Baja Accident / Insurance ???

[Fozdick]

Last Monday I was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident on Hwy 1 in Baja North just south of Catavina where I hit Sal one of my ridding partners. At the time I thought I had broken his back. I have suffered two broken ribs. Our main thoughts were to get Sal taken care of ASAP. Sal is OK and recovering in SoCal and I am up in San Jose now.


Before leaving Catavina I called Ace Seguros where I had purchased there Platinum package and told them about the accident and received a claim number. The Federal Policia were notified which filled a report with the company. The Federal Policia have impounded both motorcycles, mine being carted off in a small pick up truck and the other one ridden off at 100>120 kph to the impound area in Punta Prieta a good deal south of Catavina.

Since that time I have called several times trying to figure out how to proceed with the claim and get both bikes back. Some of the personnel wanted me to return to Mexico and none have been able to explain how I am going to get both bikes back. I now have and e-mail address of the insurance company but no one has responded yet.

Any advice would greatly appreciated.

Foz

[Norsman]

Good luck ever seeing your bikes again. Sorry, to say... but good luck.

[vagt6]

Sorry about the accident, and glad everyone is recovering.

I assume you're referring to the motorcycle insurance, not health insurance for the medically-related costs?

Hopefully, you purchased Mexican coverage, specifically to cover the bikes while you were in Mexico (from "Seguros"?). Just hang on to the paperwork you signed and contact the insurance company to initiate a claim. Don't rely on Email alone, get an adjuster on the phone ask them how you should proceed.

The insurer will probably require at least two repair estimates. Or, they may want you to take the bikes to a specific repair shop to estimate the repair costs. Just ask, if it's a real insurance company, they'll help you.

Good luck with the Policia. If they're dishonest, get a Mexican lawyer to write a letter to the Policia commandante. That will get their attention. Don't let them screw you without a fight (i.e., Mexican attorney).

Let us know . . . and again, good luck.

[GB]

Originally Posted by sjensen

Good luck ever seeing your bikes again. Sorry, to say... but good luck.

Apparently so.. from what I've learned, the insurance you buy to ride in mexico isn't worth the paper it's printed on... if you do get your bikes back, let us know.. maybe we can learn something new..

[rufus]

My brother works in construction with a couple of mexicans from chihuahua. They told him that the police take vehicles from accidents and the owner never sees them again. Not just tourists but mexicans too. I really really hope this is not the case. I would start making phone calls to everyone i could think of. Know any politicians? Newspapers, TV stations. The sqeaky wheel gets the grease. Did you get the names of anyone at the scene? Is there any kind of paper trail? Don't waste any time.

[kpick]

PM sent.
I'm living and working down here. I have a good lawyer that might be able to help.
good luck
kp

[bajaburro]

you were very lucky you got out of mexico.Many people think because they have mex insurance they are off the hook if something happens.Four of my friends were hit head on by a drunk driver near the old mill.They were held over 36 hrs,they had only slight injures,the driver of the other car was much worse off.Remember you as an american even with proper insurance,can be held even if you were not at fault.

[haggeo]

Originally Posted by Fozdick

Last Monday I was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident on Hwy 1 in Baja North just south of Catavina where I hit Sal one of my ridding partners. At the time I thought I had broken his back. I have suffered two broken ribs. Our main thoughts were to get Sal taken care of ASAP. Sal is OK and recovering in SoCal and I am up in San Jose now.


Before leaving Catavina I called Ace Seguros where I had purchased there Platinum package and told them about the accident and received a claim number. The Federal Policia were notified which filled a report with the company. The Federal Policia have impounded both motorcycles, mine being carted off in a small pick up truck and the other one ridden off at 100>120 kph to the impound area in Punta Prieta a good deal south of Catavina.

Since that time I have called several times trying to figure out how to proceed with the claim and get both bikes back. Some of the personnel wanted me to return to Mexico and none have been able to explain how I am going to get both bikes back. I now have and e-mail address of the insurance company but no one has responded yet.

Any advice would greatly appreciated.

Foz

you will never see your bikes again lawyers, letters, or whatever notwithstanding. IF you could locate them you MIGHT be able to buy them back for some horrifying amount. these bikes were taken not by the mexican government or the state of baja, but rather by the gleeful cops who rode away on them. if they really are in an impound lot you still out of luck. i know of a young woman who was kidnapped in a border town never to be seen again and he's spent the better part of three years visiting her car in a mexican impound lot with no luck in getting the car released. he's had the mexican consulate here and the american embassy there involved and still no luck. terrible to have this happen to you and i'm glad you all made it back. most of the responses here have been discouraging but very realistic. i would try anyway depending on what the bike is worth, couple of dirtbikes i'd leave easier than a couple of costly bmw's, ktm's etc. there is always the possibility that the same angel that was with you in the accident will be with you when you go for your bikes. good luck and keep us posted.

