In 2006 I was involved in a pretty nasty crash outside of Ensenada, Mexico. I was down there for the Baja 1000 and was heading south to pit for some friends... On November 16th I filed a claim. Today, December 3, 2007, the truck is finally back in California. Here's some of what I've learned during the last year.

1. Don't go to Mexico.
2. If you have to go, don't take your own vehicle.
3. Whatever you do, do NOT have any sort of accident in Mexico.
4. Supplemental Mexican auto insurance can be worth less than the paper it's printed on.
5. Honesty is NOT rewarded. I played it honest and got burned.
6. Making a monthly payment on a truck you don't have sucks.
7. Ram trucks are pretty tough. Mine went over 4 complete revolutions and all 4 of us walked away with only a few minor scratches.

Here are some pictures from this afternoon. I hadn't seen the truck since the day after the wreck (down in a ravine). Just a hunch, but my gut says it's totalled.

Aloha

 

Sorry about your truck. Glad nobody got hurt!
Having driven in Mexico with my own vehicle I have some questions (if you dont mind).
1. Any other vehicles involved?
2. Is your main problem with your insurance company or with the policia?
3. I dont speak good Spanish and was wondering if being able to speak good spanish have helped?
Sorry again about your troubles.

 

just wondering what happened? looks pretty bad, too much speed or to many beverages?

 

What insurance company did/do you have on the truck????

 

Well atleast you all walked away! Thats priceless in itself! But yeah I can feel your pain on the making payments on something you cant drive happened to me before (Not with the Ram)

 

It will probably buff out!

 

That is too funny! The comment that is, not your accident.

 

and not to add too much more humor to the thread, but you gotta love the placement of the truck in the picture, right under the "have a safe trip".

that sucks about the truck though, good thing everyone is ok.

 

I'll bet money that there are brown stains on the seats!

 

I see the locals helped themselves to your wheels and tires, probably all the other nice stuff too, like your Carli suspension. Bummer man, sorry to hear about the crap you had to go through. It sucks having to make payments on somethings that is totalled. I wondering if because of the value of the truck depreciated over the year you made payments, if your insurance company is going to date the total from the accident date or the date they actually saw it back in the states?

 

Yea if you read all the fine print on the mexican ins. you REALLY have to play by their book. Any deviation from it and: DENIED!!! Remember they are there to rip you off, not help you in those situations. That's why they are still in business.

 

Cause... bad road, too much speed, oncoming traffic in the wrong lane.

Reason for the delay... The insurance company tried to make the truck go away. No truck, no claim. I've got friends in high and low places and was able to locate the truck in a Yonke Yard. That's where the fun began. The Policia, the Federales, both were difficult to deal with. Getting the truck back into the US required multiple notarized power of attorney forms... typical paperwork BS.

The Fox shocks, Fox air bumps, limit straps, panrod bar, sway bar end links, are all STILL THERE! The batteries are gone, the rear Fox shocks are gone, stereo, tires/wheels gone, but I am AMAZED at how much is left. I might buy the truck back (if the price is right) and build a beater.

I filed a claim with my local insurance provider (AAA) on November 16, 2006. From what my claims agent has told me that is the date they will use to determine value. I'll know in a day or two what (if anything) I'll get from AAA.

Yeah, I took the picture at that angle because I thought it was funny. Have A Safe Trip.

 

Yikes!
I normally have been riding into Mexico, or taking an beater.
So who is picking up the cost? the Meican insurance, or your AAA?
To me the month long delay seems acually fast. I have heard a lot longer.

 

I have a buddy who's driven his own outfit south of the border for the Baja many times. He claims the insurance agents have intentionally written down one or two digits of his vin wrong EVERY TIME he bought a policy! Something to watch out for....

 

Read the dates again. It's been a year and a month!