# SmartGringo — Full LLM Reference > Comprehensive markdown reference of SmartGringo's insurance content. Mexican insurance for U.S. and Canadian travelers and expats — auto, travel medical, homeowners, watercraft, medical evacuation, trip protection, expat health, and more. Affiliate-only model. Last updated: 2026-10-04. For the index summary, see /llms.txt. --- ## About Crossing into Mexico shouldn't mean spending hours sorting through dozens of insurance options to figure out what's actually right for your trip. SmartGringo brings the major Mexican insurance products into one place — auto, travel medical, homeowners, watercraft, medical evacuation, trip protection, and more — so you can compare what fits and move on with your travel. ### Why we exist SmartGringo was started by expats living in Mexico who got tired of fragmented information, inconsistent quotes, and not knowing which providers to trust. The site exists to fix that — a single, plain-English place to find Mexican insurance from established providers, without sales pressure or hidden costs. ### How it works We're an affiliate of the insurance providers featured on this site. We don't sell, underwrite, or bind policies. When you click through to a partner — Baja Bound, IMG Global, or TME Travel Insurance — you're working directly with that provider for your quote, purchase, and claims. We earn a commission when you buy through our links, which is what funds the site. ### Our partners - Baja Bound — Mexican auto, watercraft, and homeowners insurance - IMG Global — international travel medical insurance - TME Travel Insurance (Travel MedEvac LLC) — medical evacuation and trip protection coverage ### What we don't do SmartGringo doesn't sell your information, run paid placements, or recommend providers based on commission size. Every partner on this site was chosen because they cover travelers and expats well — not because they pay the most. --- ## Editorial Standards ### How figures are sourced Prices are real quotes from Baja Bound's online quote form, published with the date they were run and the vehicle and coverage they were run for. Provider ratings are read from the provider's public Google and Yelp listings and published with the date they were read. Every price, percentage, rating, review count and similar figure on the site must be recorded with its source before the site can be published; a figure without a source is removed. ### How we update content Blog posts show a "Last updated" date: the day the post's content last changed, taken from the site's version history. Money pages carry the same date in their structured data. Changing only a date does not count as an update, and a page with no recorded date shows none. Prices are dated separately, with the day the quotes behind them were run. ### Conflict-of-interest disclosure SmartGringo earns affiliate commissions when readers purchase insurance through partner referral links. Our editorial process does not weigh providers by commission size. We do not run paid placements, sponsored articles, or "advertorial" content disguised as editorial. --- ## Insurance Products ### Mexican Auto Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/auto Short-term Mexican auto insurance from one day to one year, recognized by Mexican authorities at the border and in the event of a claim. US and Canadian auto policies are not recognized in Mexico — driving across the border without a Mexican policy means detention and impoundment after an accident. Coverage typically includes liability for bodily injury and property damage, legal aid and bail-bond expenses if detained, roadside assistance, theft and physical-damage repair on comprehensive plans, and medical payments; claims go through the carrier (HDI or Chubb) named on the policy. Full coverage adds physical damage and theft cover for your own vehicle, paid at actual cash value. Partner: Baja Bound Insurance Services (CA License 0D25373). ### Travel Medical Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/travel International travel medical insurance for U.S. and Canadian travelers visiting Mexico. Covers doctor and hospital visits abroad, emergency medical treatment, ambulance, prescriptions, emergency dental care, basic trip-interruption medical evacuation, and global emergency assistance services (IMG's wording). Most U.S. and Canadian health plans do not cover care abroad; travel medical fills that gap. Partner: IMG Global. ### Boat & Watercraft Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/watercraft Mexican watercraft insurance for boats, jet skis, and personal watercraft used in Mexican waters. U.S. marine policies don't extend across the border. Covers liability for damage to other boats, persons, and property. Baja Bound's watercraft page says physical damage and theft are not covered, and the boat is not covered in dry dock or out of the water. Partner: Baja Bound. ### Mexican Homeowners Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/homeowners Property insurance for U.S./Canadian-owned homes, condos, and rental properties in Mexico. U.S. homeowners policies don't cover property at Mexican addresses. Covers dwelling structure, personal contents, liability, theft, vandalism, and (on rental