Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Central America and Mexico
Central America and Mexico Topics specific to Central America and Mexico only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Sep 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
Question Mexico Insurance...who bothers?

There seem to be a lot of people recommending insurance for Mexico (because it is a legal requirement), even though it seems nobody will ask for it unless you have an accident.

Having travelled through so many countries without insurance I'm reluctant to pay for it. Best quotes I've got are U$96 inc Legal from Baja Bound and U$84 from Mexins.

How many actually buy the insurance? Who's had to claim? and most importantly, who's had an accident without it?

PS. I have no idea why everything is underlined!

__________________
ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

Photo Galleries

ShortWayRound/Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Sep 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
Why not pay the legal amount as required by a country you want to visit? How about if people enter your country without paying then have problems, I am sure you would like to see the book thrown at them?

Pay the dues, then maybe you won't have the problem of explaining "NO" to a Mexican Bubba

nb. I paid and it was asked for when I was stopped by the police, so it is a gamble.

Cheers
TS
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 448
I have lived in Mexico for over 30years and have never had bike insurance. I am sure I will get a lot of flak for this but think if you feel ok without it then save your money.
If you come to Mex City and need a place to stay contact me and we can put you ip.

GarryHostel.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Sep 2010
T.REX63's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / USA
Posts: 295
I'm with TravllingStorm on that.

Also, traveling from the US into Mexico, you'll typically encounter a checkpoint ~20 km land inwards. With foreign plates (non-Mexican) the likelihood of being stopped is greater. Not having the insurance may cause them to turn you around and obtain coverage after all.

But, first and foremost, edit 09/29/10: (if) it is Mexican law on Mexican soil. Assuming you are not a Mexican national, you are a guest in the country. Just my $0.02

Enjoy, Mexico is beautiful and the people are fantastic.
__________________
Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"

Last edited by T.REX63; 29 Sep 2010 at 15:33.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 29 Sep 2010
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
We paid $72 for each of us, traveling on 2 bikes. We have been in Mexico for just over 15 days and have been waved through all checkpoints except the very 1st one just outside Tijuana. To us, it was peace of mind as we don´t want to spend time in a Mexican jail till the justice system decides who was at fault in case of an accident. Everyone is different and you have to way up the + as well as - of traveling in Mexico without it. To date, we have not been asked for it, however I almost had a bus run me over in Zacatecas yesterday.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Sep 2010
Scrabblebiker's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
There seems to be a misunderstanding about insurance in Mexico. It is NOT a legal requirement. I have never been asked for it. Not at the inland Aduana checkpoints, not at the military checkpoints, not at the Policia Federal checkpoints and not at the local police checkpoints. If you were asked for it by police at a routine checkpoint that might have been a bribe attempt upon an unsuspecting tourist.

Having said all this, I did buy insurance. The prospect of hanging out in a Mexican jail does not appeal to me at all.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Sep 2010
T.REX63's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / USA
Posts: 295
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrabblebiker View Post
There seems to be a misunderstanding about insurance in Mexico. It is NOT a legal requirement.
...
Having said all this, I did buy insurance. The prospect of hanging out in a Mexican jail does not appeal to me at all.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com
Huh! So all it amounts to, is "keep your butt out of jail" in case of an accident, because the US/Canadian liability insurance will not automatically cover accidents in Mexico.

But, your are right, none of the offers for Mex-insurance I have seen so far specifically say "mandatory or required by Mexican law"

thanx for putting it straight.
__________________
Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Sep 2010
Scrabblebiker's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Posts: 343
After doing my above post I did a bit more research. It may actually be possible that some Mexican states have made it mandatory. I found a reference to it being mandatory in Jalisco since 1999. If this is correct it would be a similar situation to Canada and the USA. In Canada/USA motor vehicles and their insurance fall under the jurisdiction of individual provinces and states. Each state/province has its' own licence plate and laws. All provinces in Canada have enacted laws requiring mandatory insurance. Most US states have done so as well (as far as I know). But some US states still do not require it. It follows to reason that maybe things are the same in Mexico. After all, they all have state licence plates down there as opposed to a "Mexican" plate. So maybe there is a patchwork of insurance requirements in Mexico and maybe it is mandatory after all ...in some states.

