Auto/Trailer Insurance in Mexico

rmmm68 · 11-06-2007, 08:07 PM

We are thinking of driving down the Baja this winter. What auto insurance do you who have on your auto and trailer in Mexico?

DFord79 · 11-09-2007, 10:21 PM

I ask my insurance co. (State Farm). They only cover the first 15 miles into Mexico. They will not sell me insurance for Mexico travel. There are insurance companies that will conver you in Mexico. But also remember one thing. You are in a foreign country. You have not rights unless Mexico decides you do. I have told this story several times on here. The reason I got interested in Airstreams was because I had an uncle who bought one some years ago. He went to Mexico...cause it was cheap to live in winter. He also had a tendency to find the most out of the way place to stay. He lost his Airstream down there to baditos,,,stripped it clean along with his new pickup. The insurance he had would not cover HIM...and the Mexican police were of NO help. HE lost it all.

str8strm · 11-09-2007, 10:45 PM

Although you will hear horror stories about traveling in Mexico, like the one above, we have been taking our Moho to Baja for the past couple of years without incident. We know a number of Forum members who feel the same. We purchase 6 months of insurance at a time, but have never needed it. I am at work tonight, but I will send you the info tomorrow re: the insurance. There have been posts on the subject of traveling in Mexico before and alot of folks had only positive things to say. That's not to say that bad things don't happen there, but where don't they? We spend most of our travel time on the highways and don't travel at night. But then, I don't travel at night here very often. Like most of life, it's what you make it. Try this thread: Travel to Mexico. Ron

2airishuman · 11-09-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmmm68

What auto insurance do you who have on your auto and trailer in Mexico?

hi rm'

you will need to buy rv/auto insurance FROM an agent/underwriter that is IN mexico.

this can be done on line or by telephone or at the border region, which isn't the ideal time.

most (except for 2) usa auto/rv insurance companies provide little/no coverage away from border towns.

you can purchase mexico insurance by the day or week or 6 months or 1 year.

these policies can include a 'get out of jail card' that essentially keeps you out of lock up in the event of an accident...

btw when an accident happens both sides are guilty and without the 'card' you will likely go to jail.

insurance is just one issue, there are many other important documents, but it's all manageable...

for example, you need CLEAR proof of title or a letter from the lien holder allowing you to take the vehicles into mexico...

this website has pretty complete info and the writers (the churchs) have done a really good book on rv'n south of the border.

On the Road In - A Comprehensive Travel Guide to RVing, Camping and Golfing in Mexico and Nevada

and here is the section specifically on vehicle insurance...

Mexican Vehicle Insurance - Mexico RV Insurance

cheers
2air

whitelight · 11-09-2007, 11:37 PM

Vagabundos del Mar For $35 per year membership, the Vagabundos offer insurance, foreign legal aid (get out of jail card) and information. Their HQ is in Rio Vista CA, in the Delta area. We've visited their offices there several years ago. The club was founded by people who were regular travellers to the Baja.

**azflycaster** · 11-10-2007, 06:03 AM

It's a shame that the US does not have the same requirement for Mexicans who bring their vehicle into this country.

Ahab · 11-10-2007, 07:39 AM

Been going down to Mexico for more than 35 years now and we too like the out of the way places. Never had a problem. About 20 years ago ran into some "Banditos" who wanted to buy some cigarettes from us. The area we were in was about 80 miles to the nearest town. Since I only smoked a pipe, I offered them some pipe tobacco. They laughed, waved, and got on they're horses and rode off.

uwe · 11-10-2007, 08:07 AM

I have always used this service:
Oscar Padilla's MexicanInsurance.com - Print Policy & Go! Low Rates! Save!
I never had to use it, though. The process is easy and quick, and hepolicy prints on your printer at home.

Jim Foster · 12-19-2007, 05:44 PM

I have had to "use" Mexican insurance on two occasions.

The first time I had rented a motorhome. Parked in an RV park in San Felipe along the fence line. A drunk driver came through the fence, hitting the right rear corner of the MH very hard, doing much damage and putting my wife in the hospital. The insurance agent came the next morning. Everything was paid, the MH repair as well as our other bills, including the medical bills when we return to the US. No problem.

The second time I had gone with a friend in his van to ride motorcycles for a few days in Baja. We were sleeping in the van, in a beachfront RV Park, when a hurricane (named Kathlene) came through and moved the sand from the beach into the RV park. It took most of the paint off the front and side of the van, sand blasted the chrome and turned the windshield into milk glass. We showed the damage to an agent in San Felipe and went on about our business. My friend had the van repaired when he got home, sent the bill to the Mexican insurance company and got his money, almost by return mail.

You really need to follow the rules, their rules.

Jim