When the traveler drives into Mexico, he or she must ride over strange roads. Such a driver views new, distracting sites and seeks guidance from street signs that bear words in Spanish. The traveler driving into Mexico enters a country where he or she is at increased risk for involvement in a car accident. That traveler needs personal auto insurance.
In Mexico an insurance policy that offers only collision coverage does not satisfy the requirements of Mexican law. Mexican law stipulates that anyone found at fault at the scene of an accident must show the financial means to cover the costs of that accident. A traveler in Mexico thus needs an insurance policy that provides liability coverage.
What should a driver expect when an insurance provider promises personal insurance in Mexico? A driver with such insurance should have no liability for damages or injury to persons other than those in the insured vehicle. The insurance policy normally refers to such persons as “a third party.”
A few tricks can facilitate completion of the process that guarantees delivery of insurance coverage. One trick involves the taking of photos at the scene of an accident. A second trick calls requesting a copy of the police report. Use of tricks can help a driver to benefit fully from personal auto insurance purchased in Mexico.
When the traveler secures personal auto insurance in Mexico, he or she has taken an important step toward aversion of possible problems. Still the possession of such insurance does not guarantee avoidance of troubles in the event of a car accident. An insurance provider can not cover a claim, unless the driver contacts the insurance provider before returning to the United States.
A driver with a cell phone might think that he or she should have little trouble calling-in information about a potential car accident. Travelers in Mexico must realize that a cell phone frequently fails to work properly in Mexico. Calls from Mexico to an insurance provider should be made from a land phone.
Personal insurance in Mexico can not always cover a lost or stolen vehicle. Such a policy can only cover the specified problem if the driver obtains the proper Mexican documents. What are those documents?
A driver who hopes to be reimbursed for a lost or stolen vehicle must obtain both a local and federal police report before leaving Mexico. Then after returning to the United States, the same driver must get something called a “Courtesy Report.” That Report must come from a State Highway Patrol Agency. All of the indicated documents should be sent to the insurance provider.
By: Robert Mall
Posts Tagged ‘Car Accident’
Personal Auto Insurance In Mexico
January 26th, 2010California Auto Insurance Laws – CA Car Insurance Laws That You Need to Know
January 24th, 2010
What are some of the California auto insurance laws that CA residents need to know? California is a tort law state for auto insurance, which basically means you can sue the other party if you are injured in a car accident. There are several other car insurance laws that consumers in the Golden State should be aware of before looking for car insurance.
In California, the law requires you to carry at least liability coverage in the limits of 15/30/5, which means:
$15,000 bodily injury coverage per person hurt in a car accident
$30,000 bodily injury coverage per accident in total
$5,000 coverage for property damage liability
This coverage is to protect others in case of an accident where you are deemed to be at fault. However, the minimum limits are very low and are unlikely to be sufficient to cover the expenses of a serious car accident. In this case you could be personally sued for the excess. For this reason it makes sense to carry higher limits of liability coverage.
There is a California which law requires insurers to give the lowest price to the consumer that he or she is eligible for. All companies operating in the state must have a toll-free number and/or a web site with quote capabilities available to consumers in order to meet the requirements of this law.
CA car insurance laws state that when you purchase liability coverage the insurer must offer you uninsured motorist coverage. If you decide against it, you must actually sign a form stating that you have declined this coverage.
Now that you are fully aware of the California auto insurance laws that you need to know, you are ready to start shopping for California car insurance. You can get started quickly and easily by using an online quote tool. In no time, you’ll be comparing a variety of quotes from top CA insurers.
By: James J. Robinson
Mexican Auto Insurance – What’s Different From US Insurance?
January 18th, 2010
First of all, the US operates on a “innocent until proven guilty” system. Mexico is the exact opposite. If you are involved in a car accident, you will be immediately detained until fault is determined and the accident is settled. US insurance holds no bearing in Mexico, so you need to make sure that you purchase adequate amounts of Mexican auto insurance before crossing the border. You need to have enough coverage to pay for the injuries and property damages that an accident could cause. If you aren’t properly insured, you could face thousands of dollars in fines, legal fees, and even a vacation in a Mexican jail.
Doesn’t sound fun? Then you just need to purchase Mexican auto insurance that provides the coverage you need. Many online companies sell this insurance, and some larger American companies sell it as well. For example, AAA offers a great policy for those in need of auto insurance in Mexico. Don’t buy Mexican auto insurance from just anyone. You need to make sure you get it from a reputable company, and that you carry proof in your vehicle at all times to alleviate confusion or complications.
Also, before traveling out of the country, you need to be sure you’re fluent in the foreign language- at least enough so that you can stand up for yourself in the event of an accident. It’s also imperative to keep a cell phone on you at all times, and to keep in contact with your family and friends in the states who may be able to assist you. Mexican law enforcement doesn’t play games. Anyone who is accused of a crime goes straight to jail until they are proven innocent. Wouldn’t it be easier to prove your innocence at the accident scene and save the trip to jail?
Mexican insurance policies are very particular. If you request emergency services treatments or EMT services, these are usually limited to the cities of Mexico and not rural areas. Additionally, health insurance from the US usually isn’t accepted in Mexico, so medical payments coverage will be helpful in your Mexican auto insurance policy.
By: Costas Peppas