Now that the matter is even more confusing:

Regardless, I would recommend insurance. Mexico is advanced enough in their systems to make it a serious problem for a visitor involved in a crash with no insurance.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29 Sep 2010
T.REX63's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / USA
Posts: 295
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrabblebiker View Post
...
Regardless, I would recommend insurance. Mexico is advanced enough in their systems to make it a serious problem for a visitor involved in a crash with no insurance.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com
Yup, I'll second that motion. Good info/view point Michelle...
__________________
Thomas

"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 30 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Norwich,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 1,051
+1 Michelle,
indeed it is being made compulsory in Mexico , but it is along process.
No roadside cop or army check or passport control ever asks for proof of insurance IF there is not an accident. This seems to be a tradition in deference to all the Mexican drivers who never have bought insurance ever.
Buying liability insurance for Mexico at the cheapest rate through a drivers license policy, ,as low as $85 fo r a full year, is a minor expense to cover your self just in case.
As a motorcylist you are likely to be on the loosing end in any crash, but you never know if somebody sees fit to claim you were responsible.Feels good to be able to call for help.
__________________
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 30 Sep 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
Can of worms this one...I feel like I just asked "What oil should I put in my bike!"

Thanks for all your input everyone.

Blackbeast - that's the best price I've seen. Where did you buy it?

Adam
__________________
ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

Photo Galleries

ShortWayRound/Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 30 Sep 2010
BlackBeast's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 313
Quote:
Originally Posted by JediMaster View Post

Blackbeast - that's the best price I've seen. Where did you buy it?

Adam
San Ysidro - just before the Tijuana border crossing. Turn right as you get off the Hwy, and the place is on the left. Baja 4 Less Insurance. We opted for the 6 mth option as it worked out cheaper than buying one for 30 days. We drove around to 4 places along that strip and this was the cheapest at the time.
Daryll
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 30 Sep 2010
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackBeast View Post
San Ysidro - just before the Tijuana border crossing. Turn right as you get off the Hwy, and the place is on the left. Baja 4 Less Insurance. We opted for the 6 mth option as it worked out cheaper than buying one for 30 days. We drove around to 4 places along that strip and this was the cheapest at the time.
Daryll
Thanks Daryll - I'll give them a go.
__________________
ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

Photo Galleries

ShortWayRound/Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2 Oct 2010
robopie's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 74
Don't bother w/ insurance. Police check points don't care. It's not against the law to drive w/o insurance in Mex.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 6 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: somewhere on the road between Ushuaia and Alaska
Posts: 377
I've just entered Mexico from Belize today. The Aduana guy said insurance is NOT mandatory but I inquired anyway in the local office. I was quoted around US$200 for 2 months.
Quite expensive, so I didn't go for it. At least for now.

Still, I'm confused: is insurance really not required, I mean in ALL states? Does anyone know a good/cheaper place to buy insurance? Maybe somewhere in a bigger city in "mainland" (not at a border)?
I'd be happy to pay US$50-100 for two months.
__________________
__________________________
http://www.panomoto.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mexico insurance rbugs88 Central America and Mexico 8 22 May 2010 16:47
Mexico Insurance Brian8700 Trip Paperwork 2 1 Aug 2009 17:28
Mexico, Mexico City I need insurance: wyomex Sleep and Eat, Central America - Mexico 0 11 Jul 2008 23:29
Insurance 4 Mexico marieandguy Central America and Mexico 5 25 Apr 2007 15:58
insurance in mexico pietro.spera SOUTH AMERICA 3 25 Mar 2004 10:55

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:51.