19 replies to this topic

[rosaritoguerrita]

I have 2 cars that are registered in the U.S. in Calif. They are also financed there. I have insurance on both. Everything I have read here basically says that you have to find a friend/relative and use their address, so you can have U.S. coverage on your cars, and then get liability coverage for Mexico. Since I am moving totally to Rosarito, I have no relatives except in Ohio. I am going to ask my dog groomer if I can use her address for the insurance, as someone told me if you get a P.O. box with an address that looks like a house or apt. that the insurance company can find out, and you will be down the tube, insurance invalid.

So the only way you can have insurance on your car is to lie? Or omit some of the truth????? I just want to get this straight, as I am getting a P.O. Box in San Ysidro, to use for mail and to keep my medical insurance from work, but will use the groomer address on registration, and for the sentri, as they want you to have U. S. insurance. Sentri also says you have to have the same address on your registration, and license.

Do I put the groomer address on my license too?????

It is so confusing to me, I hate lying, but if that is what I have to do, well, then what is a girl to do?????

I have no money to fly to a state that lets you register a car even tho you don't live there. Someone told me to insure my driver's license. I don't even know what that means.

Anyone know how to do this any better???????

Maybe I should use my address now for the passport, FM3, Sentri, and then change to the other way, once I already have those things in my hand. Any ideas??????????????????????????

[otayBill]

It is so confusing to me, I hate lying, but if that is what I have to do, well, then what is a girl to do?????

You might want to talk to your insurance company in the US and ask what the options are.

You can also talk to a broker who sells Mexican auto insurance to Americans. Someone told me BajaBound, in San Diego, has knowledgeable staff.

[Buen Amigo]

yes Bajabound is popular. I would start there.

[rosaritoguerrita]

Thanks for the referral!

[Scooby]

You might consider canceling your auto insurance in the US and buy it on the MX side.
I did that a long time ago. Didn't matter had I US or MX plates on my vehicles.
I don't know what your rates are but mine was less than $300 for coverage on both sides.
My annual rates have been cheaper in MX than in the US.

[jdcs167]

Scobby, have you ever had to file a claim on either side ? I think I might consider this, but the thought of getting in an incident and finding out the insurance is no good troubles me.


Thanks,

[Scooby]

No, I haven't and that is a good question.
Nor have I file claims on the US side ('cause I'm such a good driver ).

The place I've used appears pretty legit. They've their own building, a large office staff, outside agents, nationwide branches, etc.

For tourist type coverage while driving in the US, I looked a little bit into competing companies. At least one I remember was being sold at a money changer place.
The website provided had barely any info nor meaningful links. Their US phone number had no answer nor a professional answering system for info or contacts.

I'd also bear in mind that the insurance industry over recent years in the USA has lost much credibility in the eyes of the American public.
Think healthcare, Katrina, Wall St, etc. for not wanting to pay out to the little guy while wanting gov bailouts for the fatcats, etc.
I'd be curious if a similar culture has permeated the car ins. industry.

While we've heard of fraudulent collision claims in the US which bolsters the public view of the industry paying out,
I've also heard of such claims succeeding on the MX side as well.

Most MX nationals I know don't carry auto insurance. The would think that the middle or upper classes are more likely too.
It just isn't required by law on the MX side. It still that way today in some US states and wasn't that long ago for Californians didn't have to.

[Scooby]

Years ago I was driving my Civic wagon on the Autopista northbound from Ensenada. It was a winter night and raining. A big rock became dislodged from the cliffs up above and settled onto the highway. Coming around the curve, I hit the rock which sent the car over the top of it. I was fortunate enough to survive and to hobble the vehicle further up to the La Fonda parking area.

Even though I had my own tourist insurance for MX at the time, the Autopista payment ticket is what payed the repairs to my vehicle. The repair requirements were not of my choosing and was done at a parts salvage yard. I think the local adjuster and the junkyard had a "special" business arrangement. Whether that was just for me or a general business practice, I don't know. It was certainly better than nothing.

