On average, a full-coverage Mexican auto insurance policy costs $20.72 each day. Your rates are determined by the time of year you travel, the brand and model of your vehicle, and the length of time you intend to stay. Unlike in the United States, your driving record has no bearing on the pricing.
We looked at the companies with whom AAA, Progressive, and GEICO had associated. They are based in Mexico and underwrite all insurance coverage directly, as needed by local driving rules.
Short-Term Auto Insurance Policies
Depending on how long you want to stay in Mexico, you may need to purchase short-term auto insurance. Fortunately, most policies are available for a single day, one week, six months, or a year. For those looking for insurance for a day excursion across the border, daily policies are a popular choice. If you only need auto insurance for one day, a one-day policy will be less expensive than a weekly policy. To get the most accurate pricing, make sure to specify your travel dates.
Is car insurance in Mexico expensive?
However, when compared to American insurance, the cost of a policy is not prohibitively high. The Mexican auto insurance prices shown here reflect the cost of a policy for a $15,000 car with full coverage (including $300,000 in liability coverage) as an option.
Liability car insurance in Mexico
Liability insurance is a legal requirement in Mexico. This covers bodily injuries and property damage to others if you cause an automobile accident. Typically, you can set a policy limit (up to a certain amount). For excursions into Mexico, for example, Allstate and Geico sell up to $500,000 in liability coverage, while The General sells up to $300,000.
It’s a good idea to get the most liability coverage you can afford. This is due to the fact that liability auto insurance in Mexico differs from that in the United States. Your insurer must pay the Mexican state’s minimum salary multiplied by 5,000, plus funeral expenses, per person, if you cause an accident that results in death, according to Mexico Federal Liability Law. This amount can subsequently be multiplied by up to five times by the Mexican state (in some states a judge will determine the limit to be paid).
Based on a $19.85 exchange rate, 5,000 x $213.39 = $1,066,950, which converts to $53,744 in US dollars. This sum can be multiplied by five for a total of $268,720 per person.
Other coverage types for Mexico driving
Liability insurance does not cover vehicle damage or injuries to you or your passenger. You can fill in the gaps in your coverage by acquiring other forms of coverage, such as:
- Coverage for physical harm. If your car is stolen or destroyed by difficulties such as a car accident, vandalism, fire, flood, hail, or falling items, this coverage will pay out.
- Payments for medical services. If you and your passengers are injured in a car accident, this will pay your medical expenditures.
Assistance with legal matters. If you’re in an automobile accident in Mexico, this covers legal charges like an attorney, court fees, and bail bonds.
- Roadside assistance is available. If your automobile breaks down in Mexico, this covers services like towing, battery jumpstarting, locksmithing, and changing a flat tire.
- Evacuation of medical personnel. This covers for emergency transportation to a hospital or treatment facility if you are injured in an automobile accident.
Can you buy Mexican car insurance at the border?
Mexican car insurance is available for purchase online or at the border. Whichever option you choose, you must purchase Mexican car insurance before entering the country. In Mexico, you might want to consider hiring a car.
Do I need special car insurance to drive in Mexico?
To legally drive in Mexico, you’ll need a particular Mexican vehicle insurance coverage, which you may get from an insurance agent. An adviser can also assist you in determining whether long-term or short-term insurance coverage is appropriate for your vacation and needs.
Does my US car insurance cover me in Mexico?
If you’re taking your own car down to Mexico, you’re undoubtedly wondering if your insurance will cover you in the event of an accident. Your standard auto insurance, which covers you in the United States and Canada, will most likely not cover you south of the border. As a result, many major car insurance firms collaborate with Mexican insurers to provide specific coverage for visitors driving their own cars in Mexico.
Does Costco offer Mexico insurance?
The first and most serious disadvantage is that Costco does not carry the Mexican vehicle insurance policy that is required to drive in Mexico. This insurance is referred to as tourist auto insurance, and it is required for any foreigner who wishes to drive in Mexico.
Does AAA cover Mexico?
AAA has partnered with a Mexican vehicle insurance firm to give coverage to their customers while visiting Mexico as a tourist. AAA policies range from one day to a year and cover everything from basic liability to extended coverage for automobiles, recreational vehicles, and trailers.
What happens if my car gets stolen in Mexico?
The Vehicle Recovery Unit in Tijuana helps Americans recover vehicles that were stolen in the United States and found in Mexico. The Consulate General in Tijuana acts as a link between Mexican authorities and American individuals and/or their insurance companies.
If your vehicle is stolen while you are in Mexico, please call 911 right once to report it. You must then go to a District Attorney’s office right away to get a police report. You can follow up on this report by contacting the Office of Stolen Vehicles of the State Attorney General of Baja California, also known as PGJE (the PGJE is the Mexican institution in charge of federal crime investigation and prosecution). PGJE contact information can be found at https://www.pgjebc.gob.mx/unidades-rv/. The United States Consulate General in Tijuana has no formal participation in the recovery of stolen vehicles within Mexico. We recommend that you have the following documents with official Spanish translations on hand:
If your vehicle was confiscated by Mexican authorities within 30 miles of the US-Mexico border or in Baja California, you must contact officials in the city where it was seized and follow their instructions. The United States Consulate General in Tijuana has no part in the recovery of cars confiscated by Mexican authorities.
If your vehicle was towed (for example, for parking in a red zone), you must notify the local municipality’s Municipal Police.
If the police have confiscated your vehicle because it was involved in a crime or was involved in an accident, you should contact the District Attorney’s office.
When dealing with local officials, you will typically need to submit the following documents in their original form as well as their Spanish translations:
You may also be obliged to pay fines associated with the seizure and storage of your property. Storage costs typically range from $7 to $10 per day. Other punishments will differ.
A car held by Mexican law enforcement can only be recovered by registered owners or those having a power of attorney from the registered owner. Vehicles must usually be retrieved within 45 days of being seized.
If your vehicle was confiscated more than 30 miles from the Mexican-US border and not in Baja California, you should seek local legal aid to assist you in reclaiming your vehicle. The United States Consulate General in Tijuana has no part in the recovery of cars confiscated by Mexican authorities. You can find a list of lawyers here.
If your vehicle has been seized by Mexican Customs, please follow the guidelines provided by that department in order to retrieve it. The United States Consulate General in Tijuana has no part in the recovery of vehicles confiscated by Mexican Customs. You might want to seek legal advice. You can find a list of lawyers here.
Do you need Mexican car insurance to go to Rocky Point?
What You Will Require It is the law that if you drive your car to Rocky Point, you must have Mexican auto insurance. Driving to Puerto Peasco does not require a car permission; but, if you intend to go farther south following your visit to Rocky Point, you will require a vehicle importation permit.