plans) loss of rental income. Baja Bound lists hurricane, windstorm and flood, and earthquake, as optional coverages. Partner: Baja Bound. ### Medical Evacuation Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/medical-evacuation Air-ambulance and ground-transport coverage for serious medical emergencies in Mexico. Pays to move you from where you are to a qualified hospital, and from there back to a hospital in your home country if needed. Partner: TME. ### Trip Protection Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/trip-protection Cancellation, interruption, and lost-bag coverage for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Covered reasons include illness, family emergency, severe weather, jury duty, and more. Partner: TME. ### Baja California Auto Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/baja-california Mexican auto insurance shaped for Baja drivers — Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, San Felipe, La Paz, and Cabo. One-day, weekly, and annual cover. Same provider relationship and coverage levels as the standard auto product, with a Baja-specific intro for drivers who cross frequently. Partner: Baja Bound. ### Temporary Mexican Auto Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/temporary-auto One-day, weekend, and short-trip Mexican auto insurance — pay for the dates you actually drive, not a year you don't need. Suits day trips, fast border crossings, quick errands, and tightly planned travel windows. Same coverage levels as full-year auto plans, scaled to trip duration. Partner: Baja Bound. ### Mexico Renters Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/renters Renters insurance for tenants in Mexican apartments, condos, and rental homes. Protects personal belongings against theft, fire, water damage, and other covered perils. Includes liability if a guest is injured. Designed for long-stay travelers, digital nomads, retirees, and seasonal tenants whose belongings aren't covered by the landlord's policy. Partner: Baja Bound. ### Mexico Condo Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/condo Condo-specific insurance for Mexican units. Covers what HOA master policies leave out: interior structure (walls in, fixtures, finishes), personal contents, and liability inside the unit. Master policies typically only cover the building shell and common areas. Partner: Baja Bound. ### Mexico Expat Health Insurance URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/expat-health Long-term expat health insurance for Americans and Canadians living in Mexico. Global plans recognized across borders — covers care in Mexico, the home country during visits, and other locations on multi-region plans. Travel medical eventually stops being enough for residents; expat health is the next step. Partner: IMG Global. ### Best Mexican Insurance Companies URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/mexican-insurance-companies A practical guide to comparing Mexican insurance companies — financial strength ratings, claims handling track records, and what actually matters when buying. Covers how to read a Mexican carrier's regulatory file, what claims experience signals, and why advertised rates can mislead. --- ## What Temporary Mexican Auto Insurance Costs URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/temporary-auto Real quotes from Baja Bound's online quote form, run 4 October 2026: full coverage on a 2022 Toyota RAV4 valued at $30,000, Baja and Sonora only, nothing towed. Each range runs from the cheapest to the dearest of the three policies offered: Chubb Platinum Baja Saver, HDI Premier and HDI Standard. - 1 day: $33.51–$41.64 - Weekend (2 days): $52.02–$65.97 - 3 days: $70.53–$91.47 - 5 days: $107.55–$142.44 - 1 week: $144.57–$193.42 - 2 weeks: $274.14–$371.84 - 30 days: $514.77–$703.18 - 3 months: $337.57–$468.67 - Annual: $424.31–$530.70 Every figure above is a quote returned by Baja Bound's quote form on 4 October 2026 for the vehicle and coverage stated, with the policy starting that day. Per-day figures are the total divided by the number of days. The cheapest policy in each range, HDI Standard, does not cover vandalism or partial theft. Your price depends on vehicle value, coverage, liability limit, deductible, territory and dates; the quote form shows your actual price before you pay. --- ## Driving into Mexico: What You Need Before You Cross URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/resources/driving-into-mexico The pre-crossing list in trip order, each item linked to its official source. 1. Documents — passport book or passport card (the card is valid for land and sea, not international flights; travel.state.gov); the FMM tourist permit from Mexico's immigration institute, INM; a temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) from Banjercito to drive a foreign-plated vehicle beyond the zones where vehicles circulate freely, with a refundable deposit that depends on the vehicle's age and must be returned at a Banjercito module on exit; northwest Sonora is a free circulation zone and the rest of Sonora takes the Sólo Sonora permit (Sonora state government); licence plus title or current registration. 2. Insurance — Mexican auto liability from a Mexican insurer; travel medical; medical evacuation. 