DECEMBER '09 ISSUE:

Free Webinars

Hispanics/Snowbirds Travel to Mexico

Mexican Insurance 101

Mexico Insurer Solvency

Sell AMIG Products

Vehicle Import Permits

Boost Affiliate Commissions

Featured Product

Agents Caught in the Crosshairs
of Channel Conflict

Quick Access Links...

MIO Homepage

New Agent Sign Up

More about MIO

Sign-Up for a Webinar

Download a Producer Guide

Contact Us

888-467-4639

Help Your Clients Obtain Official Mexican Government Vehicle Import Permits

Your insureds who travel outside the Mexico "Free Zone" will require a vehicle importation permit. The Mexico "free zone" consists of the states of Baja and Sonora and areas in other states farther than 20 km from the border.

A vehicle importation permit can be obtained online prior to travel at the Banjercito website. Travelers will receive a pass code and then should visit any Banjercito location to obtain their Vehicle Import Permit, between 24 hours and 15 days of receiving the pass code. Use this link for clients who wish to apply for a permit online.

Website Tips

Consumer Direct Sales - Boost Affiliate Commissions Online
The best thing about our Mexico insurance program is you don't need to invest money or time to start selling. You simply post an affiliate link to your website and your customers can self-serve their Mexico auto insurance. Start making money through your website, today! Contact Erin Beaty at 888-467-4639, extension 124 to learn more and sign up now.

FEATURED Product:
ITIS Web Development

IIG is proud to announce a new partnership with ITIS Web Development to offer web design, marketing and consulting services to our agents and brokers looking to improve their online presence. IIG has worked exclusively with ITIS to design, market and optimize IIG's web presence. Over the last 10 years ITIS has helped IIG become the premier supplier for Mexico auto insurance online. And now we are offering their services to you.

Ready to begin optimizing and marketing your website?
Contact ITIS today for a quote!
866.991.ITIS or www.itiswebdevelopment.com

Caught in the Crosshairs of Channel Conflict

Article by Jim Labelle,
President IIG

As an Insurance Agent, have you ever felt that you were simply a pawn in a large chess match, and have been put in a position to “fall on your sword?” More and more often our Independent Agent insurance company “partners” find themselves in a predicament best described as “channel conflict” i.e. distribution through two or more sources that compete with each other. Click here to read the article.

Happy Holidays!

Our December newsletter focuses on how you can increase your agency revenues by capitalizing on the large number of people who will be driving to Mexico to celebrate the season.

Snowbirds and retirees have started their annual migration to Mexico, and more than a million Hispanics will be returning to Mexico to visit friends and family for the Holidays.

Dont miss out on this lucrative opportunity to increase your agency revenues over the next few months!

Please enjoy these articles, share them with your clients, and visit www.mexicoinsuranceonline.com for fast and easy access to the best Mexico Insurance coverage and carriers available anywhere.

Sincerely,
Mexico Insurance Online
www.mexicoinsuranceonline.com
The Mexico Insurance Professionals

Millions of Hispanics and Snowbirds Drive to Mexico

Each year, over one million Hispanics, who primarily reside in the U.S., head home to Mexico for the holidays to visit friends and family. The next 60 days are the most active times of the year for Mexico auto insurance. By marketing your Mexico auto insurance program you can increase revenue, serve your community and gain exposure to entirely new markets! Let your local community know that you are there to help them! If you need bilingual supplies, marketing posters, or brochures, please log in to www.mexicoinsuranceonline.com and complete our supply order form.

In addition, Snowbird Season has begun, you have the opportunity to see a tremendous amount of activity from this niche as the weather cools. Sign up to sell our products now!

Mexican Insurance 101 - Holiday Travel to Mexico

With the holidays just around the corner, many folks will be making travel plans and purchasing auto insurance for travel to Mexico...some for the first time. In order to make this hectic time flow a little more smoothly, we've put together a list of the absolute basics one should know before purchasing a Mexico auto insurance policy.

1. No Mexican Plated Vehicles. Clients will be purchasing a "Tourist Insurance Policy", ONLY vehicles with a U.S. or Canadian registration are eligible. Mexican rentals are excluded for this reason.

2. Anyone is Covered to Drive the Insured's Vehicle Under this Policy, as long as they:

a. have a valid U.S. or Canadian Driver's License,
b. are 21 years of age or older, and
c. have the permission of the owner to be driving the vehicle.

Additional drivers do not have to be listed on the policy, although up to three names can be added to the policy. Clients should NOT let anyone drive their vehicle that has a Mexican Driver's License, as this will void coverage.

3. Be sure to include any towed items on the policy. Anything that is being towed to Mexico with a covered vehicle that is not listed on the policy will void coverage. Be sure towed items are listed in the "Towed Unit" section of the Mexican insurance application.

4. If the insured needs to file a claim for any reason, be sure they file the claim in Mexico! In the unfortunate event of a Theft or Collision, it is important to call the number on the policy so an adjuster can come to the scene and make a report. If the insured returns to the U.S. without the adjuster's report the coverage will be void.

5. Have the insured always print two copies of the policy. It's a good idea to have the insured print two copies of the Mexican auto insurance policy...keeping one in the glove box, and one at the hotel. In the event a vehicle is stolen, the insured will still have proof of insurance and the phone numbers needed to make a claim.

6. Check the A.M. BEST rating. Clients can always find a cheaper Mexican auto insurance policy...kiosks and roadside vendors are happy to sell auto policies for a fraction of what your clients can purchase through you with Mexico Insurance Online.

However, if they purchase a policy at a border or roadside kiosk, chances are, their insurance information will not be available to the authorities in Mexico, like when purchased online through your agency.

Mexico Insurnance Online only represent stable Mexico Insurance companies who are in the top tier of the A.M. Best Rating. To check AM BEST ratings go to www.ambest.com.

(Article by Account Representative Rachael Galiano.)

Mexico Insurer Solvency Issues

It is important to check the specific A.M. Best Rating, reserves and the local environment of Mexico insurers before recommending them or using them to sell insurance to your clients. A.M. Best has not rated three large Mexico tourist auto insurers who primarily sell insurance at stands on the border. You would never place your clients U.S. insurance with unrated insurers, make sure you are selling Mexico insurance coverage through financially stable, A.M. Best Rated insurers. Each of the insurers we offer are rated "Excellent" or "Good" by A.M. Best.

Still haven’t signed up to sell American Modern products through SIO?
Get appointed today!

Have you signed up to sell American Modern products with SIO? If not, you should! American Modern is a market leader in many specialty personal lines markets such as Manufactured /Mobile Homes, RVs and Travel Trailers, Motorcycles, Personal Watercraft and more. The rates and programs are competitive, and the commissions are higher than typical commissions for these products. Although you may already be contracted with SIO, a new contract and company specific documents to cover these new products may be necessary. Please contact Derek Kartchner or Erin Beaty at 888-467-4639 to discuss these programs, commission rates and contracting issues.