Insurance for a Mexican-plated car driving in the USA

The short version

Yes, it exists: a liability policy for Mexican-plated vehicles, issued by Chubb through Timi, from $12 USD for one day entering through Arizona (25/50/15). Most US insurance websites cover the opposite direction (US cars into Mexico) — that is why "it doesn't exist" shows up in searches.

Measured live on 2 September 2026, entering through Texas with 30/60/25 limits: 1 day $13 (from $12 entering through Arizona), 7 days $51, 30 days $104, 90 days $118, 180 days $150, 365 days $180. $100,000 CSL: 1 day $15, 30 days $113, one year $220.

Coverage depends on the policy and endorsements. Chubb lists auto policies with liability in Mexico, the US and Canada. Check your contract's territory, limits and proof of coverage before crossing.

Policy duration and consecutive time abroad are different. Work, study or residence require Extended Stay even for a short visit; its 90-, 180- and 365-day options are policy terms, not minimum trip lengths. Tell the chat your true travel purpose, territory and dates to check an available combination.

Bought by chat in about 2 minutes, from Mexican territory, PDF by email — show it to any officer on your phone.

Search "insurance for a Mexican car in the USA" and half the results say it does not exist. It does; the liability limits you need depend on the state. It is a liability policy written for Mexican-plated vehicles, issued by Chubb and sold by Timi in a chat, from $12 USD for one day entering through Arizona (25/50/15). Measured live on 2 September 2026, entering through Texas with 30/60/25 limits: 7 days $51, 30 days $104, one year $180.

Why the internet says it does not exist

Almost every cross-border insurance site — Mexpro, Baja Bound, Sanborn's and similar — sells the opposite direction: US or Canadian cars driving into Mexico. A Mexican-plated car driving into the US is a different product ("Northbound"), and Timi issues it. Do not assume it is unavailable because those sites do not offer it.

Prices measured live (2 September 2026)

Days	30/60/25 (Texas / New Mexico)	$100,000 CSL	Extended Stay (work, study, residence or long stays)
1	$13 (from $12 via Arizona)	$15	—
7	$51	$58	—
30	$104	$113	—
90	$118	$120	$250 (CSL $255)
180	$150	$155	$438 (CSL $455)
365	$180	$220	$810 (CSL $1,030)

Entry through Texas, border-states territory (CA/AZ/NM/TX). Entering through California the split limit is 30/60/15 ($12.50 for one day, $175 a year); Arizona quotes 25/50/15 ($12 for one day, $165 a year). "All USA" territory adds a few dollars. The chat prices your exact case at timi.mx/rc.

What the policy covers

Third-party liability at or above each state's minimum — bodily injury per person / per accident / property damage — plus a $100,000 Combined Single Limit option selectable before paying. It is liability only: it does not cover damage to or theft of your own vehicle. Check the covered territory, limits and proof of insurance for the states on your route; do not decide whether a policy covers the US only by where it was purchased — see is my Mexican policy valid in the USA?.

Territory and duration

Territory: border states (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) or all of the USA. Canada is added only with the 50/100/50 Extended Stay coverage, sold in 90/180/365-day blocks (details in Spanish).
Duration: available policy terms depend on travel purpose, territory and liability limit. The chat checks the catalog for your actual trip.
Extended Stay: Extended Stay applies to work, study or residence even for a short visit, and to stays beyond the tourist plan's consecutive-stay limit. Its 90-, 180- and 365-day options are policy terms, not minimum trip lengths. An annual tourist policy can cover repeated tourist trips subject to its consecutive-stay conditions; entering and exiting does not change a work, study or residence purpose into tourism.
Trailers: declared as a surcharge on the same policy — trailer guide.

How to buy it

From Mexican territory, open timi.mx/rc, tell the chat your vehicle, entry state and days, and pay by card. Chubb issues the policy and the PDF arrives by email in minutes — it takes effect 30 minutes after purchase, so buy it before the line, not in it. Related: 2026 requirements to cross your car, what to do after an accident in the USA, Texas, California, Arizona, and every Northbound route and question page.

Official sources and insurer information

State sources explain liability requirements; Chubb describes its insurance products. The prices above are dated Timi quote examples, not rates published by these authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Can a car with Mexican plates be insured in the USA?

Yes. Chubb issues a liability policy specifically for Mexican-plated vehicles driving in the US (Canada only with its 90/180/365-day Extended Stay coverage), sold by Timi in a chat. It meets the state minimums — 30/60/25 in Texas, 30/60/15 in California, 25/50/15 in Arizona and 25/50/10 in New Mexico — with a $100,000 CSL upgrade available. Most US insurance sites cover the opposite direction, which is why the search results say it does not exist.

How much does US insurance for a Mexican car cost?

From $12 USD for one day entering through Arizona (25/50/15). Quoted live against Chubb's system on 2 September 2026, entering through Texas with 30/60/25 limits: 1 day $13, 7 days $51, 30 days $104, 90 days $118, 180 days $150 and 365 days $180. With $100,000 CSL: 1 day $15, 30 days $113, one year $220. The exact price depends on the entry state, territory and driver age.

Is my Mexican auto insurance valid in the United States?

Coverage depends on the policy and endorsements. Chubb lists auto policies with liability in Mexico, the US and Canada. Check your contract's territory, limits and proof of coverage before crossing.

What if I stay in the US more than 30 days?

Extended Stay applies to work, study or residence even for a short visit, and to stays beyond the tourist plan's consecutive-stay limit. Its 90-, 180- and 365-day options are policy terms, not minimum trip lengths. An annual tourist policy can cover repeated tourist trips subject to its consecutive-stay conditions; entering and exiting does not change a work, study or residence purpose into tourism.

Does it cover damage to my own car?

The liability policy covers what you cause to third parties — their vehicle, property and injuries — which is what the law requires. It does not cover damage to or theft of your own car. A higher liability limit does not add damage or theft coverage for your own vehicle.

What documents do I need to cross with a Mexican car?

Passport and visa (or BCC) for every occupant, the vehicle registration card (tarjeta de circulación), a valid driver's license, and proof of US liability insurance on paper or on your phone. Beyond the border zone or for stays over 30 days you also need an I-94. Full list in our 2026 requirements guide.