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Mexican Insurance |
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The information provided here are only suggestions and anecdotal stories on Mexican Automobile/Caravan/RV Insurance. The information in the Mexican pages is a generic peace of work and is meant only as a general guide, it should not be taken as absolute fact. The information provided in this pages can change at any given day. Please check with your insurance carrier before traveling to Mexico.
YOUR U.S., CANADIAN OR EUROPEAN
INSURANCE IS NOT VALID IN MEXICO. According to the results of a survey taken
several years ago among Mexican motorists about 3.7% had
automobile insurance. This sobering statistic plus the fact that Mexican
authorities demand proof of financial responsibility (should an accident occur)
most certainly should encourage everyone to seek adequate liability coverage
before they drive one foot into Mexico. In the case of an accident,
Mexican authorities will not accept foreign auto insurance policies. Any Mexican
auto insurance coverage you purchase should include claims adjusters that will
come to the scene of an accident and an attorney. This becomes very
important since, in the event of an accident, you are not allowed to move your
vehicle and you may be detained by the police in the event that anyone is hurt
until fault can be established.
Liability insurance is not obligatory in Mexico. There are no roadside checks or
entry requirements that force foreign visitors to obtain insurance. However in
the event of an automobile accident, Mexican police are required by federal law
to establish that the motorists are financially able to pay for injuries and
damage. The presence of a valid insurance policy will tell the authorities that
a driver can cover the liability if they are adjudicated guilty (responsible for
the accident). If a motorist should have an accident say, with a wallet full of
platinum credit cards, and no insurance, the authorities will be convinced of
financial responsibility only when those cards produce enough Mexican pesos at
the bank to satisfy the amount demanded. Needless to say, an insurance policy is
easiest. Plus the fact that the insurance policy means that you will have a
Mexican adjuster show up and defend you (it's their money at stake).
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Mexican
Insurance Companies
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How
to Shop for Insurance
At every border crossing there are numerous drive-through kiosks that offer
short-term policies to motorists. While they are indeed handy they are also the
most costly places to buy insurance, especially for policy terms of two weeks or
longer. Buying insurance over the internet is a fairly recent development but a
very convenient way to shop and compare.
The American Automobile Association will help its members. Contact: AAA
Headquarters, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, Florida, 32746-5063. Phone: (407)
444-8122; Web: http://www.aaa.com/
By David Eidell
Collision
Coverage
Just like your USA policy, collision and comprehensive will cover loss to your
own vehicle. However unlike a USA policy, vandalism, theft of less than the
whole rig, and coverage of things not bolted to the vehicle are not covered at
all. Collision coverage premiums are based solely on the declared worth of the
coach, but take note, the company will pay but rock bottom (blue book minimum)
for a loss. So don't get carried away with overstating the worth of your
caravan/RV. If
in doubt establish its value before you obtain a policy.
Many veteran travelers
elect to make arrangements with their insurance broker before they leave home in
order to custom tailor a policy. While motorists who wish to have full coverage
are pretty much stuck if they are on an extended traveling trip, it is quite
reasonable to underwrite journeys to a from a single destination site inside
Mexico (For an example, let's suppose you want to drive your caravan/rv from Nogales to
Mazatlan then park it there for the winter). Three or four days is adequate
enough to get there and back. The rest of the time the rig will be safely
ensconced within an RV park. You can either establish the travel return date
beforehand with the insurance broker or telephone them before you leave with a
credit card for payment. They will FAX the return trip policy direct to the RV
park (for a fee of course).
Towed
Motor Vehicles
Again you have the choice of coverages between just liability and full
collision. Because most "toads" are lightweight economy cars many
folks take their chances with just liability coverage. Note however that when
full coverage is applied to the towing vehicle you have the option of having the
"toad" fully covered as well. If a husband and wife are going to both
operate the auxiliary vehicle then it's best to insure the vehicle rather than
the driver (see driver license insurance below).
Driver
License Insurance
For about fifty-seven dollars a year, you can obtain "Driver's License
Liability Insurance" that bonds you rather than a specific vehicle. Most
companies do not offer this coverage with collision coverage as they have no
idea of the type of motor vehicle that you'll be driving.
Attorney's
Fees Clause
This is an extra-cost option that is highly touted by various travel clubs and
insurance brokers. For thirty to forty dollars in extra premium fees, the policy
promises to hasten the arrival of an attorney to represent you in case of an
accident. For a few hundred dollars, a person can
hire a Mexican attorney to represent them for a serious accident.
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Extra
Liability
This is one inexpensive extra-cost option. It
increases the pay out limit on property damage and public liability. The
following statistic may be dreadful to read but it is necessary in order to gain
a small perspective: the average insurance pay out for a wrongful death claim is a bit over twenty
thousand dollars US.
Additional Public Liability and property damage
coverage costs around fifteen dollars extra -- well worth it.
An insurance policy will demonstrate financial responsibility, even if guilty, and will allow you continue on your way (if possible). Just to protect yourself from the hassle of dealing with the "Policia" and their jail, it's a good idea to have at least basic liability coverage. (Jail is a common detainment area while accident issues are being resolved.)