Oct 09, 2010
Mexico Insurance Alert!!!!
Friday started out with the following email to us by some Ontario friends…
….We are sad to let you know that because of out-of-province health insurance restrictions we won’t be doing Mexico this winter.
We bought our insurance earlier this year to take advantage of current year rates so we are locked in. One of us is insured through Manulife, the other is insured through TIC (The Cooperators). Because we drive through the area and stay in the area mentioned by the Canadian travel warning, Manulife will not cover health issues that directly involving the activity mentioned in the warning (say we are injured if we get caught in a shootout or kidnapping).TIC will not cover any any health issues down because we would ignore the warning if we go down there.The plan at this point is to explore the US southwest, we should enjoy it but it won’t be as warm and pleasant as Mexico.Hopefully things will be quieter next winter down there……
Needless to say this got me thinking and checking….I made several calls as we also are insured with TIC. I spoke with four different people, all with a different answer. It seems that the bottom line is in the interpretation of the Canadian Travel Advisory. Finally I was transferred to a lady in the Emergency Response Dept., this is the person who has the final yeh or nay on your claim. I was impressed as she offered me a number to use if I had to call back in the future and refer to todays conversation, which was taped. Sure hope it works if I need it. The bottom line is that any claim resulting from an incident at the USA/Mexico border and all the way down through Sonora & Sinaloa involving banditos or drug gangs WILL NOT be honored because of the travel advisory. If you catch a cold at the border she said, it would be honored. I am referring to Emergency Medical Insusance. If you are beaten by a bandito and left at the side of the road, they will offer assistance but will pay NOTHING! The other thing to be aware of is if you get in the middle of a shoot out while in Mazatlan or wherever while in Sonora or Sinaloa, you will NOT be covered.
Then I started to think about our vehicle insurance which we get through San Xavier Mexico Insurance (they use Mapfre). Section V under the Exclusions section claims that “loss or damage to the vehicle (toad or RV) in question as a consequence of war-like operations, whether arising from foreign or civil war, insurrection, rebellion, expropriation, confiscation, seizure or dentition by the Authorities or any other similar cause.”…will not be covered. So this got Colin on the phone to San Xavier Insurance where he was told that the banditios/drug gangs were a different story and that WE WOULD BE COVERED! I guess to a Mexican these road blocks are common place???!!!! Not sure if I believe that we would be covered.
Colin and I are going…no ifs, buts or doubts. But you all have to make a conscious decision as to what you are doing and as to what is insured or not. For your own sakes, please check out what is or is not covered in your policies. Keep me posted on your findings as we will all benefit from the information.
<< Older Posts Home Newer Posts >>
Don’t scare me like that! I thought you weer not coming down!! Blessed Be
You know at some point you have to ask yourself. What is the acceptable risk to enjoy your life? I would be more concerned if this involved the US where ending up in a hospital could ruin your life. I doubt that would happen in Mexico. In fact I suspect your medical costs would get covered by the government or tourist associations in the area. regardless, Canadian medical will cover most of what it would cost regardless, since they usually cover what it would cost in Canada.
I wonder if Manulife would cover injuries if you were involved in a Terrorist attack in Europe?
Paul
Admin
http://www.mexicorvforums.com
INTERESTING!! We will check our policy.s tonight but still hope to leave here Oct.22 but keep us posted!! Gracios