Can I Buy Temporary Mexican Car Insurance?

When traveling to Mexico, you must have Mexican car insurance. In general, your American car insurance won’t cover you across the border, and you must have a certain amount of coverage to drive legally on Mexico roadways. But you may only be traveling for vacation or visiting family before heading back home. In that case, what happens to your auto insurance?

Can I Have Mexican and American Car Insurance?

You can insure your vehicle with more than one policy. Your U.S. car insurance won’t typically carry when you cross the border to Mexico and vice versa. Having one type of insurance won’t negate the other. Once you cross back into the U.S., your policy should be the same as you left it.

Is There Temporary Mexican Car Insurance?

Tourist auto insurance is car insurance which is specifically for travelers. You can extend this policy for up to a year or simply have it set to match the length of your trip in Mexico.

What Does Mexican Car Insurance Cover?

To drive legally in Mexico, you must carry liability car insurance in case you cause a wreck. Driving without insurance can result in expensive fines or even jail time. But this liability insurance is far from comprehensive. A lot of things can happen when traveling and you should be prepared for the most likely events. A typical Mexican car insurance policy will cover:

• Liability: Required by Mexico law, liability insurance protects against bodily injury and property damage in case you cause a wreck.
• Physical damage: Physical damage includes comprehensive and collision coverage for collisions, overturning your vehicle or broken glass.
• Total theft: This coverage helps in case of vehicle theft.
• Medical payments: You can purchase insurance to cover possible medical expenses for you and your passengers in case of a wreck.
• Roadside assistance: Roadside assistance is useful in case you break down and need a tire change, a jumpstart, a locksmith and more. Towing is also available.

Where Can I Buy Mexican Car Insurance?

It’s recommended that you purchase Mexican car insurance before you start your trip. You can purchase Mexican car insurance online or you can get it at the border. Whichever you choose, it’s crucial to buy Mexican car insurance before crossing into Mexico. You may also consider renting a car in Mexico.

How Much is Mexican Car Insurance Per Day?

As with American car insurance, Mexican car insurance rates depend on the vehicle and the amount of insurance. For example, if you drive a newer car and you purchase liability for three days, you could pay around $16.50 a day. A six-month full coverage policy for the same car may cost around $2.70 a day. There is no set price for every vehicle or coverage, so shop around to find the best rate for the type of coverage you need.

Can I Get Full Coverage with Mexican Car Insurance?

You can get what is considered “full coverage” for your vehicle through Mexican car insurance but the available coverage depends on your American policy. If there are limits on your American car insurance, those limits may transfer over to Mexican car insurance. If you don’t have an equivalent of total theft protection on your domestic policy, you won’t be able to purchase total theft for your Mexican car insurance policy.

Can I Buy Mexican Car Insurance for My Rental?

You can purchase Mexican car insurance for your rental provided the rental company allows you to drive the rental car into Mexico. Most companies won’t approve this, but there are some along the border who do.

Speak with your insurance agent about your policy so you can drive to Mexico smartly and safely.