[chopperkd]

You might try working through binationalemergency.org, they are located in Chula Vista. For a small annual fee they assist Americans in getting out of Mexico if they are injured. They have a lot of connections and may have some advice. Good luck and remember that the bikes are replaceable, not humans.

[Miguel]

David: I'm glad that you and Sal made it out without serious injury. It was a pretty scary event (I was the third bike in the party that didn't crash). I'm optimistic that it will work out because of Sal's contacts. For others travelling in the Baja or Mex I would be aware that when dealing with the Federal Police they are in charge no matter what you may think your rights are. My wife and I dealt with the Police that night with the assistance of Steve a motorbike tour operator. It took three hours for what would be a 15 minute routine crash report north of the border. One officer was polite and helpful. The other one, was uptight and would not bend any rules. He was the one that seized the relatively undamaged bike including personal property in the panniers. He even told me to ride the bike for them so they could get it to the impound yard. I politely told him to shove it and take it himself. AdvRiders: Please be aware of the dangers of Mex hwy #1. The Baja is a great place but if things go wrong you have to remember you're not in Canada or the US anymore.

[Gustavo]

Foz - You are doing the right things, it just may take longer because you are not there, and I am not sure who is representing ACE Seguros down there.

What happened to you guys is SOP in case of an accident. The vehicles are detained until responsibility is assigned in the accident and they verify that you do have insurance and/or the means to pay for damages. I actually think that if the bikes were taken by the Policia Federal de Caminos, you are much better off than if those were local cops. They are less prone to use this as additional income opportunity.

Make the agency that sold you the insurance policy help do the legwork for you. Who did you buy the insurance from?

Miguel - When you get a chance, can you explain a bit more what happened and why you say Hwy 1 is dangerous?

Gustavo

[n_safe]

Helo Foz....

I Live in Tijuana B.C. Mexico, and as you may assume, this is my territory and I pretty know how things run around here.....

I believe your case is still in good time to be recued... I offer with out any other intention, my help if you give me more details... I am pretty shure I can help you recover your bikes, and there is no way you live this unattended, you can still recover them back.

If you are interested send me an e-mail with all the information possible...and your phone # to call you and see what can be done...


Adios!

[bajarider]

Originally Posted by n_safe

Helo Foz....

I Live in Tijuana B.C. Mexico, and as you may assume, this is my territory and I pretty know how things run around here.....

I believe your case is still in good time to be recued... I offer with out any other intention, my help if you give me more details... I am pretty shure I can help you recover your bikes, and there is no way you live this unattended, you can still recover them back.

If you are interested send me an e-mail with all the information possible...and your phone # to call you and see what can be done...


Adios!

Oye Noel pienso que va estar bien cabron este pedo. pero mas la incertidumbre que acongoja a los gringos.
Suerte.

[Gustavo]

NOEL!!!! Bien venido a AdvRider!

Muy generoso de tu parte ofrecerte a ayudarlos, pero parecia que uno de los companieros de viaje tambine tenia quien les ayude, no se cuanto mas puedas hacer. Creo que el problema principal es hacer que ACE Seguros se haga cargo de buscar las motos y liberarlas.

Saludos,

Gustavo

PD Antes de leer lo de bajarider ya sabia que eras tu, te delata tu flotilla de motos...

[Quetzal]

Originally Posted by Gustavo

NOEL!!!! Bien venido a AdvRider!

Muy generoso de tu parte ofrecerte a ayudarlos, pero parecia que uno de los companieros de viaje tambine tenia quien les ayude, no se cuanto mas puedas hacer. Creo que el problema principal es hacer que ACE Seguros se haga cargo de buscar las motos y liberarlas.

Saludos,

Gustavo

PD Antes de leer lo de bajarider ya sabia que eras tu, te delata tu flotilla de motos...

Si Noel, muy generoso de tu parte....Me interesa seguir esta historia para ver si realmente vale la pena comprar un seguro de esos cuando uno viaja a Mexico o si son puro cuento y se rajan a la hora de la hora....

Saludos

Enrique