Many people who vacation in Mexico spend part of that time on the water, on their own boat or jet ski. You may have heard about Mexican watercraft insurance before. But do you know what this means or why you should get this? This blog post will show you the things you need to know about Mexican watercraft insurance.
Why do I Need a Boat Insurance Policy?
Mexico's navigation law requires vessels to carry civil-liability insurance (Ley de Navegación y Comercio Marítimos, art. 176). So, there is no other option than opting for Mexican Watercraft insurance to sail in Mexico on your watercraft. And if you cause damage or injury to someone else while operating your boat in Mexico, you are the one who pays for it. A watercraft liability policy is what stands between you and that bill. The same trip checklist that covers your car applies to the boat you tow down: documents first, cover second. There are still more reasons, which we discuss below.
How Does Mexican Watercraft Insurance Work?
The idea behind this kind of insurance is simple. Baja Bound's watercraft policy is liability cover: it pays for damage or injury you cause to others. Its watercraft page says physical damage and theft are not covered and passenger medical payments are excluded, and that legal assistance is a call away, available 24/7 (Baja Bound).
Reasons to Get Mexican Watercraft Insurance
Watercraft insurance is a must for those who want to sail on the Mexican coasts. Apart from that, there are still many reasons that you need to know about getting Mexican watercraft insurance, which is as follows:
- It’s mandatory by Mexican law:
Yes, it would be best to get Mexican watercraft insurance to bring your boat to Mexico. Riding a watercraft in Mexico without any coverage is against the law, just as in the case of auto. If there is an accident in which you are at fault, you are liable for the damage to other vessels and the injuries to the people in them. Baja Bound’s watercraft policy pays for damage or injury you cause to others (Baja Bound watercraft page). Without a policy, that bill is yours.
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Protection against third-party claims: A boat is a significant investment. A watercraft liability policy covers the damage your boat causes to others. It does not cover damage to or theft of your own boat; Baja Bound’s watercraft page says physical damage and theft are not covered (Baja Bound). So, to avoid potential misfortunes, it’s better to get a boat policy.
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Peace of mind: Having to pay out of pocket seems to be one of the biggest challenges. A boat liability policy, such as the Baja Bound watercraft policies SmartGringo links to as an affiliate, pays covered third-party claims up to the limits in the policy; read Baja Bound’s policy wording for what is and is not covered. So, if you want to enjoy your watercraft ride in Mexico with your family, consider getting a boat liability insurance policy from Baja Bound before you launch.
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A clear answer when something goes wrong: With a policy in hand you know who to call and what is covered before an incident happens, instead of working it out at the dock afterwards. Baja Bound's watercraft page says legal assistance "is a call away. Available 24/7." Read the policy wording before you launch so you know its limits and exclusions.
Bottom Line:
Mexico has long been known for its beautiful beaches and its coastline. If you plan to take your boat or other watercraft into Mexican waters, you should take Mexican Watercraft insurance before you go. As a law, every watercraft owner within Mexico must carry insurance coverage. An accident in which other people are hurt can be very costly for you, and a liability policy pays covered third-party claims up to the limits in the policy. It does not cover your own boat, so read the wording for what is and is not included.
Boat in Mexican waters? Price cover for the boat at Baja Bound.