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ekammin

Sep 29, 2003, 2:23 PM

Post #1 of 3 (747 views)

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Bringing a car to Mexico

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We usually live in Toronto, but are planning on buying a home somewhere in Mexico and spending half the year there. We would probably drive from Canada to Mexico in order to have the use of our car while we are there.

Our car is registered in Ontario, which means that not only would we pay outlandishly high insurance rates there, even for the time the car will be in Mexico, but also the cost of the supplemental insurance in Mexico.

If we have an FM-3, is there any way we could reverse the matter, i. e., register the car in Mexico and get license plates and insurance, with extra insurance, if necessary for the time we drive it to Canada? Is this possible and would we save any money that way? Also, what is it that I hear about being able to register a car in Texas, even if you don’t live there? How do you insure it?

heathesq

Oct 1, 2003, 7:51 AM

Post #2 of 3 (703 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing a car to Mexico

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Last year I stayed in Mexico for about three months. I spoke with my insurance company and my car was uninsured for the time I was in Mexico (not the time I was in the US). They agreed to reinstate my insurance without asking for a "safety" and without any increase in price. I understand that not all agencies will do this, but I have a lot of business, including travel and house, with this company.

By the way, I have a second car which stayed in the garage here in Ottawa. On this we kept minimum coverage only and it affected their readiness to accommodate our wishes.

I believe this would be simpler than registering your car in Mexico.

Good Luck

Marlene

Oct 1, 2003, 9:17 AM

Post #3 of 3 (681 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing a car to Mexico

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Ed,

Talk to your insurance company about getting a temporary policy for your transit time (Both directions). The local CAA office (or your own insurance company) can sell you adequate temporary coverage while you cross the USA to/from Mexico. That way you can take care of suspending your policy before you leave. If you don't know your exact return dates, they could fax or courier you another temporary policy for your return trip to Canada. Just make sure you allow yourself some leeway on the dates of coverage in case of unexpected delays. (The experience I have had with temporary coverage purchased in Canada has been good and I found it to be reasonably priced.) Good luck.