Two Important Reasons to Buy Mexico Car Insurance

If you plan to drive to Mexico, you must buy Mexican car insurance. It’s pretty simple, and this isn’t simply sales jargon either. Many people have traveled south without Mexican car insurance, and they have paid a heavy price for it. 

There are several reasons why you should buy proper Mexico auto insurance online before you plan to drive south of the border, but here are the two most important:

Required by Mexican federal law.

Driving in Mexico is similar to driving in the United States. You must have a minimum amount of liability insurance under financial responsibility laws — and failing to do so can result in fines and possibly having your vehicle impounded. 

But there are some differences between driving in Mexico and driving back home.

If you are involved in a car accident in the U.S., you exchange information and go on your way, knowing that you can settle any issues through your insurance coverage. Things work differently in Mexico. If you are involved in a car accident in Mexico, most cases are taken to court. If a judge finds you “at fault,” you will be imprisoned until you demonstrate your ability to pay for the damages.

A Mexican car insurance policy can provide you with liability coverage (to demonstrate your ability to pay for the damage) as well as legal assistance coverage (to cover the costs of legal representation and bail bonds).

Your U.S. car insurance is effectively worthless in Mexico.

It makes no difference if your domestic car insurance includes a limited Mexico endorsement or provides liability insurance coverage in Mexico, you will want to confirm the policy is written with a Mexican insurance carrier. Per Mexican law, liability insurance can only be issued by an admitted Mexican insurance provider. Mexico does not recognize U.S. insurance policies — in other words, your domestic car insurance will not cover you for liability claims in Mexico, it's just that simple.

Conclusion

There are many compelling reasons to buy Mexican insurance online, including protecting your car, getting travel assistance, and providing medical payments for the passengers of your vehicle in the event of an accident. But, when it comes right down to it, the most important reason to get proper coverage is that it is legally required, and your domestic insurance policy offers pretty much nothing.

Even if you are fluent in Spanish, the prospect of appearing before a Mexican court and navigating the Mexican legal system is terrifying. Even fluent Spanish speakers may find negotiating with Mexican law scary if they have little to no knowledge of how the legal system works. The bottom line is that no insurance can compensate for time behind bars, which is why many seasoned Mexican travelers refer to Mexico insurance as a “get out of jail free card.”

West Coast Global Insurance has made it easier to protect yourself from the unexpected if you are driving to Mexico. Fill out their Mexico Auto Insurance Application to get a quote for the best tourist Mexico auto insurance policy for your needs.