1. Why do I need Mexican insurance?
2. Can my U.S. insurance help me?
3. How much does Mexican insurance cost?
4. What's covered on a Mexican auto insurance policy?
5. What if I did not buy an adequate number of days of insurance?
6. Is it necessary to name every conceivable driver on the policy?
7. Can I buy the insurance in Mexico?
8. Will I go to jail if I have an accident?
9. What's NOT covered on a Mexican auto insurance policy?
10. Are claims paid in dollars?
11. What are some other important things to know?

Why do I need Mexican insurance?

Mexico has traffic laws that are very similar to those in the United States. The application of these laws is what accounts for the major differences, and is the reason that you need quality Mexico auto insurance. The law in Mexico is based on the Napoleonic Code, where guilt prevails over the presumption of innocence, whereas in the U.S., the law is based on the English Common Law, where innocence prevails over the presumption of guilt. Mexico does not make automobile insurance compulsory; however, thanks to the Internet, there is now ample opportunity to purchase online Mexican insurance quickly and easily. The basic difference between Mexico's and the United State’s financial responsibility law is that anyone involved in an accident in Mexico must have the means to respond to damages or injuries for which they may be responsible. In Mexico, this would be in the form of either cash or a Mexico auto insurance policy.
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Can my U.S. insurance help me?

Before you leave home, make sure that you find out if your U.S. insurance policy will cover damages suffered by your vehicle while in Mexico. If it does cover these damages, ask if the policy has restrictions or limitations in this regard, such as miles from the border or number of days in Mexico. Once you have familiarized yourself with your own auto policy and the extent of its coverage in Mexico, you can then proceed to make a more qualified decision towards your Mexican insurance needs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Whether or not your U.S. insurance policy extends coverage into Mexico, the LIABILITY coverage on Mexico auto insurance should always still get purchased. Authorities in Mexico do not recognize the Liability coverage on your U.S. policy, or any other non-Mexican insurance policy. Only a Mexican automobile liability policy is acceptable evidence of financial responsibility.

What does Mexican insurance cost?

We offer the quick and easy convenience of FREE online quotes at: https://www.mexicaninsurance.com/quoteMIQ.asp
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What's covered on a Mexican auto insurance policy?

Contrary to the broader coverage of a standard U.S. auto policy, a Mexican tourist auto policy is a named peril policy. Said more simply, whatever is described exactly as being covered is specifically ALL that is covered - nothing more and nothing less.

There are five (5) basic risks to standard Mexican tourist auto insurance:

1) Collision, Upset, and Glass Breakage
2) Fire and Total Theft
3) Property Damage Liability
4) Bodily Injury Liability
5) Medical Expenses

As an added bonus, our policies include Legal Service, and Bail Bond.

What if I did not buy an adequate number of days of insurance?

If you realize that you have made an error and that you need additional time of coverage after your policy transaction is complete, you have two options: 1) Simply buy another policy for the additional term of coverage, and make certain it starts at the exact hour and day your first policy ends, so there is no lapse in coverage; or:  2) buy another policy for the entire adequate period of coverage and call 800-466-7227 to authorize our cancellation (and cost refund) of your first policy.
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IMPORTANT: These adjustments must be made prior to the first policy taking effect.  As a reminder, minimum term of coverage is 24 hours.  A policy for "a few hours" is not available.

Is it necessary to name every conceivable driver on the policy?

The answer is No; however, it is helpful to name the registered owner when completing your in-person or online Mexican insurance purchase. Also, if the registered owner will not be accompanying the vehicle to Mexico, it is important to name at least the primary driver, or anyone who will likely always be with the vehicle. Again though, it is not necessary to name every conceivable driver on the policy.
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Can I buy the insurance in Mexico?

You can, yet it is risky to purchase a Mexico auto insurance policy once in Mexico. First of all, you must drive your vehicle to the insurance office, and until you reach the office, you are obviously driving without insurance. Second of all, in the case of a dispute with your claim or your agent’s conduct, you have no formal recourse against the agent in Mexico, as you would against the agent in the U.S. (customarily through state regulatory agency, such as Department of Insurance).
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Will I go to jail if I have an accident?

If serious injury has not occurred, a Mexican insurance policy might help reduce the red tape and allow the motorist to be on his or her way sooner rather than later. However, the policy should not be construed as your “ticket out of jail”.

Some visitors to Mexico are unable to understand why motorists are temporarily incarcerated in Mexico following an automobile accident where injuries or deaths occurred. In the first place, serious injuries or deaths have been committed against innocent persons due to someone's negligence. It is up to the Mexican authorities to determine who the negligent person was. While that investigation is in motion, all drivers involved in the accident must be detained.

Any person involved in the commission of a crime, and I have stated that an automobile accident in Mexico is considered in principle to be a penal offense (see "Why do I need Mexican insurance?"), must be detained in a secure place to prevent their escape. The only secure place is a holding cell and, therefore, the motorist finds himself or herself detained, as he or she awaits the investigation of his or her involvement. A visitor, if allowed to remain free, may very well flee for the border. This is Mexican law, and foreign citizenship offers no special rights in Mexico.
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What are some examples of what is NOT covered on a Mexican auto insurance policy?

As important as it is to know what is covered, it is just as important to also know what is NOT covered. Some of the losses and/or expenses, which are not covered, include pilferage, vandalism, lodging expenses, toll calls, and loss of wages.
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Are claims paid in dollars?

At the conclusion of their investigation of an insurance claim, the Mexican insurance company settles all insurance claims in U.S. dollars from their claims offices in Mexico.
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What are some other important things to know?

• The policy is null and void if the driver responsible for the accident was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• The policy is null and void if the driver does not have a valid drivers license.
• A towed vehicle must be described on the policy; otherwise it voids all coverage in case of an accident.
• Theft of parts, or accessories to the vehicle, is not covered, unless the theft of those parts or accessories was the outcome of a total theft of the vehicle.
• Should a claim be presented, the insured must declare the existence of any other insurance with another company covering the same risk.
• All claims must be reported in Mexico before insured returns to U.S.  Failing to do so subjects the claim to a denial by the Mexican insurance companyy.
• In case of total theft of the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle or the person who had possession of the vehicle must file an Auto Theft report in person with Mexican authorities.
• In case of an impounded vehicle, the registered owner of the vehicle is the only one authorized to sign for its release, and it must be done in person.


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In addition to making it quick and easy to purchase online Mexican insurance for your automobiles, we also provide premier homeowners insurance policies online, including Baja homeowners insurance. Take a moment to browse our Homeowners page to see if we have the right Baja homeowners’ insurance policy and/or other homeowners’ insurance policies for your needs!