Liability insurance is not specifically required by Mexican law, however the Mexican authorities, including police, require drivers to have proof of financial responsibility, in case you have an accident, even if you are not at fault. The Mexican authorities do not recognize "foreign" insurance coverage. You must obtain your liability coverage from an authorized Mexican insurance company. There are several levels of liability coverage available. Minimum available liability - $50,000."Single limit combined" coverage that includes legal aid will cost around $5.00 per day. The maximum comparable liability coverage ($300,000.) will cost around $10.00 per day. Comprehensive coverage is also available through most Mexican insurance companies, however premiums will vary according to the particular types and limits of coverage requested.
There are several reputable insurance agencies in the U.S. that issue policies underwritten by recognized Mexican insurance companies. You may select the coverage that you desire and purchase your policy over the phone with most major credit cards. These agencies will issue the policies and send them to you by e-mail, fax, or regular mail.
You should specify your departure date and the time that you expect to cross the border into Mexico. Your coverage will become effective at the time and on the date that you specify. Your expiration time and date should allow for unforeseen delays that you may encounter on your return trip such as bad weather, mechanical problems, etc. If you plan to return on Sunday, your coverage should not expire until Monday. Should anyone need to further extend their coverage period, you may generally do so by calling a toll free number that is furnished with the policy. You should request that your coverage become effective at 9:00am on the day that you expect to enter Mexico with our group, or otherwise, at whatever time and on the day you plan to enter Mexico.
I will furnish a listing of agencies that I recommend at a later date.
HEALTH AND TRAVEL 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, at age 65, a policy that offers 5 days of coverage - $500,000. maximum limit, $100. deductible - is available for a premium of $32.00. 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.
Sanborn's Mexico Insurance lists companies on their web-site (www.sanbornsinsurance.com) that provide similar health and travel coverage. On the Sanborn's home page, click on "Online Insurance", then click on "Additional Insurance and Services". When the new page appears, click on "International Health and Travel Insurance", then fill in the information in the boxes.
You will be able to see the premiums for various levels of coverage and at various deductibles. An example is: at age 65, a $500,000. maximum benefit - $100. deductible policy for five days of coverage would cost about $30.00.
I strongly recommend that you seriously consider purchasing this or some other comparable type of coverage if you determine that your existing health insurance does not cover you in Mexico. We never know when an accident may occur or when we may be afflicted by an illness that may require hospitalization. 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.
For assistance or questions, contact: John Cannon
e-mail: john@jwcannon.net