How to get car insurance to drive in Mexico?
U.S. drivers need to buy a separate Mexico auto insurance policy while driving in Mexico. Your Mexico auto policy will provide you with liability coverage, the only coverage you're legally required to carry while in Mexico, but you should consider additional coverage for theft, collision, and more scenarios.
Your US auto insurance policy won't cover your car if you drive into Mexico. To have coverage while driving in Mexico, you need to buy a separate Mexico tourist auto policy.
Mexico legally requires all drivers, including American tourists, to have liability insurance, and failing to purchase enough insurance could land drivers in jail should they cause an accident.
Your employer-provided health plan may have limited or no coverage in Mexico, and Medicare doesn't cover health care outside the United States, except in rare cases. Travel health insurance pays for emergency medical expenses during a trip.
No, U.S. auto insurance policies aren't valid in Mexico. If you'll be driving in Mexico, even for a short time, auto insurance is required by Mexican law, and you could end up in jail if you're involved in an accident and don't have it.
Your U.S. auto insurance won't cover you after crossing the border of Mexico. You'll need a special Mexican auto insurance policy to legally drive in Mexico, which can be acquired through an insurance agent.
Driving on your trip to Mexico? Did you know U.S. automobile insurance is not valid in Mexico? If you plan on driving while you're in Mexico, AAA Travel strongly recommends purchasing a tourist liability auto insurance policy.
If you drive your car into Mexico, your US auto insurance policy can't come with you. Driving your car in Mexico requires a separate international auto insurance policy. But don't worry. GEICO can help you get a Mexico auto insurance quote.
Similar to car insurance policies in the U.S., Mexican car insurance costs will vary from provider to provider and from person to person. For most providers, rates can be anywhere between $1 to $70 per day depending on your length of stay and vehicle type; we'll do a deep dive into both below.
Liability car insurance in Mexico
You are required by Mexican law to have liability insurance. If you cause a car accident, this covers bodily injuries and property damage to others. You can typically choose a policy limit (up to a certain amount).
How many miles into Mexico does insurance cover?
It is better to think of this as covering only your vehicle losses in Mexico, but it cannot cover your financial responsibility to others (liability). Mileage restriction - Generally, U.S. auto policies have a mileage restriction into Mexico (usually between 25-100 miles).
Personal Liability Insurance, also referred to as Third-Party Insurance, is mandatory when renting a car in Mexico. You cannot rent a car without this coverage. Although this is the only obligatory type of insurance, it's not always enough. In fact, it's highly recommended to opt for additional coverage.
In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Whether you are covered with the IMSS or the Seguro Popular, healthcare in Mexico is free and there is no co-payment. The main downside is that you are not free to choose your own doctor (except in specific cases). You are not covered abroad, in the private sector or in your home country.
Premiums depend on age. For those aged 50 to 59, IMSS currently costs about $63 per month per person. For people 60 to 69, it is $89 per month, and 70 to 79-year-olds pay $93 per month. Nearly all treatments, including medications, are provided free of charge once you've paid your premium.
Immediate Steps After an Car Accident in Mexico:
Stay calm and call 911. Check to see if anyone is injured or hurt, offer help, if possible. Get the names and addresses of all the drivers involved in the accident. Get the license plate numbers of all the vehicles involved in the accident.
As a US citizen, driving in Mexico is relatively simple. All you need is your US driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. However, it's always a good idea to have a passport on hand in case you're stopped by Mexican authorities. Here's a checklist of other documents you need to have to drive in Mexico.
The short answer to the titled question is yes, it is safe to drive in Mexico with US plates. No major issues will present themselves.
In Mexico, right turns on red are generally allowed unless a sign indicates otherwise. Mexico City has implemented a new transit law which prohibits right turns on red.
Does AAA roadside assistance work in Mexico? AAA does not offer roadside service in Mexico at this time. Before driving in Mexico, however, you may want to purchase Mexico Driver's Insurance.
Does my US car insurance cover me in another country?
Most U.S. auto insurers won't cover you while driving abroad, except for driving in Canada and driving in Mexico. Unless you have a credit card offering rental car insurance, you'll probably need to purchase your insurance from the rental company. Learn more about international car insurance and rental car insurance.
Comprehensive travel insurance for Mexico should include coverage for trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, travel medical, emergency medical evacuation and baggage loss.
And depending on many factors (including what car you're driving, how long you're staying, and which coverage options you choose), the cost ranges from $2 to $40 per day. If you're traveling south of the border for a week, you can get coverage for as little as $14.
Most typical U.S. auto insurance policies will not cover Mexico. So, if you're heading south of the border, you'll need additional coverage for the family wagon. GEICO, for example, has partners that offer Mexico-specific policies for cars, RVs and motorcycles.
How Much is Mexican Car Insurance? Cost per day: Coverage for liability only can be as low as $30 USD per day. If you include vehicle coverage, it can be about $42 USD per day. Annual cost: Annual liability coverage is around $200 USD per year.
References
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