Insurance Information for U.S. Citizens Traveling in Mexico
Page 1 of 2
Information Updated as-of 20 October 2006
LIABILITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE COVERAGE:
I recommend purchase of (at a minimum) a $100,000. combined (bodily injury and property damage) single limit coverage liability policy. Higher limits of liability coverage are available at slightly higher premiums. Check with the agents for quotes on different levels of liability coverage and the availability and cost of comprehensive (full) coverage. When applying for comprehensive coverage, be certain that you list the name of the lien holder that has a recorded lien if your bike is financed. Your lien holder will require proof of adequate insurance coverage protecting their interest prior to issuing the required notarized letter permitting you to take your bike into Mexico.
When applying for your coverage, list the date and time that you expect to enter Mexico. Your coverage will become effective accordingly. Everyone should allow an extra day for their anticipated return to the U.S. For example, if you plan to return on Sunday, list Monday as the return date.
INSURANCE AGENCIES / AUTO AND MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE:
There are two U.S. Insurance agencies that I have recommended in the past for our Mexico insurance coverage. They both represent reputable Mexican insurance companies.
1) The Oneida Lorenzana Insurance Agency of Weslaco, Texas is an authorized representative for Sanborn's Mexico Insurance. Sanborn's is a longtime provider of Mexico insurance policies underwritten by major Mexican insurance companies that are recognized by the Mexican authorities. The Oneida Lorenzana agency provides excellent customer service, and their premiums are competitive with other providers of comparable types of coverage.
You may contact the Oneida Lorenzana agency by calling toll free 1-800-222-0158 and asking for the Weslaco office. Ask for Oneida Lorenzana at the Weslaco agency office, as she is most familiar with our requirements. You may also contact them by e-mail: oneidains@netzero.net or call direct at (956) 968-9188.
* Sanborn's requires a minimum of five comprehensive coverage policies issued for a particular group. Otherwise, only liability coverage may be obtained. All policies have legal aid coverage.
2) The San Xavier Mexico Insurance Agency at Nogales Arizona. I have had occasion to use this agency before and found their service to be excellent, and their fees competitive with other providers in this market.
You may call San Xavier on their toll free line (1-888-377-1570) for information and to purchase your coverage. You may also visit their website (www.mexican-autoinsurance.com) to obtain quotes for your desired coverage on-line.
The auto insurance coverage shown on the home page includes "medical payments" and "travel assistance". These two items are not available on motorcycle policies. I will address personal health and accident insurance later.
You may request a quote for liability only, or liability plus comprehensive coverage from San Xavier by submitting your information via the on-line quote form provided on their website. If you are requesting a quote for comprehensive coverage in addition to liability, enter a dollar value in the appropriate box (for a liability only quote, leave this box blank).
When you are ready to purchase your coverage, call San Xavier's toll free number (U.S. & Canada) and complete your transaction using a Visa or MasterCard. They will send your policy by e-mail, fax, U.S. postal service, or a combination thereof.
HEALTH AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE:
Check with your health insurance carrier in order to be sure you are covered in case of an illness or accidental injury that may require medical treatment and/or hospitalization while you are in Mexico. Medicare and Medicaid insurance does not cover U.S. citizens outside of the United States. The Liaison International company offers a very affordable policy that appears to provide adequate coverage for such unforeseen occurrences. For example, a policy that offers 5 days of coverage - $500,000. maximum limit, $100. deductible - is available for a premium of $31.31. You can review the policy coverage and exclusions, get quotes, and purchase a policy from Liaison International on-line.
On the San Xavier Mexico Insurance web-site home page, click on the icon on the left hand side of the page marked "Travel Health Insurance". When the next page appears, click on the "Liaison International" icon. When this page appears, scroll down to the bottom, and on the left hand side of the page
click on either "View Program Summary" or "View Brochure" to review the policy's coverage and exclusions. Use the self-explanatory form provided to apply for a quote and purchase a policy. When applying for quotes, be sure "yes" appears in the "Hazardous Sport Coverage" box
(they think motorcycle riding is dangerous) - otherwise you will not be covered in case of an accident.
San Xavier does not sell this type of coverage or represent these insurance companies. They do not provide information concerning the coverage provided, exclusions, etc. Policies can only be purchased on-line directly from the provider, Liaison International.
Similar coverage is available through companies listed on Sanborn's Mexico Insurance web page - www.sanbornsinsurance.com
I highly recommend you seriously consider purchasing this or some other comparable type of coverage if you determine that your existing policy does not cover you in Mexico. We never know when an accident may occur or when we may be afflicted by a serious illness. Remember, we will be guests outside the U.S.A. where some incidents may not handled in the same manner that we are accustomed to at home.