Mexican Auto Insurance

[RVGRINGO]

That all sounds very neat, nice and idealistic. The reality of it is that, when your car is stolen or burned, the sticker and the permits are no longer available for you to return them to the Bancercito in DF. Of course, you will have to do this by mail from the USA and wait in a hotel somewhere, probably without your belongings, for some 'mañana' when DF might reply to your plight. That brings to mind the expression, "In your dreams."
So, to end this circular discussion, I advise playing it safe and always having the sticker removed.

[G.Bledsoe]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

That all sounds very neat, nice and idealistic. The reality of it is that, when your car is stolen or burned, the sticker and the permits are no longer available for you to return them to the Bancercito in DF. Of course, you will have to do this by mail from the USA and wait in a hotel somewhere, probably without your belongings, for some 'mañana' when DF might reply to your plight. That brings to mind the expression, "In your dreams."
So, to end this circular discussion, I advise playing it safe and always having the sticker removed.

Yes, playing it safe is always an advisable strategy, but I also believe in explaining people's options to them, so they can make informed decisions. You have done an excellent job of pointing out the potential problems with leaving the sticker on for multiple entries, and I am sure they will take it to heart.

[cookjmex]

Originally Posted by dstan

Thank you for the reply. I know of Sanborns but have also heard that there is a range of prices and reliability from company to company....I thought maybe someone knew the "best" company, maybe to get online before my trip, to save me the trouble of shopping around....thanks again.

You might want to check out Lewis and Lewis. They are American agents for a large Mexican insurance company. You can do all your transactions over the internet. Coverage is very good. I have not had to make a claim over the last two years, but those who have say the service is excellent. Just google Lewis and Lewis and check out their website.

Keep in mind that insurance bought at or near the border is likely to be MUCH more expensive.

[HolyMole]

Originally Posted by cookjmex

You might want to check out Lewis and Lewis. They are American agents for a large Mexican insurance company. You can do all your transactions over the internet. Coverage is very good. I have not had to make a claim over the last two years, but those who have say the service is excellent. Just google Lewis and Lewis and check out their website.

Keep in mind that insurance bought at or near the border is likely to be MUCH more expensive.

I did have to make a claim on my Lewis & Lewis/QUALITAS car insurance policy after my car was stolen in Zihuatanejo and found a couple of days later, damaged beyond repair. While I was somewhat disatisfied with the final "write-off" settlement, I was more disatisfied with the level of service: it took 5 months to settle my claim and, more aggravating, QUALITAS offered very little in the way of assistance helping me deal with Mexican customs to get the original Temporary Import Permit cancelled. That process took me 18 months.

My experience may or may not be typical for this company, or typical of all insurance claims with Mexican insurance companies. I don't know. I do know that the US agent made it very clear that I had to deal directly with the Mexican insurance company. It was only in absolute frustration at the lack of responses from QUALITAS to my many e-mailed questions that I asked LEWIS & LEWIS to intervene.....and their intervention did prompt QUALITAS to "wake up".

I will be insuring my vehicle again this winter. Will I stay with Lewis & Lewis/QUALITAS? My gut says to look elsewhere, but maybe "better the devil you know....."

(On the other hand, maybe QUALITAS would rather I deal with someone else????)

[RVGRINGO]

Your experience was typical and, as you discovered, the insurance will eventually pay you something, but they are not concerned with the importation of your car or clearing it from the records; that is up to you. In most such cases, there are only two remedies: Importing another car in your spouse's name or buying a Mexican vehicle.

[HolyMole]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Your experience was typical and, as you discovered, the insurance will eventually pay you something, but they are not concerned with the importation of your car or clearing it from the records; that is up to you. In most such cases, there are only two remedies: Importing another car in your spouse's name or buying a Mexican vehicle.

In true Mexican fashion, I had one Aduana official actually suggest that I bring the broken windshield, complete with the sticker intact, to a customs office to prove that the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.
As I've relayed previously, my persistence did finally result in Banjercito sending me an official certificate acknowledging the cancellation of my original Temporary Import Permit. It will be interesting this October to see if Mexican customs computers have recorded that same cancellation, or if I'll have to jump through hoops at the border once again. I'm taking bets.
Just in case, our vehicle is registered in both names, so my wife can always be the "importer".

[rickholden]

If you are coming thru Texas, what`s the best place to cross over, and where should you avoid?

[RVGRINGO]

Hi Rick,
We've all noticed that Texas and Mexico share a very long border. Please tell us which part of it is in your neighborhood.

[rickholden]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

Hi Rick,
We've all noticed that Texas and Mexico share a very long border. Please tell us which part of it is in your neighborhood.

I was actually planning on coming thru N Laredo, but I heard it can be dangerous. That Eagle Pass might be a better deal. What think? And is it safe to show up at EP at 5 AM in the morning?

[mexliving]

i have used san xavier mexico insurance out of nogales az.... over the phone and they email policy... i usually cross at loredo at 6 am and i like how the imigration/car permit office building is located right as cross the bridge . i stay 8 miles from the border at the BEST WESTERN san ysidro hotel..... rated # 1 out of 33 hotels in the area , good parking lot, lights,camaras, free buffet breakfast... Take I-35 south to the Killiam exit. Drive east on Bob Bullock Loop 20.

1410 Hospitality Drive

Laredo, TX 78045

USA
to make reservation 800-551 2409

remember to make 2 copies of your drivers license/tittle /registration/ passport info pages only... i cant remember what copies i needed last time but it helps to have them with you so that you dont have to leave the window and run around.

you want to make 2 maps of the border crossing area... google texas loredo map click on the mapquest link... then zoom in on the map and click to aerial photo... follow highway 35 to the border/ you want the map of the bridge/ usa /mex border and if you look to the left of the bridge, that is the building you want... you can see the large parking area.... so a map of this area is helpfull to navigate to it..

then pan out on the map.... you want to take a right turn leaving the parking lot and take that street all the way around....... so zooming out and prining this page will help you navigate to the 85 hwy....


do note that all border customs/aduana officers where replaced these last few days...... aside from the priority items they are looking for coming into the country they are also looking for undeclared plasma screen t.v.'s


p.s. no mountan dew soft drink in mexico .. might want to bring some down.... j.k.