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normamc288

Oct 5, 2010, 11:59 AM

Post #1 of 20 (3234 views)

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auto insurance

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So, as usual, I keep getting conflicting info here. One persons says you MUST have proof of Mexican car ins. The next person says does not matter. I got stopped a number of years back in Nvo. Laredo and was not allowed to pass w/o auto insurance.

And the ones who say it does not matter go on to say "They never ask for it." Well, I really do not care if they ask or do not ask but if it is the law to have Mx insurance I would like to follow the law.

Thanks for any help that anyone can give me, Norma

chinagringo

Oct 5, 2010, 12:05 PM

Post #2 of 20 (3226 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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Are you talking about a vehicle with NOB plates or a MX plated vehicle? As to my knowledge, any and all NOB plated vehicles must have Mexico auto insurance. Given what happens when an accident occurs in Mexico, I would NEVER drive any of our vehicles without the very best insurance that I could find without regard to the cost!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Rolly

Oct 5, 2010, 12:16 PM

Post #3 of 20 (3222 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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Auto insurance requirement is a state matter. Some states require liability ins., others don't.
Common sense certainly requires it!!!!

Rolly Pirate

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Sunnyvmx

Oct 5, 2010, 12:33 PM

Post #4 of 20 (3211 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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Your question is: Do you have to have Mexican car insurance to cross the border? And proof of that insurance to cross the border.

Your second question is: If I am stopped by an officer or at an inspection station, will I be asked to show proof of insurance and not allowed to pass without that proof?

My question would be: Why do you need to know if there is a law or not? Would you drive either here or in the States without it?

http://dementias-daughter.com

(This post was edited by Sunnyvmx on Oct 5, 2010, 12:38 PM)

richmx2

Oct 5, 2010, 3:45 PM

Post #5 of 20 (3178 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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It isn't required in all states,but if you have an accident, you are presumed to be criminally liable for damages to the other person if you aren't able to prove ability to pay... and as a transient without ties in the country, and lacking a backup network of a passel of siblings, cousins, compadres etc. to chip in to cover the immediate settlement, you can't just post a bond... it's go to jail, go directly to jail... pay a heck of a lot more than 200 dollars.

Your insurance policy is proof you can pay damages (and your normal Mexican insurance policy includes dealing with the police). If you have an accident -- whether your fault or the other party's, the insurance company sends out an adjuster who settles the matter on the spot and issues the checks right then and there.

You're nuts not to have Mexican insurance.

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http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

normamc288

Oct 5, 2010, 4:05 PM

Post #6 of 20 (3171 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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Great answers to my questions. I do not even have my car here with me but plan to bring a car in a few months from now. I had gotten into a discussion with someone who insisted we did not have to have insurance so I decided to go to the "experts" which would be you all. I have never entered Mexico w./o insurance. "So, you guys have done it again and Thank you sooo much. Norma

mexliving

Oct 5, 2010, 4:30 PM

Post #7 of 20 (3165 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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entering mexico without mexican auto insurance can keep you in jail if your involved in an accident.... when anyone has an accident in mexico, the 1st thing both parties do is call the insurance claim adjuster who will arrive eventually... no one is allowed to leave untill both insurance claims adjuster have arrived... so if you get into a fender crash.. dont expect to be able to leave..... and expect the transito police to show up for the report...

if you dont have mexican auto insurance , you will be arrested on the spot and taken to the local jail..... after the people that had the accident with you have determined the amount that it cost to fix their car, your BAIL will be that amount .. plus the hospital expenses for the other people.

drive in mexico without insurance..... its playing russian roullete.

for an affordable quote, i use san xavier out of nogales... they will email documentation and take c/c over the phone.

normamc288

Oct 5, 2010, 4:47 PM

Post #8 of 20 (3161 views)

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Re: [mexliving] auto insurance

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I so much appreciate you all taking the time to answer this question. It was making me crazy because for 35 years I have driven all over Mexico, on and of, and always purchased insurance. The other day, as I said, I was told you did not need to buy Mexican insurance and I argued with this person but she was adamant, said they had never checked her. I knew I needed ins. because 35 yrs ago, on my way to a wedding in Monterrey, I got stopped and was not allowed to bring my car in w/o ins. Never been there w/o it since and I do get mine in Nogales also. Again, you people are great and you have definitely clarified my question and the answer. Appreciate you all very much, Norma

cookj5

Oct 5, 2010, 6:28 PM

Post #9 of 20 (3142 views)

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Re: [normamc288] auto insurance

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In Reply To

Adamant or not, your friend is completely nuts to drive in Mexico without adequate insurance. Any "savings" on the insurance premium is not remotely worth the risk.

sioux4noff

Oct 7, 2010, 9:45 PM

Post #10 of 20 (3028 views)

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Re: [cookj5] auto insurance

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I agree 100% with cookj5. Sort of like your mom used to say (if she was like mine) just because so-and-so says it is ok doesn't mean it is. If she said if you wouldn't die if you jumped off the George Washington Bridge, would you beleive her and do it?

Sunnyvmx

Oct 8, 2010, 5:26 AM

Post #11 of 20 (3008 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] auto insurance

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Alright. Her so called "friend" never said she didn't have insurance or that you should ever drive without insurance. Her question to me was, "Do you have to show proof of insurance at the border to enter?" I told her I had never read on the forum of anyone showing proof of insurance and I personally had never been asked either at the border or when stopped on the road. At the same time I explained exactly what would happen if she was involved in an accident without it. Her highly unbelievable story of being turned back 35 years ago because "SHE DIDN'T HAVE IT" resulted in this pissing contest.

I have driven two separate motorhomes into this country on many trips and carry complete insurance, including full replacement coverage. I would never consider anything less.

Now that the facts are known, the question is, "Has anyone been asked to show PROOF OF INSURANCE when crossing the border or at anytime other than involved in an accident?

http://dementias-daughter.com

chinagringo

Oct 8, 2010, 6:23 AM

Post #12 of 20 (2999 views)

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Re: [Sunnyvmx] auto insurance

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""Has anyone been asked to show PROOF OF INSURANCE when crossing the border............"

Cannot answer for any border crossing, other than Santa Teresa, NM where the setup appears to different from larger crossings with more activity. For many years, there was a temporary Aduana set up on the side of Hwy 2 that was only interested in checking our vehicle documents. Not sure if they insisted on seeing insurance documents since we were in the habit of handing them a packet that contained our vehicle permit, copy of the registration, copies of the insurance in both English and Spanish and a copy of both of our drivers licenses. I can say that the officials at least gave the appearance of looking at the insurance documents but who knows if it was required reading for them. We would do the same when asked at Federale checkpoints - give them everything and baffle them with BS!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

sioux4noff

Oct 8, 2010, 7:56 AM

Post #13 of 20 (2987 views)

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Re: [Sunnyvmx] auto insurance

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We've never been asked for proof of insurance when crossing the border. That doesn't mean you are or are not required to have insurance when driving in Mexico.
We've been in a few accidents and have always been asked if we have insurance. We do.

NEOhio1

Oct 8, 2010, 8:18 AM

Post #14 of 20 (2984 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] auto insurance

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I wouldn't know if it was required because that paperwork is included in the paperwork I hand to the aduana.

chicois8

Oct 8, 2010, 9:32 AM

Post #15 of 20 (2964 views)

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Show me the auto insurance law...

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I believe in Mexico you must have auto insurance or have the financial responsibility to pay for an incident...

So auto insurance is not compulsory although the average person would be crazy not to have Mexican Auto
Insurance, I guess if you could carry enough cash you could be self insured...

Sunnyvmx

Oct 8, 2010, 1:36 PM

Post #16 of 20 (2935 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Show me the auto insurance law...

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Thank you for your responses. It is my hope that the OP will listen to you, understand and accept the answer and put the matter to rest.

http://dementias-daughter.com

JustAGigolo

Oct 8, 2010, 8:25 PM

Post #17 of 20 (2892 views)

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Re: [Sunnyvmx] Show me the auto insurance law...

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Last October was the first time in 20 years of yearly travel to Mexico that we were asked for our insurance policy at the Pharr crossing

(This post was edited by JustAGigolo on Oct 8, 2010, 8:27 PM)

Moisheh

Oct 10, 2010, 5:40 PM

Post #18 of 20 (2787 views)

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Re: [JustAGigolo] Show me the auto insurance law...

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There is not nor has there ever been a legal requirement to have insurance. Howevere unless you have a death wish, hate yourself or think A Mexian jail is a good place to stay for free Insurance is a necessity. You will not find the requirement for insurance on any Aduana web site. In 20 years I have never been asked for proof of insurance.

Moisheh

JustAGigolo

Oct 10, 2010, 6:17 PM

Post #19 of 20 (2771 views)

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Re: [Moisheh] Show me the auto insurance law...

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Maybe in your world nothing ever changes but different experiences happen all the time in the real world

When the guy is holding onto your Mexican vehicle permit until you show him your Mexican Auto Insurance with the correct VIN number that matches your vehicle's registration VIN number, you just hand it over.

(This post was edited by JustAGigolo on Oct 10, 2010, 6:18 PM)

esperanza

Oct 10, 2010, 7:58 PM

Post #20 of 20 (2751 views)

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Re: [Moisheh] Show me the auto insurance law...

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Insurance law in the state of Jalisco:

Reforma a la Ley de los Servicios de Vialidad, Tránsito y Transporte
Artículo 47

Los requisitos para transitar u ocupar la vía pública, mismos que acreditarán el correspondiente registro de los vehículos, son los siguientes:
I. La tarjeta de circulación vigente
II. Las placas y la calcomanía u holograma correspondiente vigente, y
III. Seguro automotriz anual vigente que responda a daños contra terceros

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