Do I need Mexico car insurance and why?
When it comes to driving your car out there in Mexico, it will not cover your liability whether for damages or injury to other drivers. Purchasing a Mexican car insurance policy is a must if you want to shun the high cost of an accident – or even an extended stay in a Mexican prison. So Why Is Mexican Car Insurance Really Necessary?
Does your car insurance cover you in Mexico?
Unfortunately, regardless of how comprehensive your US insurance policy is, it won’t cover you while driving in Mexico. Therefore, you must buy a separate insurance cover if you cross the border in your own car. This liability insurance must be purchased from a company that is licensed in Mexico.
Is Mexican insurance required by law to drive in Mexico?
Why buy Mexican Insurance? It is required by law, since January 1, 2019 Mexico has made it mandatory that ALL vehicles traveling on Federal highways and bridges have third party liability coverage issued by a Mexican insurance company. Failure to carry the required coverage is fines, that can be up to $250 dollars and if involved in accident ...
How much is Mexican car insurance?
The bare minimum car insurance policy for Mexico costs around $10/day, and after you add a broker fee, IVA tax, you might be looking at $19. For 3 days, it might be $38. Isn’t it worth it? Let’s take a look at the factors that make up the true cost of a Mexican Insurance policy. The differences between Mexican and U.S. Car Insurance
Do you need extra car insurance for Mexico?
Mexican Federal Liability Law requires insurance for all vehicles. Once you cross the border, your U.S. car insurance will have limited or no coverage. If you are involved in a car accident without insurance, you could be arrested.
Does my car insurance cover driving in Mexico?
Purchase a Mexico tourist auto insurance policy Your U.S. auto insurance won't cover you after crossing the border of Mexico. You'll need a special Mexican auto insurance policy to legally drive in Mexico, which can be acquired through an insurance agent.
Do I need full coverage Mexico?
What Car Insurance Is Needed for Mexico? If you're driving on a federal Mexican highway or bridge, you need, at a minimum, a civil liability insurance policy. That's the law. Moreover, your existing American or Canadian policy won't suffice.
What happens if you don't have car insurance in Mexico?
If you're caught driving without insurance, you could face a fine between 2,000 and 4,000 pesos. If you cause a bad accident while not having insurance, however, you could be arrested until you're able to provide proof of responsibility, which shows that you have the means to pay for the damages you caused.
Will my U.S. car insurance cover me in Mexico?
Most typical U.S. auto insurance policies will not cover Mexico. So, if you're heading south of the border, you'll need additional coverage for the family wagon. GEICO, for example, has partners that offer Mexico-specific policies for cars, RVs and motorcycles.
What insurance do you need to rent a car in Mexico?
Personal Liability Insurance, also referred to as Third-Party Insurance, is mandatory when renting a car in Mexico. You cannot rent a car without this coverage. Although this is the only obligatory type of insurance, it's not always enough. In fact, it's highly recommended to opt for additional coverage.
How much does Mexican auto insurance cost?
Cost of Mexican Car Insurance On average, a Mexican auto insurance policy with full coverage will cost you $20.72 per day. Your rates depend on what time of year you're traveling, your car's make and model, and how long you're planning on staying.
Does AAA work in Mexico?
Traveling in Mexico? Find savings at more than 500 partner locations throughout Mexico with your AAA Membership.
What happens if my car gets stolen in Mexico?
If your vehicle was stolen during your visit to Mexico, please immediately report the theft by calling 911. You must then immediately visit a District Attorney's office to obtain a police report.
What is the hassle free zone in Mexico?
Where is Mexico's Hassle-Free Zone? Mexico's hassle-free zone runs about 20-26 km (12 to 16 miles) from the Mexico border. It runs along the entire Baja peninsula and the western border of Sonora down to Empalme and as far in as highway 15, including the 16 miles between Imuris and Agua Prieta.
What do I need to know about driving to Mexico?
You will need several documents to acquire a Mexico vehicle permit including proof of car ownership, proof of American registration, an affidavit from any lien holders authorizing temporary importation, a valid American driver's license, and proof of citizenship (like a passport or passport card).
Does State Farm insurance work in Mexico?
Even though US insurance companies try to offer you protection for up to a certain distance from the border, insurance from the US or Canada is not seen as valid according to Mexican law.
What insurance companies cover Mexico?
Which companies provide coverage in Mexico?Allstate Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance. ... GEICO Mexico Car Insurance. ... Progressive Mexico Insurance. ... Liberty Mutual Mexican Auto Insurance. ... Other options for car insurance in Mexico.
What do you do if you get into a car accident in Mexico?
Dial 911. Make sure an accident investigator (perito) is sent to do an accident report. An accident report is important to have to file a claim and prevent delays in paying your claim. Call your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident occurs and before you leave Mexico.
Does Nationwide insurance cover in Mexico?
Nationwide. Extends limited coverage into Mexico? Yes.
Does AAA work in Mexico?
Traveling in Mexico? Find savings at more than 500 partner locations throughout Mexico with your AAA Membership.
What is covered by Mexico insurance?
What’s covered by Mexico auto insurance. The specifics of a Mexico tourist auto policy vary depending on where you go to get it, and some providers offer different tiers of car insurance for visiting Mexico, but any of the following coverages are options for drivers heading to Mexico: Liability coverage. Covers you if you injure someone ...
What insurance companies offer Mexico?
As we mentioned above, many major U.S.-based car insurance companies offer Mexico tourist auto insurance via Mexican car insurance providers, including Allstate , GEICO , Progressive and Liberty Mutual. You can also go directly through a Mexican insurer that writes auto policies for visiting tourists, like Baja Bound or MexPro.
