In almost all cases, auto coverage with US insurers will not cover damage to your vehicle when you cross the border and travel to Mexico. Like the United States, Mexican law requires all vehicles to have auto coverage and insurance. Furthermore, in many cases you could be fined or put in jail if you are found guilty and without coverage. You generally have several options for purchasing coverage during the days of your stay, either through your primary insurer or with other companies.
Fortunately, it is not difficult to obtain temporary car insurance for a road trip to Mexico. Many well-known American auto insurance companies have partnerships with Mexican auto insurance companies. You can also get car coverage directly from a Mexican insurance provider online or even purchase coverage at the border.
What type of coverage and what do I need to obtain it?
Client of companies like Geico and other national insurers can help you obtain flexible policies that fit your needs. Some options include:
- Daily Policies
- 6-month policies
- Annual policies
In order to obtain an auto insurance policy in Mexico, it is useful to have the following information at hand:
- Dates on which you will travel to Mexico
- Which part of Mexico will you travel to
- Number U.S. auto insurance policy number
In the case of those who are going to use your personal vehicle, the following information will be needed (if it is through your current insurance they have this information):
- Make, model, year and current market value of the vehicle
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- License number
Car rental coverage during your stay day in Mexico
If you rent a car in Mexico, start by asking at the rental agency. In most cases, you can get auto insurance through them. Since most US auto insurers only insure rentals with US license plates, getting coverage through the Mexican rental agency is often the only option.
Renting a vehicle in the US and driving it to Mexico is a different story. Not all rental companies allow drivers to take their cars into Mexico. You must first check with the rental office. Some rental companies only allow travel to Mexico from certain areas. You may also be charged an additional fee or required to purchase insurance through them.
If you have a credit card issued in the United States, you may be able to get coverage through the same. Companies like Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, Discover® provide car rental coverage. Before reserving your rental car, please call the number on the back of your credit card. If you book the rental with that card, your card company may offer insurance coverage.
Some companies have additional requirements or do not offer liability insurance, so please confirm details with the card company. your card.
What does Mexican auto insurance cover?
Civil liability insurance for cars in Mexico
You are required by Mexican law to have civil liability insurance. If you cause a car accident, this covers bodily injury and property damage to others. You can usually choose a policy limit (up to a certain amount). For example, Allstate and Geico sell up to $500,000 in coverage of liability for travel to Mexico, while The General sells up to $300,.
It’s a good idea to purchase the maximum amount of liability coverage available. That’s because Mexican civil liability insurance works differently than the US. If you cause an accident that results in a death, Mexico’s Federal Civil Liability Law says that your insurance must pay the Mexican state minimum wage multiplied For 5,000, plus funeral expenses, per person. The Mexican state can then multiply this amount by up to five times (in some states a judge will determine the limit to be paid).
For example, the minimum wage in the Free Zone (Northern Border of the Country) is $195.34 pesos Mexicans:
5000 x $260.34=$1,301,700 which is equivalent to $66,141 in US dollars, with an exchange rate of $19.68. In the case of states that decide to multiply that figure, the maximum could be up to $301,5000.
Other types of coverage for driving in Mexico
Liability insurance will not cover damage to your car or injuries to you and your passenger. You can fill these coverage gaps by purchasing additional types of coverage, such as:
- Physical Damage Coverage: This pays if your car is stolen or damaged by problems such as a car accident, vandalism, fire, flood, hail and falling objects.
- Medical Payments: This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you are injured in a car accident.
- Legal assistance: If you have a car accident in Mexico, this pays for legal expenses such as an attorney, court costs, and bail bonds.
- Roadside Assistance: If your car breaks down in Mexico, this pays services such as a tow truck, jump start a battery, a locksmith or change a flat tire.
- Evacuation Medical: If you are injured in a car accident, this pays for emergency transportation to a hospital or treatment center.
How much does car insurance cost in Mexico?
The Policies generally come in packages that are priced daily, semi-annually, or annually. However, a day package can end up costing as much as a six-month package, depending on the length of your stay. However, in general, the cost of a policy is not too expensive compared to American insurance. Here we include some approximate costs for companies recommended by large insurers in the United States.
| Company | Daily | Semi-annual | Annual |
| ACE Seguros | $195 | $370 | The Eagle |
| $425 | ||
| Provincial National Group | $141 | $375 |