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good2go

Dec 15, 2011, 8:22 PM

Post #1 of 18 (1230 views)

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car insurance

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I would like to buy car insurance for a 1972 VW safari, mexican licensed and registered.I have been told by one vendor it is too old and he can't insure it. Liability only is fine. We have been told if we drive it uninsured and crash and someone gets hurt, I would be financially responsible for the family for a year,is that true?
Thanks, would like to buy some insurance, we drive it minimally.

chicois8

Dec 15, 2011, 9:18 PM

Post #2 of 18 (1210 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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Maybe try some other brokers, and yes you could be held responsible for a year or more.....

cookj5

Dec 15, 2011, 9:22 PM

Post #3 of 18 (1209 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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I guess I don't understand how the age of the car has anything to do with your ability to get liability insurance. Liability is about coverage for damages to another person or their property if you are at fault in a driving accident. Is he trying to say that a car that age is unsafe to drive? That would be ridiculous unless there are serious mechanical/safety issues you haven't mentioned. I'm sure you will be able to find another broker/company who will insure it.

And ditto on your risk for driving without liability insurance. Not only the risk of having to pay for someone else out of your pocket, but you will absolutely go to jail in Mexico for driving uninsured if you have an accident. Don't even think about it.

(This post was edited by cookj5 on Dec 15, 2011, 9:28 PM)

good2go

Dec 15, 2011, 10:02 PM

Post #4 of 18 (1192 views)

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Re: [cookj5] car insurance

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if anyone has any suggestions on a broker to contact I would appreciate. I also am puzzled by be refused to buy insurance for liability only on a old car.

Rolly

Dec 15, 2011, 10:12 PM

Post #5 of 18 (1190 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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Here is a starter list.
ON-LINE ORDERING:
American Mexican Insurance Services, Inc.
http://www.insuranceforbaja.com and http://www.insurance4mexico.com/
Both of these brokers provide quotes from several insurance companies for cars, pickups RVs, motorcycles, boats and trailers.
http://www.drivemex.com/
http://www.mexpro.com/index.php
Lewis & Lewis
http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com
Mexican Insurance Services
http://www.mexinsure.us/
http://www.mexinsure.com/
Oscar Padilla Mexican Insurance Services, Inc http://www.mexicaninsurance.com/
Sanborn Insurance
http://www.sanbornsinsurance.com/
Seguros del Centro, a subsidiary of GE Insurance
http://www.mexadventure.com/home.cfm
ON-LINE INFORMATION, OFF-LINE ORDERING
Lorenz Insurance Agency represents Grupo Nacional Provincial http://www.mexicanautoins.com/
San Xavier México Insurance (Current foreign registration required.)
http://www.mexican-autoinsurance.com
OFFICE SERVICE ONLY
AXA (formerly ING Comercial America) (Current foreign registration NOT required.)
see local yellow pages

Don Smith
México Insurance
474 Mariposa Road
Nogales AZ 85621
Phone 520-281-2268

Rolly

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

(This post was edited by Rolly on Dec 15, 2011, 10:24 PM)

good2go

Dec 16, 2011, 1:30 AM

Post #6 of 18 (1178 views)

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Re: [Rolly] car insurance

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I really appreciate all of the links.I have some requests out, but on some forms it seems there is issue with the age of the car, my vin number isnt 17 numbers long, its mexican plated and registered. Are these issues? I bought the car in Mx intentionally as I thought it was an issue for an imported car remaining NOB plated and eventually would need to be nationalized and a very difficult process. Now, it seems this could be part of the hold up? Does anyone know if I can get this THING insured?

Papirex

Dec 16, 2011, 5:44 AM

Post #7 of 18 (1166 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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I bought insurance for the first two American plated cars we brought to Mexico from MexPro com while we were still in The United States. They sent me a very informative brochure regarding the traffic laws in Mexico. We had the insurance policies before we crossed the border at different times with both cars.

You must call your insurance adjuster at the same time that you call the police, in case of an accident, or your claim may not be paid, a good reason to have a cell phone here.

If there are injuries to the people in the other car, you will be detained if your insurance does not cover medical costs until you can show that you will be able to pay for them. Many drivers here see an accident as an opportunity to extort money from you by claiming false injuries, a very good reason to pay for medical coverage in your insurance.

It is not illegal to drive with no insurance here, you will not be jailed simply because you have an accident. The police thieves may threaten you with that, but only to try to extract a bribe from you.

Be aware that only a Mexican owned insurance company can write coverage here in Mexico, a US policy is invalid, any foreign company that sells auto insurance here is a broker for a Mexican company.

The first car we brought here was 15 years old at that time, there was no mention of the age of the car by the insurance company. I believe if you check with some other insurance brokers, you will be able to buy insurance for your car.

As a viudo, I am now down to one Mexican plated car, much, much simpler, and a little cheaper overall, than keeping a foreign plated car here.

Rex

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"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

fordmexico

Dec 16, 2011, 7:12 AM

Post #8 of 18 (1142 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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Due to the age of your vehicle, it is most likely classified as a classic. Look for an agent/broker that specializes in classic vehicles.

Here is a link to an article from CNN Expansion (Mexico City) that explains some of the parameters.

http://www.cnnexpansion.com/...urar-un-auto-clasico

(This post was edited by Rolly on Dec 16, 2011, 7:19 AM)

mazbook1

Dec 16, 2011, 9:26 AM

Post #9 of 18 (1109 views)

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Re: [fordmexico] car insurance

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I think that most of your problem is that all the brokers in Rolly's list are for Mexican insurance on foreign plated/registered cars, which is exactly the insurance you DON'T NEED. I have no idea where you are in México, but wherever it is there are undoubtedly many auto insurance agents/brokers there. Let your fingers do the walking!

