It’s a bad idea for US and Canadian tourists to wait to buy Mexican Auto Insurance at the border or inside Mexico. Most people plan their vacation, then forget all about insurance until they cross the border… then they proceed to buy insurance at the nearest seller. This is the equivalent of buying your groceries at a convenience store: no matter how well you shop, you’re going to pay too much, and your options will be limited, too. You don’t even have the option of researching those insurers that vend at the border, and who knows how strong their grasp of the English language is going to be. It’s better to buy it before you leave.
How much time is it going to take to purchase a policy at the border? What extra fees will they add? Is it a PAPER policy? Is it printed in -2 font? There might be a reason. What are the options? Why not purchase a policy before you go to Mexico, in the comfort of your home? It costs less. You need a policy with an English or a Spanish translation. You also need ID cards and accident instructions.
What will you do if you can’t find an insurance booth as you cross or find that your favorite booth is closed or having equipment failure problems? What about Legal? Do they make you pay for the bond? What about emergency medical assistance? Is that included? Are they hawking Split limits or Combined Single Limits? Does it matter? Yes, depending on the amount of the limit you purchase?
Are you getting an electronic policy or a bare bones paper generated policy?
Does the insurance company you are purchasing from have a good or bad reputation for paying claims?
Does the policy say that’s it’s OK to repair your car in the United States, & then restrict the Labor Rate to rates commonly found in Mexico such as $10.00 or $15.00 dollars an hour. Who pays if difference if the labor rate in the US is $65.00 per hour?
TIP: Most likely you will.
