Mexican insurance - How much liability do you carry?
 

Getting ready to buy the insurance for our trip. Just debating about how much liability to carry? Also welcome any recommendations re: insurance. Thanks.
mary

About three years ago the Mexican government mandated a hefty increase in the minimum coverage so perhaps it can be regarded as reasonable having regard for average socioeconomic conditions in Mexico. Prior to that I increased the coverage for our first trip, but this time just accepted the basic cover.

The situation in some central and south American countries is almost laughable in that the coverage you are routinely given would be lucky to cover treating an injured dog let alone an injured local

Are you talking about mandatory third party injury and death cover, comprehensive insurance for your vehicle, or personal travel or health insurance?

In late 2012 the minimum required financial responsibility (practically speaking liability insurance) in Mexico did indeed substantially increase from the previous paltry amounts. I believe it now falls in the $300,000 to $500,000 U.S. range depending on the Mexican state involved.


One issue that has occurred to me when driving or riding in Mexico is the potential for foreigners to get into accidents with each other. Baja, for example, is full of Americans. If one American is injured by a negligent second American, can the U.S. victim sue the at fault U.S. rider/driver back in the U.S? That's a legal jurisdictional question I don't know the answer to. But if the answer is yes, or potentially yes, then those new Mexican minimum liability coverages could end up being very adequate.


This sort of thing has no doubt happened. Complicated world. Any U.S. lawyers out there on the HUBB?

Well, now I know how much I don't know. But that is usually a good place to start, eh? I really should have been more specific as I was really questioning if I needed the $500,000 liability vs the $300,000.
mary

I have used Baja Bound Insurance 3 times now. They have a pretty complete FAQ though they won't tell you what you need to buy. They have been easy to deal with and have a good reputation, though I've never had an accident so I can't really judge that.

Mexican Auto Insurance Online - Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services

I decided on the ACE Seguros Platinum policy ($500,000) for 6 months.

In 2014 it cost a bit over $400 USD, so it wasn't cheap. My reasoning for buying this policy was based on my ignorance of how accidents, particularly accidents in which someone dies, are handled in Mexico. I decided I would rather stack the deck in my favor than take my chances, so I bought the premium package.


Other countries, I have just purchased the minimum liability at the border, or gone without if it didn't seem to be available. So, I guess I can't really advise you one way or the other, but that's what I've done. Mostly I ride carefully. :mchappy:

...........shu

None, bought my first insurance in Nicaragua then again in Costa Rica.

Shu, we bought our insurance from them when we did the Baja last year. Enjoyed the help with travel details there as well.
VicMitch, why no insurance in Mexico? If you don't mind me asking.
Thanks!
mary

If you are without insurance on a federal highway, you are breaking a federal law. Get the high end reccomended limit. Yes, 90% of drivers dont have it but if you are asked for proof of liability insurance and dont have it, you might have problems.
For those who dont carry insurance: Why carry the risk? Do you speak Spanish well enough to deal with and understand Mexican law? Do you know about other recent changes? Do you understand the amparo action? If you dont know what an amparo is, just get the reccommended insurance and let your lawyer deal with it. Would you ride without insurance in the US or Canada?

MikeMike, there is not even a thought to not have insurance. For others, that is obviously their choice. Me, I'm too chicken!

Ron, there is no shortage of people in any country that knowingly break laws and think counsel others to do so. These are the same ones that go whining to their embassy staff when the sht hits the fan. I live and ride here and the last thing I want to see is an uninsured gringo causing problems for Mexican people. The risk, as you know, is just not worth it. There is a litgle too much of the "knife between the teeth gringo adventurer BS" on this forum and many other forums. They know who they are. They have never seen an inside of a Mexican lockup and would lose bowel and bladder control if they did. Then there would be the added burden on those having to get them out.
You are doing the right thing, Ron.:thumbup1:

Chuck Norris Advrider
 

"knife between the teeth gringo adventurer BS"

That cracks me up. I met a guy in Texas who told me the feds stopped him near Mazatlan for speeding. Claims they asked him for a bribe. He told me he pulled out his 12" hunting knife, waved it at the police while cursing at them then sped away on his Harley. He said they were scared to death of him.
What a crock of shit story.