Best Auto Insurance When Traveling to Mexico in 2024 (Top 10 Companies)

Progressive, Geico, and State Farm offer the best auto insurance when traveling to Mexico thanks to their low rates and roadside assistance options.

Progressive is our top pick for Mexican auto insurance. A Progressive Mexican auto insurance policy ensures you have all the coverage you legally need, 24/7 access to help, and plenty of extra coverage options.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Auto Insurance When Traveling to Mexico

Wondering if your auto insurance covers you abroad? Read on to find the best Mexico auto insurance to cover you during your travels. Then, enter your ZIP code into our free comparison tool to see how much you might pay today.

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#1 – Progressive: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Mexico Travel Coverage: Progressive offers specific coverage that meets insurance requirements in Mexico, including liability insurance.
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance: Get roadside assistance whenever you need it with this Progressive add-on. However, roadside assistance may not be available everywhere.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: Rental car reimbursement covers a rental if your vehicle is stuck in a repair shop after a covered incident, which can be invaluable when you travel.

Cons

• Complex Claims Process: Filing a claim in Mexico isn’t quite as easy as it is in the U.S. Explore Progressive’s claims handling process in our Progressive auto insurance review.
• Coverage Varies: Your Mexico vehicle insurance might not cover the same damage as your policy does in America. For example, Progressive doesn’t cover vandalism in certain Mexican cities.

#2 – Geico: Best for Affordable Rates

Pros

• Partnerships in Mexico: Geico has partnered with several companies south of the border to provide you with the best Mexican car insurance.
• Online Policy Management: Use Geico’s convenient online tools to manage your auto insurance policy, no matter where you are.
• Affordable Rates: Geico typically offers affordable rates for most drivers. See how much you might pay in our Geico auto insurance review.

Cons

• Less Flexible Coverage Options: Geico already lacks the add-on options most of its competitors have. However, your Mexico insurance coverage might be even more limited with Geico.
• Some regions have higher rates. If you’re taking a temporary trip to Mexico, Geico might charge you much higher rates depending on where you’ll be driving.

#3 – State Farm: Best for Short Trips to Mexico

Pros

• Extensive Network of Agents: State Farm is known for its network of agents. You can get help whenever you need it by calling the State Farm customer service number.
• Short-Term Mexico Trip Insurance: You can purchase temporary Mexico auto insurance from State Farm. That way, you only pay for the exact number of days you need the coverage.
• Claims Support: Get answers and help for a State Farm claim online or by phone. Our State Farm auto insurance review has more information about State Farm’s claims support.

Cons

• Complex Policies: Understanding the details of State Farm car insurance for a Mexico trip can be confusing. Make sure to speak with a representative before you leave to ensure your vehicle is covered.
• Higher Costs: State Farm isn’t always the cheapest option for auto insurance, and Mexico coverage is no different.

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#4 – Allstate: Best for Full Coverage Policies

Pros

• Mexico-Specific Coverage: Allstate offers a variety of coverage options meant specifically for Mexico. Coverage options vary by location, but an Allstate representative can tell you what’s available.
• Legal Assistance: Get free, fast legal help from Allstate when you’re in a covered accident while traveling in Mexico.
• Emergency Assistance: Allstate offers excellent roadside assistance plans, which usually stay active in Mexico. Learn more about roadside assistance in our Allstate auto insurance review.

Cons

• Higher Rates: International car insurance for Mexico from Allstate comes with some of the highest costs of any major insurance company.
• Limited Coverage: Allstate offers a ton of add-on options for American policies, but that coverage may not extend to Mexico.

#5 – Nationwide: Best for UBI Savings

Pros

• 24/7 Insurance Support: Nationwide offers 24/7 support for your car insurance to travel to Mexico so you can get help whenever you need it.
• Partnerships for Extra Coverage: Nationwide has connections in Mexico that make getting extra insurance a breeze.
• SmartRide: SmartRide is Nationwide’s UBI program that offers a maximum savings of 40% to safe drivers. Enroll as soon as possible to ensure you get a discount on your auto insurance for Mexico.

Cons

• Policies can be confusing. Understanding the details of Mexican car insurance for tourists can be confusing, but a Nationwide representative can help. Read our Nationwide auto insurance review to learn how to get help.
• Deductible structures vary. In the States, understanding your deductible is usually straightforward. However, many drivers report confusion about how much they’d pay out-of-pocket with their Nationwide auto insurance in Mexico.

#6 – Farmers: Best Selection of Discounts

Pros

• Ample Discounts: Farmers offers 23 ways for drivers to save no matter where they take their car. Explore saving opportunities in our Farmers auto insurance review.
• Extended Mexican Liability Insurance: Get the best Mexican auto insurance with Farmers’ extended liability coverage, which covers almost any amount of damage you cause in an accident.
• Limited Roadside Assistance: You can access part of your roadside assistance coverage with Farmers’ car insurance for Mexico.

