MEXICAN VEHICLE INSURANCE PIONEERS
The non-profit Vagabundos del Mar Boat and Travel Club was "born" in
1966 when a few good buddies began adventuring into Baja California
and mainland Mexico, looking for good fishing spots. In 1971, "the
Vags" were incorporated as a non-profit social club, dedicated
to helping members make friends and have fun. Today, the Vags are
Baja's oldest travel club, with 12,000+ members. The club is still
non-profit, and still dedicated to its original mission:
"Helping its members travel safely, economically and
enjoyably
in all
of North America, especially Baja California."
As our membership increased and folks started spending
more and more time in their Baja Peninsula and Mexican recreation
land, especially during the winter season when the snow was flying,
Club Management began to search for ways to allow members the flexibility
of staying south of the border for longer periods of time without
having to pay the enormous Mexican insurance premium daily rates
at the border. The
idea of Club rates, for a special, safety-minded group surfaced. As
a group our insurance loss ratios are low and this in turn allows
the Mexican insurance company to grant lower rates.
We’re pleased to now be able to make purchasing
Mexican vehicle insurance much easier for our members. By clicking
on the Insurance Quote button you are on the way to printing out
a policy in a few minutes and being on your way.
What you get is low-cost insurance that is backed
by solid claims adjustment – without which insurance has no
real value. Our policies also include
the all-important Legal Aid, which engages a Mexican attorney if
one is needed for a vehicle accident. Some of our Insurance Program
benefits include:
Special
Programs
- Mexico Toll Free Claims Number
- Unlimited Entry/Exit
- Towing & Repairs
- Emergency Transportation Expense
- Legal and Bailbond Service
|
Boat
Insurance
- Land/Sea Hull & Trailer
- Liability & Comprehensive
- Bodily Injury
- On-the-Water Towing
- Uninsured Boater
- No Policy fee
|
Motorhome
Insurance
- Liability & Comprehensive
- Bodily Injury
- Towing
- Uninsured Motorist
|
The purchasing power of thousands of members, the fact
that we are the only non-profit Baja Peninsula and Mexican travel
club and our minimal number of claims has allowed us to continue
to negotiate the low-cost premiums that we offer our members.
For those of you who are not yet members, but who wish to enjoy our
money-saving premiums, click on the Club Membership button.
Club Management has learned over the years the value of having a
Mexican company and Insurance Broker that pays claims timely and
helps members out of a jam. No one wants to be in an accident,
and that is doubly true when in a foreign country. We review
our insurance program annually and add new features, such as a special
rate for a territory most traveled, and adjust premiums to give our
members the best deal. For more than 40 years we have been
and are non-profit with service to the members, including the best
Mexican insurance, foremost in mind.
WHY, WHERE, & WHAT
About Mexican Vehicle Insurance
WHY Get Mexican Vehicle Insurance? “I’m
just going on a day trip to Baja California to do some sightseeing
or fishing”, you say. As harmless and benign as this sounds,
unexpected life-changing events may transpire. Don’t take a
chance. Once you’ve determined your Mexico destination, call
the Vagabundo office to obtain the vehicle insurance coverage that
you’ll need. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how affordable
our Mexican insurance is.
Determine WHERE in Mexico You’ll Be Going. We
have two area vehicle coverages – all of Mexico or only the
northwestern portion at a lower premium level. Wherever you will
be going in Mexico, pay close attention to your current automobile
insurance at home. More than likely this will cover you only in the
United States or Canada. In any event, the Mexican government does
not recognize such policies as valid.
Determine WHAT You Want Your Mexico Insurance to
Cover. Do you want to cover collisions? Accidental rollovers?
Or broken glass? What type of vehicle do you want to insure – car,
motorcycle or motorhome? Are you going to be towing anything, or
using a boat? It’s a good idea to take stock of what you
will be driving and taking with you to Mexico.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
ABOUT MEXICAN INSURANCE
Below are a few of the more frequent questions
we get concerning Mexican Insurance. If you have specific question
or concern not answered here, don't hesitate to call the Vag office
or post on our Forums.