3. The crossing — SENTRI and Global Entry (CBP trusted-traveler programs, apply at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov); live northbound wait times at bwt.cbp.gov. 4. Money and tolls — pay in pesos; federal toll roads are run by CAPUFE, which publishes the tariffs. 5. Phone and data — check whether your home plan includes Mexico; otherwise set up an eSIM before you cross. - If something goes wrong — Mexico's emergency number is 911 (gob.mx/911); Ángeles Verdes on 078 is the tourism ministry's highway assistance (Sectur, gob.mx/sectur; call and labour free, parts and fuel not); US consulates; STEP enrollment. - Coming home — return the vehicle permit; CBP's "Know before you go" for what to declare. Section index: https://www.smartgringo.com/resources --- ## Guides by Vehicle ### Camper van conversions URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/blog/mexican-insurance-for-a-camper-van-conversion A conversion is worth more than the cargo van it started as, and in a claim the insurer values it from a book guide, (such as NADA Guides), so the build is only covered to the extent you can document it: invoices from the conversion company, receipts for aftermarket parts, and photos inside and out. Depreciation applies to parts and features. Full coverage on a van over 25 years old is often available by special approval rather than automatically. ### RVs and motorhomes URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/blog/mexican-insurance-for-an-rv-or-motorhome An RV goes on a Mexican auto policy written at its declared value rather than a car's, and declared value is the main lever on the premium; not every Mexican insurer underwrites RVs. What catches people is what is towed: anything towed has to be declared (Baja Bound's quote form asks about towed, attached or carried items), and anything self-propelled behind the rig — a motorcycle, an ATV, a boat — needs its own policy. ### Motorcycles URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/blog/mexican-motorcycle-insurance-what-riders-miss Mexican motorcycle policies exclude medical payments for the rider and passenger, where car policies include them. A bike carried on a trailer is not covered by the policy on the truck towing it. --- ## Auto Guides by State and City State guides for drivers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin, Nevada, New Mexico, the Pacific Northwest and Texas, under https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/auto/-drivers (for example /insurance/auto/california-drivers). City guides for common destinations under /insurance/auto/ (for example /insurance/auto/tijuana). ## Buyers' Guides - https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/buyers-guide - https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/buyers-guide/homeowners - https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/buyers-guide/expat-health - https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/buyers-guide/watercraft --- ## How to File a Claim URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/insurance/file-a-claim What to do if you've been in an accident in Mexico: ### 1. Stay Put Do not leave the scene of the accident. Call the claim number on your policy and wait for the adjuster your insurer sends; leaving the scene before the adjuster has seen the vehicles can void your coverage. ### 2. Call the claim number Contact your Mexican insurance carrier's claim hotline immediately. HDI Seguros and Chubb Seguros are the two most common carriers behind partner policies. HDI: +52 (477) 740-2818 (Mexico), +1 (888) 212-7642 (US toll). Chubb: +52 (818) 864-9322 (Mexico), +1 (877) 699-6679 (US toll). Numbers as published on Baja Bound's claims page (bajabound.com/info/claim/claim). ### 3. Wait for the adjuster An adjuster from your insurance carrier will arrive at the scene to document the accident, take statements, and determine fault. Do not sign anything or admit fault before the adjuster arrives. The adjuster's report is what your claim is processed against. ### What NOT to do - Don't accept money from others involved - Don't move the vehicle without insurer approval - Don't drive across the border before reporting - Don't make repair arrangements yourself — the adjuster handles this All claims must be reported before departing Mexico to avoid potential denial. --- ## Legal URL: https://www.smartgringo.com/legal/terms SmartGringo is owned and operated by Tobination LLC, a South Dakota limited liability company, operating from Baja California, Mexico. Its mailing address is 1251 W. Newport, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. SmartGringo is not an insurance agent, broker, or carrier. We are an independent affiliate of the insurance providers featured on this site, including Baja Bound Insurance Services, IMG Global, and TME Travel Insurance. We earn a commission when visitors purchase a policy through our referral links. All policies, quotes, claims, coverage decisions, and customer service are handled directly by the respective insurance providers. For full Terms of Service, see /legal/terms. For Privacy Policy, see /legal/privacy. For Affiliate Disclosure, see /legal/affiliate-disclosure.