Mexican auto insurance

If your taking an adventure, let’s say to Mexico, do you need to buy auto insurance on your car? The answer is technically no, but it is according to your peace of mind, that is if you do not get into an car accident in Mexico involving and the Police get involved.

I have never ever bought additional insurance on my world wide travels. I have been traveling to South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and never had a problem, even though I rent and even have bought cars in various countries.

I chance it. I am lucky. I am not even 100% sure if I was driving legal. I just bought the car and put gas in it on and drove on my American drivers license.

That being said, if you are cruising down to Mexico often, or even for a family vacation, unlike my adventure trips, you might want to consider it to save you headaches.
It is recommended to buy Mexican car insurance, even for day visits, when driving in Mexico. Most USA insurance plans do not cover driving in Mexico.

Why do you need Mexican auto insurance?

You are require to have Insurance from a Mexican company by Mexican law if you have an accident, even if you are not at fault. This is the biggest reason to get Mexican auto insurance on your trip to Mexico
In  Mexican law drivers need “proof of financial responsibility” in the event of an accident. As an American with a car in Mexico, you either need a lot of cash or a Mexican car insurance company.
Will my U.S. or Canadian insurance cover me in Mexico?
US and Canadian car insurance companies are not “proof of financial responsibility” under Mexican law. However, there are some  U.S. insurance companies that cover damages to your car, for say 20 mile penetration into Mexico,  the other guys car is not covered by your US auto insurance company. And this is the reason why  U.S. car insurance has to have a liability-only auto insurance from a Mexican car insurance company.

What to do about auto insurance in Mexico?

I would call my current insurance company and determine if it has this policy in affect. I think many southern California companies might. However, if not there are many per diem companies with good reputations that will give you peace of mind.

I guess I have a higher risk preference or perhaps I am over confident as a driver. But if a friend were to ask, me I would say yes get Mexican auto insurance from some American company that offers it cheap.

Visas take a little bit of work to get.  They are not impossible at all.  I think they are easy, however, it takes work and most people are too lazy to go through the steps. I got an EU citizenship and if I can do that then you can get a visa to live as an American legally in Mexico if you want.

Public square Mexico city 1869 - Americans who love history love living in Mexico

Why are there Americans living in Mexico

Why?  I am an American and I do not live in the USA.  I love American but not to live there.  Life is an adventure.

Living in warm sunny Mexico is about the fraction of the price of living in the USA.  Further many guys marry Mexican women as they are in general more beautiful and loving with better values.  However, on the downside about one American a week dies in Mexico, from some unfortunate circumstance.

The nature in Mexico is unbelievable.  I am not just talking about the weather but the animal and plant life.  Mexico is like going to another planet. It has such rich biodiversity that living there will feel nothing like earth, that is the USA.  I think Mexico is a great place for Americans to live.  That is why so many Americans live in Mexico. Stop watching the discovery channel and take a trip to Mexico. I have never herd of anyone not enjoying there stay in Mexico.

One  of my friends from Europe lives in Mexico and is married.  He likes it there very much.  He is an outdoor enthusiast and spends hours a day hiking in the forest and jungles. He is learning Spanish and loving life.

I am an American that lives in Krakow, Poland.  I find it much cheaper and more reasonable lifestyle the living in Boston.  Life of an ex pat has some downside but very few if you are into adventure or cerebral activities like learning a language, rather than getting the big piece of cheese.

Therefore, if you ever considered becoming an ex pat in Mexico I would recommend it as long as you set your self up in a safe way.

Living in Mexico you can expect to at least double your standard of living. If you like to shop in open markets, and go native you will quadruple your income and lifestyle.  The key is to retain your US income while living abroad. If you need a big fat corporation to plug into then you will not do well living in a foreign country as an American.

American girl living abroad – what a joke

I knew this one American girl who was a professor and got a chance to learn a language and live down there, south of the boarder.  However, after three years the only way she would ever get around is with a cab. She never walked anywhere or ventured out. In my opinion what a waste of a three year adventure.

Learning Spanish in Mexico

Is it OK to learn Spanish in Mexico? I think so if you go to a school and stay on the school grounds.  However, if you are wandering around Mexico city at night partying, good luck to you. I think Mexico city is a lawless city because the good citizens can not keep the gang violence at bay.

Similar if you go on vacation to Mexico you can stay at the resort and be relatively safe.  Or if you go on a guided tour.  But if you are just wandering off on your own, I do not know if it safe.

Mexican visas for Americans who want to live in Mexico

Visa requirements are basically a FM3 Rentista so you do not have to drive over the boarder every six months.

FM2 this is also a good visa to have.  It is basically like a green card and can be converted to a Mexican citizenship with time.

You can drive across the boarder every six months but there is no guarantee the boarder officers will keep allowing you to do this.

Let me know if you have any other ideas or views on life in Mexico as an American expat. I am into Spanish culture as well as Latin American culture including Mexico and I am curious about other people’s experiences.