Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I really need Mexican Insurance?
- Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico?
- What does a Baja-Mex Insurance Services, Inc. policy cover?
- What does Mexican Insurance cost?
- What does your U.S. Insurance cover while you are in Mexico?
- Are you required to get a permit for your vehicle prior to entering Mexico?
- Important Notes
Do I really need Mexican Insurance?
First, Mexican insurance is not mandatory for you to travel into the immediate cities and towns along the U.S./Mexico border, but in the event you are involved in an automobile accident, there are basically only two ways to resolve this and that is to pay all damages on the spot in cash (who normally carries thousands of dollars of cash on them?) or you can prove your financial responsibility by having in your possession a Mexican Insurance policy.
In the U.S.A. we operate under the English Common Code of Law which means we are innocent until proven guilty. In Mexico and most of Latin American countries they operate under the Napoleonic Code of Law, which means that you are guilty until proven innocent. Couple that together with the fact that IN MEXICO IT IS A CRIMINAL AND CIVIL OFFENSE IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT and you have a situation where although as we have stated before, its not mandatory to have, but if you are prudent you will have purchased Mexican Insurance to prove your financial responsibility before crossing into Mexico.
Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico?
Air Travel Passport Requirements
For U.S. citizens traveling to or from Mexico, the requirements state that all travelers should be prepared to present a current United States passport book or other official travel document. The Department of Homeland Security defines these additional travel documents as NEXUS traveler cards, U.S. military identifications with travel orders, or U.S. merchant mariner documents and proof of official business.
Sea and Land Travel Passport Requirements
U.S. citizens who are traveling by land or sea have additional options. They may use a passport card in lieu of a passport book. They may also present a WHTI-compliant document such as a state-issued enhanced driver's license; a trusted traveler card; an enhanced tribal card or other official proof of tribal status; and U.S. military or merchant mariner documents along with travel orders.
Minors
Minors -- defined as children under 16 years old -- may also use a United States-issued passport book or card for border crossings. They can also present WHTI-compliant documents as listed above, or they may use their original birth certificates or certified copies.
What does a Baja-Mex Insurance Services, Inc. policy cover?
We offer two plans for Mexican Auto & RV policies.
The first is what we call our LIABILITY POLICY, which includes:
- C.S.L. $100,000.00 (covers both Property Damage Liability and Bodily Injury Liability)
- Medical Expenses $5,000.00 per person up to $25,000.00 per accident. (This is for you & your passengers).
The second type of coverage we offer is MAXIMUM COVERAGE, which includes:
- Liability as mentioned above.
- Medical Expenses as mentioned above.
- Collision, Overturning and Glass Breakage with a deductible of $500.00 dlls.
- Fire, Theft, Vandalism and Natural disasters with a deductible of $1,000.00 dlls.
Theft coverage is broadened to include payment for parts and accessories only attached to the insured vehicle, excluding video and sound reproduction, recording equipment such as, but not limited to DVD players, AM/FM radios, cassette and CD players/recorders and CB, UHF and VHF radios. PERSONAL PROPERTY OR OBJECTS CONTAINED IN THE VEHICLE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED. Vandalism meaning willful and malicious damage to or destruction of insured vehicle.
Defense costs, legal fees, or cost of bonds are covered.
What does Mexican Insurance cost?
We offer Mexican Insurance for as little as 24 hours or for as much as 365 days. Remember that policies are sold for 24 hours from the time you enter Mexico. Therefore if you enter Mexico at 10 A.M. on Friday and return on Sunday at 3 P.M., this is a three day policy.
If you return earlier than planned, you may receive a refund for unused days. You must return the original policy to us and we refund from the time you physically return the policy to us or the postmarked date if the policy is mailed to us.
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What does your U.S. Insurance cover while you are in Mexico?
You should check with your U.S. carrier before traveling to Mexico because some U.S.Companies do cover you for the material damage and theft of your vehicle providing you return to the U.S. and file a claim with them. Companies that do provide this coverage almost always have both time limitations and also a distance limitation and if you are a frequent traveler to Mexico, there is a good chance that they will delete this from your policy if they know you are a frequent traveler. Also, remember that your U.S. company does not have any authority to adjust a claim for you while you are in Mexico.
Are you required to get a permit for your vehicle prior to entering Mexico?
If you are traveling into the interior of Mexico you will have to get a vehicle permit from the Mexican authorities and they will need to see your registration. Being that most people finance their vehicles, you, the insured, are the registered owner, but the legal owner (the bank or credit union) has to provide you with a letter authorizing you to take the vehicle into Mexico. In almost every case, they will not give you a letter of permission if you can't show proof of insurance on the car. In these cases, the legal owner needs to see that in addition to liability, you are also covering the vehicle for Collision, Glass Breakage, Fire and Theft.
Vehicles traveling in Baja California do not need to get a vehicle permit. If you plan on crossing to the mainland by ferry, you will have to get a vehicle permit at the embarkation location.
Important Notes
YOU MUST REPORT CLAIMS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE RETURNING TO THE U.S.A. We provide you with a toll-free number to call in Mexico, and there are bilingual people available 24 hours a day to assist you. Returning to the U.S.A. without first reporting your claim in Mexico may result in denial of your claim.
The terms and conditions of automobile insurance policies affording coverage for tourists in Mexico are determined by the government of Mexico. These insurance policies differ in many ways from policies issued in California and other states.
This policy covers only specified perils. The only coverages are those specified on the declaration page, and in the policy conditions. This is not an all-risk-policy.
Policy is void if being driven by an individual not possessing a valid drivers license.
Policy is void if the accident is caused by the insured being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Policy is void if towing and towed vehicle is not declared on policy and additional premium charge.
Loss of use and/or rental replacement is not covered.
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