Posted by Linden Gray - April
3rd, 2008
Being in an automobile accident
in Mexico is a far more serious
situation than having an accident
at home-especially for a visiting
American, as Mr. Bill Kitto readily
tells us. Bill published his first-hand
account of his accident and his
subsequent week in the hands of
the Mexican authorities in an
effort to ensure all Americans
driving in Mexico go prepared
with all the essentials.
Mexican car insurance tops his
list, for reasons that will become
obvious as you read his story.
Bill Kitto was not traveling for
his first time in Mexico when
he got into an accident near San
Vincente, Mexico while driving
his friend's truck.
Bill was at the wheel of the
truck, as he was an impeccable
driver who knew how to maneuver
with the road conditions that
were becoming unbearable due to
a mounting rainstorm. This left
him relying on his friend's Mexico
insurance.
Bill and his friend were traveling
at a cautious 30 MPH hour when
they rounded a corner to find
a Mexican military hurtling towards
them partly on their side of the
road. Unable to avoid the crash,
the two vehicles impacted head-on
left, sending the personnel scattered
down an embankment and Bill and
his friend into the cliff wall
on the opposite side.
The Mexican police came very
quickly. While his friend was
left standing on the side of the
road, Bill, who was injured, was
taken hastily to another location
that was not know to either Bill
or his friend. You are guilty
until proven innocent in Mexico,
unlike in the US.
Bill is taken to a Mexican detention
jail cell and doesn't have access
to contact anyone. He has no idea
what is going to happen to him.
At this point, he doesn't even
know if his friend was carrying
any Mexico auto insurance.
Hours pass and the guards come
to take him back to the scene
of the accident. At this time,
he is able to join his friend
and his friend's Mexico car insurance
policy. In the United States,
there are usually no further complications,
but in Mexico - this is not the
case. There is much more to deal
with.
Bill's complete story is long
and involved-and not a little
discomforting. Bill spends a week
alone in a Mexican hospital trying
his hardest to stay injured enough
to avoid the inside of a Mexican
jail; he's at the mercy of the
local government, questionable
legal representatives, and muddled
technology that makes what amounts
to paying his way out an act in
futility.
Much of the time, Bill was not
sure if he could get free of this
mess or if he would be able to
afford the 'fines' to get out.
Eventually, Bill was able to regain
his liberty but it cost him in
excess of $28,000 US. Fortunately
for Bill, he was able to get the
money to buy his freedom. This
is not the case, though, for many
Americans. They just don't have
access to that much money.
Because of the bureaucracy and
dishonesty encountered in Mexico,
Bill is unsure if he will ever
see a return on his life's investment.
Bill took away a few things from
his experience that he strives
to pass on to all Americans traveling
in Mexico.
Bring a cell (or satellite) phone
into Mexico and learn how to place
a phone call while in the country.
Stay in contact with family and
friends residing in the states,
as they can help you lock in money
if ever needed, as well as contact
Mexican insurance companies when
applicable (because you will have
limited resources to do so).
And above all else-
ALWAYS HAVE MEXICO AUTO INSURANCE
- the kind that delivers good
protection and adequately covers
personal injury and damage to
property.
Make sure the Mexican car insurance
is from a reputable company.
Always carry proof of Mexican
Insurance in your car, which is
easy to reach whenever needed!
(Also if you are separated from
your car, don't forget to carry
your Mexico car insurance ID cards)
Bill Kitto's long and trying
ordeal proved one thing to him-money
makes the Mexican world go round.
Down there, they care little about
where that money comes from, but
whether you can pay the tab or
not is what determines your innocence
and ultimate freedom.
Since getting your hands on $30,000
in a flash is too far-fetched
for many of us to imagine, the
best way to prevent this kind
of incident from occurring is
to drive in Mexico with quality
Mexico automobile insurance and
adequate limits.
Linden Gray is an international
insurance veteran with 29 years
of retail & direct insurance
experience. Mr. Gray has been
featured in numerous publications
including RV Magazine, PE.com,
Google & Yahoo News, Digg
& Buzzle.
