Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance Coverage Exclusions

Every year Americans and Canadians get in the car and drive down to Mexico to vacation, visit friends and family, and to enjoy the fabulous weather. There's nothing like the rolling beaches, desert plains, mountainscapes, and historic towns of Mexico.

If you are planning one of these road trips south of border, you don't want to forget tourist auto insurance for your vehicle, as it is required on all Mexican federal roadways. And you want to make sure you know what is not permitted by your Mexican tourist policy terms and conditions, since they can be different than your U.S./Canadian policy.

Read your policy Before You Go to Mexico

Like a U.S. or Canadian auto insurance policy, a Mexico tourist policy will have policy exclusions that specifically remove coverage for certain activities and circumstances. It's important to read your policy terms and conditions so you don't inadvertently do something that might cause your insurance coverage to become null and void.

Report Claims in Mexico

The most important thing you need to know about your insurance policy is that you MUST REPORT ALL CLAIMS IN MEXICO. This may seem like an inconvenience, but Mexico insurers do not have agents or adjusters in the U.S., so you have no other choice but to file your claim while you are still in Mexico. We cannot stress this enough!

Illegal Activities

The following are illegal in Mexico and not only can they land you in a Mexican jail, but also void your Mexico auto insurance policy.

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will automatically cease your auto insurance coverage.
• Engaging in street races or speed contests, will void your coverage.
• Suicide attempts, voluntary mutilation, and mental derangement are all considered justifiable cause to void policy coverage.
• Driving without a valid driver's license or permit, issued by your home country, will void your insurance coverage.
• If a claim is found to have been presented fraudulently, deceptively, erroneously, or in bad faith, the right to compensation is lost, and the insurer becomes freed of all obligations.
• Your U.S./Canadian registration must be up to date during the entire course of your stay in Mexico.

As best you can, get familiar with Mexico laws before you enter the country to avoid any problems where your car insurance could be voided.

Vehicle Usage

There are some circumstances where activities that are normally considered legal are still not covered by a Mexico auto tourist insurance policy.

Other Drivers

As mentioned above, any driver of the insured vehicle must have a valid driver's license on their person, else the policy is null and void.

In addition, no person with a Mexican driver's license can drive your vehicle in Mexico. If an accident occurs, the policy will be voided.

Drivers younger than 21 or older than age 80 must be listed on the insurance policy to be covered while driving.

Driving Instruction

Most Mexico tourist auto insurance policies will exclude coverage if the insured vehicle is being used to provide driving lessons.

Off-Roading

Most insurers will not cover losses or damages to insured vehicles when they are driven off conventional roads or on roads that are not in good driving condition.

Beach Parking

The action of tides is also most often excluded, so it is not a good idea to leave an insured vehicle parked right on the beach. This is especially important in places like Rocky Point, El Golfo de Santa Clara, or San Felipe where the tides can come in and out by as much as a mile horizontally, and 27-feet vertically.

Transport of People and Goods

Some Mexico tourist insurance policies will also exclude coverage when a vehicle is used for public transport or for the transport of goods.

Maximum Capacity

Coverage is typically excluded whenever a vehicle is overloaded beyond its capacity.

Vehicle Maintenance

Coverage is usually excluded for any damages to the insured vehicle that are caused by a loss of fluids in any of its components. Most insurance policies will also exclude coverage from losses that are a result of improper maintenance. In addition, normal wear-and-tear, along with mechanical breakdowns or failure of parts are most often not covered.

Passengers

While medical payments coverage is usually provided for the driver, along with the occupants of the insured vehicle, there are circumstances where coverage may be excluded. For example, some insurers do not provide coverage for any passengers that are riding in the bed of a pickup truck. Coverage for passengers that are riding inside a trailer or a boat, even if the trailer or boat is listed on the policy declarations, are often not covered.

Vehicle Contents

Mexico tourist auto insurance policies, like U.S. policies, typically exclude coverage for your household furnishings and items that are for personal use. However, most homeowners policies provide coverage for personal property anywhere in the world. Double check your homeowners policy and/or contact your homeowners insurance agent, to verify the limits and exactly what would be covered.

Theft

If your vehicle is stolen, the person who had possession of the vehicle must file an Auto Theft Report in person with Mexican authorities.

Summary

Knowing, ahead of time, what could potentially void your policy can save headaches in the event of an accident or theft. It is the insured's responsibility to abide by each or risk losing insurance coverage. Mexpro always recommends reading your policy's terms and conditions, along with the policy declarations, to be sure you understand what is allowed, and what might void your coverage. If you need help or clarification, you can always call to speak with a qualified Mexico Insurance Professional agent at (855) 639-7761.

And remember, always file your claim in Mexico.

Get a Mexico Tourist Auto insurance quote now and get covered in 2-minutes or less from Mexpro!

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