54 replies to this topic

[eclipse]

How much does it cost and what do you get for it? Have you ever had to use it? If I google, tons of companies come up, but I have no idea which ones are legit. I need to verify it, but I'm pretty sure that my US insurance will cover me in Mexico as long as they don't know I'm living there - but that's not considered sufficient under Mexican law, right?

[tijuanalunchbunch]

You are right, US insurance should cover anything that happens in Tijuana. Whether or not living there affects that, I do not know - better have a US addy where they can come and look at any damage suffered while you were "visiting" in Mexico.

US insurance will not suffice for Mexican purposes.

Years ago, when I drove to and lived in Guadalajara, I had Sanborn's Insurance. Unfortunately, their closest border agency was in Mexicali. I arranged the insurance through a friend in Guadalajara and all the documents were faxed back and forth to cover my trip.


j

[Scribbles]

Only a few insurance companies cover you while you are in Baja and you are only covered for up to so many miles I think its less than 10 inside of Tijuana. A few will offer coverage but may not be recognized by Mexico. You do not need insurance in Mexico it is not a law but highly recommended.
Mexican Coverage is not that much less than 200 a year for most polices. All insurance companies have access to a database that will let them know if your car has entered Mexico or not. Your license plates get scanned going in and out of Mexico so don't try an pull a fast one over on your insurance agent. My brother worked in insurance fraud for Allstate for 10 years and has told me many of stories of claims not getting paid as they found the car was in an accident in Mexico.

[Rosarito Gary]

I get my mexican insurance from Quintias. They are located in front of Rosarito Hotel (in the strip mall) facing main street. It covers my car here in Meixco and I pay an extra $200.00 USD to cover my car when I cross the border. I have mexican plates on my car. That way insurance is much cheaper. I do not have to go states to smog or register, etc.....

[otayBill]

The companies in that US that sell Mexican Auto Insurance are brokers for Mexican Insurance Companies. The largest Mexican Insurance company is Qualitas.

I shopped around and found most of the companies sell the same policy from Qualitas. So I choose the, Lewis & Lewis, since it was recommended and their price is the lowest. I pay $163 a year for liability and comprehensive.

http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/

[finero]

I sincerely hope that no one relies on the well intended advice offered here as some posts are clearly misleading at best. Wrong from a US insurance carriers coverage and most certainly wrong from Mex liability / responsibility . I am of the belief that the topic of this thread given subsequent replies can do more harm then the good intent .

[Keyno]

I sincerely hope that no one relies on the well intended advice offered here as some posts are clearly misleading at best. Wrong from a US insurance carriers coverage and most certainly wrong from Mex liability / responsibility . I am of the belief that the topic of this thread given subsequent replies can do more harm then the good intent .

Think you misunderstood this post, it's only about auto insurance.

[finero]

Think you misunderstood this post, it's only about auto insurance.

No , I did not misunderstand the posts and I am sorry I had to make such a statement. Felt it necessary as there is way too much at stake for any fellow countrymen/women driving around south of the border relying on half ( 1/2 ) or Zero ( 0 ) truths. Not looking to step on anybodys toes and again I say ; it is all well intended advice , never the less , misleading in many areas.

Keyno, this thread is more about the conflict of Laws between two seperate counties , auto insurance is really a small part of the over all problem one faces when living on both sides of the border or visiting when it concerns operating a motor vehicle. The driving force when anyone gets behind the wheel of a car is Financial Responsibility . No public Authority US or Mex gives a " hoot " about the damage to your car . Insurance is the most used vehicle of satisfying the FR Laws in Calif but it is a totally different animal down here.

Have 30+ years writing P&C insurance in Calif , owned agencies in Tustin and Huntington Harbor
In 1997 I started driving into Mexico two times a month ( minimum ) / In 2006 started spending most all time here
Have had 3 cars down here since 2006
Those auto have been involved in 3 accidents over the years none of which were my wifes fault ( BTW - Qualitis sucks when paying 3rd party claims.)
Use to be curious about number of times I crossed the border ( sadomachizm /sp) but gave that up at around 1500 which was many moons ago

" Only about auto insurance " I think Not

[jdcs167]

I have State Farm insurance in the US and they cover up to 50miles into Mex. They know that I live in TJ and said it was fine. I have one car in TJ and the other is always in the US. From what I was told, they will cover me if I have an accident in Mex or get my vehicle stolen in Mex. The only thing is that if its my fault, I will have to go to jail while the adjuster comes to TJ and gets everything cleared (same day). I also explained to them that I do business in TJ and need to visit customers here and sometimes drive them around. I got the 250K, 500K, 60K policy along with a $1million umbrella policy to cover anything over my limits. i.e if I hit Hank Rhon and accidentaly kill his entire family in the car.

Im not saying this is accurate information, but this is what they told me after I explained to them every single scenario about driving, living and potential accidents in Mex.

