What About Insurance Claims On Mexican Policies

One of the pages in the insurance policy documents that prints when you purchase your Mexican policy is a page titled “What to do in Case of an Accident or Theft.” This page provides step by step instructions for you and includes the toll free number to call to report an insurance claim to your insurance company. As in the U.S. the call center to report a claim is manned 24 x 7 with English and Spanish speaking representatives to assist you with your claim.

If you elected to purchase the upgrade MexVisit Travel Assistance, a separate instruction page is included to explain how to obtain services from this policy feature, and includes the toll free number.

A very small percentage of motorists are actually involved in car accidents or have the unfortunate experience of having their car stolen. For the few who do have that experience, we hope the following information helps deal with it.

A car accident, even in the familiar environment near your home, can be an unnerving event. People’s reactions naturally range from mildly nervous to highly stressed.

A car accident in another country, with a different language, different customs, and a different legal system may increase the feelings of uncertainty even if no one is injured.

If there are injuries due to a car accident, try to get medical help as soon as possible.

Call and report the event to your Mexican insurance company immediately. The toll free number is printed on your policy and also on the page titled “What to do in Case of an Accident or Theft.” Unlike the U.S. and Canada, almost all car accidents in Mexico are attended by an insurance adjuster and the Mexican police.

You paid good money for your policy, not just to fix your car, but to help you work with the authorities in such situations. GET AND USE THE HELP YOU PAID FOR, quickly.

DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT DIRECTLY TO A THIRD PARTY OR THE MEXICAN POLICE!

Your Mexican policy includes coverage for Legal Assistance and a Bail Bond for covered car accidents. If the police ask for or suggest payment to them, politely explain that you have Mexican insurance which includes Legal Assistance (Asistencia Legal) within Mexico, and since you are not familiar with procedures of Mexico or may not be fluent in Spanish, your insurance company advised you to allow them to help you with such matters.

We strongly recommend that you not make payment for damages directly to a Third Party even if you believe you are at-fault for a car accident. That is why you purchased a Mexico car insurance policy. Let the insurance company evaluate and reach a settlement to ensure all liability is handled correctly. If you do make payment directly your insurance company will not reimburse you.

Vehicle Damage Protocol: Mexican insurance companies subscribe to an industry agreement called “hit for hit” (in Spanish, “golpe por golpe”). Under this agreement, if both parties in a car accident have insurance covering damage to their vehicle, each insurance company pays to repair the damages to their customers’ car. This saves the insurance customer from having to deal with yet another insurance company.

If your car or other vehicle is stolen, report it to your Mexican insurance company immediately. They will help you with the steps necessary to process your insurance claim.

After reporting the theft to your insurer, you will be required to report the theft to the local Mexican authorities, usually at the office of the Ministerio Público. Ask the insurance company adjuster to accompany you to the Ministerio Público and to help you report the theft there.

After completing the report of the car theft to the Ministerio Público, be sure to receive a copy.

Some insurers and some jurisdictions also require you to report the car theft to the local office of the Federal Highway police. Again, ask the insurance adjuster to accompany you and to help you complete the report to the Federal Highway police of Mexico. You will need a copy of the report you made to the Ministerio Público of the car theft.

As in the U.S. and Canada, a car theft claim may take longer to process than a claim from a car accident. This is because fraud is so prevalent that the insurance companies must take care to confirm the legitimacy of each insurance claim and take the proper steps with Mexican authorities.

Your Mexican insurance company can not investigate your claim if you leave Mexico before informing them of your car accident AND allowing them to investigate.

If you have a car accident or insurance claim in Mexico you must report it to your Mexican insurance company BEFORE you leave the country. Failure to do so may result in your claim being denied.

The insurance adjuster will complete a written report, which you will be asked to sign. Since the report is in Spanish, make sure you know what your are signing.

If your car left the road in the car accident, check for damage underneath the vehicle and make sure such damage is mentioned in the Mexico insurance adjuster’s report.

And finally, be sure you receive a copy of the insurance adjuster’s report.

Logically, most people keep their Mexico car insurance policy in the glove compartment of their car. But what if your car is stolen with your insurance policy in the car?

We suggest you jot down the following Mexico insurance policy information on a piece of paper and keep it in a wallet or purse:

• Name of Mexico Insurance Company

• Mexico Insurance Policy Number

• Toll Telephone Number to report claim

Get a quote from 5 different Mexico insurance companies, and purchase your insurance policy now!

This information is intended to provide an overview of the various Mexico insurance company policies. The overview does not amend or alter in any way the terms and conditions of any policy delivered. Please refer to the insurance Policy for complete details about the liability coverage, limitations, exclusions, and benefits of the Policy.