Northbound Insurance (Mexican Plated Vehicles in the U.S.)

What type of insurance is required in the U.S. for Mexican vehicles?

Important Fact # 2: Each U.S. state has different minimum requirements for Northbound Tourist Auto Insurance.

Each state in the United States has its own set of insurance laws. This seems confusing at first, but if you understand a few important laws driving to the US from Mexico will feel much less complicated.

• You’re required to carry auto insurance in the United States just about anywhere you go. There are two states that don’t require you to have insurance—New Hampshire and Virginia—but they’re both far from the border and you will need to drive through other states that require insurance to get there.
• Drivers who are caught driving without a valid insurance policy can face numerous penalties. In the state of California, drivers who are caught driving without valid insurance are subject to a $100 to $200 fine for their first offense. The second offense comes with a fine of $200 to $500. Your vehicle will also be towed and impounded, which means you have to pay for the towing and pay a fee to get your vehicle back.
• If you’re involved in an accident in the state of California without valid insurance, your driving privileges may be suspended for up to four years.
• The bottom line—get insurance for your auto before driving to the US from Mexico.

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Legal Requirements for Insurance on Mexican Vehicles in the Border States

In Texas, drivers must have liability insurance that pays for costs related to the accidents they cause. The minimum coverage rates include at least $30,000 per victim for personal injuries, up to a $60,000 maximum. Drivers must also carry at least $25,000 in insurance to cover property damage. This is known as 30/60/25 coverage.

California law states that drivers must carry insurance that covers up to $15,000 for personal injury/death, $30,000 for injury/death to multiple victims, and at least $5,000 in property damage coverage.

Arizona car insurance laws require the same minimum coverage levels as California with one exception: to drive a Mexican car in Arizona, drivers must have a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability coverage, while the California minimum is $5,000.

In New Mexico, Mexico plated drivers must have liability insurance with at least $25,000 coverage for injury or death involving one victim, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more victims, and $10,000 for property damage.

Important Fact #3: The cost of an accident can exceed the amount of the minimum required insurance. You may want more US insurance than legally mandated. Consider optional and additional coverage for your Mexican vehicle.

Keep in mind that the insurance coverage mandated by law is exceptionally low, and that can leave drivers of Mexican registered cars liable for costs that exceed their insurance coverage. Most Mexican and American drivers opt to purchase extra liability coverage that protects them against civil lawsuits for costs related to property damage and personal injury.

Since our temporary policies are designed to provide you with short-term coverage when you’re traveling, it’s easy to terminate and reinstate your policy as your needs change. Chubb’s Northbound temporary auto insurance is designed to give you an easy and affordable way to get the coverage you need to drive in the US.

Chubb can cover a wide range of vehicles driving to the US from Mexico including the following:

• Vehicles which have Mexico license plates or circulation permits which were issued in Mexico
• Private passenger vehicles
• Vehicles that weigh up to 3.5 tons
• Drivers between the ages of 18-74

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If you have any questions about our Northbound temporary insurance policies, the legal insurance requirements in the US or you simply want to purchase temporary coverage, call one of our agents today.