Do I Really Need Car Insurance in Mexico?

Filed in archive Latin Culture , Latin Travel on June 27, 2008

© alex-s



Yes!

There is some really bad advice floating around on this. A friend of mine was actually told not to bother with car insurance on his trip to Mexico. Bad plan.

What do I need?

The minimum required insurance coverage to drive in Mexico is civil liability insurance. You need it to cover you in case you cause injury or damage.

And no, your American insurance won't cover bodily injury, only physical damage.

You can buy insurance online ahead of time, when you pick up your rental car or at the border if you're driving your own car there.


What can happen if I don't have insurance?

You'll get trucked off to the police station if you're caught at the scene without insurance. Yes, things will get sorted out, but you'll still enjoy the hospitality of a local jail cell.

And you'll have to stay in Mexico until you pay the damage.

OK, fine, how much will it cost me?

Six months comes to about $150 USD.