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Maztex

Apr 24, 2012, 1:13 PM

Post #1 of 17 (3724 views)

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Driving back to US with SD plates

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We plan to drive from Mazatlan to the United States next month, spending about a week in
Arizona and California. Our car has current South Dakota plates. We live in
Mexico full time, so only have Mexican car insurance.

I have been able to find a policy that covers liability in the US for the time
we will be there, but I have not had any success finding US collision and
comprehensive insurance coverage. If anyone has any helpful information on this
question I would appreciate hearing it.

richmx2

Apr 24, 2012, 1:36 PM

Post #2 of 17 (3713 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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It's been a while, but I always used Rodney D. Young for short-term policies... they've got a on-line application.

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

Maztex

Apr 24, 2012, 2:00 PM

Post #3 of 17 (3704 views)

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Re: [richmx2] Driving back to US with SD plates

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Thanks for the lead. I called them just now, and was told that the closest policy they had to what I was looking for requires that I be in the United States with the car for at least 2 months out of the year. That does not work for me.

Fred

bournemouth

Apr 24, 2012, 2:50 PM

Post #4 of 17 (3687 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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Have you checked Seguro Gringo: https://www.segurogringo.com/default.aspx

(This post was edited by Rolly on Apr 24, 2012, 3:19 PM)

Maztex

Apr 24, 2012, 10:30 PM

Post #5 of 17 (3629 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Driving back to US with SD plates

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thank you -- this looks promising. I will call them tomorrow. Have you used them before with success?

Axixic

Apr 25, 2012, 2:33 AM

Post #6 of 17 (3623 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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I've used SeguroGringo. I didn't make a claim so I don't know how it performs if you make a claim, but it gave me liability insurance for 2 weeks in the U.S.

Phil in SLP

Apr 25, 2012, 12:08 PM

Post #7 of 17 (3577 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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You can also google Sanborns in Laredo. I have dealt with them for years, and their rates are competitive. I don't know about very short term.

Maztex

Apr 27, 2012, 8:17 AM

Post #8 of 17 (3485 views)

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Re: [Phil in SLP] Driving back to US with SD plates

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thank you to all of you who made suggestions.

N2Futur

Apr 28, 2012, 10:56 AM

Post #9 of 17 (3403 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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Whenever we drive up North with our SD-plated SUV, we stop at one of the roadside offices that advertise USA Insurance just before Nogales and get it there. US$29 for 7 days of insurance. We use the same office, they have our info on file, I just give them the previous 1 week policy and receive a new one in return. Very easy.

Elke
___________________________
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

Maztex

Apr 28, 2012, 12:02 PM

Post #10 of 17 (3390 views)

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Re: [N2Futur] Driving back to US with SD plates

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thanks for the information! Is that just for liability insurance? do you know if they offer collision or comprehensive coverage for the US?

Fred

N2Futur

Apr 28, 2012, 12:14 PM

Post #11 of 17 (3387 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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http://nationalunity.com/personal.asp

this is their website. Check under Mexico Issued Policy or e-mail them with your questions.

Elke
___________________________
"When choosing between two evils, I always like to pick the one I never tried before." - Mae West

Maztex

Apr 28, 2012, 12:27 PM

Post #12 of 17 (3378 views)

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Re: [N2Futur] Driving back to US with SD plates

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the policies under "Mexico issued policies" are all liability coverage, I believe. I actually called National Unity last week and the agent in San Antonio, TX who took my call said they did not issue US policies. I corrected her on that, and told her my agent in Mazatlan was offering to sell me one for liability. She then basically pled ignorance, saying the requirements were different for Mexican agents/brokers. A confusing conversation. Perhaps I should try calling again, but my sense is that National Unity only offers liability coverage in the United States and it can be only purchased while in Mexico through a Mexican agency, even though these policies are underwritten by a US-based insurer.

So to go back to my original question, do you recall if you were just buying liability coverage at the border, or did they also offer collision and comprehensive?

thanks,
Fred

esperanza

Apr 28, 2012, 5:07 PM

Post #13 of 17 (3352 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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As far as I know, it is not possible to buy temporary comprehensive insurance for your vehicle when you are coming in from Mexico. Liability is all that's offered; that's why liability is all you've found.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

oladulce

May 9, 2012, 8:33 AM

Post #14 of 17 (3035 views)

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Re: [Maztex] Driving back to US with SD plates

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We live in Baja Sur full time with a SD plated vehicle. This year I didn't renew our annual US insurance since we have a "Mexico Resident" policy Mexican insurance. We've only made one trip to the US since, and it was very easy to get full coverage online with Geico and cancel the policy 2 weeks later when we returned to Mexico. Seemed too good to be true...

To cancel, they had me speak to a Geico agent and I asked her if cancelling the policy would effect my ability to obtain insurance in the future. She said it would Not be a problem.

The question about short term US insurance (for US plated vehicles) comes up frequently on a Baja forum and I relayed my success with using Geico online. There were several responses to my post who reported that they were able to stop and start Geico without a hitch too- until the 3rd or 4th attempt at which time Geico denied them coverage.

Anyone have experience obtaining successive Geico/Pregressive for "temporary" US insurance?

We're going North again in 2 wks and I'll find out soon if I'll have a problem with obtaining Geico. The only other option I can think of if it appears to be difficult to use this stop and start method would be to maintain bare bones coverage for 9 months of the year and start up comprehensive just before a US trip and cancel the comp upon return to Mexico. I haven't compared the cost difference to see if we'd save much. Our Mexican auto insurance isn't cheap, and i hate to pay for annual US insurance also, but it might be just one of those "living expenses".

RickS

May 9, 2012, 10:08 AM

Post #15 of 17 (3017 views)

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Re: [oladulce] Driving back to US with SD plates

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I'm not sure that this 'answers' anything, but....

I have several S.D. plated cars (in addition to an RV) and I have used Geico for about 2.5 years. In the winter I put the truck in 'Storage' (which amounts to comprehensive only). Also when I come to Mexico for an extended time (2-4 months), I put all my cars in Storage as I wouldn't be using any of them and put Mexican coverage on the one I drive down.

I have done this for two winters now and Geico seemingly does not mind this tactic for lower insurance costs. Also, as a retirement 'hobby' I occasionally buy a used car for the purpose of resale. I put the vehicle on Geico coverage the day I purchase it and then cancel when I sell (which, by the way is today since I sold my latest purchase yesterday!). Geico has never (yet?) suggested that they would just as soon not 'play this game'.

DavidHF

May 10, 2012, 5:48 AM

Post #16 of 17 (2969 views)

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Re: [RickS] Driving back to US with SD plates

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We live in Mexico full time, for nearly 7 years. I have State Farm insurance and simply have my agent put the car "in storage" for most of the time. Whenever we go north whether driving or flying and renting a car I have my agent put the policy in "full force." State Farm has been fine with this. To me it's the easiest thing to do. The cost of the Comprehensive coverage is very low and ensures that I always have full coverage when I need it.

oladulce

May 12, 2012, 11:51 PM

Post #17 of 17 (2851 views)

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Re: [RickS] Driving back to US with SD plates

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Thanks for the info about insurance "storage" options- new to me. I signed up with Geico today and explained that the vehicle is only driven for a few weeks out of the year. (I didn't elaborate that it's only driven in the U.S. for a few weeks per year.) The agent suggested using the vehicle "storage" option and we'll maintain the comprehensive portion to keep coverage active throughout the year and stop and start the liability etc for trips to the U.S.