[finero]

jd
Spent 45 minutes on a reply that was intended to shed some light on your post. Was 2 minutes away from hitting the " submit " button and power went off for 20 seconds so lost everything. No time to revisit that now as I'm out the door but will get back on it.

Believe we talked many months ago when I was searching for something to spend my idle time on. Well we decided to open a Boutique a year ago in The Alley . Doing quite well given the obsticles of the past 11 months , however , keeping the ladies of HK and others in necessities keeps me busy.

I read your post which concerns me and hope you do not object to hearing my remarks as they are intended to be constructive.


" Im not saying this is accurate information --- " / " I will have to go to jail while the adjuster comes to TJ and gets everything cleared (same day). "

[jdcs167]

No problem Finero, that is what we are all here for to learn and teach from our mistakes and fortunes. Hammer away.

[finero]

No way will it get to hammering . I would simply like to throw out some food for thought based upon my experience in insurance and a split life on both sides of the Border. Might be of help next time you address certain issues.

State Farm Insurance ( opinion ) has been and continues to be one of the elite 5 insurance underwriters in the past 50 years . They are a blue chip company dedicated to insurance and their insureds. State Farm agents are a mirror of their Company and hold a high standard of ethics on the whole unmatched within the insurance profession as a group of direct writers.

You should understand that any Contract to Insure is given the insured with clear definations of the carrier's responsibilities printed within the Ins Policy and all subsequent endorsement. It is so simple , yet so time consuming and confusing that I dare say , no one ever reads them. ( Includes me ! ). It is too convenient to rely on statements made by agents , brokers , customer service personnel , worse yet , well intended advise . That maybe Okay in the Calif/US but down south there is a lot more at risk and to rely on unsupported statements made with good intent is not sound judgement ( opinion ).

Why would you want to wait in jail for a day ( doubt one day ) hopeing some delivery boy to appear with cash in hand from a State Farm Claims office. I say delivery boy as he could be a Claims manager , the CEO of XYZ Ins Co but he is just a delivery boy in Mexico... Mexico does not recognize any US Insurance ( Period ). Have you ever noticed they don't march to our drum beat and they could care less about what someone told you they were going to do . Hell they could care less about financial responsibility much less insurance .

There is absolutley no insurance carrier in the US / Calif that will pay CASH for a claim (Checks , Credit Cards not accepted) be it their insured or 3rd party. Not only do they require a signed check for payment but eventually they will require a signed Release of Liability. Been that way for decades and will never change .. Sorry but think hell would freeze over before that bail out money got to Tijuana , in the right hands and Release signed. Guess you know those 1 day roommates may not like the way you part your hair

Any individual that suggests Financial Responsibility is extended into Mexico by a particular Insurance Carrier is misleading in their advise. Want proof , read the policy . Don't want to do that might be your reasoning ( in part ) . Don't want to know the true answer is more likely ? Can you imagine the number of Staged Accident claims that would be
flowing across the border to domestic insurance carriers ( i.e.; you are insured 70 /75 miles south of the border for , there is always a time limit ).
These carriers , once the word got out in Mexico would be paying out claims on a 4 passenger vehicle that some how had 15 people in it at time of accident. Liability extended to Mexico is a common sense answer; There Is None

Most major insurance carriers writing in Calif do extend the Physical Damage coverage to protect their insureds. It is always limited as to miles south of the border ( varies ) and to a limited amount of days .

Hope you receive this favorably and not as hammering. I have been too winded already so will spare you my experience of an accident 2 months ago . I can say it was like seeing an old flick with the Keystone Cops as headliners . Bottom line being the Calif registered vehicle was the culpret. Never in all my years have I seen , heard or experienced such brain-dead conclusions and conceived by what I refer to as a kangaroo court. Two kangaroos that knew nothing .

Semper Fi Dude

[Rosarito Gary]

Get my insurance at Qualitis by the Rosarito Hotel. Just renewed. Have full coverage for my Mexican Plated Car and libility coverage for USA.

[finero]

Sounds great ; Baja registered veh covered by a Mexican underwriter .
Resident BC registered veh insured on a full time Mexican / resident policy ; suppose to be .

Assume you are listed as owner or as a driver on the policy.
- May I ask if you have both a Baja Calif, MX and Calif drivers license ?
- Does a US citizen have to have an FM2 in order to qualify for a BC issued license ?
- Is it necessary to speak sufficient Spanish to pass the written exam to obtain a BC license ?

Your input is very valuable information to anyone trying to decide on how to deal with their auto insurance dilemma. The more quality info
they have the easier their decision would be.

[Keyno]

I tell ya, i am getting close to getting rid of my Cady and taking Taxi's. Owning a car is a huge money pit. When i lived your Germany, having a car wasn't necessary and Mexico seems to be the same. No worries of Jail, Pot holes, Insurance, Feeding Middle East, Theft, and payments of any kind. Just sit back and let others drive ya here and there. That's the life for me. Meeting new people and wondering what to do with all the extra money.

