I was planning my dream trip from Seattle to Patagonia. I assumed my “Comprehensive North American Coverage” meant, well, North America. Two days before crossing the border at Tijuana, I read the fine print. My US insurance covered me in Canada perfectly, but the second my tires touched Mexican soil, my liability coverage dropped to zero. I was about to drive into a foreign country illegally.
Key Takeaways
- Canada is usually fine: US auto policies almost always extend full coverage to Canada with no changes needed.
- Mexico is NOT covered: US Liability insurance is invalid in Mexico. Mexican law requires you to have liability insurance issued by a Mexican insurance company.
- The “75-Mile” Limited Endorsement: Some US policies cover damage to your own RV within 25-75 miles of the border, but they do NOT cover Liability (damage you do to others).
- Jail Time is Real: In Mexico, car accidents are a criminal matter, not just civil. If you crash and don’t have valid Mexican Liability insurance, you can be detained until you prove ability to pay.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Sovereign Laws.”
Mexico does not recognize foreign insurance policies for Liability. You could have a $10 million policy from Geico, and a Mexican police officer will treat you as uninsured.
While some US carriers offer a “Mexico Endorsement,” read it carefully. It almost always applies ONLY to physical damage (repairing your rig) and ONLY for short trips near the border. It rarely satisfies the legal requirement for Mexican Liability.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Options)
I compared how to handle the border crossing properly.
Standard US Carrier (e.g., Progressive)
- Canada: Seamless. I called, they said “Have a nice trip.”
- Mexico: They offered a limited endorsement. It covered my RV for theft/collision within 50 miles of the border. useless for a Pan-American trip.
Baja Bound / Lewis & Lewis (Mexican Insurance Brokers)
- The Solution: You must buy a separate policy.
- The Cost: For a Class B van, a “Full Coverage” Mexican policy (Liability + Theft + Collision) costs about
150−150−300 for a 6-month term depending on value. - The Coverage: These policies are underwritten by Mexican carriers (like Chubb Mexico or HDI) and are legally recognized by police.
Roamly / Specialized RV
- The Hybrid: Roamly offers an endorsement that extends physical damage coverage deep into Mexico, but they still advise (and require) you to buy the separate Liability policy.
[IMAGE: A side-by-side photo of a US Insurance Card and a printed Mexican Insurance Certificate]
Comparison Table
| Feature | US Policy in Canada | US Policy in Mexico | Dedicated Mexican Policy |
| Liability Coverage | Valid (Full Limits) | Invalid / $0 | Valid (Legal Requirement) |
| Collision/Theft | Valid | Limited (Miles/Days) | Valid (Full Country) |
| Legal Status | Accepted | Not Accepted | Accepted |
| Cost | Included | Included/Small Fee | Separate Premium ( |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy Mexican Liability Online: Do not buy it at the roadside shacks at the border (they are overpriced). Go to BajaBound.com or MexPro.com a week before.
- Print Everything: Mexican authorities prefer paper. Print two copies of your policy (one for you, one for the officer) and the “proof of financial responsibility.”
- Check Your US Policy’s “Storage”: If you are going to be in Mexico for 3 months, ask your US carrier if you can suspend coverage to save money. Warning: Some US carriers will cancel you if the vehicle leaves the US for too long.
- Get “Legal Aid” Coverage: Ensure your Mexican policy includes legal assistance / bail bond coverage. This is the “Get Out of Jail” card if you have a serious accident.
FAQ
What about Central America?
Once you cross from Mexico into Guatemala, your Mexican insurance ends. You must buy insurance at the border of every single country in Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, etc.). It is usually cheap and mandatory.
Does my US roadside assistance work in Mexico?
Likely no. Your Mexican policy usually includes its own roadside assistance. Keep that number handy, not AAA.
Is theft covered in Mexico?
Only if you buy the “Full Coverage” package. If you buy “Liability Only” (cheapest), and your van is stolen in Cabo, you get $0.