Insurance for a Mexican-plated car driving in the USA

The short version

Yes, it exists, and it is what US states legally require: a liability policy for Mexican-plated vehicles, issued by Chubb through Timi, from $12 USD for one day. 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 depending on the state), 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.

Your Mexican policy's liability is not valid in the US: every state requires liability written by a US-admitted insurer. Mexican insurers' "USA extensions" typically cover only damage or theft of your own car.

Any exact number of days from 1 to 30; 90/180/365-day plans for longer stays; the Extended Stay tier is mandatory if you stay more than 30 consecutive days ($250 / $438 / $810).

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 — and US states legally require it. 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. 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 (30+ consecutive days)
1	$13 (from $12 by state)	$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. "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 (ask in the chat if you want that added). It is accepted by police and courts in every US state because it is written by a US-admitted insurer, which is exactly what your Mexican policy is not — see is my Mexican policy valid in the USA?.

Territory and duration

Territory: border states (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), all of the USA, or USA + Canada (Canada is sold in 90/180/365-day blocks with 50/100/50 limits — details in Spanish).
Duration: any exact number of days from 1 to 30, or 90/180/365-day plans.
Extended Stay: mandatory if you will spend more than 30 consecutive days without leaving the US. Entering and exiting repeatedly keeps you on the regular tier — the $180 annual covers unlimited entries.
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.

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 (and optionally Canada), sold by Timi in a chat. It meets the state minimums — 30/60/25 in Texas and New Mexico, 30/60/15 in California, 25/50/15 in Arizona — 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. 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?

Its liability section is not. US states require liability written by an insurer admitted in the US, and a Mexican policy's territory is normally "República Mexicana". Some Mexican insurers sell a "USA extension" endorsement, but it typically covers physical damage or theft of your own vehicle, not the third-party liability the state requires.

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

Then you need the Extended Stay tier, which Chubb sells only in 90-, 180- and 365-day blocks: $250, $438 and $810 USD measured on 2 September 2026 (Texas, 30/60/25). If you enter and exit repeatedly and never spend more than 30 consecutive days inside, the regular tier applies — including the $180 annual with unlimited entries.

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. Ask in the same chat if you want to add coverage for your own vehicle during the trip.

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.