West Coast Global Insurance Services

 San Felipe ranks among Mexico's most popular beach destinations. Here, you can indulge in everything from fishing to off-road racing—or simply relax with warm sand between your toes. This beautiful coastal town promises a road trip you will always remember. But before you get too excited and start packing, ask yourself if you are ready. We want this to be your best road trip, so here’s what you need to know and do before you get on the road. Plan your trip Behind any successful road trip is a lot of planning, and it starts with getting your travel documents in order. You need your US passport to cross the border and your driver's license to drive legally in Mexico. San Felipe is in Mexico's Free Zone, so you don't need a temporary vehicle importation permit (TIP). But you should still get a Mexico tourist card or "Forma Migratoria Multiple" (FMM). Buying Mexico car insurance is perhaps the most important part of your road trip planning. Mexican law requ...

 A road trip from San Diego in California to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico promises an experience like no other. This journey takes you from the rugged Pacific coast to the stunning shores of the Gulf of Mexico. During this road trip, you will drive through forests, deserts, and beaches, enjoying some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North America. And here’s how you should prepare for it. Pick your route Choose between two main options for your route—Highway 1 and Highway 5. If you take Highway 1, you start in Tijuana and travel down the west coast. There's this beautiful stretch between Tijuana and Ensenada that offers mesmerizing ocean views. But be prepared for possible slow routes near Ensenada and unpredictable traffic near San Quintín. For Highway 5, you start from Mexicali and drive to San Felipe. The consensus among Baja travelers is that Highway 5 might be faster. While the distance remains roughly the same, it cuts about 35 minutes off your travel time. Let's ...

 Sayulita is a beautiful surfing town in Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. It is only a 45-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport but offers a very different experience compared to typical Mexican beach destinations. But if you are driving here from the US, you need to do some planning. Here's how you should prepare for your road trip from the US to Sayulita. Get your documents and permits You should start by getting all the important documents in order. Though it may not be the most exciting part of your road trip planning, it's necessary. Remember that you need your US passport (or green card) to cross the Mexico-US border. You will also need your US driver's license —though an international driving permit works just as well. This is a requirement for driving in Mexico and doubles as an ID. Since Sayulita is outside the Free Zone, a temporary vehicle importation permit (TIP) is another requirement for driving there. And like every tourist entering Mexico, you m...

 Are you planning a trip to Mexico or make the country your new home? Before you start packing, you need to have a basic understanding of Mexican insurance laws—especially how they differ from those in the States. This knowledge will keep you safe from the unexpected in a foreign country. How does insurance work in the US vs. in Mexico? You probably already know how insurance works in the US. It's mostly regulated at the state level, which means insurance rules that apply in California might be different in Texas. But Mexico has a more centralized insurance framework, which means insurance rules are more consistent across the country. That can be a big relief for those new to the country. There's also a fascinating contrast between the legal philosophies of each country. If you make an insurance claim in the US, companies generally give you the benefit of the doubt unless they find evidence to the contrary. It's that whole "innocent until proven guilty" thi...

 We all love Mexico for its natural beauty and rich culture. But we must also acknowledge that it's highly exposed to natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes.  Mexico's fascinating geographical diversity gave us some of the world's most beautiful beaches and mountains. But this same diversity makes the country prone to natural disasters. Earthquakes can cause catastrophic damage to entire communities, hurricanes can batter coastal towns, and there's even the threat of volcanic eruptions. These events are unpredictable and can turn things upside down in an instant. This is where having good Mexico home insurance becomes extremely important. Most standard home insurance policies in Mexico cover the basics—the main house, your belongings, and additional living expenses if you need temporary housing. But for those big and scary natural disasters, there's that " catastrophic " coverage. Catastrophic coverage isn't automatically included in m...

 If you are planning a road trip to Mexico, you need to think about insuring your car. While third-party liability is a legal requirement for all drivers in Mexico, you can add more coverage options to your Mexican car insurance for extra security. In this blog, we will walk you through these options. Property damage coverage Property damage coverage is one of the most valuable ‘extras’ in Mexican car insurance. This will cover the costs if your car damages someone else's property—other vehicles, buildings, and structures like fences and telephone poles. This saves you from paying a lot of money out of pocket in an accident. Total theft coverage Another important extra in a Mexican car insurance policy is total theft coverage. As the name suggests, this covers you if your car is stolen.  Theft rates can vary across different regions of Mexico, so having total theft coverage can provide a safety net. It means you will not be left without a vehicle and facing financial l...

 Like any road trip, driving to Mexico requires preparing for unexpected situations like accidents or car theft. If you bought Mexican car insurance before crossing the border, you are off to a good start. But buying insurance is just part of the prep work. You should also know how to use it. So here’s an easy 5-step guide to handling insurance claims in Mexico. Step 1: Call the police immediately. If you have been in a car accident, you should first check yourself and others for any injuries. Once you have ensured everyone is okay, call the local police to report the accident. The police report will be an important part of your claim process as it provides an official account of the accident. Step 2: Document the scene. While waiting for the police, take clear photos of the accident scene. The idea is to document the damage to your car, any other vehicles involved, and the surrounding area. These photographs can be vital evidence for your insurance claim. Step 3: Contact ...

 If you own a home in Mexico, you will want to keep it safe from natural disasters, theft, and other damages. A good Mexico home insurance policy can help you do that. But before you pick any policy, you need to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of Mexican insurance—and especially the concept of deductibles. So here's everything you should know about choosing deductibles for your Mexican home insurance. What are deductibles in home insurance? A deductible is the amount you pay out of your pocket before your insurance coverage takes effect. The amount of deductible you choose impacts both your upfront costs and how much coverage you get. A higher deductible will lower your premium, but it does mean you will participate more with the cost when filing a claim. On the other hand, a lower deductible usually means higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket expenses during a claim. So, how do you choose the right deductible? When choosing a deductible for your Mexican home in...