Full coverage in Mexico carries percentage deductibles on the declared value — typically 5% for collision/damage and 10% for total theft, while liability and medical have no deductible at all.
If you're staring at a quote right now from Arizona, Texas, Colorado or California and wondering what those numbers actually mean in dollars, here's the breakdown.
🧮 What a % deductible looks like in real money
Deductibles on Mexican policies aren't flat fees like a $500 U.S. deductible — they're a percentage of your car's declared value, the number you enter when you quote.
Take a 2022 sedan declared at $20,000 USD, a common example for full coverage all-Mexico policies:
Collision / Damage
5% typical deductible on a $20,000 declared value.
Total Theft
10% typical deductible on the same $20,000 sedan.
Liability & Medical
No deductible — pays from the first dollar, up to your policy limits.
These percentages are typical, not guaranteed for every vehicle. Your exact deductible is printed on your policy PDF before you pay — always check it against your declared value.
💵 What full coverage actually adds over liability-only
Liability-only pays for damage you cause to others. It does not pay to fix or replace your own car. Full coverage adds collision, damage and theft protection for your vehicle, subject to those deductibles.
Here's what that difference costs in practice for the same 2022 sedan, all fees and Mexican tax included:
| Duration | Liability-only TOTAL | Full coverage TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | $63.51 | $131.49 |
| 30 days | $166.58 | $390.58 |
| 365 days | $228.52 | $508.52 |
All reference totals include Mexican tax and policy fees. Included fees: $18.00 USD for 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 30 days; $20.00 USD for 90 days; $35.00 USD for 6 months, 1 year. Do not add the fee again. Your exact quote depends on the vehicle, coverage, territory and dates.
Compare both side by side with your own dates on the tourist auto quoter before deciding which one fits your trip.
🚑 The part that never has a deductible
Liability of $100,000 plus $2,000 in medical payments comes with no deductible, on either liability-only or full coverage policies.
That means if you cause an accident, the payout to the other party — and any medical costs for occupants — isn't reduced by a deductible first. It's the collision, damage and theft portions that carry the percentage.
Auto insurance, vehicle importation (TIP) and immigration paperwork are three separate things. This guide covers insurance only — check Banjercito and consular requirements separately, and don't assume one covers the other.
📉 Does a lower declared value lower your deductible?
Yes, in dollars — but it also lowers your maximum payout. If you declare $15,000 instead of $20,000, your 5% collision deductible drops to $750, but Chubb's ceiling for a total loss also drops to $15,000.
Declared value should reflect what your car is realistically worth today, not a number picked to shrink the deductible. Under-declaring can leave you short if the car is totaled.
On a $20,000 sedan, the gap between liability-only and full coverage annual pricing is about $280 — roughly the cost of one collision deductible, for a full year of protection on the car itself.
✅ Before you confirm your quote
- Check the declared value on your quote matches your car's real current worth
- Open the PDF and find the exact % listed for collision and theft — don't assume 5%/10%
- Confirm $100,000 liability and $2,000 medical are included with no deductible
- Match the policy dates to your actual trip — Baja, Rocky Point, Valle de Guadalupe, or all-Mexico
- Ask in chat if you're unsure — Timi issues Chubb-backed policies online in minutes
- Save a copy of your policy PDF on your phone before you cross
- Write down your declared value and deductible % somewhere accessible
- Have proof of insurance and vehicle registration together in the glovebox
For a deeper side-by-side on what each coverage level includes, the guides section breaks down liability-only versus full coverage scenario by scenario, plus routes like Baja California that see the most cross-border traffic.
Once you know your deductible in dollars, the decision usually comes down to how much you'd rather risk out of pocket versus pay upfront — not which policy is 'better' in the abstract.