How much does Mexican car insurance cost?

Mexican car insurance costs vary by vehicle value, coverage level, and trip length. Short-term liability coverage is priced by your trip length, while full coverage that also protects your own vehicle is based mainly on its value. A yearly policy lowers the cost of insurance per day significantly. A free online quote gives you an exact price in about two minutes.

Can I purchase Mexican car insurance at the border?

Yes. You can buy online in about two minutes before you leave, or stop at our drive-through office (open every day of the year) at 223 Via De San Ysidro - the last exit before the border. We recommend having your coverage confirmed before you cross into Mexico.

Does Mexican car insurance cover rental cars?

Yes, you can insure a rental car for Mexico. Your US rental coverage does not meet Mexico's legal liability requirement, so you need a separate Mexican policy. Bring the vehicle details and any rental-company permission, and make sure your rental agreement allows travel into Mexico.

What happens if I get into an accident in Mexico?

Contact your insurance carrier right away using the 800 number provided to you at the time you purchased your policy - a proper Mexican policy sends an adjuster and legal assistance to the scene. Do not admit fault and do not leave until the adjuster arrives. Without Mexican insurance, an at-fault driver can face out-of-pocket liability and detention until responsibility is settled.

Does Mexican car insurance cover theft?

Yes. Full-coverage Mexican auto policies typically cover total theft of the vehicle, along with collision and damage. Liability-only policies cover damage you cause to others but not your own vehicle, so choose full coverage if theft protection matters to you.

Can I buy a one-day Mexican insurance policy?

Yes. Temporary Mexican auto insurance can be purchased by the day, week, month, or year. You pay only for the days you need.

Is it cheaper to buy Mexican insurance online or at the border?

Online and our drive-through offer the same quality coverage. Buying online in advance is the most convenient - you get an instant quote and emailed documents before you leave. If you did not buy ahead, our drive-through at the last exit before the border (open every day of the year) has you covered.

What types of motorcycles are covered by Mexican motorcycle insurance?

Mexican motorcycle insurance covers a wide range of street-legal motorcycles - cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes, and more. Coverage includes the liability required by Mexican law, with options for theft and damage to your bike.

Can I purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance if I don't have a driver's license?

You need a valid driver's license to legally ride in Mexico, and you should carry it along with your passport and registration. We can insure your motorcycle once you have the required documents.

Do I need separate insurance for my motorcycle in Mexico?

Yes. Just like a car, your motorcycle needs its own Mexican liability policy from a Mexican-licensed insurer. Your US motorcycle insurance does not satisfy Mexico's legal requirement, even for a short ride across the border.

What coverage options are available for RV owners in Mexico?

Mexican RV insurance includes the liability required by law, plus options for collision, theft, and damage to your motorhome - and often coverage for your belongings inside. Because an RV is worth more than a typical car, the policy reflects its higher value.

Can I add additional drivers to my RV insurance policy in Mexico?

Yes. You can typically add additional drivers to your Mexican RV policy so everyone in your party is covered to drive. Have each driver's information ready when you get your quote.

Are there restrictions on the types of RVs that can be insured in Mexico?

Most motorhomes, travel trailers, and campers can be insured for Mexico. Coverage and value limits depend on the size and value of the rig, so provide your RV's details for an accurate quote.

Does Mexican RV insurance cover my belongings inside?

Many full-coverage Mexican RV policies include coverage for your contents and belongings, in addition to liability and physical damage to the motorhome. Ask about contents coverage when you get your quote.

Are there specific requirements for insuring a trailer in Mexico?

Yes. A trailer needs its own Mexican coverage and proof of ownership. It is not automatically covered by your tow vehicle's policy, so you add the trailer to a Mexican auto policy. Baja requires no vehicle import permit, which keeps towing into the peninsula simple.

Can I add additional coverage to my trailer insurance policy?

Yes. You can add coverage for the trailer and what it carries - including a boat, jet skis, or other watercraft - to your Mexican policy. Provide proof of ownership and the item details when you get your quote.

Is my trailer covered by my vehicle's Mexican insurance?

No. A trailer needs its own Mexican coverage - it is not automatically included in your tow vehicle's policy. You can add the trailer (and any watercraft) to the same Mexican auto policy when you get your quote.

SCORE Baja 500 Guide & Mexican Insurance

An off-road race car competing in the SCORE Baja 500 in the desert

Photo: “2007 Baja 500” by L. Phillippi (public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.

The BFGoodrich Tires SCORE Baja 500 is the second round of the SCORE World Desert Championship – a roughly 470-mile loop out of Ensenada each June that packs the variety of the Baja 1000 into a single intense day.

Quick answer: Race and chase crews insure in person at our San Ysidro office; fans driving to Ensenada to watch need a Mexican auto policy for their own vehicle.

About the SCORE Baja 500

The Baja 500 starts and finishes in Ensenada, looping through the mountains, dry lakes and coastline of northern Baja. As Round 2 of the championship it draws the same headline classes as the Baja 1000 – Trophy Truck, Trophy Truck Spec, Class 1 and Pro UTV – and is a favorite for teams testing their program mid-season.

Insurance for race teams

Race, chase and pre-runner policies are written in person at our San Ysidro office, not online. Instant Mexico Auto Insurance has been the official insurance agent for SCORE International and the off-road racing community since 1975. Contact the office about three weeks before race week so we can put the right coverage in place. Race promoters provide participant liability for the event itself, and we add the supplemental and chase-vehicle coverage your team needs.

Teams that cross the border for every round of the SCORE World Desert Championship usually do best on an annual policy — it covers your support vehicles all season and is often better value than buying day by day. Ask us for an annual quote.

Driving down to watch the race

Heading to Baja to spectate? Your U.S. or Canadian auto policy is not valid in Mexico, so you need a Mexican auto insurance policy for your own vehicle before you cross. It only takes a couple of minutes online, and your policy is valid throughout Mexico. See our San Diego to Ensenada driving guide for the route, border tips and the interactive map.

More from our racing hub: Off-Road Racing Insurance in Mexico.

A SCORE partnership since 1975

Instant Mexico Auto Insurance has worked with SCORE International for more than 50 years. It began at the 1975 SCORE Baja 500, when our president, Harry Andreoli, and then-SCORE president Sal Fish agreed that Instant would provide the liability insurance for every participant entered in the event. We have insured SCORE races for over 40 years — covering race teams and the official SCORE vehicles — and our representatives have attended the races for over 45 years.

Frequently asked questions

How do race teams insure their vehicles for the Baja 500?

Race-vehicle, chase and pre-runner coverage is written in person at our San Ysidro office – not online. Reach out about three weeks before the event.

I am driving to Ensenada to watch – what insurance do I need?

A Mexican auto insurance policy for your own vehicle, valid throughout Mexico. Your U.S. or Canadian policy will not cover you. You can get it online in minutes.

Where does the Baja 500 start?

It starts and finishes in Ensenada, Baja California, each June as Round 2 of the SCORE World Desert Championship.

Racing the SCORE series? Talk to the official SCORE insurance agent since 1975.

See off-road racing insurance

SCORE Baja 500: Race Guide & Mexican Insurance