Had a different insurance company paid my claim, I can't say if or how better the process would've been. It didn't even occur to me at the time to try to use my MX tourist ins I bought in SD. On the US side, the damages might well have been designated the car as being "totaled". After the repairs, I drove it for about another year. It's still seen being driven around town.
Loved that car....

[jdcs167]

Thanks for the information. If you dont mind, what is the MX insurance company you use and do you have their #.




Thanks,

[Scooby]

The MX ins is "General de Seguros, S.A.B.
The USA side is covered by CAIC Seguros USA

Phone 682-3597
Pueblo Amigo office location

[finero]

Hola Rosarito-guerrita ,

Tuned into this blog for the first time in 1 + years and see a lot has changed.

For some reason the 1st thing that caught my eye is your post on how to make various Authorities happy on the always present auto insurance issue and still be protected . I have been down in Baja on a bi-monthly basis for 14 years with the past 1 1/2 on a full time basis. Having 3 vehicles down here and 30 years experience writing P & C insurance in Calif I can tell you there is no simple answer to your question(s). Might also add that what might be a acceptable solution for me may be ill-advised for you as not every situation is the same.

There are some requirements that should be addressed before you go any further;
You mentioned you lived in Calif and as such would have a Calif address and could register and insure in Calif reflecting that address.
From an insurance company's perspective they wish to know where the car is " garaged on a regular basis" so they can charge accordingly. That is not to say 1 & 2 month trips are out they simply want to know where you call home and therefore they can determine the every day expousers and rate accordingly. Carriers ( and DMV ) expect a change of address filed if simply moving within the state if for no other reason than to get the renewal to you at the proper premium.

It is important to have a secure mailing address in Calif as you would have no means of receiving a renewal notice muchless a DMV tag or CDL renewal notice without one . So if you live in Baja and wish to keep a car registered in Calif then from this point forward little white lies begin. That is not to suggest they are acceptable to a carrier or that they may wish to get off a claim should they discover a car garaged in Baja while insured in Calif, not adddressing a claim issue.. Assume you already know that liability from a U S carrier is not acceptable in Mexico , period...!

Another major obsticle insuring and registered in Calif is that since Jan 2008 all underwriting carriers are required by Calif law to notify the DMV if a current auto insurance policy lapses for non pay , is not renewed , or cancelled insureds request. The DMV is flagging these and looking for replacment coverage , should they not receive a replacement the car registration is cancelled and owner notified of it. This is done electronically and usually begins the minute an application is sent off coverage bound by an agent. Once in DMV data the insurer is required to notify them immediately if the policy is cancelled or non-renewed. DMV saw this as a way to deal with the ever rising problem of people who get insurance for 1 or 2 months deposit only to let it lapse (can't afford it ) and there are hundreds of thousands out there. Given the economic times the problem will only continue to grow. Since this is a phased in requirement not all companies came on line at the same time so if it hasn't happened to your carrier yet , it soon will besides what the heck it is the DMV we are talking about

Hope this helps but there is no total solution to this problem and is only the first piece of a very frustrating puzzell .
Good luck.

[Powerslave]

You can also talk to a broker who sells Mexican auto insurance to Americans. Someone told me BajaBound, in San Diego, has knowledgeable staff.

Hola Rosarito-guerrita ,

Tuned into this blog for the first time in 1 + years and see a lot has changed.

For some reason the 1st thing that caught my eye is your post on how to make various Authorities happy on the always present auto insurance issue and still be protected . I have been down in Baja on a bi-monthly basis for 14 years with the past 1 1/2 on a full time basis. Having 3 vehicles down here and 30 years experience writing P & C insurance in Calif I can tell you there is no simple answer to your question(s). Might also add that what might be a acceptable solution for me may be ill-advised for you as not every situation is the same.

The question, or problem, that Rosaritoguerita seems to have is that the cars are FINANCED, which means they must carry theft and collision. Would a policy written, say, for residents of Mexico to cover them in the USA satisify the bank?

[andy]

I have been struggling with this. A know someone who has California plates, lives in Tijuana, has US full coverage insurance that also covers 50 miles into Mexico (Mexican liabilty NOT covered). His car was stolen in Tijuana. When he went to make a comprehensive claim to his US insurance company, they were questioning his garaging address, wanted proof of residence, and I believe declined his claim. This is a problem.

