Mexican Auto Insurance: The Insurance you Need to Drive your Own Car in Mexico.

Mexican auto insurance for visitors from the United States is a must-buy, from both a legal and a common sense perspective.  If you’re visiting Mexico, even if you’re driving a vehicle you own, your regular auto insurance doesn’t apply.  This guide can help you get the right kind of coverage, and protect yourself and your car during your trip south of the border.

Living in the United States comes with incredible privileges.  One of these is our closeness to the rich history and culture of the Republic of Mexico.  The flavors of the food alone are enticement enough to visit.  Unfortunately, there are many dangers to undertaking the journey at this time.  The United States Department of State has issued a Security Alert to United States citizens traveling to Mexico.   There have been recent army and police confrontations with drug cartels along the US-Mexican border.   Crimes have increased in the border cities. Car jacking and petty thefts, as well as robberies and homicides, have escalated in the last year.  Criminals also have followed and harassed U S citizens.  There have been impersonations of police and military personnel by uniformed criminals.  Unnecessary travel to areas within the states of Michoacan and Chihauhau is strongly discouraged.  For more information please log on to www.travel.state.gov.  Additionally, H1N1 influenza cases have been confirmed in the Republic of Mexico, as have resultant fatalities.  For more information log on to www.cdc.gov.

Despite these facts there are many good reasons to travel to Mexico. Whether it is for a family emergency, international humanitarian work, or simply to visit and learn about a new place, you may find yourself heading down to Mexico in your own car. When this is the case you want to make sure you protect yourself by buying Mexican Auto Insurance.

As you cross the border into the Republic of Mexico, the scenery doesn’t change much, but the legal landscape changes drastically as you enter a different country with a whole set of unique laws and legal precedents.  When there is an issue in how these regulations apply to a citizen of any other country, international law applies.  This is why you want to be sure to have the contact information for the United States Embassy programmed into your cell phone before you depart.  Inside Mexico the U S Embassy can be reached at 01-55-5080-2000. Their E-mail address is ACSMexicoCity@state.gov, or you can visit the U.S. Embassy website.

In the Republic of Mexico an auto accident is a criminal offense.  This means that you should not be surprised if you are taken into police custody until liability is established and the ability to accept financial responsibility is confirmed.  Your U.S. auto insurance is invalid in Mexico.  Mexican Insurance is required for all vehicles.  Furthermore the insurance follows the owner of the vehicle and the owner must be inside the vehicle while it is driven.  If this is not the case, the vehicle can be seized.  Should the driver of the vehicle be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Mexican Insurance is rendered null and void.  Mexico has a telephone number equivalent to 911 for emergencies: it is 066.  The “Angeles Verdes” are a fleet of trucks with bilingual crews who can help in the event of a road emergency. They can be reached at 01-55-5250-8221. If you raise the hood of your car, they will probably find you.

To purchase Mexican Insurance you should contact your auto insurance carrier.  Most U.S. companies have an arrangement with a Mexican Auto Insurance Company who can issue a policy. Coverage can also be purchased on line. You must be 21 years of age to purchase the insurance and all additional drivers have to be 18 years of age or older.  If your vehicle is more than 15 years old you may not be able to obtain coverage for it. You can purchase Mexican Insurance for a rental car but usually the rental car company has a specific company they use for this protection.

You will need the following to obtain coverage:

•    The dates on which you will be traveling in Mexico (polices are available from one day to 1 year)
•    Information on your U.S. drivers license
•    Your U S auto insurance coverage information
•    Vehicle title and registration
•    Lien holder information

There are some very unique nuances to Mexican Auto Insurance:

•    Your coverage begins and ends at the time of day you choose, not from midnight to midnight.
•    It is required that you carry your vehicle registration and proof of United States Auto Insurance with your Certificate of Mexican Insurance.
•    If you have an accident, it must be reported before you leave the country.
•    Injuries will first be treated at the closest medical facility.
•    General damages including pain and suffering are excluded.
•    A rental car is not necessarily provided under the policy.
•    There is no medical coverage for persons riding in the bed of a pick-up.
•    Mexican labor costs apply to any auto damage repairs.
•    There is a peso limitation for towing costs.
•    To have coverage for any vehicle, you must buy optional “Driver Insurance”.
•    Vandalism is not a covered loss on the policy.
•    Chiropractic care is not a covered medical expense.
•    Off road travel or driving on roads that are not in good condition negates coverage.
•    Vehicle driving instruction renders coverage null and void.
•    Towing is not allowed unless stated on the Certificate of Insurance.
•    When in an accident you must not leave the scene, since theft of vehicle parts is not covered.
•    There is generally a limitation on the number of occupants you may have in your vehicle.
•    Suicidal acts negate coverage even in the event of mental illness.
•    If there is a conflict between the English translation of your policy terms and the Spanish text, the later will prevail.

This is in no way a complete list of all Mexican Insurance policy provisions.  Policies do vary. I would suggest obtaining the complete policy provisions before purchasing coverage, so that you will have a good idea of what optional coverage to add.
If you purchase “full” coverage travel and legal assistance is included.  Partial theft, vandalism and U.S. labor rates coverage can also be requested.  As in the United States you do have the option to purchase a liability-only policy, which does not cover damage to your vehicle.

Whatever policy you purchase and options you chose make sure you are protected for your particular needs.  Enjoy your travel to our southern neighbors, and “Vaya con Dios” (Go with God).