim, probably
a very old tire.
If I ever get into another wreck in Mexico and the vehicle is of any value, I will have it done by a reputable dealer or shop of my choosing and yes I
will pay the difference if need be. Allstate may have paid the difference in my case if I had asked, which I didn't.
One last note on dealing with Mexican insurance. I have wrecked a truck, had my truck stolen and my son totaled his truck, all in Baja. So I speak
with some experience. To speed things up you may have to do the leg work on getting papers signed. Everyone will talk to you in english and are very
friendly except the federales. They will deal with you only in Spanish. If you don't speak spanish get a friend who speaks spanish to help you. You
may even have to pay a Federale. I paid the head man in Mexicali $200 and his aid $20 to fill out a form that took his aid 10 minutes over my son's
truck. And last be patient, things move slow south of the border.
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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Lewis Lewis
We had an accident back in 96' on the way north..Got home here in CA and contacted Lewis/Lewis. They said get estimate/ photos here and send it to the
main insurance office in TJ. Went ahead with repairs, and got a check in the mail from Mexico City about 3 months later for the full amount, less
sales tax on th parts.
About $2,300 in all
I am very happy with service at Lewis/ Lewis for getting this done.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Kris, a couple of questions for you... Did you not report the accident until you were back in the U.S., and was that not a problem? Was there any
liability claim, or only damage to your property? How was the liability resolved?
It would be great to not have to waste time waiting for an adjuster to examine the damage in Mexico, if we can report it after getting home (no work
or school missed).
Thanks!
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Kell-Baja
Nomad
Posts: 360
Registered: 1-18-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Adventure Mexican Insurance is very good. I think their web site is www.adventuremex.com or www.mexadventure.com
[Edited on 1-22-2005 by Kell-Baja]
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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David..
The accident was on our way back over New Years weekend.. Tagged a cow with our right front headlight at night below El Roserio.
No report inside Baja with an adjuster, just contacted Lewis & Lewis when i got home. Did not get the cow's name, but he ran off into the desert
So it was a "hit and run" on his part
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