andy

The Internacional opened heading to the West today. Almost 3 months to do a few miles of road in concrete, white top - one direction. At least there are no holes now!

So I wonder if they are going to start on the Internacional headed East? Seems that they are repairing some pot holes on the Eastbound lanes, ie. that they are not going to work on that now. I guess we'll find out in the next few days.

In regards to a Mexican tourist liability policy, if you have a Costco membership you should look into their Mexican Auto Insurance via Bonita West. Go to costco.com, click on services, then Mexico Travel Auto Insurance.

For 100k in liability, 1 year policy, limited territory (Mexico border states only) the cost is $134.44 with Bonita West BEFORE the Costco discount. If you have a Gold Star membership, the discount is 25%. If you have Executive membership, the discount is 35%. That brings the price to $100.83 with Gold Star or $87.39 with Executive. Coverage is with Qualitas.

Per the Sanborn's website at the link provided above, the same 100k liability, 1 year policy is $182.92. For 50k liability, a 1 year policy is $121.74. I am not sure if this is limited territory or full territory (coverage in all of Mexico). Coverage is with HDI Seguros.

Both policies include legal assistance. If you have other needs such as full coverage, etc, check each website for a quote.

I have not seen any year long Mexico tourist liability policy less than Bonita West with the Costco discount. In fact, the price seems to be less than Sanborn's even without the Costco discount.

I have been unable to find a clear cut way to get the proper insurance coverage if you have California plates and reside in Mexico on a FM3 or tourist visa. Most US insurance companies will not insure your car if you are garaging in Mexico and have US plates (eg. California). You need to 'garage' your car in the United States.

If you have a FM2 or are a Mexico citizen your car should have a Baja California plate on your car. In this case you buy Mexican insurance from a Mexico insurance company as well as US liability coverage when you visit the United States.

I am sorry Mary Ellen, I just don't understand your logic.

To cross the regular border you need a document such as a passport that also costs money. Any maybe you better include that gas that you are burning up in your car waiting two hours to cross. Nothing is really free.

The point that I am trying to make is that there is no fee to use the Ready Lane. Sentri has a program fee in addition to the fees for documentation. The Ready Lane is equal to the regular lanes in regards to cost. There is no fee, no program enrollment, no background check specifically to use the Ready Lane. It is no cost to anyone who has the proper document that contain the RFID chip.

In any case, it seems that no one on the Tijuanablog has actually used the Ready Lane yet or has had time to post about it. Your original question I believe.

No one posted that the Passport card was free. The fee for a Passport Card has nothing to do with the Ready Lane - you are paying for a passport card. The Ready Lane does not have a program cost like Sentri does.

You can also apply for a US Passport card at the US Consulate in Tijuana.

http://tijuana.uscon.../passports.html

According the the link below, the Otay Mesa Ready Lane hours of operation are:

Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

http://www.northbaja...-miguel-sedano/