Tag Archives: Mordida

Best Value in Mexico Insurance

Like the commercial says, “if we all saved as much as such and such insurance. we would have saved a bucket of money”, blah blah blah.

When it comes to Mexico Tourist Auto insurance, it means way more than just saving money. There is or can be tremendous value in your policy.

You see, Mexico treats a collision, bodily injury, differently than in the U.S. Even if it is your own injury and you are not at fault, they handle it under the rule and laws of their own sovereign country.

Additionally, Mexico does not recognize your U.S. auto insurance! I don’t care what anyone says, they don’t or they do not have to. If you wish to pay the Piper (mordida, the bite, bribe, etc.) wink, wink, go for it. Technically, they only recognize insurance as underwritten by a Mexican insurance company. Um, because of all of the ambulance chasing abogados (attorneys) out there, do not take the paying a bribe seriously. Just a joke…

What would you appreciate more? Let’s say you are visiting friends, relatives, or just cruising through Mexico to get to your favorite tourist destination or street vending taco stand. Would you be better off by not purchasing a Mexico Tourist Auto policy prior to your trip down Mexico way? OR, would you just count on the coverage as promised by your local insurance agent, you know, the Mexico Endorsement to your personal auto policy? Who you gonna call if (something) hits the fan? No it’s not your U.S. insurance agent, cause there is nothing he can do. In Mexico, they address car claims, injuries or property damage right there on the spot…and typically right away. How about being able to contact the Claims Center of your Mexico Tourist Auto insurance company? You better hope so, especially if you find yourself in something more than a fender bender.

Here is where the service of your Mexico claims center of your Mexico Tourist Auto insurance comes in. Some Mexico insurance companies don’t answer that call right away. Some might not answer at all. Yet there are some who take pride in themselves, their products, and service. Guess what? They are not all priced the same, and they certainly do not all provide the same service.

That is where a good Mexico insurance company comes in. Though the companies we represent are certainly competitive, they are more than that. They each make a commitment to provide the best service in their industry. That doesn’t mean you will have an Adjustor at your vehicle within 30 minutes, or even an hour. The Adjustors are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and are also on call for their native, auto insurance customers as well. Think of it, if you are in Mexico City on a Friday afternoon and have an accident, you will find out that Mexico City is huge, and that you are not the only one to be involved in an accident at any given time. Not an excuse, reality.

The absolute best thing you can do in respect to vehicle travel in Mexico is to familiarize yourself with your policies Claims Instructions, and then follow them. It really is quite simple. If you have difficulty with providing your location to a Claims Center, then ask someone. Common sense, right?

We enjoy posting these tidbits for you, and hope that you too enjoy them. If you have any feedback, we would love to see it. If it is interesting, or provides help or service to those who are traveling South of the Border, we will certainly consider them.

Remember, for all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business!

Rules for bringing Prescription (Rx) Meds from Mexico

medications
The spiraling costs of prescription medication in the U.S. lures many a U.S. citizen into Mexico for “cheap prescriptions”. U.S. Customs does not have specific statistics, but it is safe to say that millions of prescriptions are filled for U.S. citizens, and then illegally brought into the U.S.

Many people think that Mexico is lax in their control and laws regarding medications, including controlled substances. Many think all they have to do is visit a border pharmacy and request what ever medication it is they want. To use an old saying, “Nothing could be further from the truth”.

Mexico’s laws governing prescription drugs or medications is similar to that of the U.S. A prescription from a licensed (federally registered doctor) is required for controlled medications. If you do not do so , it is a serious crime for you and the seller, including pharmacists. AND, by law, Mexican pharmacies do not honor foreign written prescriptions.

Popular controlled medications in the U.S. such as Demerol, Ambian, Vicodin, and their generic equivalents, are not sold over the counter, and must be prescribed by a Mexican physician. If you are able to procure one of these controlled substances without the required prescription by a Federally registered M.D., the Mexican authorities can arrest you and the seller for sale and possession of a controlled substance. WARNING, you could land in a Mexican prison from 10 months to 15 years. Don’t think your American Embassy is going to bend over backwards to assist you either, contrary to thoughts of many. They will contact your kin, give you a few blankets and some vitamins, and then say “adios”. You are now at the mercy of the Mexican judicial system. Mordida, or the “bite” (bribery) does NOT ensure your release in Mexico, as many U.S. citizens have come to find out.

If you are wondering which medications are considered controlled in Mexico, you can find out by visiting the Mexican web site, cofepris.gob.mx, for a list of both generic and brand named medications.

If you are wondering what you must provide the Customs Inspectors at the Port of Entry, you will need to provide a U.S. prescription used to purchase your medication in Mexico. There is a very helpful web site for U.S. Customs and Border Protection that you can use for bringing in medications from Mexico at: www.cbp.gov

We hope this information and web links help. If you have any questions concerning this or anything else regarding travel into Mexico. Please let us know, we will do our best to assist you.

For all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business