What is Mexican Car Insurance and Where to Get It

Every year, millions of people visit Mexico and its many beautiful locations. With its vast array of experiences, it’s no wonder why it is the eighth most popular tourist destination in the world.  Being so close to the US border, it’s no surprise that many people choose to drive across the to visit Mexico and take it it’s amazing culture, food, and sunny destinations. Once you’ve crossed the border, you are minutes away from places like Rosarito Beach, Ensenada, and the fabulous wine region of Valle de Guadalupe.

Where To Buy Mexican Auto Insurance?

One thing that tends to be overlooked is that laws in Mexico are different than those in the United States and it’s important to know the basics. Car insurance for your Mexico trip is often the first thing people think about after the face but they assume their policy online reviews they hold in the US cover their vehicle when they travel into Mexico and that is not the case. US policies are not recognized in Mexico as valid auto insurance and you must purchase a temporary policy from a Mexican auto insurance company.
The good news is that policies are easy to get and very inexpensive. You can purchase the coverage online right before you go and get policies that range from just one day to one year.  Most policies also allow you to select different options for your policy so you can customize coverage that is right for you. Some options include:

  • Liability limits
  • Fixed or percentage deductibles
  • Uninsured motorist coverage
  • Legal assistance
  • Medical expense payments
  • Roadside assistance
  • Uninsured motorist coverage
  • Option to get repairs in the US or Mexico

Mexican Insurance

When you go to purchase these policies, you generally are given options from a couple of Mexican auto policy online companies with reviews and can compare your options and rates.  The minimum requirement is liability coverage but it’s smarter to get more coverage so in the event you are in an unfortunate situation, you can rest assured that your policy covers not just what you may be liable for but your family and passengers in your vehicle.
In order to get a Mexican auto policy with reviews, you need the following:

  • Dates you will be entering Mexico and leaving the country
  • The location you will be traveling to
  • The year, make, and model of your vehicle
  • The approximate market value of your vehicle
  • Your vehicle VIN and license plate number
  • Your US auto insurance policy number

It’s important to note that if your car is over 20 years old, you will only be eligible to purchase a liability-only policy on your vehicle because comprehensive policies are not an option. Also, if you lease a vehicle, you must check with your lease company to see if it is okay to drive your car into another country.  If you are renting a car, you cannot purchase temporary insurance online through one of the insurance companies with reviews, however, the rental car agency should offer some kind of coverage on the vehicle. It’s best to check ahead to see what options are available to you.
SmartGringo.com has a wide variety of options for your trip to Mexico and is one of the best places for insurance.  Not only can you customize options like the ones listed above, they also have policies covering temporary medical policy, evacuation coverage, and boat & watercraft insurance. It’s a perfect place to show for all your temporary policy needs and know you and your loved ones are safe and prepared should anything go wrong on your trip.

SmartGringo thanks you for being awesome, you are being redirected to our exceptional insurance
partner, Baja Bound.  You'll be able to get your insurance online through them, and they're around in case
you have any questions.   The agents there love insurance and LOVE Mexico!