---

Auto Club Warns Americans Driving in Mexico to Carry Insurance

10 November 1999

Auto Club Warns Americans Driving in Mexico to Carry Insurance; Club Says Both Mexican and U.S. Insurance Needed

    LOS ANGELES--Nov. 9, 1999--A fatal car crash in Baja California last weekend emphasizes the need for Americans to carry both Mexican and U.S. automobile insurance when traveling in Mexico, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.
    Mexican authorities refused to release two passengers injured in the weekend accident from jail for medical treatment until they posted bail. One critically injured passenger was held for nearly a day, according to newspaper accounts, until his parents arrived from San Francisco with $11,000 in bail money.
    "According to Mexican law, it is illegal for anyone to have an accident in Mexico without proper Mexican liability insurance coverage," said Sandy Braun, Mexican travel expert for the Auto Club. "Many people are not aware of this and the results can be tragic."
    The Auto Club sells Mexican auto insurance to its members through an arrangement with Grupo Nacional Provincial, S.A., one of the largest and most reputable insurance companies in Mexico. Various packages are available including those that offer coverage for civil liability, medical expenses, guaranteed bail and legal assistance, total theft, physical damage and traveler's assistance.
    "Even if travelers are just going to Mexico for the day they should buy Mexican insurance from a company based in Mexico," said Braun. "They should be sure to ask specific questions about what their Mexican policy covers so they are certain of the coverage they have. Passengers riding in a vehicle going to Mexico need to be sure the driver has Mexican insurance or they may experience difficulties with Mexican authorities as well because it is illegal to have an accident in Mexico without Mexican liability insurance."
    "Travelers also need to know that if they are involved in an accident in Mexico, they must file a claim prior to leaving the country or it will not be honored," added Braun.
    In most cases auto insurance policies offered by the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club provide excess auto insurance over and above Mexican insurance coverage for infrequent travel in Mexico. This is not true of all insurers. Coverage by some insurers stops at the California-Mexico border.
    "While Mexican insurance is the primary auto insurance coverage for travel in Mexico," said Art Lee, insurance representative for the Auto Club, "our policy offers excess liability coverage."
    Full coverage Mexican auto insurance packages are available in Auto Club district offices starting as low as $9 a day. The Club suggests limits of at least $100,000 for civil liability and guaranteed bail and $50,000 for medical expenses which would increase that price. For example, full coverage with the Auto Club recommended limits on a $15,000 vehicle would be $18.93 per day.
    The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available.