If you are flying to Mexico and plan on driving a rental car, consider buying Mexican car rental insurance from Sanborn’s to protect your personal liability. Your U.S. liability coverage is invalid in Mexico, and third-party liability provided by rental car companies is usually null or minimal, leaving you with great exposure to the risk of being held accountable for damages to others if you are involved in an at-fault accident. Legal aid and bail bonds may not even be included, complicating the situation even more. 
Most rental car companies in Mexico offer a Loss damage waiver (LDW), consider taking this option to make sure you have a zero deductible, this will cover any damage to the rental car. Your credit card might offer coverage for rental cars outside of the U.S. as a benefit, coverage is usually limited to physical damage to the rental car. Check with them to confirm if you have it, and learn about their conditions.
When quoting a rental car, verify that they accept outside insurance before making a rental car reservation. Some rental car companies in Mexico may not accept an insurance policy from outside their agency. Many of them are independently owned, some follow national guidelines and others have their own, the best is to contact them directly.
Should I Purchase Rental Car Insurance Before Arriving in Mexico?
The following are a few benefits of purchasing car rental insurance before arriving in Mexico:
- You can familiarize yourself with the coverage. By purchasing car rental insurance in advance, you can take the time to understand the coverage options, terms, and conditions. This allows you to make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences
- You can streamline the rental process. Confirm with the rental car company that they accept outside insurance. Having your insurance coverage arranged in advance can streamline the rental process in Mexico.
What Coverage do you need while driving a Rental Car in Mexico?
Here is our recommendation:
- Third Party Liability - is mandatory in Mexico and covers damages or injuries you may cause to other people or their property while driving the rental car. We offer up to $500,000 CSL. This coverage helps protect you from potential legal and financial liabilities
- Excess liability in case of death of the third party is included in your policy giving you greater protection against potential liabilities. This coverage is in addition to the standard liability coverage and will be used to cover the required indemnification in the event of the death of a third party. Occupants of the vehicle are excluded from this coverage.
- Legal assistance provides coverage for legal assistance and bail bonds, in case you are involved in a legal dispute or accident-related legal proceedings in Mexico.
- Medical expenses for occupants cover medical expenses for you and your passengers in the event of an accident while driving the rental car in Mexico. It includes coverage for hospitalization, treatment, and emergency medical services. We offer up to $20,000 per person and a total of $100,000 per accident.
- Roadside assistance may help in case of vehicle breakdowns, flat tires, or other roadside emergencies. It typically includes services like towing, jump-starting a dead battery, fuel delivery, and lockout assistance.
- Collision damage waiver/loss damage waiver is optional coverage (offered by the rental car company or your credit card) that helps protect you from financial responsibility for damages to the rental car. This coverage typically includes repairs or replacement costs for the vehicle in case of accidents, theft, or vandalism. However, it may come with deductibles, meaning you could still be responsible for a portion of the repair costs. This coverage is not offered by Sanborn’s.
Mexican Rental Car Insurance
Sanborns Insurance Agency specializes in coverage for Mexican car rentals. We will be able to guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary information about the coverage options available. Learn more about Mexican rental car coverage.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.