[Rosarito Gary]

Sounds great ; Baja registered veh covered by a Mexican underwriter .
Resident BC registered veh insured on a full time Mexican / resident policy ; suppose to be .

Assume you are listed as owner or as a driver on the policy.
- May I ask if you have both a Baja Calif, MX and Calif drivers license ?
- Does a US citizen have to have an FM2 in order to qualify for a BC issued license ?
- Is it necessary to speak sufficient Spanish to pass the written exam to obtain a BC license ?

Your input is very valuable information to anyone trying to decide on how to deal with their auto insurance dilemma. The more quality info
they have the easier their decision would be.

Yes I own the vehicle and is registered to me. I do have a Mexican Drivers License and a Nevada Drivers License. I have a FM3. to get my drivers license here you pay 100 pesos for a physical (right there at the dmv). The written test was given orally, only 8 questions. Very easy. I paid about 40.00 USD and got my license. It was only good for 6 months (why I don't know). Went back in 6 months paid again and now it is good for 3 years. I did buy the car from a mexican who had imported the car 2 years prior to me buying it. so far been very happy. No smog checks. Have to go once a year for registration renewal (only do them in Jan, Feb and Mar for some reason). So do not buy a mexican plated car in Nov or Dec or you will pay for registration then and then again come Jan. Best time to buy is Jan, Feb or Mar or you get ripped off.

[finero]

Valuable Input R-G
I find your post very informative as I struggled with the drivers license / visa issue a couple years ago. This was one of many options I was considering, however , went in another direction as was unsure of what I wanted where the Visa was concerned and what language the test could be taken in. May I inquire , do you speak Spanish .

On the Visa my recall is FM3 is long term , non-immigrant and issued 6 months or longer ; FMT ( tourist ) is maximum 6 months and just happens to paralle
the 6 month period ( months to expiration ) on your initial DL. Would you have any knowledge if an FMT is acceptable to obtain a DL ? Doubt it but worth asking .

*The more quality info they have the easier their decision would be.

[Rosarito Gary]

Valuable Input R-G
I find your post very informative as I struggled with the drivers license / visa issue a couple years ago. This was one of many options I was considering, however , went in another direction as was unsure of what I wanted where the Visa was concerned and what language the test could be taken in. May I inquire , do you speak Spanish .

On the Visa my recall is FM3 is long term , non-immigrant and issued 6 months or longer ; FMT ( tourist ) is maximum 6 months and just happens to paralle
the 6 month period ( months to expiration ) on your initial DL. Would you have any knowledge if an FMT is acceptable to obtain a DL ? Doubt it but worth asking .

*The more quality info they have the easier their decision would be.

Speak very little spanish. Yes you have to have fm3 for drivers license. My fm3 is renewed once a year. I do not have a fm3 that allows me to work as I am retired. If you work you renew in 6 months. Hope all this info helps.

[finero]

The bottom line ; any individual searching for information regarding insuring an auto in Baja has the following requirements should they opted for a domestic Mexican carrier as AN OPTION ;

The vehicle must be B.C./ Mex licensed ( what we are use to in Calif / Nevada / US ).
The driver must be Baja licensed ( DL ) ( what we are use to in Calif / Nevada / US )
Requires a full time commitment to B.C. /Mex with the FM3 or FM2 prerequesit
Having satisfied all the above they may obtain auto insurance from any domestic Mexican underwriter including Qualitas in Rosarito/ Suppose to be...,
but very expensive and time consuming . Don't speak Spanish then almost impossible absent the desire to learn it.

In my case I chose not to go this route as it is very time consuming and the money saved by buying auto insurance from anyone here was not that cheap given all factors. Renew a FM2 /3 every year as compared to a smog ever two years is a trade off . Major factor was to import my car(s) which was very expensive and pushing the value of them or buy a Baja licensed vehicle. The latter being the least thought of options given the fact that very few take care of an auto down here as many take their repairs to a mechanic that has Zip, Nada experience with CPU vehicles or tools to diagnois . If that didn't get my attention the road conditions most certainly did and regulated that option as a " last straw ".

[Rosarito Gary]

Bought my car from a Mexican who had it since new. 2001. Have had it 1 1/2 years and NO PROBLEMS. He took very good care of it. To assume all mexicans do not take care of their cars is wrong. It was an easy process getting my insurance on it. Was in office maybe 30 minutes, then returned to pick up policy next day. Cost was more than 1/2 off what I paid for in Nevada. I am not saying this is the only way to go. It was good for me. I did not get my FM3 to buy a car, I got it as I live in Mexico full time and it is required. I try to obey the laws here the same way I did when I lived in the states.