Snowbird Car Insurance

I just finished applying for my TIP online. At one point, they tried to sell me insurance. I didn't write the rates down, but for 6 months it was something like $250 for basic insurance and $550 for top of the line (US dollars).

I plan to call my Canadian insurer and discuss this with them, but generally, is foreign insurance adequate/legal in Mexico? If I was driving into the US I probably wouldn't even think to check into my car insurance.

Also, the rates quoted on the Banjercito website (see above) seemed high to me. I pay less than that for a full year in Canada. I am assuming they are high because they have a captive audience and they also don't have any way of weeding out the risky drivers from the good ones. Any thoughts?

In most cases Canadian car insurance is not valid in Mexico. A foreign (or international) policy is adequate and having a minimum $3,000,000 peso liability is mandatory in the state of Jalisco.

I have never insured a Canadian car down here so can't comment on the rates you are being quoted.

There are several companies selling Mexican insurance online.. very easy and competitive. Here are two I've used over the years...

San Xavier http://www.mexican-autoinsurance.com/

Lewis & Lewis http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/quote/

Thanks Rick and Bob. Once I've gotten it straight in my mind, I'll probably try out those websites for quotes.

Nice thing about Lewis and Lewis is they print out the contract both in English and Spanish so you actually know what you are getting. Do they do business in Canada?

Z

mapleleaf wrote:I just finished applying for my TIP online. At one point, they tried to sell me insurance. I didn't write the rates down, but for 6 months it was something like $250 for basic insurance and $550 for top of the line (US dollars).

I plan to call my Canadian insurer and discuss this with them, but generally, is foreign insurance adequate/legal in Mexico? If I was driving into the US I probably wouldn't even think to check into my car insurance.

Also, the rates quoted on the Banjercito website (see above) seemed high to me. I pay less than that for a full year in Canada. I am assuming they are high because they have a captive audience and they also don't have any way of weeding out the risky drivers from the good ones. Any thoughts?

Check with your insurer in NS. Here in BC we get a refund from our ICBC for the time we spend in Mexico...

What proof do you have to provide ICBC?

CanuckBob wrote:What proof do you have to provide ICBC?

Applying for a refund

To apply for a refund, submit these documents to our Customer service department:

a signed letter confirming the dates your vehicle was in a foreign jurisdiction
a photocopy of a foreign insurance policy identifying your vehicle by the VIN, registration or plate number and the dates of coverage, and
proof of entry and exit dates from the other jurisdiction.

Entry and exit dates

Documents accepted to prove entry and exit:

an importation document, such as a Mexican Banjercito Receipt

entry and exit visas
gas receipts from inside the country
camping / accommodation receipts

Note:

Receipts submitted must include either the vehicle VIN, registration number, or licence plate number to be considered as valid proof of entry and exit dates. (A foreign insurance policy does not confirm the vehicle entered into another country or for how long.)
Customer service

Mail your documents to:

Customer service

151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 3H9

Questions?

Call us:

604-661-2800 in the Lower Mainland
1-800-663-3051 from elsewhere in Canada and the U.S.

Excellent info. I'm sure many snowbirds from BC can benefit from this.

I believe the Canadian Snowbird assn (CSA) has some insurance plan including health insurance