|
Mexican Insurance - Travelers Lifesaver! |
|
|
|
|
by LindenGray
For an American visitor, a car accident in Mexico is a great deal more serious than the same type of accident would be at home according to Mr. Kitto. In his personal account of having a car accident and spending a week dealing with Mexican Authorities, Kitto hopes to alert all Americans planning to drive in Mexico of the need to be fully prepared.
Mexican car insurance tops his list, for reasons that will become obvious as you read his story. Bill Kitto was not traveling for his first time in Mexico when he got into an accident near San Vincente, Mexico while driving his friend's truck.
An exceedingly cautious driver, Bill was at the wheel because road conditions were deteriorating due to an incoming rain storm, which left him at the mercy of his friend's Mexican insurance holder.
Bill and his friend were traveling at a cautious 30 MPH hour when they rounded a corner to find a Mexican military hurtling towards them partly on their side of the road. Unable to avoid the crash, the two vehicles impacted head-on left, sending the personnel scattered down an embankment and Bill and his friend into the cliff wall on the opposite side.
Within minutes, the Mexican police arrive and one speeds an injured Bill away to a location unknown to him or his companion who is left standing roadside. In Mexico, there is no 'innocent until proven guilty' - exactly the opposite.
Because he did not know if his friend had Mexican car insurance, Bill was put in a Mexican jail cell, not knowing what would happen to him and with no contact with anyone outside.
After several hours, the guards took him back to the scene of the accident. His friend was there with his Mexican auto insurance policy. This would have been the end of the story in the US, but in Mexico it was just the beginning.
The whole story is lengthier, more detailed and more than a little uncomfortable for Bill. During a week in the hospital, Bill tried very hard to make sure his injuries would keep him out of the Mexican jail. With legal representatives that had low ethics and technology that was a muddled mess, Bill was at the mercy of the local authorities and paying his way out seemed futile.
Much of the time, Bill was not sure if he could get free of this mess or if he would be able to afford the 'fines' to get out. Eventually, Bill was able to regain his liberty but it cost him in excess of $28,000 US. Fortunately for Bill, he was able to get the money to buy his freedom. This is not the case, though, for many Americans. They just don't have access to that much money.
It is the disorganization and deceit found in Mexico that caused Bill to doubt if he would ever see a gain on his life's venture. However, he learned a lot of things from his ordeal that he is determined to share with all of the Americans planning a trip to Mexico:
Bring a cell (or satellite) phone into Mexico and learn how to place a phone call while in the country.
Stay in contact with family and friends residing in the states, as they can help you lock in money if ever needed, as well as contact Mexican insurance companies when applicable (because you will have limited resources to do so).
And most importantly -
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE-with very good coverage and limits to cover all personal injury and property damage.
Make sure the Mexican car insurance is from a reputable company.
Make certain that you have proof of Mexico Insurance within the car and at hand all the time! (Should you be away from the vehicle, have the Mexican auto insurance ID cards on your person!)
Bill Kitto's long and trying ordeal proved one thing to him-money makes the Mexican world go round. Down there, they care little about where that money comes from, but whether you can pay the tab or not is what determines your innocence and ultimate freedom.
Since fast access to $30,000 or better is a pipe-dream for most of us, the best way to protect yourself when driving in Mexico is to have an excellent Mexican automobile insurance policy to back you with high enough limits.
About the Author: Linden Gray is an international insurance veteran with 29 years of retail & direct insurance experience. Mr. Gray has been featured in numerous publications including RV Magazine, PE.com, Google & Yahoo News, Digg & Buzzle. Visit his website here: Mexican Car Insurance or visit Mexican Insurance |
