Car Insurance in Mexico ...???

[piyeguyo]

Hi all

I'm planning a trip on my Deli next year to the US and Mexico (and maybe further if time & $$$ permit), but I'm finding difficult to get a car insurance that's valid outside Canada and US. A couple of agents just told tell nothing at all is covered...

Any of you guys have any idea how to get an insurance that's also good in Mexico (& maybe beyond)?

Thx,

Fabio

[Adrock]

maybe talk to bcaa, if they can't help you they should at l east be able to point you in the right direction.

[kb&2dogs]

We are also heading to Mexico in December, and have been told that you can purchase insurance at the border, but it isn't recommended as the prices can vary and the coverage also. I spoke to BCAA and they seem to have very reasonable prices, I was quoted abut $150 for our van and a utility trailer for the 3 weeks we'll be there, and that is tons of coverage. We've also been advised to increase our comprehensive for the trip as in the US they tend to sue at the drop of a hat. Heard some major horror stories of folks having accidents in Mexico and ending up in the hoosgow for days while they sort out liability and insurance.

[josh]

Yeah check around in major city centers in southern cali or texas, there will be tons of places, and it is more competitive there then at the border.

Josh

[marsgal42]

You know, a weekend trip to San Diego could answer a lot of questions.

Seriously: the people you need to talk to are there, and across the border in Tijuana. I wouldn't mind an excuse for a quick trip south during the winter myself. You'll get better answers there than you ever could here.

The one and only time I've been to Mexico was a side trip from a conference in Tucson. I drove to Nogales, Arizona, and walked across the border to Nogales, Sonora (the rental agreement said I was not to take the car to Mexico). Going in to Mexico you walked through a turnstile where there was a very official-looking gentleman in a very official-looking uniform. He was asleep.

The tourist places were obvious, but I wanted to eat some real Mexican food. I found a taqueria that appeared to be full of real Mexicans eating real Mexican food. I knew the waitress was asking what kind of tacos I wanted, but the options were far beyond my very limited Spanish. She produced a bilingual menu (written on an envelope), and while the tacos abazos sounded OK ("grilled steak"), I feared the tacos cabezos ("chopped cow's head") had gotten horribly lost in translation. Not so, as colleagues who knew more about Latin America than I do told me later. They can't afford to waste anything, so they don't, and the nearest cultural equivalent was head cheese.

I'm toying with driving to Costa Rica some time, and have just the van for the trip. I go there each February for a astronomical get-together out in the bush.

...laura

[Sikorsky]

I rode my BMW GS down Baja for a 6 week trip last Dec/Jan. I purchased on-line insurance which worked out fine. I don't have the papers with me right now but will look for them after work.

I went with just the base insurance for public damage and public liability. Theft, fire and collision are available but was horrendously expensive. You will want the basic stuff though. If you are in an accident and do not have insurance, you will be put in jail until the police determine who was at fault ..... a decision that can be affected by cash .............

Insurance is available at the border but more expensive and unless you are fluent in Spanish, that area is pretty confusing and busy.

I found it helpful to take several photcopies of my insurance papers and registration as well, sometimes the police or military will not give your papers back until you get a 'permit'.

[jrman]

Laura,
With regards to your trip to Costa Rica - a close friend this this 10 years ago. Amazing trip - wonderful stories - incredible photographs - trip of a lifetime. He chose a Chev Suburban and regretted it all the way. Blew the rear differential in Nicaragua - well, guess what vehicles they don't drive in the Nic? Amercian vehicles - after a $100 taxi ride to a wrecker - they go the diff they needed - part sticking out the back of the taxi - worried about losing it all the way back to their truck. But, he did say that if he every did it again - it would be in a Toyota Pickup - they are a very common vehicle in central america according to my friend - no idea about MMC parts availability....good luck!!!!
Sean

[marsgal42]

Most of the vehicles I've seen out in the country in Costa Rica have been Toyotas.

I'm reminded of the episode of Top Gear where they tried to destroy a Toyota HiLux pickup. They ran it in to things, set it on fire, dropped things on it (including a building that was being imploded), even left it out on the beach while the tide was coming in. They failed: it still worked, and it now occupies a place of honour in their studio.

...laura

[Sikorsky]

Took me awhile, sorry for the delay .............. here you go http://www.car-insurance-for-mexico.com/

[piyeguyo]

Web page is great, thanks... But the online quote doesn't work... Naturally, Mitsu Delica is not on the list of vehicles.
Hey, the Delica is kinda sorta what the gringos call a "Minivan", which is on the list... Let me try the online quote again...

It works!!! A little expensive, but according to the stories I've heard... Better pay a couple of hundred bucks of insurance and not go to a Mexican jail.

[Sikorsky]

For the 5 weeks I neded insurance,it was only a few dollars more to get a full year !
Was completely worth it for piece of mind althogh Iwas never asked for it

The only problem I had was 1 night in the back roads behind Cabo San Lucas.I had gone to pick up some shirts from a local BMW rider and was well away from the tourist area. There were a dozen machine gun toting officers at a 4 way stop pulling everyone (they were all locals) out of their cars. I was waved over and took my helmet off ASAP. Two young guys, no english and me with no Spanish. They wanted my driver's license which I had stupidly left back at our apartment. It turns out they will take your license when writing a ticket in order to ensure that you will come to the cop shop to pay the ticket. Politeness, efforts at Spanish and a cool head prevented me from having the bike seized and a 30km walk back to my place.