Forums > General > Living, Working, Retiring

1 2 View All

BobC

Sep 11, 2009, 8:14 AM

Post #1 of 30 (6580 views)

Shortcut

Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

My wife, Sharon, and I are driving down from Canada to the Lake Chapala area in early November. We are really looking forward to our first time there.

When Sharon was down there on reconnaissance earlier this year, she was given a business card by an agent with Parker Insurance Services who said that if we emailed her, we could set up Mexican car insurance before we left home and pay when we got there.

We have emailed her but received no response.

Does anyone know anything about this agency? Is there another email address we could write to? Maybe this lady has left.

As a backup, we understand we can buy insurance from AAA in Texas on our way down. Would this be for six months or just a few days? If for six months, is it likely to be significantly more expensive than getting it in Mexico?

Has anyone any general advice in this regard--or any other alternatives to suggest?

Many thanks!

bournemouth

Sep 11, 2009, 8:25 AM

Post #2 of 30 (6564 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Check with Mexico Bob - Bob Acosta, San Xavier Insurance, Nogales, Arizona. He writes coverage for many, many folks - mexicobob@aol.com or http://www.mexican-autoinsurance.com/ . Six month policies are often cheaper than short term ones, and 1 year policies provide the best value. You can buy your coverage on line.

As an aside, Mexicans are often not good at replying to emails, and phoning is the way to get in touch with them. Some years back when we were looking for quotes on house and health insurance, I emailed Parkers at least twice and never got a response. I bought the insurance elsewhere.

(This post was edited by Rolly on Sep 11, 2009, 8:28 AM)

BobC

Sep 11, 2009, 9:07 AM

Post #3 of 30 (6539 views)

Shortcut

Re: [bournemouth] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Many thanks. I suspected it might be something like that. Having worked internationally, I know that different cultures have different priorities, so am not surprised. A colleague who had worked in Colombia told me that the most frustrating thing when he first went there was the constant sound of telephones ringing! Then he discovered that the attitude there was that you only answered a phone if you absolutely, positively had nothing else to do! (I guess the assumption was that if someone had something really important to tell you, they would come and see you. He said that once you got used to the idea, it was very liberating! Same thing goes for emails, I guess.

We will probably be contacting Mexican Bob as you suggest.

Again, Muchas Gracias

RickS

Sep 11, 2009, 9:32 AM

Post #4 of 30 (6530 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

There are many providers of vehicle insurance for Mexico. Bournemouth has given you one that I have used a couple of times. Didn't have to use it (no claims) so can't vouch for how that might go, but did like Bob Acosta's service prior to and during the sale. Bournemouth has referred to him as Mexico Bob.

Just to give you one more place for 'comparative shopping', try: https://www.nelsoninternationalgroup.com/policyblaster/index.php This firm is touted by the famous (infamous?) Mexico Mike (seems these guys like to attach themselves to Mexico whenever they can :>) and seemingly gives good service before and after the sale. Just another option to check out.

BobC

Sep 11, 2009, 9:47 AM

Post #5 of 30 (6516 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thanks a million, Rick. As you say, one more to try.

Bob

richmx2

Sep 11, 2009, 10:28 AM

Post #6 of 30 (6500 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

There are plenty of insurance companies to chose from... simply type "Mexican auto insurance" in your search engine of choice and make a selection. If you're planning a long stay, you might want to check once you're settled on a local agent, and change the policy, but I wouldn't put the cart before the burro.

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

chinagringo

Sep 11, 2009, 5:51 PM

Post #7 of 30 (6456 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Two avenues that we have used:
1) If you are a COSTCO member, you can check out their Mexico Auto Insurance through a link they provide on their web site.
2) We have used www.mexadventure.com many times. Everything is done online and we always opt for the "Platinum" or "Premier" package that provides Roadside Assistance and best of all, Health Coverage that includes flying any member home in the case of serious injury or illness.

Did have a claim a number of years back for towing and such and they did not delay payment what-so-ever!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

mexliving

Sep 11, 2009, 11:00 PM

Post #8 of 30 (6430 views)

Shortcut

Re: [chinagringo] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

i use san xavier out of arizona.... 250.00 for 6 months coverage auto value 15,000 dollars.