Cons

• Additional Fees: Depending on where you travel, you might have to pay more for Mexico auto insurance from Farmers.
• Complex Claims Process: Filing claims with Farmers in Mexico can be more complicated than it is in the U.S. However, you can still file claims for your Mexican auto insurance online with Farmers.

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#7 – Liberty Mutual: Best Mexican Car Insurance for Tourists

Pros

• Bilingual Support: Liberty Mutual can help with translation issues when it comes to resolving claims in Mexico.
• Easy to Add Coverage: Buy Mexican car insurance online and manage your add-ons with Liberty Mutual’s convenient website.
• Responsive Claims: Liberty Mutual policyholders frequently cite the company’s quick claims-handling process as one of its biggest strengths. See what customers have to say in our Liberty Mutual auto insurance review.

Cons

• Limited Coverage in Mexico: Liberty Mutual might offer cheap Mexican car insurance, but you won’t find as many coverage options with this company as you might elsewhere.
• Additional Premiums: Like many other companies that offer low-cost Mexico car insurance, you might be charged extra for certain parts of your trip.

#8 – Travelers: Best for Experienced Insurance Service

Pros

• Experience With Cross-Border Claims: As its name implies, Travelers has plenty of experience with cross-border claims. If you’re worried about the claims process in Mexico, Travelers can put you at ease.
• International Coverage: Travelers offers coverage in more than just Mexico. Make sure to check with a representative, but Travelers likely covers you anywhere you can drive to.
• Strong Financial Rating: With an A++ from A.M. Best, you don’t have to worry about your Travelers claims. Learn more about Travelers ratings in our review of Travelers auto insurance.

Cons

• Higher Costs: Although it offers a variety of excellent coverage options, you’ll probably pay a higher price at Travelers than you would elsewhere.
• Average Claims Handling: It may have the knowledge on how to resolve claims in Mexico, but many customers complain that the process is slow.

#9 – American Family: Best for Costco Members

Pros

• Costco Savings: Costco members can earn savings on a variety of things, including vacation packages to Mexico and auto insurance. American Family writes most Costco policies.
• Roadside Assistance: Make sure you always have the help you need, even in Mexico, by adding roadside assistance to your policy.
• Multiple Insurance Options: Plan on spending some time in the water while you’re in Mexico? You can also add boat coverage to your Mexico auto insurance.

Cons

• Higher Prices: American Family is usually one of the pricier options for car insurance.
• Limited Availability: Currently, American Family sells car insurance in just 19 states. See if you can purchase coverage where you live in our American Family auto insurance review.

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#10 – USAA: Best for Military Families

Pros

• Dedicated Service for International Military Members: USAA specializes in insurance for military members, which would be incomplete without international coverage.
• Automatic Coverage: In most cases, your insurance policy automatically covers you when you leave the country. However, you should check with a representative to ensure you’re covered.
• Low Rates: USAA is almost always the cheapest option for insurance. Learn how USAA keeps its rates low in our USAA auto insurance review.

Cons

• Membership Required: You have to be a USAA member to purchase car insurance. Only active or retired military members and their direct families are eligible for membership.
• Mixed Reviews: USAA might be one of the best insurance providers in the country, but it isn’t without complaints. One of the most common complaints against USAA is that the claims handling process can be slow.

Mexico Auto Insurance Costs

As an international visitor, you’re probably wondering about the cost of car insurance in Mexico. However, auto insurance rates will vary because Mexican auto insurance is usually offered in packages based on your length of stay, ranging from daily to a year.

If you choose to add Mexican auto insurance to an existing policy, you’ll probably pay a little less. check the rates below to see how much your total premium might be after adding Mexico auto insurance.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates When Traveling to Mexico by Coverage Level

Before buying a policy, learn how to evaluate auto insurance quotes from different companies to ensure you’re getting the best rate available. Scroll through the sections below to compare Mexican auto insurance costs from the top companies.

Mexico Auto Insurance Requirements

If you’re planning to drive a vehicle in Mexico, you’ll need auto insurance to comply with Mexican laws, even if you’re visiting as a tourist. Although some U.S. car insurance policies offer limited coverage in Mexico, purchasing additional liability insurance from a licensed Mexican insurance company is still necessary to satisfy the Mexican Federal Liability Law requirements.

Mexican law requires all drivers to carry about $5,000 in bodily injury and death liability coverage and about $2,500 in property damage.

For example, suppose you go driving without insurance coverage or outside of your Mexican policy’s effective dates. If Mexican officials ask for proof of insurance and you can’t provide it, you could face penalties, fines, and even jail time.

Mexican car insurance policies can cover trips as short as a day and as long as a year. Although it may seem like a hassle to obtain additional insurance coverage while traveling, ensuring your vehicle is properly covered while driving in Mexico is important.

