American Advantage - Faq

MEDICAL
WHY DO YOU REPRESENT SO MANY DIFFERENT COMPANIES?

All companies rate clients through their underwriting department. Although most companies provide similar coverage, their rates are adjusted by particular age groups and plan coverages. We look at all the companies and look for the lowest rate and best coverage for each individual
IS THERE A MAXIMUM POLICY LIMIT?

Most insurance companies limit the lifetime maximum reimbursement limit to $5,000,000. There are plans with less limits at a lower cost available as well
MY PREMIUM SEEMS EXPENSIVE. HOW CAN I REDUCE THE COST?

Compared to traditional U.S. plans, International health insurance is usually quite reasonable. Cost can be reduced by selecting higher deductible limits or chosing plans with lower coverage limits.
WHAT ABOUT PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS?

Most companies will add to the policy a rider. A rider will exclude any pre-existing conditions usually for a limited amount of time once the policy is issused. They can exclude the pre-existing totally from the policy coverage. This is determined by the underwriting team. A rider must be signed before the policy is issued so you always have the option of declining the policy before it is issused.
CAN I USE MY OWN DOCTORS IN THE UNITED STATES?

Some companies now have what is call a Preferred Provider Plan (PPO). Most will have reduced deductibles or some other form of incentive to utilize their providers.

AUTO
STANDARD MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGES

Coverage is Mexico is available for the majority of vehicle types including Autos, SUV's. Pickups, RV's. Motorcycles. Travel Trailers and Commercial Travel Trailers.

Policy terms are available from one day to one year.

Breakdown of Basic Mexico Auto Coverage:

Following are the 6 basic coverages found in Standard Mexican Auto policies. Note that Mexico Auto Policies are Named Peril policies and include some exclusions not typically found in US and Canadian Personal auto policies.

Liability and Related Coverage

Included in all policies:

1. Civil Liability - Coverage is available up to $300,000 U.S. Combined Single Limit for damage to others. It is important to note this coverage applies to claims and suit brought and adjudicated in Mexico only.

2. Guaranteed Bond and Legal Assistance - Most policies will pay to assist the insured in the event they need to deal with Authorities as a result of a covered cause of loss.

3. Travel Assistance - Most policies include certain types of travel assistance, including medical assistance, tourist information, vehicle towing, etc.

4. Medical Expense for Occupants - Most policies will pay the medical expenses of the driver and occupants of the insured vehicle in Mexico for injuries sustained in a covered loss. Coverage is available up to $25,000.

Optional Physical Damage Coverage

1. Property damage to your vehicle - This coverage includes Collision, Turnover, Fire, Lightning, Explosion, and certain meteorological events amoung other coverage. Note that "Comprehensive" coverage as known in the U.S. is not available in Mexico

2. Total Theft - This coverage includes Total Theft of the vehicle.

Standard Exclusions & Things to Know

Policies in Mexico are generally more restrictive than Auto policies in the U.S. and Canada. The following are some important differences and exceptions found in policies issued for travel in Mexico. To fully understand the differences we suggest you read your entire policy.

1. If two Americans have an accident in Mexico and wish to file a suit in the U.S., Mexico's policy will not respond. It will only respond to a suit brought in Mexico.

2. Liability for bodily injury sustained by a third party (passengers) in the insured vehicle is not covered. Example: There is no coverage if passengers of the same vehicle sue each other. However, no-fault medical payment coverage for passengers is provided.

3. Damage caused by a person without a valid driver's license or under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not covered.

4. Damage sustained while participating in speed trials or races is not covered.

5. Loss or damage to under-parts of the insured vehicle as a result of overloading or rough roads.

6. Pilferage or partial theft of parts and/or accesories is not covered. Theft coverage is provided only if the entire vehicle is stolen. Vandalism is also excluded. Partial theft and vandalism coverage can be added back by chosing and exhanced policy

7. Trailers or boats that are towed must be listed on the policy in order to be covered, even if you just want liability coverage. If the towed units are not listed, there is no coverage for either the unlisted trailers or boats not the towing vehicle.

8. Coverage for physical damage is not included unless it is purchased and specifically described in the policy.

9. If you return to the U.S. or Canada without an adjuster's report, coverage is void. All accidents must first be reported in Mexico.

10. Generally speaking, there are no refunds on 6 month or annual policies if cancelled more than 15 days after the effective date. Any cancellations on short term policies must be made prior to the effective date of coverage. Short term policies cannot be cancelled after the effective date. All cancellations are subject to company retention of up to the $15 policy fee.

Difference between fixed and percentage deductibles:

Fixed deductibles:
If you chose this option your deductibles are usually $500 for collision and $1000 for theft, regardless of the vehicle value. This option is required by most leasing companies and lien holders. By chosing this option your premium will increase by a few percent, but in the event of a claim, you will save significant money when compared to the percentage deductible option offered by most typical Mexican Auto Insurance Companies.

Percentage deductibles:
This form of deductible has been customary for many years in the Mexican Tourist Industry. While this option reduces the premium by a few percent, in the event of a claim it will cost you several hundred dollars more. If you chose to insure your vehicle using this option, the deductibles are 2% of the vehicle value for collision and 5% of the vehicle value for theft, with typical deductibles of $1000 for collision and $1500 for theft.

The lien holder needs the liability limit to be $100,000. How can I change the policy?

You would be unable to make any changes to the policy that will change the premium. All premium bearing changes require that the policy be cancelled and re-written.

Insurance coverage for Rental cars in Mexico

If you are renting an American plated vehicle in Mexico, then coverage is available. We cannot provide insurance coverage for renting of a Mexican plated vehicle at this time.

Camper and/or camper shell coverage.

Anything that is not the power unit is considered as a towed unit. Adding towed units will not increase the price of the policy unless you add a dollar value for physical damage coverage. Listing all towed units is mandatory. In the event of a claim, it will expedite the claims process and allow you to have a more pleasant claims experience. If towed units are not disclosed (listed on the policy), the entire policy will be void in the event of an accident. You do not need to list towed personal belongins such as kayaks, bike racks, bicycles, canoes.

What if the car is registered in my name, but someone else will be driving it?

As long as they are not Mexican National, this is not a problem. Anyone with a valid driver's license (Mexican Driver's license excluded) and has permission of the owner is covered.

What if I do not own the car but I have permission from my friend to take it to Mexico?

This is not a problem, but like lien holders, we recommend that you get a notorized letter from the registered owner giving them permission to take the car into Mexico. This will facilitate getting the Temporary Vehicle Import at the border.