The Baja California Travel & Living Webzine

Insider Notebook: Mexican Auto Insurance

Always carry  Mexican Insurance!

If you are coming to Mexico for a matter of days insurance averages about $20/day. Longer term policies are a better bet if you are staying more than 10 days. My policy of full coverage cost about $250 per year. I have recently had to file a claim via this policy and it was the least painful insurance experience I have ever had!

You can purchase over the Internet, phone, and your auto club or at the border. Your U.S. policy may cover your car for a few miles over the into the Frontera (border region) but you want to be sure. It is common for people to run from an accident and you want to be sure you have the proper coverage as well as it is the law. It is not that expensive for a short trip to purchase at the border however for monthly, semi annual and annual policies it is best to go to companies such as Lewis & Lewis.

What happens if you don't have insurance? The results of not having insurance can rate from inconvenient to fatal. Your car will be impounded until you can provide bond of the damage to the other vehicle. You may also be detained. The worst case I followed in the San Diego Union Tribune. A California driver that had an accident near Ensenada, BCN. The American had serious head injuries and was rushed to Tijuana for treatment. The accident involved damage to an expensive new pickup and the American had no insurance. The Mexican officials would not release the injured man for more advanced treatment in the US until he or his family could prove financial liability. The man died several days later despite appeals by the consulate from his head wounds.

Some are clubs you will have to join for a nominal fee and others are just about insurance. If you are a boater or RV’er I would seriously consider joining the very reputable club of Vagabundos del Mar. They have for many years been the leading provider of insurance, legal assistance and information for drivers, RV’ers and small boaters of the Baja. If you have a positive recommendation on Insurance Companies please contact us.