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How to Buy Mexico Car Insurance

Even if your existing car insurance policy offers limited coverage, you’ll need to buy additional liability auto insurance coverage that meets the mandatory minimum coverage standards established by Mexican liability laws. You can purchase Mexican auto liability insurance from any licensed Mexican insurance company. In addition, if you’re renting a vehicle, your auto insurance might cover rental cars, or you can purchase a policy from the counter.

After you’ve chosen a reputable insurance company and verified their licensing in Mexico, you can contact them directly to buy a policy or purchase one online. Most insurance companies offer online quote request forms, like the one shown below.

Like purchasing auto insurance in the U.S. or Canada, you’ll need to provide the Mexican insurance company with the following documents and information to obtain a policy:

• Your name and driver’s license (drivers under 21 may be subject to additional fees)
• The dates you want your policy to be effective
• Where you’ll be traveling and driving in Mexico
• Your existing U.S. or Canadian insurance policy number
• Your car’s license plate number and vehicle identification number (VIN)
• The make, model, and year of your vehicle

You can typically locate this information in your insurance policy, online account, or vehicle’s user manual.

What Auto Insurance in Mexico Covers

The types of car insurance coverage available in Mexico are similar to those offered in other countries, including the U.S. and Canada. For example, mandatory liability coverage is available to drivers alongside other familiar add-on options, like collision insurance and comprehensive auto insurance.

Liability Coverage in Mexico

Mexico law requires that all drivers on federal roads, highways, and bridges carry a minimum amount of liability-only auto insurance coverage.

When buying Mexican car insurance, it’s important to remember that the minimum coverage limits required by law might not be enough in case of a serious accident or damage to your vehicle. This fact could put you at risk both legally and financially.

Therefore, to increase your financial protection while driving in Mexico, it’s a good idea to consider buying the maximum insurance coverage available.

Other Types Of Insurance Coverage In Mexico

In addition to mandatory liability insurance, several other optional forms of insurance coverage are available to international drivers in Mexico, including medical payments, medical evacuation, physical damage to your vehicle, and legal assistance. It’s also recommended that you get coverage from one of the best roadside assistance plans.

Contact your insurance company to learn more about its available coverage options in Mexico.

Limited Mexico Auto Insurance Coverage

Some insurance companies offer limited coverage for drivers in Mexico once they’ve purchased the mandatory liability coverage required. It’s a sort of temporary auto insurance that allows you to drive for a limited time in Mexico without having to purchase more coverage.

For example, let’s say your existing insurance policy includes limited Mexico coverage, or you’ve added an optional Limited Mexico Coverage Endorsement. In this case, you might have limited collision or comprehensive coverage while traveling within a specific number of miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Limited coverage is not the same as pay-per-mile insurance, which charges you for each mile you drive on U.S. roads.

Because coverage varies between providers, check your policy documents or contact your insurance provider to determine whether your existing policy offers limited Mexico coverage.

How to File an Auto Insurance Claim in Mexico

Learning how to file an auto insurance claim in Mexico is similar to filing a claim in other countries. You’ll need to take the following steps:

• If anyone is injured, call for emergency services before doing anything else.
• After ensuring the scene is safe, document the damage to all vehicles involved, including yours.
• Call the police and file a police report.
• Contact your Mexican insurance provider.

Claims handling speed and processes can vary, so follow your insurer’s instructions at every step. After the claim is filed, the company will send an adjuster to assess the damage.

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Preparing to Drive in Mexico

Aside from how much international auto insurance costs, there are a few other things you should be aware of. When driving in a foreign country, it’s a good idea to be prepared before hitting the road. Here are some tips to make driving simpler while traveling in Mexico:

• Obtain a Mexican tourist card (FMM) before traveling. Tourists must carry this permit while traveling in Mexico for more than 72 hours. The permit should be available at the border, but you can also get it online.
• Get a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP). If you’re driving your vehicle into Mexico, this permit is mandatory to drive beyond Mexico’s designated “Border Zone.”
• Keep your insurance documents on hand. If you’re pulled over while driving in Mexico, it’s important to have your proof of insurance within reach.
• Check travel advisories for risks. The U.S. Department of State website provides updates about advisories and risks for travelers to foreign countries, including Mexico.

The Department of State also offers free, real-time safety alerts for U.S. citizens traveling out of the country as part of their Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP). It also makes it easy to connect with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where you’re traveling.

Get the Best Auto Insurance When Traveling to Mexico Today

Finding the best auto insurance for international drivers may sound complicated, but there’s no reason to stress about getting the right coverage for a trip to Mexico. Most major companies offer at least limited coverage for drivers heading to Mexico to protect your vehicle and keep you on the right side of the law.

With so many Mexico auto insurance options, it’s important to compare quotes to find the best rates. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool to see how much you might pay today.

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