Liability Ins in Mex and Costa Rica

[derb]

I use AMEX card and pay the 25 dollars for the extra primary coverage.

My allstate doesn't cover Mex or CR.

Whats the best way to get liability insurance in those two countries?

Thx in advance

[teepeeca]

Did you call your primary insurance company (Allstate) and see if they would issue a "rider" to your current policy to cover those two countries? They might issue one, for a fee, of course.

Tony

[Stricky]

http://www.bajabound.com/

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Make sure that you know what you are getting from the different insurers. You are the first party. The car rental company is the second party. Everyone else in the world is the third party.

First party liability covers you for damages to you and your property caused by your actions. Second party liability covers you for damages caused to the car rental company by your actions. Third party liability is for damages to third parties.

They are all "liability" insurance. You need to be sure that you have all of them.

The coverage provided by the credit card company is normally second party liability. The liability that causes problems in Mexico is third party liability. Third party liability in Mexico must be written by a company authorized to provide third party liability coverage in Mexico.

As noted, you might want to check with your personal auto insurer to see if they can provide third party coverage in Mexico. If you do obtain third party coverage on your own, be sure to bring the paperwork with and be prepared to possibly have problems removing your rental car from the lot. You will need to convince them that your coverage is acceptable in Mexico. Your credit card coverage should be adequate second party liability.

Be aware that as with most places in the world that were not part of the British empire, Mexico operates under a Napoleonic legal system. Under the Napoleonic code, the police have much more authority; when the police believe they have sufficient information to act, they do so and it is then up to other parties to prove that the police were wrong.

Re auto insurance, you are required by law to have third party liability insurance when operating a vehicle in Mexico. If a police officer asks to see proof of third party insurance, you must provide it. Failure to provide adequate proof of third party assurance when requested is sufficient grounds for the police to conclude that you have broken the law and detain you.

[gidat1]

Just went to Costa Rica in May. Your credit card ( Check with them first) will cover the collision insurance but mandatory liability insurance has to be purchased through the car rental company. It is expensive. We paid $ 12.00 per day in each location. They will not rent you a car without that insurance. Your american insurance is not valid here. If you are driving your own car than check with AAA. They do sell the insurance for Mexico. If you get in the wreck, I have heard that they will take you to jail if you do not have this insurance.
Regards
Phil

[John Cummings]

I don't know about Costa Rica but Mexico requires that you have insurance from a Mexican insurance company. Failure to do so can result in some serious jail time even if you were not at fault.

[Linda74]

Just back from Mexico. I used the $25 American Express Premium Insurance when I rented with my card, but then paid $11 a day for liability. Fortunately, we had no issues.