MSU has been advised that the Mexican Treasury Department has established very explicit regulations regarding automobile travel into Mexico via a State/University or other personal vehicle.

  Notarized photocopy of the vehicle title.

  Signed and notarized affidavit that permission is granted to use vehicle and that it will be returned to the United States.

  MSU Safety and Risk Management "In Case of Accident Form" (This provides proof of insurance as per Montana Code and is provided in University vehicles).

  Photocopy of declaration page from Mexican Auto Insurance (see below)

  Valid Driver’s License.

  Proof of U.S. citizenship (Certified Copy of Birth Certificate or Passport).

  Major credit card for purchase of Mexican tourist insurance and deductible amount in the event of damage to the vehicle.

  Certificate of Naturalization if applicable (or Passport).

  Proof of U.S. citizenship (Certified Copy of Birth Certificate or Passport).

  Certificate of Naturalization if applicable (or Passport).

(A valid Passport is the most preferable means of identification and proof of citizenship since it ensures problem-free re-entry into the United States. It also serves as a photo ID and facilitates many transactions such as cashing traveler’s checks.)

Every individual who plans to travel into the interior of Mexico, including the Baja California Peninsula, must first obtain a tourist card (tarjeta de turista). A tourist card is not required for travel into border towns either on the Baja California Peninsula or on the mainland. These locations can be visited for up to 72 hours without a tourist card, however proof of citizenship is required. If taking an MSU vehicle to these locations, the above listed vehicle papers as well as Mexican Tourist/Auto Insurance outlined below are required.

Tourist cards may be obtained in advance through Mexican government tourism offices or Mexican Consulate offices in the U.S.. They may also be obtained at Mexican government border offices and official points of entry. They are also available at airports with airlines offering flights to Mexico. (These regulations may be subject to change. Verification of requirements for travel into Mexico are the responsibility of each department for each group traveling into Mexico.)

Should you have any questions concerning what the travel status will be and what corresponding documentation is required, you should contact a Mexican Consulate office. There are a number of Mexican Consulate offices throughout the U.S.. The one nearest to MSU-Bozeman is as follows: Consul de Mexico, 458 E. 200 St. South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, phone (801) 521-8502 or 521-8503.

Auto accidents in Mexico are subject to the Laws of Mexico only - NOT the Laws of the United States of America. The Mexican system of justice does not utilize the premise of "innocent until proven guilty" as in the U.S. and Canada, but they utilize the Napoleonic Code of justice specifying that a defendant is "guilty until proven innocent". This is especially important to the traveler taking a vehicle into the Republic of Mexico, as an auto accident is considered a CRIMINAL OFFENSE as well as a civil matter.

Montana State University’s fleet automobile insurance will not be recognized by Mexican authorities as valid in their country. Therefore, any MSU, State of Montana, leased, loaned, rented or other personal vehicle used for MSU purposes traveling into Mexico must have in effect, Mexico Tourist/Auto Insurance.

Mexico Tourist/Auto Insurance usually includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Medical Payments, as well as Comprehensive and Collision coverage. For full coverage, the cost is based upon the market value of the vehicle, the liability coverage limits desired and the number of days you will be traveling in Mexico. The cost will probably be around $10.00 per day for a vehicle valued between $10,000 and $15,000. Annual premiums are somewhat higher and may be a better value if the vehicle will be utilized on several different occasions within a twelve month period for trips into Mexico. These insurance policies are vehicle specific however and another vehicle can not be used for travel into Mexico unless the appropriate changes are made with the insurer.

All persons, groups, or organizations taking vehicles into Mexico for MSU purposes are required to purchase full coverage Mexico Tourist/Auto Insurance with the following standard limits for Liability Coverage:

You will need to know in advance the exact dates you plan on being in Mexico. It is advisable to allow some extra days to make sure insurance is in effect in case your stay in Mexico is unavoidably extended.

Once the Mexican Auto Insurance Coverage has been purchased, a policy along with the declaration page will be provided by the insurer. A decal indicating proof of insurance may also be provided. Carefully read the policy and note the responsibilities you have to the insurer in case of accident or loss. Make sure a copy of the policy’s declaration page or the "short policy" provided by the Mexican Tourist/Auto Insurance underwriter is kept in the vehicle at all times,

Mexico Auto/Tourist Insurance can be purchased in advance of leaving MSU or it may be purchased at the border prior to entering into Mexico. If purchasing insurance ahead of time from MSU the exact vehicle to be used for travel will need to be known. Another vehicle may not be substituted without cancellation of the first policy and issuance of another. Sufficient time will have to be allowed for this to take place. Do not enter into Mexico until the correct insurance policy is in effect.

