Free Map of MexicoMexico Liability Insurance is Required for US and Canadian Autos Driving in Mexico
Before taking off on your Mexican road trip adventure, don't forget to buy your Mexican auto insurance prior to crossing the border into Mexico. Even if you do not wish to insure your vehicle against theft or physical damage losses, you must still purchase Mexico liability insurance.
There is a lot of confusion and misinformation about the exact requirements for insuring your vehicle while driving in Mexico. This page will attempt to explain the Mexico liability insurance requirements for 'tourist' autos and the reasons you never want to forget to purchase your Mexican auto insurance before entering Mexico.
Reasons You Need Mexico Liability Insurance:
- Your US or Canadian auto insurance does not cover you for third party liability while you are driving in Mexico. If you cause damages or injuries to third parties in Mexico, your US or Canadian insurance will not pay for these damages.
- The Mexican police and legal system requires you to prove that you can pay for the damages you cause to third parties while at the scene of the accident. If you do not have a Mexico auto insurance policy that includes liability coverage, the Mexican authorities will detain you and hold you until you provide payment for the damages.
- Our Mexican auto insurance includes legal service which provides attorneys and pays for bail and court costs in the event that you need legal assistance.
- If you do not have Mexican auto insurance and you are involved in an accident, you will need to find a Mexican attorney and pay for their services out of your pocket (and they can charge as much as they wish because they know you are in a desperate situation!)
Adding Physical Damage and Theft Coverage for Your Vehicle
If you wish to have 'Full Coverage' Mexican auto insurance which will cover your vehicle for physical damages and theft, you can include that coverage in your Mexican auto insurance policy. Mexico liability insurance is included in all 'full coverage' auto policies. Basically, if you have physical damage and theft coverage on your vehicle in the US or Canada, then you probably want to cover you vehicle for physical damage and theft while in Mexico as well. Your US or Canadian auto insurance usually does not cover damages or theft while your car is in Mexico.
The Root of Confusion - Some US auto insurance may cover losses to your vehicle if the loss occurs within a few miles of the US border
A few US auto insurance companies provide physical damage and theft coverage for your vehicle while in Mexico only if the loss occurs within a few miles of the US border. The common distance is between 25-50 miles (check with your US insurance carrier to see if they provide this coverage - most do not). Although this coverage sounds like a nice perk provided by your US insurance, our opinion is that is causes more confusion for customers and actually sets customers up for not insuring their vehicles properly while in Mexico.
Even if your US auto insurance provides physical damage and theft coverage for your vehicle while in Mexico within 25 miles of the border, it does NOT, repeat DOES NOT, include any Mexican LIABILITY coverage at all! So you still must purchase a Mexico liability insurance policy for your trip to Mexico. Also, most people who drive to Mexico end up driving further than 25 miles across the border, so the US auto insurance is completely void once you drive further than 25 miles.
No Matter What Your US Auto Insurance Plan Covers (Most do not include any Mexico coverage at all)
- You still need to purchase a Mexico Liability Insurance policy - because US auto insurance does not cover damages you cause to third parties in Mexico.
- If you are driving further than 25 miles across the border, you will need to purchase Mexican physical damage and theft coverage as well if you wish to protect your vehicle.
If you are still uncertain of the requirements for Mexico liability insurance or any other Mexico insurance needs, we recommend reading these pages on our website, or call our office so one of our insurance agents can answer your questions or help you purchase your Mexican insurance policy over the phone. 800-485-4075
More Information on Mexico Auto Insurance Requirements:
