What do your holiday plans look like? Thinking about slipping South of the Border for a little fun in the sun instead of hanging your porch lights in sub-zero temperatures? Let me tell you, there’s nothing like a Mexican Navidad. Before you hop in your car and go cruising through customs, make sure you take the time to pick up a Mexican auto insurance policy. That little piece of School Papers (or ten) could be the straw that makes or breaks your Christmas vacation.
You know all those rumors they have about Mexican police and American tourists? Take everything you hear about vacationing south of the border with a grain of salt. For most Mexican border towns tourism is their bread and butter, and they’re not going to do anything to mess up a good thing. They love tourists, and they’re happy to take your money. The last thing you want to do, however, is find yourself on the wrong side of local law enforcement.
American auto insurance is all but ignored in Mexico. Oh sure, some of the border towns along the edge of California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico that have regular commuters from the U.S. will take it. Some companies have deals worked out with foreign providers to grant you coverage within a certain distance of the U.S. border. But normally, you’re going to need to pick up a Mexican auto insurance policy from a local provider before you can call yourself covered when you’re on vacation.
You have a couple of options when it comes to your purchasing habits. You can take the lazy man’s route and not pick up short term coverage, but that’s like knocking on Murphy’s door and inviting him over for tea. Sooner rather than later, something’s going to go horribly, horribly wrong!
Juarez, Tijuana, Mexicali and other border cities almost always have multiple insurance offices open and available to tourists who don’t think about getting a Mexican insurance policy until after they manage to clear customs. If you can get there from the border you’re going to be all right, but again, that’s tempting fate. If you find yourself in an accident courtesy of some loco driver between the border and their office you’re going to be completely out of luck.
Remember, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. It’s not going to do a thing to help you out when it comes to your car insurance. It can, however, drive the final nail in the coffin your Christmas plans are going to be hanging out in!
The good news is, there are plenty of American car insurance companies that can hook you up with a Mexican provider and the short term auto insurance policy that comes with them. Whether you’re going to be in the country for a day, a week or a month, they’ll match you with the coverage that suits you best and make sure you have a Feliz Navidad this Christmas.
Or rather, they’ll make sure a car accident doesn’t mess the whole thing up. Having a good time while you’re south of the border is entirely up to you.
You shouldn’t have too much trouble.
