{"id":93,"date":"2020-04-02T22:37:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T22:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/?p=93"},"modified":"2025-02-10T17:22:29","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T17:22:29","slug":"what-happens-if-your-car-insurance-lapses-in-mexico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sanborns.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-your-car-insurance-lapses-in-mexico\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens if Your Car Insurance Lapses in Mexico?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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Trips don\u2019t always go as planned. Sometimes things change and you end up staying away from home longer than expected. Say you intended to visit Mexico for a week and you need to stay for another three days. The coverage you purchased for your vehicle in Mexico expires at the end of the first week, leaving you without insurance. Sometimes is not days, you planned to be in Mexico for two days, and can’t make it to cross the border before the time you policy expires. What then?<\/p>\n

First, it\u2019s crucial to be aware of Mexico law. You cannot drive through Mexico without Mexico car insurance. American car insurance is not valid in Mexico. Some insurance agencies have Mexico endorsements, but this coverage is limited and may not cover you for a trip that lasts longer than originally expected. If you\u2019re caught driving in Mexico without proper coverage, you can face hefty fines and even possible jail-time. Repercussions are worse if you, as an uninsured driver, causes an accident that results in bodily injury or property damage to someone else.<\/p>\n

Due to changes in Mexican law in 2013 it is recommended to carry $300,000 in car liability coverage in Mexico car insurance.<\/p>\n

What to Do If Your Domestic Car Insurance Lapses<\/h2>\n

If your domestic (American or Canadian) auto insurance lapses while you are in Mexico, it should not affect your Mexico auto insurance policy. You have to make sure that you have the required coverage by law when you intend to cross the border back to the United States, contact your agent to purchase the coverage you need.<\/p>\n

Staying Longer than planned in Mexico? You Need a New Policy<\/h2>\n

If your trip is unexpectedly extended you will need a new policy. Mexico insurance does not automatically renew or allows you to “add” days to a policy that is in-effect.\u00a0 You will need to contact your Sanborn’s Agent before your policy expires and ask him to issue a new policy for the days you need to continue your road trip in Mexico before you cross back to the US. You can also\u00a0buy the coverage online<\/a>, by accessing\u00a0your account\u00a0<\/a>with your email address and\u00a0password<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mexico auto insurance provides the coverage you need as tourist auto in Mexico, and may be different to the one you carry in American and Canadian auto insurance. While liability coverage protects other drivers and passengers on the road, there is additional coverage to protect your vehicle especially if it financed. The longer your vehicle remains in Mexico, the more danger it is in for damage that your American auto insurance won\u2019t cover. This includes:<\/p>\n