BobC

Sep 12, 2009, 7:33 AM

Post #9 of 30 (6396 views)

Shortcut

Re: [mexliving] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Many thanks to everyone who replied for all your help. I'm sure we will be fine now.

I actually did run a Google search, but, as one might expect there were a ton of hits and I wasnt even sure where to start or who was legitimate. Using this source put me on to several people who I at least know are legit.

This is a really great source of information. I'm sure we will use it again.

Again, thanks a lot.

Bob

Moisheh

Sep 13, 2009, 7:07 PM

Post #10 of 30 (6337 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

First Canadians with a Costco card are not eligible for that insurance. There is not as posted " a lot to choose from". Most agents are not agents. They simply sign up online to sell policies. Most of these policies come from an agent in Scottsdale. Name something like International Insurance. If you have a problem neither the real agent nor the seller will be of any help. You can identify those sellers as they all use the same quote software and offer a choice of 5 or 6 companies. One of the best real agents is Lewis and Lewis. They have higher Liability amounts and excellent prices. I have used them for almost 20 years. I have had claims and they were all handled well. Better service and prices than Mexico Bob. Buyer beware.

Moisheh

(This post was edited by Moisheh on Sep 13, 2009, 7:08 PM)

BobC

Sep 14, 2009, 5:30 AM

Post #11 of 30 (6312 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Moisheh] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Can't Post | Private Reply

Yes, thanks. I'm sure that would be the case. And we certainly don't want to cancel our Canadian insurance until we are actually across the Mexican border.

Bob

mazbook1

Sep 14, 2009, 6:38 PM

Post #22 of 30 (6185 views)

Shortcut

Re: [chinagringo] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Neil, That's just a rule the company you used has. There are quite a number of companies that don't have this rule, otherwise those who live here full time with FM2s or FM3s would have to pay for U.S. or Canadian insurance besides their Mexican insurance, and that's just not the case. It's actually one of the big savings for those who live full time in México and don't use their vehicle to go back and forth.

RickS

Sep 14, 2009, 8:02 PM

Post #23 of 30 (6169 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Well, BobC has probably gotten more information that he suspected he might with his original post!

Couple of more thoughts.... I have used Lewis & Lewis and San Xavier ( Bob Acosta mentioned by bournemouth above) a couple of times each dating back to 2002. Fortunately I have not had any claims so I can't address what might happen with either should that occur, but I have seen 'testimonials' of good service from both these providers.

BTW, neither of them asked about/required me to have a US policy (which of course I did). I found it very easy to get a quote from either of them on-line. And as I recall their respective 6-month policies were very comparable in cost.

What made me change to Bob Acosta's insurance, aside from the fact that I have a friend who knows Bob and Helen, is that their policy includes coverage at "NO" extra cost, under the Travel Assistance portion of their policy, for Emergency Medical Transportation by SkyMed! For those of you who aren't completely familiar with SkyMed, see: http://www.skymed.com/acosta
I was initially dubious that they could/would include that great service gratis, but I checked it out and sure enough it is/they do.

The addition of that service, and all it entails, gives me peace of mind that if I had to be evacuated back to the US, it would be to my home town (not a border town hospital), my spouse would/could accompany me AND my car/RV would be driven back from Mexico to my home by a professional driver.

BobC

Sep 15, 2009, 5:55 AM

Post #24 of 30 (6140 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

Hi, Rick:

Yes, information overload... I posted the same question on another site as well, so sometimes felt like the man with two watches who never knows what time it is!

Bottom line is that it seems to come down to between Lewis and Lewis and Bob Acosta-- plus we will probably also phone the agent in Chapala that we originally tried to email. Then we can look at cost, who the actual insurer is, and any extras such as the SkyMed deal you mention (and you were the first to mention this one). SkyMed probably wouldnt take either or both of us back to Canada, but they should at least be able take us as far as upstate New York. It's only an hour or so from here to Watertown, for example.

Thanks a lot for this particular tip.

Bob

RickS

Sep 15, 2009, 8:27 AM

Post #25 of 30 (6116 views)

Shortcut

Re: [BobC] Mexican Car Insurance

Can't Post | Private Reply

SkyMed does include coverage for Canadian customers.....

1 2 View All