The following are the most used companies providing Mexico Auto/Tourist Insurance:

A.S.D. International Insurance Services: 28636 Front St., Suite 203, Temecula, CA 92590, (800)909-4457, FAX (909)676-5298

CLUBMEX: 3450 Bonita Rd., Suite 103, Chula Vista, CA 91910, (800)423-2646, FAX (760)422-2671

MacAfee & Edwards Mexican Insurance Specialists: Suite 1018, 2500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057, (213)388-9674

Mexico Services: 12601 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, (310)398-5797, FAX (310)398-2048

Oscar Padilla Mexican Insurance: 825 Imperial Avenue, Calexico, CA 92231, Toll-Free: (800) 466-7227,
Local: (760) 357-4883, FAX: (760) 357-6114, http://www.mexicaninsurance.com/.

Sanborn’s: 444 S. Fourth St., El Centro, CA, (760)352-4647

Should an occurrence of an accident or loss take place, the following should be strictly followed:

   Stay at the scene of the accident until the Mexican authorities (Federales) arrive.

   Show proof of insurance to the Mexican authorities and provide information about the accident as requested.

   Be polite and respectful of the authorities.

   Get factual insurance information from the other party(ies) involved in the accident if possible.

In addition:

   Notify your University Contact Person at MSU Bozeman.

   Notify the MSU Office of Safety and Risk Management as soon as possible. (406)-994-2711

   Notify the Mexican Auto Insurance Company immediately unless you are prevented from doing so by reasons beyond your reasonable control. In any event, you must contact the insurer PRIOR TO LEAVING THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO.

   Take all precautions you reasonably can to prevent further damage or injury.

   Do not abandon your vehicle unless you are required to do so by circumstances beyond your control.

   FOLLOW ALL YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES OUTLINED IN YOUR MEXICO AUTO INSURANCE POLICY.

In addition to vehicle insurance requirements and travelers’ personal papers, each department planning travel should make the following preparations prior to each trip:

   University Contact Person: An individual must be assigned as the point of contact at MSU with respect to the travel to Mexico. Should problems arise during travel this individual will be responsible for providing the necessary information to University officials.

   Trip Itinerary and Emergency Contacts: Each department planning travel for students should complete a Student Trip Itinerary and Emergency Contact List. This provides some detail into the trip as well as provides the names and phone numbers of student’s emergency contacts. In the event there is a problem during the travel, the University will know who to contact for each student.

   Travel and Emergency Funds: Each department will require students to provide a means of adequately providing for their own travel funds. In the event that a trip is extended due to unforeseen circumstances or a student incurs medical costs not covered by insurance, the student(s) will be required to have a means to provide the necessary funds to cover these costs. Expenses due to vehicle or other related problems which are subject to reimbursement upon return to Bozeman may have to paid by the student(s) at the time they are incurred.

   Travel Equipment: For emergency use, a cellular phone may be checked out from the MSU Information Technology Center for a cost of $2.00 per day or $24.00 per month. First Aid kits and portable citizens band (CB) radios may be checked out (for no cost) from MSU Safety and Risk Management by calling 994-2711. Each department sponsoring and/or arranging student/staff travel has the responsibility to provide any other equipment for which a need may be reasonably expected.

   Medical Consents: It is recommended that each student traveling on an MSU trip complete a "Medical Consent Agreement". In the event the student traveler becomes injured or ill, this may significantly expedite he/she receiving medical assistance.

   Student Traveler’s Assistance: Student travelers should consult their medical insurance provider prior to travel to any foreign country. Many health insurance policies include traveler’s assistance features. The MSU Student Health Insurance Plan includes an Assistance Protection Program which includes such features as accidental death and dismemberment benefits, medical evacuation and repatriation and assistance finding qualified medical assistance in foreign countries.

For additional information or assistance contact MSU Safety and Risk Management (994-2711).

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 8/11/06