At least here in Mazatlán, there are quite a number of older VWs owned by expats, and they have no problem whatsoever getting liability insurance.

good2go

Dec 16, 2011, 3:54 PM

Post #10 of 18 (1067 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] car insurance

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Thank you, you are right. I need to have local MX car insurance company sell me a policy, which I am going to do when I get into town...Barra De Navidad. Something interesting I have learned in this process, many expats do not get car insurance b/c none of the locals have it, if there is a crash everyone leaves the scene ASAP dealing with the damage independently. I guess I consider the what ifs, feel more secure with car insurance, maybe I am bringing my NOB culture with me? But part of the allure of Mx is not having all of the rules. I guess on this one I will conform, not worth the anxiety.

chinagringo

Dec 16, 2011, 4:32 PM

Post #11 of 18 (1060 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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OH NO! You don't expect us to believe that Gringos are taking the "if in Rome route" and breaking the law?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

good2go

Dec 16, 2011, 4:47 PM

Post #12 of 18 (1056 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] car insurance

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you must be kidding, of course, part of the allure to Mx, Mx culture seems to let adults make adult decisions. Most of us are tired of our lives being micromanaged. Laws that are made are not necessarily right, when people get into "trouble" it isnt because they did something wrong it is because the "law" is wrong. In this case, I am going to conform. If others dont more power to them.

chinagringo

Dec 16, 2011, 4:59 PM

Post #13 of 18 (1052 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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Yes and they will be the ones who scream the loudest when they have an accident that they cannot run away from and end up in jail! But don't worry, they will get their money's worth if they are injured and IMSS has to cover them.
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Papirex

Dec 17, 2011, 6:21 PM

Post #14 of 18 (980 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] car insurance

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I don't believe that insuring a Mexican plated car will ever be an issue. As I said in a previous post, we bought insurance policies for two different US registered and plated cars from Mex Pro insurance brokers. They are on Rolly's list, and they used to be advertisers on Mexconnect.

After we nationalized both cars under two different vehicle amnesties at very low cost, we continued to renew the policies on both cars with the same company. The country they were registered in was never an issue. The main thing that made the insurance policy valid, was that it was issued by a Mexican company.

You should always carry a copy of your insurance policy in your car. You may need to show it to the adjuster that you should call when you call the police, to prove to him that you have the coverage that you claim you do. If you don't call the adjuster, your claim may not be paid, if you leave the country without calling an adjuster, your claim will not be paid.

We only had one claim while we had those cars here, I was not driving, but I was there. The adjuster that served us spoke no English, none. Fortunately, my late Mexican wife was bi-lingual, so she could converse with him fluently. It is another good reason to learn to speak even a little Spanish. Don't count on everyone accommodating you by speaking English. That's not going to happen.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

Maesonna

Dec 19, 2011, 6:23 AM

Post #15 of 18 (928 views)

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Re: [good2go] car insurance

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Something interesting I have learned in this process, many expats do not get car insurance b/c none of the locals have it, if there is a crash everyone leaves the scene ASAP* dealing with the damage independently. I guess I consider the what ifs, feel more secure with car insurance, maybe I am bringing my NOB culture with me? But part of the allure of Mx is not having all of the rules. I guess on this one I will conform, not worth the anxiety.

*Leave the scene—if they are able to. In my experience (my car, a truck and a utility pole) we all had to go to the police station and wait there until it was decided who was at fault for damage to public property (the utility pole). I wouldn’t have wanted to go through those 10 hours without the lawyer from my car insurance there to hold my hand (figuratively speaking). That's another thing that’s different NOB; I don't think the insurance companies there would send you a lawyer who will stay with you as long as it takes. I wouldn't find being held in custody alone, without support, very alluring.

(This post was edited by Maesonna on Dec 19, 2011, 6:26 AM)

La Isla

Dec 19, 2011, 9:23 AM

Post #16 of 18 (891 views)

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Re: [Maesonna] car insurance

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Not having a car here, or a driver's license, for that matter, I don´t have any first-hand experiences to report. But I can say that whenever I walk past the scene of an accident, there are always a couple of insurance agents on the scene, collecting evidence and calming their clients' anxieties. I have the feeling that they may arrive there even sooner than the police!

richmx2

Dec 19, 2011, 9:53 AM

Post #17 of 18 (886 views)

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Re: [La Isla] car insurance

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Unless there are injuries, better to call the adjuster first. You can be sure the other party is calling theirs. Usually, the adjustors will make a settlement, and write checks on the spot.

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

esperanza

Dec 19, 2011, 11:39 AM

Post #18 of 18 (869 views)

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Re: [richmx2] car insurance

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At least in the provincia, police involvement can usually be avoided if all parties to the accident agree to the terms of settlement. I've only had one major accident in Mexico; the other driver--he was at fault and had turned left directly in front of me as I came from the opposite direction on a highway, causing a fairly serious head-on collision--had no insurance but was a former local who had long ties to the community where we were. He agreed to pay all my expenses if we could avoid the police. I agreed, he and his entire family accompanied the tow truck (and me) to the body shop, he signed papers with the body shop owner saying he would take full responsibility for payment, and a month later (my car was that severely damaged), I picked it up. No charge. He had paid every centavito.

I do know that I was very, very fortunate that he was as good as his word.

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