What is gap insurance in Mexico?
Loan or lease payoff. Also called gap insurance, this coverage helps you if your car is totaled in Mexico. Loan or lease payoff will pay you the difference between the value of the totaled car and what you still owe on your car loan or lease.
Do you need liability insurance in Mexico?
policies offer coverage up to a certain distance into Mexico, but according to Mexican law, you’ll need a minimum amount of liability coverage through a Mexico-specific car insurance company.
Does auto insurance include liability?
And just like with domestic auto insurance, your policy should include liability coverage and you may want to consider adding other coverage, like collision coverage, roadside assistance or gap insurance.
Does Mexico require car insurance?
Mexico law requires that drivers carry a minimum amount of car insurance through a Mexican provider.
Does Mexican insurance cover you if you have a car accident?
car insurance covers you up to a certain distance across the U.S.-Mexico border, if you cause a car accident you’ll need liability coverage through a Mexican insurer or risk being on the hook for the damage you caused. Here’s what you need to know about how — and why — you need to get temporary car insurance for driving ...
What Type of Insurance Is Required in Mexico?
Liability insurance is the type of insurance required, it covers damage caused to other vehicles, property or individuals by you. In other words, it refers to paying parties other than those in your vehicle or yourself.
What happens if you don't have Mexican liability insurance?
and Canadian policies not recognized as valid in Mexico, but Mexican states can set a death liability amount as high as $500,000 in American dollars that you would be responsible for. Large monetary costs aside, jail time might also result if you cannot show the ability to pay at the time of the accident. Remember that in Mexico, one is considered 'guilty until proven innocent.'
What to do if you get into an accident in Mexico?
If you get into an accident in Mexico, your best bet is to be able to call your insurance company and have them available to help you at the scene of the accident. Including translating your conversation with the police and other drivers.
How far can you travel in Mexico with an American policy?
Most American companies only offer coverage up to 25 miles or less into Mexico.
Can you buy Mexican insurance in English?
Be sure your Mexican policy is written in English, so you can read the terms and conditions and know what coverage you have. If you purchase directly from a Mexican insurance company, you will likely not find an English policy. And this could be true for many U.S. insurers, as well.
Why is mandatory car insurance required?
Therefore, mandatory car insurance is simply “proof of financial responsibility” to ensure that damages during an accident can be paid. Without insurance, paying for the damages will take longer to resolve and certainly put a damper on your vacation.
What is the protection coverage for a rental vehicle?
Protection coverage for the vehicle rented includes Third Party Liability with a maximum cover for personal injuries and material damages.
What is SLI insurance?
Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): This is additional liability insurance that protects the renter against claims made by a third party for -bodily injury- and/or property damages sustained due to an accident while the renter is operating a -rental vehicle-.
Is car insurance mandatory in Mexico?
As you can see, while car insurance in Mexico is mandatory, there’s nothing to stress about. Of course, it’s easier to simply rent a car that includes this legally required liability coverage rather than insuring your own vehicle. If that’s the case, you’re free to choose from one of our many branches across Mexico and take to the roads to discover everything this country has to offer.
Does the rental car insurance cover damage?
In case of an accident, this covers personal injury claims or material damages you cause to the other driver. However, it does not cover injuries you may suffer or damage done to the rental car. If you decide to rent with another car rental provider, review the terms and conditions before booking.
Can you drive in Mexico with US insurance?
Unfortunately, regardless of how comprehensive your US insurance policy is, it won’t cover you while driving in Mexico. Therefore, you must buy a separate insurance cover if you cross the border in your own car. This liability insurance must be purchased from a company that is licensed in Mexico.
Can you add peace of mind to a rental car?
Additional Peace of Mind Options. For better peace of mind, you can add more protection to your car rental. In case you need some extra protection, you can also opt for additional protection options. These are not mandatory, so you are free to add them for your own peace of mind while driving through Mexico.
What Does Mexican Car Insurance Cover?
You are required by Mexican law to have liability insurance. If you cause a car accident, this covers bodily injuries and property damage to others. You can typically choose a policy limit (up to a certain amount). For example, Allstate and Geico sell up to $500,000 in liability coverage for trips into Mexico, while The General sells up to $300,000.
What to do if your car breaks down in Mexico?
Roadside assistance. If your car breaks down in Mexico, this pays for services such as a tow truck, jump-starting a battery, a locksmith or changing a flat tire.
What is a limited Mexico coverage endorsement?
From your own insurance company with a Limited Mexico Coverage Endorsement. This extends your U.S. policy within a certain distance of the U.S. border.
What happens if you don't comply with Mexican law?
And if you don’t comply with Mexican law? You could end up in jail, where the views are much less stunning and cuisine is decidedly worse.
What is physical damage insurance?
Physical damage coverage. This pays out if your car is stolen or damaged by problems such as a car accident, vandalism, fire, flood, hail and falling objects.
What is a TIP in Mexico?
Get a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP). The Mexico Free or Border Zone is an area along Mexico’s northern and southern borders, including a large portion of Sonora, the entire Baja peninsula, and areas between 12 to 16 miles from the border in all other Mexican border states. Any travel beyond the Border Zone requires a TIP. If you travel outside the Border Zone without a TIP, your car could be confiscated and you could go to jail.
Does USAA cover Mexico?
For example, USAA has policies that extend coverage for trips to Mexico within 75 miles of the U.S. border.
