Help - Mexican insurance

[roland stockham]

Hi all

Just found that in order to sail in Mexican waters (or at least get a berth in a marina!) I need liability ins. OK fine if that is the rules.

So tried to by it... Got quote which looks good so started to fill out the paperwork which is nice and simple until I got to the bit about US insurence details... WAIT A MIN, yest it did say US as in USA. WTF would anyone buy US insurance and certainly no Canadian would.

So all you people who have been/are there. Do I really need liability ins and how do I get it without general boat Ins (which I don't have and can't get until I get home to Canada)

[Diesel Bill]

I don't know if this will help. I bought my boat in La Paz last year. The person I bought it from had a policy with ACE Seguros,S.A. Since it was already prepaid he added me onto the policy till I could leave Mexican waters 6 months later. At that point we just let the policy expire. Their phone # for customer service is 888-467-4639

[model 10]

The only place you need insurance is when you are checking into MX on the west coast from the USA. Everywhere else they could give a ****.

[roland stockham]

Yep, that is the one I was trying. Appears to be an 'add on' to existing insurance not a separate policy

[roland stockham]

Originally Posted by Guy

The only place you need insurance is when you are checking into MX on the west coast from the USA. Everywhere else they could give a ****.

So sounds like if I turn up without it and the marina says "where is your ins" I can act dump and buy it there?

[goat]

Google it. I bought online, printed out a receipt, good as gold at marinas in the baja. I believe, as diesel bill pointed out, Ace is the only underwriter, but others carry their insurance. I'd look it up for you but Mulege doesn't have the fastest internet around, and I'm buggering off north for hurricane season. It was cheaper than Canadian liability only insurance.

[atkinsoa]

I have been sailing in the Sea of Cortez for the last two winters. Boat is currently on the hard in Guaymas (near San Carlos). Every marina that I have gone into have insisted on seeing my liability insurance. I bought it in Canada from Dolphin ins. Vancouver. I've heard it's cheaper down in Mex. but haven't checked it out yet.

[Moontide]

Try Craig Chamberlain at Novamar. Offices in US and Mexico.

[iseadreamer]

We have been sailing western Mexico for 20 years. Our current best value for Mexican liability insurance is through the travel club, Vagabundos del mar. And, yes, we have not found a western Mexico marina that does not require liability insurance.

[SV Sailfish]

We are on the west coast of Mexico. This is who we use...

https://www.bajabound.com/buy/?view=start&pq=a86d1f5a

50k liability for our 38 foot cutter is $200 per year.

FYI...Lots of Marinas here say they need 100k minimum liability
but when asked for our insurance papers, we just give them
a copy of our 50k policy and no one has ever said a word,
they just take it. So far, in 3 years, we have gone into 7
marinas here without one problem.

If you want to buy higher coverage, go ahead but why waste the $$?

[Rough Magic]

Second vote for Vagabundos del Mar. Online, easy, and can help with the other bits of paperwork you'll need, like a Temporary Import Permit. I wouldn't sail into Mexican waters without Mexican liability insurance. The federales are very serious about these requirements should you have an accident. Even if someone else runs into your boat while you're ashore. Have a great trip.

[zeehag]

liability insurance in mexico protects the boat owner from more than damage by storms.. there is a scam in mexico whereby if the individual wants your boat, they have a way to obtain it without money. i found one of these groups in zihuatenejo, supposedly out of alcaputo.
although i sailed mexico without liability for a couple of years, i found it easier to accomplish my goals with liability. it is cheap--under 300 yearly, so why not get it to protect that which you state is important to you.
and donot forget it is a mexican law that insurance be kept. liability only.
ace
novamar
and there are some others, although i donot personally know them. their rates are state regulated and similar, so competition aint an issue here.
east coast and west coast have same requirements, as it is a national mandate.
enjoy your cruising of mexico.
remember when agace comes to the marina or anchorage in which you sit, they seek t i p , insurance and ownership papers as well as your personal ids.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by zeehag

liability insurance in mexico protects the boat owner from more than damage by storms.. there is a scam in mexico whereby if the individual wants your boat, they have a way to obtain it without money. i found one of these groups in zihuatenejo, supposedly out of acapulco.

Zee

Could you explain this please

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Zee

Could you explain this please

the scam involves folks appearing as tourists..these had rented a macgregor 26, speedsailor. they anchored in zihuat bay. i watched her swim to the boat she liked, and speak with the owner about coveting the boat. when she and her boys left, boys being men who worked for her or her boss, they went south to alcaputo. within 2 weeks a silent dark sloop sailed into zihuat, anchored 5 ft off the beam of the boat they said coveted, and proceeded to anchor for the night with only rope rode. the intent was collision. the result of a nocturnal collision is the local gets the prize.
when the owner of the already anchored and coveted boat spoke out about the proximity of the boats, the mexicans said no problem. would not move because it was no problem. for them. the boats were about 5-10 ft apart .

[model 10]

Originally Posted by zeehag

east coast and west coast have same requirements, as it is a national mandate.
enjoy your cruising of mexico. .

You sure don't know everything about the way things go in MX. When was the last time you checked into MX on the east coast or maybe even coming up from Bahia Del Sol on the west coast?