Car Insurance and Mexico

If you are planning on driving to Mexico, you may not be sure how your insurance can protect you. What you will be surprised to find out is that your insurance policy will not be recognized by Mexican authorities. A car accident is a criminal offence south the border, and if you cannot prove that you can cover your costs, you may be thrown in jail.

It is thus extremely important that you purchase a Mexican car insurance policy. Even with a Mexican plan, however, you will not be permitted to return to the United States of America until your insurance provider has settled the claim and paid for the damage you caused. While a small accident may not hold you for more than a few hours, injuring another person requires that you remain until your insurance company has obtained all the contact information of everyone involved in the crash.

If you were driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the police can invalidate your insurance policy.

So what is covered in a Mexican liability policy? Most plans offer a combined-single limit, which will protect you for up to $100,000 for both damage to property and bodily injury. It is possible, however, to buy a split-liability plan, which lowers the cost of the policy and places lower limits on how much they will cover individual injury, injury for all involved parties, and damages. While your policy will cover legal fees and medical bills, it is not necessary to purchase collision coverage.

While you may only be interested in a short term plan to cover your trip, if you travel frequently to Mexico you can purchase a Mexico Coverage Broad Endorsement. This is an extension on your policy that protects you for as many trips to Mexico as you please, for as long as you would like, however will only cover you within a close distance to the border with the United States.

Some insurers will allow you to simply purchase additions to your current policy. They may endorse your liability insurance for your trip if you remain within twenty-five miles of the border. You can also buy a Tourist Coverage endorsement that will extend your liability coverage in case the accident is serious and you are being sued within the United States.

While we do not offer insurance for driving in Mexico, click here if you want to get a great rate on auto insurance in the United States : www.getagreatrate.com.