Q. Does my U.S. or Canada vehicle insurance cover me in Mexico?
A. Some U.S. and Canadian policies may cover your vehicle
for physical damage. However, the Mexican government doesn’t
recognize U.S. or Canadian policies as valid insurance in Mexico.
Q. How is the value of my vehicle determined?
A. Your local car dealer or insurance agent should be able
to help you determine your vehicle’s value. The Kelly Blue
Book of used car’s values may also be used as a guide. Be
sure to include those listed extras you want insured should you
have a loss. Remember, our cars and trailers are always worth more
to us than they might be to someone else. We advise you to neither
over insure nor under insure.
Q. What if I have a loan on my vehicle?
A. Most lenders will require that they be furnished a copy
of your policy indicating that the unit is insured while it is
in Mexico. Upon request, we will enter the lien holder’s
name (your bank or financial institution) on the policy. Always
make sure you allow enough time before your trip into Mexico to
allow for the handling of paperwork.
Q. If I’m borrowing a vehicle
will I need any special documents?
A. You should obtain a notarized affidavit of permission
from the legal owner.
Q. What is Liability Only?
A. The Liability Only policy provides the minimum vehicle
insurance accepted by the Mexican government. Included in this
coverage is property damage caused by your vehicle, legal liability
for injuries or deaths of persons not in your vehicle and medical
expenses for you or other persons in your vehicle.
Q. Do I need a Mexico Vehicle Permit?
A. Only if you will drive in mainland Mexico. The Temporary
Vehicle Importation Permits are not required for travel on the
Baja California Peninsula.
Q. What is the Legal Aid coverage that is included
in my policy?
A. Our Insurance Covers Legal Aid
at No Extra Cost. In Mexico a traffic accident is considered
a felony if there is substantial damage to property or injury to
people. In such cases it is possible that you may be detained by
authorities and your vehicle may be impounded until they conclude
their investigation as to responsibility for damages and how they
are to be paid. Legal Aid helps prevent this. With one phone call
an attorney will come to your assistance and negotiate your immediate
release, as well as the release of your vehicle. Additionally, if
someone other than the passengers of your vehicle gets injured or
killed you’ll
have coverage for legal assistance.
It is important to understand the Terms and Conditions of the Mexican policy and the limitations on labor rates, towing etc. Vagabundos can answer any questions you have about the policies we offer, travel information and driving safety; we can not adjust or negotiate claims.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR INSURANCE POLICY
YOU NEED TO ANSWER BEFORE GOING TO MEXICO
1. Does your policy cover medical payments for the people in your vehicle?
2. What is your third party liability limit?
3. Does your policy cover damage to your vehicle?
4. If it does cover damage to your vehicle - what is the shop rate for repairs?
5. What is your deductible?
6. Are you covered in the event you need a tow?
7. Are your towed items covered?
8. Is there a separate deductible for your towed unit?
9. If you have a towed unit and do not list it on the policy will that void your coverage?
10. Is your towed unit covered once it is detached from the power unit?
11. Are you covered if an uninsured motorist hits you?
12. Are your personal items covered if damaged or stolen from the vehicle? (Camera, laptop etc.)
If you have a standard full coverage policy your shop rate is $35 per hour
If you have a premier full coverage policy your shop rate is $75 per hour
Members learn from other members and by reminders
from Club Management the keys to staying safe on Mexican roads –
- Driving at safe speeds, mostly under 50 miles per hour; keeping
a sharp eye for any hazards
- Not driving at night when trucks and buses drive and the black
cows in open range are likely to be on the highway
- On
the narrow, two-lane road with no shoulders, slow down
to where you are comfortable when oncoming traffic comes toward
you
- Try to gauge the time and distance to pass on a straight-away
rather than a hill or curve with oncoming traffic
- Pass
very carefully when passing vehicles going in the same direction.
Making sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition is
another important rule. Members are good about sharing hazards
and road conditions when traveling and these are in turn passed on
to the entire membership.