Insurance for Your Mexican-plated Car in the USA & Canada (2024)

FAQs

Insurance for Your Mexican-plated Car in the USA & Canada? ›

In the same way that owners of US- and Canadian-plated vehicles who drive to Mexico need to get a top-up insurance policy to cover third party liabilities in Mexico, drivers of Mexican-plated vehicles driving the car abroad must purchase a top-up policy that covers them outside of Mexico.

You can drive on foreign insurance and registration as long as it is legal for you to do so. For Canada, as long as you are not taking up residency and your Mexican jurisdiction does not deem you to have given up residency, you will be fine.

Insurance for Mexican Cars in the U.S.

You must have insurance for your Mexican car to legally drive it in the U.S. Mexpro's liability and medical policies allow you to purchase for one-day up to one year, allowing you to pay only for the coverage you need.

An American car insurance policy works the same way in Canada as it does in the U.S. Your comprehensive car insurance coverage and auto collision coverage, for example, still apply to damage to your vehicle if you're in an accident while driving in Canada.

Yes, USA Citizens, which is what I assume you mean by “American”, as well as citizens from other nations in the Americas, can drive vehicles with Mexican plates into the USA from México.

Canadian residents can bring U.S. rental vehicles into Canada for non-commercial use for up to 30 days. This is allowed because: Canadian and American vehicle standards are similar.

Road Trips and Border Crossing by Car

Taking a road trip from the U.S. to Canada, or simply arriving by car, requires crossing the border at one of the 24 official locations. Americans will need to present a valid U.S. passport or other acceptable form of identification upon arrival to the country.

Conforming vehicles so imported may remain in the U.S. indefinitely once a formal entry is made for EPA purposes. Nonresidents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use up to (1) one year if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival.

Yes, car insurance is required for visitors to Mexico, and your United States auto insurance policy won't be valid there. To be protected, you'll need a separate Mexico car insurance policy that covers you for liability while you're in the country.

Does my AAA insurance cover me in Canada? ›

Through reciprocal arrangements with the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), AAA members can use benefits like roadside assistance and while in Canada. Don't forget to pack your AAA membership card, or use the AAA Mobile app to access your account information (cellphone roaming rates and data charges may apply).

You must pay taxes and/or duties when applicable to bring your vehicle through Canadian customs. Your vehicle must be clear of any recalls. It must then pass an inspection by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) in Canada before it can be officially considered imported.

Yes! Once you've imported a vehicle into Canada, and have gone through all the required proceedings, then you're free to do as you wish with the vehicle – including selling it. It is important to note that a foreign vehicle cannot be sold or gifted on Canadian soil unless it has been properly imported first.

If you drive to Canada for a 6 month holiday there will be no problem with your car that has out of country plates. You do not have to register your vehicle in a Canadian province if you are not a resident.

You can legally drive the car in the United States with your Mexico license plates for a period of one year from the time you entered the US assuming the registration is current.

Nonresidents of the U.S. (including U.S. citizens living abroad) may temporarily import nonconforming motor vehicles into the U.S. for personal use, for a period not to exceed one year.

You must pay taxes and/or duties when applicable to bring your vehicle through Canadian customs. Your vehicle must be clear of any recalls. It must then pass an inspection by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) in Canada before it can be officially considered imported.

If you plan to use a foreign driver's licence in Canada, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.

The company financing your car will have to agree to let you take it with you to Canada and provide a letter confirming that they are giving you authorization to do so. Generally speaking, it's very rare that a lender will allow you to do this.

I am driving to Canada for a trip. Can I enter Canada with my tags being expired for 3 months? The CBSA are not traffic police and there are no limitations to temporary import of a vehicle by visitor for a short trip. The vehicle must meet the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is required to registered and licensed.