I have found that Qualitas will write a policy for cars with California plates to cover the Mexican Liability and Comprehensive, Collision etc in Mexico, Canada, and the United States with a Mexico garaging address. But they CAN'T offer US liability insurance for cars with US plates - only for cars with Mexican plates. My current US insurance company will not write a liability only policy without a California garaging address. So how am I supposed to get US liability insurance?

Sure - import and register the car in Mexico - sounds reasonable. But since I am not a permanent resident or citizen of Mexico I can't legally drive across the border in a car with Mexican plates. So that doesn't work either.

There has got to be a solution to this issue. There are many people that are living temporarily in Canada or Mexico and can't import and register their cars in these countries. How can you get US insurance other than by providing a less than honest garaging address in the United States?

BTW - there is mention of CAIC Seguros USA above. Here is their website - http://www.caicseguros.com/ On the first page it says US Liability Insurance for Mexican Cars and Trucks. No mention of US Liabilty Insurance for US Registered vehicles...

[andy]

I just called CAIC Seguros USA at their phone number in Houston Texas. They confirmed that they only write US liability policies for Mexican plated vehicles visting the United States - not US plated vehicles.

The gentleman there told me that I need to contact a US insurance company such as Geico, etc to get a quote for US liability insurance. I told him that I don't have a US garaging address since I live in Mexico and that they won't write me a policy - he suggested using a PO Box address or similar. Of course this is not a garaging address so this is not of any help in the matter.

[George Costanza]

Thanks for the info Andy this is good to know.

[finero]

Andy , there is no way around spending the dollars for two seperate policies ; one in US and one in Mexico. It can not be done any other way and expect what laymen refer to as " full coverage " . As for getting insured in California there are a couple of options you have but , I believe as mentioned above , ALL will require a US or Calif address ; absent that the companies will not " knowingly " insure any risk. Might be that's the reason the comp claim was denied.

[Frantic1]

For my househunting trip to Baja in March, do you have any recommendations re: insurance for about 4 days? I see internet sites that say it can all be done online, is this legit or do we need an actual face to face?

[otayBill]

For my househunting trip to Baja in March, do you have any recommendations re: insurance for about 4 days? I see internet sites that say it can all be done online, is this legit or do we need an actual face to face?

Their are legit brokers selling Mex. Car Insurance online.

I few I know of, bajabound, oscar padilla, lewis & lewis, etc.

[finero]

They are reputable but if overly cautious their DOI licensing number must be on all advertising. Your can search DOI ( Dept of Ins ) website any time and pull up any sanctioning history or other action.. Calif Gov will only have records on the licensed US agent/broker , not on the Foreign underwriting carrier.

Sounds like this is new to you so will offer;
- Do it on line as it will be less expensive and much more convient then stopping at either side of the border.
Be sure to print out and carry with you Proof of Coverage and limits on the coverage you purchased.
- Do not skimp on the liability coverage. Suggest a minimum of $ 300,000 it simply is not worth the peace of mind and is not that much more especially for
a few days coverage.
- If you are seeking physical damage ( your car ) coverage , that is rated based upon the value of your vehicle. Higher the value the more it will cost.
More important than the cost is the comphrensive portion of physical damage. Most carriers ( Mex ) do not inform you of this in advance so here it is ; Comp is anything that can happen to a car outside a collision ( in general) . You need to verify if the comp you purchase includes Partial Loss. Many , many Mexican underwriters will reject theft loss ( of part ) unless the car is totally missing/gone, disappeared , etc .
Some US carriers extend coverage into Mexico for a limited number of days for physical damage. You may wish to read the coverage section of your existing policy to see what your US carrier offers.
- If you are in an accident or wish to file a a comp claim ; Do Not Leave Mexico With Out calling the carriers claim rep. They will want to see the
vehicle before you cross over

[Frantic1]

Thanks for all the info on insurance. You are right, I am very new to this. I usually fly into San Diego and take cabs everywhere, but this time I will be househunting and need the car. I would never have thought of most of that without your help, many thanks!

Fran