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MEXICO AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES
Driving a vehicle in Mexico requires extra diligence on the part of the driver. Whether renting a car while visiting a Mexican resort, or driving down into Mexico from another country, being aware of Mexico's insurance requirements is an important element for a safe trip.
It's also important for the driver to realize that the rules of the road are a bit different in Mexico. To help round out your learning curve we have enclosed some important driving tips to help make your journey as safe as possible.
If you think you may need the services of an emergency Air Evacuation company while visiting Mexico visit the web site of SKY MED INTERNATIONAL or call them at (800) 475-9633 for additional information.
MEXBOUND AUTO INSURANCE
Free on-line quote and immediate policy printing.
www.mexbound.com.
OSCAR PADILLA'S MEXICAN INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 466-7227.
www.mexicaninsurance.com.
Instant Mexico insurance on-line.
Since 1951. Over 50 years of experience offering Mexican auto insurance.
Print your policy on-line and then GO!
Open 7 days a week.
Check web site for further information.
MEXICO INSURANCE SERVICES
Telephone (858) 663-6453.
345 - B Deleware Street, Imperial Beach, California, 91932.
Web site: www.mexinsure.com.
Mexico insurance on-line.
Try our "Quick Quote" free service.
Open 7 days a week.
Check their web site for further information.
ADVENTURE MEXICO INSURANCE SERVICES
Telephone (800) 485-4075.
Direct (831) 724-7995.
P.O. Box 1469, Soquel, California, 95073.
Web site: www.mexadventure.com.
Immediate Mexico insurance on-line.
Autos, RV caravans, motorcycles and church groups.
Adventure Mexican Insurance provides quality Online Mexican insurance.
You can purchase & print your policy in minutes!
Open 7 days a week.
Check their web site for further information.
MEXICAN INSURANCE ONLINE
Telephone (888) 467-4639.
Web site: www.mexicaninsuranceonline.com.
Part of the International Insurance Group.
Mexican insurance services for USA and Canada Brokers.
Policys for one day through one year.
Up to $300,000 liability coverage.
Easy renewals for repeat customers.
Fixed deductable options.
Visit their web site for additional information.
BORDER MEXICAN INSURANCE SERVICES
Telephone (800) 332-2118.
Fax (619) 428-0920.
Web site: www.mexborder.com.
2004 Dairy Mart Road, San Ysidro, California, 92173.
Located just north of the U.S. border crossing into Mexico.
Quote, buy and print on-line
Open 7 days a week.
Check web site for further information.
AMERICAN MEXICAN INSURANCE SERVICES
Telephone (619) 420-0086.
(800) 420-0086.
Fax (619) 420-0088.
Web site: www.amexinsurance.com.
Family owned since 1993 plus over 22 years experience in the international insurance business.
Affiliations with over 80 agents in Mexico.
Full Mexican insurance services.
A.S.A. MEXICAN INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 909-4457.
Fax (800) 909-1007.
Web site: www.mexicoinsurance.com.
28636 Front Street, Suite 203, Temecula, California, 92590.
Mexican insurance the easy and inexpensive way . . . by phone!
BAJA BOUND INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 680-2252.
Fax (619) 429-8805.
2222 Coronado Avenue, San Diego, California, 92154.
Web site: www.bajabound.com.
Instant insurance quotes via their web site, or purchase in person at the office, 3 miles north of the border.
CLUB MEX AUTO / RV INSURANCE
Telephone (619) 271- 0527.
Fax (619) 271-1245.
3450 Bonita Road, Suite #103, Bonita, California, 91910.
Web site: www.baja-cabo.com.
Auto, RV, aircraft, commercial, home insurance and much more.
Visit their web site for more information on Baja.
DRIVE MEX INSURANCE
Telephone (866) 367-5053.
Web site: www.drivemex.com.
Your best quote form 3 different companies.
Auto, RV, bus, watercraft, trucks, aircraft and businesses.
Liability, collission, theft, vandalism, medical, short and long term policies.
Quick insurance quotes via their web site.
Not affiliated with Drive Mexico Insurance.
INSTANT MEXICO AUTO INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 345-4701.
(619) 428-4714.
Fax (619) 690-6533.
233 Via San Ysidro, San Ysidro, California, 92173.
Web site: www.instant-mex-auto-insur.com.
Right off of the Interstate 5 off ramp at Via de San Ysidro.
Fully computerized policies, convenient border location. Open 25 hours a day!
MACAFEE & EDWARDS AVIATION INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 334-7950.
Web site: www.macafeeandedwards.com.
Aviation insurance for private pilots headin to Mexico.
Immediate telephone quotes for your bird.
Fax / mail policy the same day.
Visa and Master Card accepted.
Visit their web site for additional information.
MEX-A-CAN INSURANCE
Telephone (866) 367-5053.
Fax (416) 363-7454.
133 Richmond Street West, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 2L3.
Web site: www.mexacan.com.
Auto, aircraft, boat, RV, travel and commercial insurance for Mexico.
Servicing Canadian and U.S. travelers.
More information available on their web site.
LEWIS & LEWIS BAJA INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 966-6830.
(310) 657-1112.
Fax (310) 652-5849.
8929 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 220, Beverly Hills, California, 90211.
Web site: www.mexicanautoinsurance.com.
Insurance for cars, motor homes and boats headed for Baja.
SAFEMEX INSURANCE
Telephone (866) 723-3639.
PO Box 43800, San Diego, California, 92143-8000.
Web site: www.safemex.com.
Auto insurance plus roadside assistance, legal assistance, medical assistance.
Specializing in travelers assistance while in Mexico.
BR>Call for quotes or visit their web site for more information..
