For Spanish
Walk-In Insurance for Mexicans, Drive-Through Insurance for Americans, and Word
of Good Hamburgers in Ajo
By Margaret Fleming
Many Americans ask, "Why don’t Mexicans have to buy insurance when they come up here?" Actually they do, but there hasn’t always been a steady dependable source, even though agencies in Ajo have tried their best to keep policies on hand.
Several companies have been inconsistent in selling American insurance for Mexicans traveling in the United States because of misuse of the program in some areas along the border. Since it is much cheaper than American insurance for Americans, some people have purchased it when they didn’t qualify. The reason it is cheaper is that a Mexican registered vehicle would probably be in the United States for only a few trips during the period of coverage, while the American registered vehicle presents risk for the company daily.
Thad Curtis wants to establish himself as the office Mexican tourists can depend on for a sure source of American insurance. He wants to follow the rules carefully, and make sure that it is only issued to vehicles with Mexican plates, garaged in Mexico. This will keep the loss ratio down, which should help keep the price down, and the program in place. Thad is an agent for Bankers Insurance, and he says that the company's program is the best he could find. He can issue daily, short term, 6 month and annual policies at reasonable rates.
Thad has leased the "Old Chamber of Commerce Building," located just south of the Plaza in Ajo, and opened an office there, where he also sells Mexican insurance for Americans. He plans to have after-hours phone numbers, including his cellular number, for business people and tourists who get a late start, or come through on a weekend. As a retired Pima County Sheriff’s Lieutenant and Arizona Highway Patrolman, he knows the risks of travelers having to drive on to Phoenix without insurance.
Thad and his wife Nola, who was born in Caborca, have close ties to people in Sonoyta, Rocky Point, Pitiquito, Hermosillo, and Caborca. They are doing this as a service to their Mexican friends and because they want to see more business and trade between Sonora and Arizona.
Thad and Nola's regular American customers will remember them as owners and operators of the Mexico Insurance Center north of town on Highway 85 next to Big Burger. When people stopped there, Nola's warm and charming personality made them feel welcome, and Thad was always willing to chat with them about a variety of topics. Now Thad and Nola have turned that business over to their son-in law, Chris Taylor and their daughter Rachel, who have been running it since April. Chris and Rachel have 2 young boys, Zachary, 8, and Jacob, 4. "Grandma Nola" is enjoying her time with them and is rarely seen around the office any more.
Chris is remodeling the old Big Burger ramada to make the first Drive-Through Mexican Insurance office on Hwy 85. It will have 2 lanes for cars and pickups, and one for RV’s and taller vehicles. After breathing fresh air for 20 years in the Navy, Chris just has to be outside a bit more. He intends to have the fastest service available, on-line sales, and insurance issued via fax and e-mail. Obviously he plans to stay on the cutting edge. We welcome Chris and Rachel and wish them the best of luck.
When asked why they didn't reopen "The Big Burger," instead of making the multilane drive-through insurance stop, both Thad and Chris said they felt there is no longer a need for it, since many travelers now stop in Gila Bend for burgers. They tell us, however, that the "Burger Run", located at the curve in Ajo, is the place to stop for a fast burger when passing through. Thad claimed that he recently had a really large burger there that was so big and so good that Mike must have stolen his Big Burger recipe. He was kidding, of course; he actually encourages everyone to try one. We’ll do it on our next trip through Ajo.
And don’t forget, someone should give Thad a call very late some evening just to test his after-hours commitment.
