How to Handle an Auto Accident in Mexico
What
do I do if I have an accident in Mexico?
CALL AN ADJUSTER!
WARNING: All claims and losses must be reported
in Mexico prior to your return to the United States.
What
To Do about a Claim on Your Insurance
First
a little background. Remember that Mexico is a foreign country
and its laws are different from the U.S. This guide is designed
to help you know what is required by the Mexican insurance company
so that your loss can be resolved as quickly as possible.
One
Car Accidents
If
only your car is involved in an accident or damaged in any other
way, two situations exist:
- If the car
can be driven safely, contact one of the Mexican adjusters
shown on the Claims Service Centers page. The adjuster will
complete an accident report, and you should receive a copy.
You must report to an adjuster for MEXPRO.
before returning to the U.S.
- If you are
unable to drive your car, report to an adjuster for MEXPRO in Mexico before returning the U.S. The
adjuster will make an accident report (with a copy for you)
and arrange to take your vehicle to a lot or to a shop. Please
remove all of your personal effects and papers.
Multiple
Car Losses
Call
an adjuster as soon as possible. Do not accept responsibility
or offer to pay the other driver. Usually, the police will arrive
at the accident scene. Show them your insurance policy and the
adjuster list. Mexican police know that virtually all tourists
have insurance; they will generally help you contact your adjuster.
The
adjuster will complete and accident report and secure a copy of
the police report. You should ask for a copy of both. The adjuster
will also assume responsibility for taking your damaged vehicle
to a lot or a shop, or, if you are unable to drive the car, he
will attempt to arrange the situation so you may proceed.
If
there are injuries in any vehicle involved, you and the adjuster
may be asked to accompany the police to the precinct house. The
adjuster will handle all details with the police. If you must
leave your vehicle in a police lot, you will be asked to sign
a power-of-attorney so that the insurance company will be able
to remove your vehicle once all legal requirements are met.
What
Happens Next?
If
an adjuster assisted you with the loss, he will send a copy of
his report to the insurance company's nearest office. The Claims
Department in Mexico will review with you what information is
needed to pay your claim. Basically, they will need the following:
- Photocopy
of:
- Your insurance
policy
- Your driver's
license
- Copy of
the damaged vehicle's registration
- Photo
showing damage
- Copy of
adjuster's report
- Two original
estimates for repair of damage. (WE CANNOT ACCEPT PHOTOCOPIES)
Upon MEXPRO approval, a check is prepared and sent to you along with
a release which you are asked to sign and return.
The
key to a rapid claim payment is your cooperation in sending the
proper data listed above. We have found that the majority of medium
and large claims can be paid in 30 days if we receive the information
requested in a timely manner. Smaller claims-minor dents, bumps,
and glass breakage- can be paid more rapidly.
A
final word about the adjuster. In most smaller towns and cities,
all insurance companies work with independent adjusters. This
means the adjuster represents a number of companies. If he is
attending a serious loss, he will not be able to respond to a
one-car loss quickly. If this is the case, let us know which adjuster
you tried to contact, and proceed as shown under One Car Accidents.
Procedure
For Handling Claims Occurring in Mexico
All
accidents or losses occurring in Mexico must be reported to the
Mexican insurance company and responsible authorities prior to
your return to the U.S. Failure to do so may jeopardize your claim.
- Complete any
regular safety procedures such as setting out flares, sending
for medical assistance, removing vehicles from traffic if
possible, etc.
- Contact the
nearest local adjuster listed on the Adjusters List included
in this section.
- Be sure to
keep copies of all forms and reports regarding your claim.
If possible, take pictures of any damage to vehicles at the
scene of the accident.
- The Mexican
insurance company will arrange to handle your claim to conclusion.
- To report
a claim/accident/loss, immediately contact the nearest claim
service center. or call the bilingual Toll-Free Hotline.
The
5 Basic Auto Coverages
All
Mexico insurance coverages are the same- only the limits may vary.
Here are brief descriptions of these coverages. (Specifications
of Risks.)
- Collision,
Upset, Glass Breakage: This covers your vehicle up to
limits stated on your policy for damages resulting from collisions,
upsets (turning over), and glass breakage. The deductibles
are $500 (U.S.) per accident per described vehicle, boat and/
or trailer. A boat and trailer is considered one unit and
the vehicle is also considered as one unit. (Both subject
to the applicable deductibles).
- Fire and
Theft: This coverage protects your vehicle up to the limits
stated on your policy for fire, lightening,explosion, total
theft, strikes, popular uprisings, and meteorological phenomena
such as windstorms, cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes and
floods. Deductible for fire, lightning, and explosion is $500
(U.S.). Total theft of the vehicle is subject to a $1000 (U.S.)
deductible.
- Property
Damage: This protects you against losses resulting in
damage that your vehicle might cause property owned by others-provided
you are legally liable.
- Civil Liability:
This covers your legal liability for injuries or death to
a third party resulting from the use of your vehicle. (Occupants
of your vehicle are not covered under Risk #4.)
- Medical
Payments: This covers you up to the limits stated on your
policy for the occupants of your vehicle in case of collision,
upset or fire.
- Partial theft,
malicious mischief and vandalism are not covered.
NOTICE:
Under Risks 1 and 2 the company (MEXPRO) is
not legally obligated to repair or replace your vehicle, trailer,
or boat in the United States.