SANBORN'S MEXICO INSURANCE
Telephone (800) 222-0158.
E-mail: info@sanbornsinsurance.com.
Web site: www.sanborninsurance.com.
In the Mexico insurance business for over 55 years!
Underwritten by a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric.
Claims settled in the United States and paid in U.S. dollars.
Contact Floyd Woods for information!
MEXICAN INSURANCE ONLINE
Telephone (888) 467-4639.
Web site: www.mexicaninsuranceonline.com.
Part of the International Insurance Group.
Mexican insurance services for USA and Canada Brokers
Visit their web site for additional information.
MEX INSUR
99 Bonita Road, Chula Vista, California, 91910.
Located just west of the 5 Freeway at the Via de San Ysidro off ramp.
Probably the easiest place to get last minute insurance before crossing the border.
They also have an attorney hot-line, but all you really need is liability insurance.
Underwritten by Seguros Tepeyac Insurance Company.
Carlos Fiesta found out the hard way that this is a good company when he totaled his 735 BMW on the Baja Highway just south of La Salina!
DRIVING TIPS
These driving tips will go alone way towards making your driving experience a much safe one. Take a hint from Carlos Fiesta who has driven tens of thousands of miles in Mexico...safety is no accident.
BE INSURED
Unlike the United States, if you are in an automobile accident in Mexico you may considered guilty until proven innocent. Having current liability insurance is relatively inexpensive, and will buy you plenty of peace of mind (and keep you out of jail) in case things go sideways. Even though your U.S. insurance policy states that you are covered when driving out of the U.S., Mexican authorities will not accept the liability coverage of an insurance company unless they are underwritten by a Mexican carrier.
Collision insurance is a different story and many U.S. carriers will cover damage to the vehicle if an accident happens close to the border in a tourist area. When driving to Mexico it's always a good idea to check with your current insurance carrier to see what is covered and what is not.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Aside from some of the four lane roads near Mexico's larger cities most of the roads in Mexico are narrow two lane and somewhat narrow. The width often runs from 12 to 14 feet on each side, which does not allow a heck of a lot of room for error. Throw in a few moderately-sized pot holes, somebody riding a bike on the road and a few feisty cows and the road can become a bit intimidating. Driving at high speeds is definitely risky business. Keep an eye on the road shoulders as they sometimes get very steep or disappear all together.
Most of Mexico's toll roads are in good condition and usually worth the price of admission. They often lack the charm of the normal Mexican roads that wind through the town but if you want to cover a lot of ground quickly they are very efficient. Toll both operators will usually accept U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos, but not a combination of both.
WATCH FOR LIVESTOCK
You name it...cows, burros, goats, dogs...they are all out there on the highway waiting to play a little game of 'fender-tag' with your car. Keeping a sharp eye ahead of you can save you lots of aggravation. Once ol' Bessy's big brown eyes are looking at you from the hood of your car it's too late.
Avoiding a one-on-one with livestock is pretty easy if you are going slow. But high-speed drivers often find it difficult to slow down in time after coming around a curve with a herd of cattle standing still mid-highway. Not only will you damage your car but there is a good chance you will injure the animal. Hot tip? Drive slow!
MILITARY STOPS
Expect them and appreciate the reasons for them, you are not in Kansas anymore. Mexico is trying to show good faith in the drug transportation war, and the inconvenience of these infrequent drug inspection stations is a small price to pay for a big problem. It's best to leave your political opinions on this issue at home and just go with the flow. These kids are just doing their job and the more you cooperate the faster they will pass you through the system.
You are usually delayed no more than a few minutes. They may or may not search your car. Southbound vehicles are not always checked but northbound vehicles almost always are. Assuming you have no drugs, guns, or ammo, you'll be on your way in a jiffy. Giving these young uniformed kids a cold soda or candy is always appreciated.
NIGHT DRIVING
The only thing less safe than driving Mexico roads too fast is driving too fast at night. Because of the limited visibility, reaction time to stuff on a dark road (debris, livestock, parked cars, etc.) the likelihood of getting in trouble on the road increases significantly after dark.
A conservative view is not to drive at night in Mexico. A more realistic view is not to drive faster than you can see ahead, be aware of your surroundings and don't drive when tired or drunk.
SPECIAL DRIVING TIPS
An understanding of a couple of driving tips will help your Mexico drive more enjoyable and safe!
(1) When driving on Mexico's main roads, if you are stuck behind a slow local vehicle, most Mexican drivers will try to help with the process of having you pass them. When the coast is clear for passing, the driver of the slower vehicle will often turn on his left turn signal, to inform you that it is okay to pass. It is important to note two issues with regards to this Mexico courtesy. First, remember that you (the driver of the vehicle that wishes to pass) are ultimately responsible for whatever may happen during this passing process (such as an unseen oncoming vehicle!). It is also important to be sure that the driver you are trying to pass is not preparing to turn left! On the open highway, this is not likely, but always a possibility.
(2) Another hot tip when driving the Mexico's roads is road hazards. A person standing on the road lowering his hand towards the pavement repeatedly is trying to tell drivers to slow down for some particular road issue ahead. It could be a parked vehicle ahead or a road crew doing maintenance. Keep an eye.
(3) Pemex is the main gasoline company in Mexico. Pemex stations accept payment in Mexican pesos and U.S. dollars. Credit cards are usually not accepted at Pemex stations. If you want to break a (U.S.) 100 dollar bill this is the place to do it. The workers at these stations carry lots of cash!
MAPS
Mexico is a large and diverse country and it's usually a good idea to check out
a map of the area you are visiting before heading south. We have broken the map
section of Mexico Expo into 3 different categories:
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