Mexico is a popular tourist destination, and more so for people from the US and Canada. Every year, people from these two countries drive into Mexico, be it for business or pleasure.
If you are planning to make a trip to Mexico in your own vehicle, you will need to get Mexican auto insurance. But even after purchasing an insurance policy for your vehicle, some factors may nullify or cancel your policy in the event of an accident.
Before we jump into what those factors are, let’s go through some basic information about Mexican auto insurance policies.
Why Is Mexico Auto Insurance Required?
First, you need to know that US or Canadian vehicle insurance policies are not valid in Mexico.
Secondly, Mexican federal law requires every vehicle on a federal highway, road or bridge to carry insurance covering damage to third parties, and there is a fine for driving on federal roads and bridges without it (Ley de Caminos, Puentes y Autotransporte Federal, art. 63 Bis and 74 Bis); see also what happens in an accident without insurance. If you get into an accident in Mexico, then as per Mexican laws, failing to pay for compensation and damage repairs can even land you in jail.
So basically, driving a vehicle in Mexico is risky if you don’t have valid car insurance. For this reason, it’s essential to get vehicle insurance from a Mexican insurance company.
But before purchasing the insurance policy, you should discuss all terms and conditions in detail with your insurance provider. It will be best if you have a clear idea of what situations your insurance will cover, and what things it won’t.
Now let’s take a look at what can put a claim at risk. You should know about these so that there won’t be any trouble at the last moment if an accident does occur.
What Can Put a Mexican Vehicle Insurance Claim at Risk
- When your vehicle gets involved in an accident or mishap, who was driving matters. Baja Bound's FAQ says other drivers are covered as long as they have a valid driver's license on their person, and you do not need to list additional drivers (Baja Bound FAQ). So the thing that puts a claim at risk is a driver without a valid license on them at the time of the accident.
- The same FAQ lists drivers with Mexican licences, racing and off-road use, vehicles not on conventional roads (the beach, for example) and commercial use among what is not covered.
- Read the exclusions in your policy before you cross. The policy wording, not this post, is what decides whether a claim is paid, so check what it says about alcohol and drugs, theft reports, and where and when a claim must be filed. Never drink and drive, and make sure anyone else driving your car does not either.
So keep these things in mind while getting Mexican auto insurance for your vehicle. It will help you avoid any situations where your insurance becomes invalid, causing you a lot of trouble.
Want the real number? Get a quote before you cross.