Mexico insurance companies compared

Auto insurance is now required to drive in Mexico. Banjercito now sometimes requires auto insurance at the border in order to get a vehicle permit and offers an insurance policy if you get an online permit. You will be a lot happier if you get a policy from a USA agent, even if it is not one I recommend. The coverage is not great, the rates are high, your vehicle can only be fixed in Mexico and you can only get 180 days of coverage. An annual auto, car or RV insurance policy is a much better deal.

Much higher liability limits are required in Mexico than a few years ago. The upper limit varies according to the state, but USD$300,000 is considered the lowest safe coverage these days, though some agents sell less. The potential liability in Yucatan and Coahuila is the highest at USD$544,000. Here's the deal.

Article 502 of the Labor Law states: In case of death, the compensation due to persons shall be the amount equal to the amount of Five thousand <5000> days of The General Minimum Wage or the highest Professional Minimum Wage, plus funeral expenses. [The old law was 730 days of the daily wage or about USD$47,000 per death]. This makes USD$300,000 a prudent minimum coverage and $500,000 is not excessive.

WARNING: Make photocopies of ALL your documents, including your car permit. Don't leave it in the vehicle. If the vehicle is stolen, you will have to prove to the insurance company that the vehicle permit was canceled. It is very difficult to cancel your vehicle permit if you don't have the paperwork!

Without the paperwork, you'll have to pay a 40% import tax to add insult to injury.

The Short Version - Three Companies I recommend

If you don't want to read more details, here are my choices for Mexico vehicle insurance.

I get paid an advertising fee from them, but have turned down others because I did not like them. It's not all about money. It's about integrity.

Lewis and Lewis has been around for many years and is a favorite of expats. Their claims service is par excellence.

International Insurance Group, Inc. offers a choice of several Mexican insurance carrier.

Mexico Insurance Services offers different types of policies - multiple vehicles, limited territory etc.

Why Do You Need Insurance to Drive to Mexico?

It would be foolish not to buy auto, RV or motorcycle insurance from a US agent for a Mexican company before you leave. I hope my reviews of dependable Mexican auto insurance companies will help you decide where to get your Mexico auto, motorhome, RV or motorcycle insurance.

Trustworthy vehicle insurance for your drive to Mexico is priceless. Peace of mind is the most important piece of luggage to pack. These US insurance agents represent first-class Mexican auto, RV, motorcycle and motorhome insurance companies. I know the owners of these agencies. Price is not the only factor to consider when buying insurance for driving to Mexico. I have used these companies, and others.

I was young and foolish (and cheap) once. I drove all through Mexico and much of Central America without insurance. I had an accident 300 miles from the border on the return trip. I do not recommend that kind of adventure to anyone. Please, get insurance.

There are only half a dozen major Mexican insurance carriers. There are hundreds of US agents selling the same companies. I worked in the Mexico auto insurance business. I've seen a few Mexican insurance companies and a lot of US agents come and go. Good claims service is the mark of a good company. These companies have claims service I trust for my own vehicles.

Three Good USA Insurance Agents for Mexican Companies

I recommend all of these companies. Each has different features, which I explain. Get the one that's right for you with confidence. Just click their name.

International Insurance Group, Inc. is located in Flagstaff, AZ, but licensed in all 50 states. They offer the new, higher liability limits on their web site. They recommend USD$300,000 liability coverage. I have known the owner of this company for more than a decade and his service is top-notch. They work with several A-rated Mexico Insurance companies to offer Auto and RV Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Watercraft Insurance. IIG has products that are specifically designed for expats who own homes or condos in Mexico, and also offers auto Insurance coverages that are not available anywhere in the market. You can quote, purchase, and print your policies via the link above, or you can call IIG at 1-877- 774-2868 and one of their professional staff of over 15 employees will help you. If you call, they will ask you from whom have you been referred? Be sure to mention Mexico Mike!

Lewis and Lewis has been around for many years and is a favorite of expats. Although all of the Mexican insurance companies represented by the agents I recommend are dependable, I've heard nothing but praise for their claims service. That is unheard of. I bought a policy from them and one unusual thing is that the policies start and end at noon PST.

Mexico Insurance Services in San Diego, California has the most diverse coverage of any company I recommend. It offers some unique policies. They have a limited territory policy that covers you in Baja and other border states at a very competitive rate, as well as a competitive all-Mexico policy. They also have a unique Driver's License policy that covers one individual driving up to 3 vehicles. Their minimum vehicle value is lower than anyone else at $500 and their minimum covered liability is USD$150,000 and can go up to USD$300,000. They also offer higher medical payments than many Mexican insurance companies ($4,000/20,000 included or $6,000/40,000 optional).

You will find several different products relating to driving in Mexico (maps, road logs, travelogues or roadlogs) on my shopping cart. as well as a description of my trip-planning services to help you get the most out of a driving trip to Mexico.

Buyer Beware

I won't say negative things about other Mexican insurance companies, but the most expensive ones aren't worth what they charge. The cheapest ones are worth what you pay -- except companies that specialize in only one area of Mexico, like Baja. They may be inexpensive and still good. There are some really inexpensive Baja only policies that are reputable, but I don't personally know the agents, so don't recommend them. If Baja is the only place you are driving, Mexico Insurance Services is the one for you. If you're driving anywhere else in Mexico, either will be a good choice.

Cheap insurance will generally have a $50,000 or $100,000 liability limit. That was good enough in the 1990's, but not in the 21st century. If you hit a vehicle worth $30,000, $40,000 or $50,000, that does not leave much room for coverage, does it? Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when you compare Mexican insurance policies. You want either at least USD$150,000 CSL or USD$300,000 CSL to be safe and higher is not a bad idea. Do not wimp out on your insurance premium. Save money somewhere else. Actually, the premiums didn't go up all that much from the older, lower limit policies.