Snowbird Car Insurance for Mexico, 2026-27 Season: 6-Month vs Annual, RVs, US and Canadian Plates

The short version

The 2026-27 snowbird season runs October to April, and the policy that fits it is Chubb Tourist Auto for 6 months: $179.30 USD liability-only or $396.55 with damage and theft (2022 sedan at $20,000 USD, all of Mexico, measured 2026-09-18).

A full year costs $197.00 liability-only or $438.38 full coverage: only about $18 more than 6 months with liability-only ($42 with full coverage), so if you also fly home for the holidays and drive back, or come again in spring, annual is the better buy.

RVs and motorhomes: liability is the same as for a car ($179.30 for 6 months); full coverage on a $60,000 USD motorhome is $723.57 for 6 months or $801.75 a year. Class B camper vans buy online; Class A/C are issued with an advisor, same prices.

Canadian plates are accepted exactly like US plates. The vehicle needs a TIP from Banjercito only outside the free zones (Baja California, Baja California Sur and the Sonora corridor to Guaymas); each traveler needs an FMM for up to 180 days.

Buy before you cross, with the exact start date; the policy PDF lives on your phone and Chubb answers claims in English 24/7. A quote or receipt is not a policy.

Short answer with the number: a snowbird wintering in Mexico for the 2026-27 season buys a 6-month Chubb Tourist Auto policy, $179.30 USD liability-only or $396.55 with damage and theft (2022 sedan declared at $20,000 USD, all of Mexico, fees included, measured live on 2026-09-18). A full year costs $197.00 or $438.38. Canadian and US plates pay the same, RVs are insured, and it all buys online before you cross.

The season

Most snowbirds cross between mid-October and mid-November and drive back in March or April: that is 150 to 180 days, which is exactly what the 6-month policy covers. If you fly home for Christmas and drive back in January, or you plan a second trip in spring, the annual policy covers every entry in the year for about $18 more with liability-only, $42 with full coverage.

6 months or a year: the real numbers

Duration	Liability only (car)	Full coverage (car ≈ $20,000 USD)	RV liability only	RV full coverage (≈ $60,000 USD)
30 days	$143.60	$336.71	$143.60	$627.39
90 days	$156.45	$361.63	$156.45	$670.48
6 months	$179.30	$396.55	$179.30	$723.57
1 year	$197.00	$438.38	$197.00	$801.75

All prices in USD, Chubb Tourist Auto, territory "all of Mexico", policy fee included, no Mexican tax on this product, measured 2026-09-18. Liability is $100,000 USD plus $2,000 USD medical per occupant. If your whole winter is in Baja or the Sonora coast, the "Baja & Sonora" territory is cheaper; the chat shows both.

RVs, fifth-wheels and camper vans

Liability for a motorhome costs the same as for a car: $179.30 for the 6-month season. What changes is full coverage, because it follows the value: on a $60,000 USD motorhome it is $723.57 for 6 months or $801.75 a year (maximum declared value $200,000 USD). Class B camper vans (Sprinter, Transit, Promaster conversions) buy online in the chat; Class A and Class C motorhomes are issued with a Timi advisor, at the same Chubb prices, after you leave your email in the chat. A travel trailer or fifth-wheel is declared on the towing vehicle's policy; see camper vans and RV insurance.

The four snowbird routes

Nogales → San Carlos / Kino Bay (Arizona and the Rockies): inside the Sonora free zone, no TIP; read San Carlos.
Yuma / Calexico → San Felipe / Baja: the whole peninsula is a free zone; read San Felipe snowbirds and Baja.
Progreso / Laredo → the interior (Winter Texans to Mazatlán, Chapala, San Miguel): TIP required at the border; read Winter Texans.
Canada → Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta (Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan): same policy, same price; read Canadian plates and Canadian snowbirds.

Before you cross: the checklist

Passport for everyone in the vehicle; FMM tourist permit (online or at the border, up to 180 days); TIP from Banjercito if your base is outside the free zones (the deposit is refunded when you leave); title or registration in your name; the Mexican policy with the exact start date, saved offline; and Chubb's claims number in your phone. Buy the policy from home: a receipt or a quote is not a policy, and a policy cannot be bought after an accident. Full checklist: snowbird drive checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How much does 6-month Mexican car insurance cost for a snowbird?

$179.30 USD liability-only ($100,000 liability + $2,000 medical) or $396.55 with damage and theft, for a 2022 sedan declared at $20,000 USD, all of Mexico, fees included, measured in Chubb's system on 2026-09-18. Your price depends on the vehicle value, the territory and the dates.

Is annual cheaper than 6 months for snowbirds?

Annual costs $197.00 liability-only or $438.38 full coverage against $179.30 / $396.55 for 6 months. If your stay runs past 180 days, or you leave and come back within the year, annual wins; a single October-to-March stay fits the 6-month policy.

Can I insure my motorhome or RV for the winter?

Yes. Liability for an RV costs the same as for a car ($179.30 USD for 6 months); full coverage on a $60,000 USD motorhome is $723.57 for 6 months or $801.75 a year. Class B camper vans (Sprinter, Transit, Promaster) buy online in the chat; Class A and C motorhomes are issued with a Timi advisor at the same prices.

Do Canadian plates pay more?

No. Chubb Tourist Auto accepts US and Canadian registrations at the same price; the quote asks for the province instead of the state.

Do I need a TIP for a snowbird stay?

Only if your winter base is outside the free zones. Baja California, Baja California Sur and the Sonora corridor (Nogales to Guaymas and San Carlos) need no temporary import permit; Mazatlán, Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende and the rest of the mainland do. The FMM tourist permit (up to 180 days) is separate from the car.

What does full coverage add over liability-only?

Damage to your own vehicle (collision, rollover, fire, natural events) and total theft, on the value you declare, with a percentage deductible: typically 5% for damage and 10% for theft. Liability and medical carry no deductible.

Can I buy it online before I leave home?

Yes, and you should: the policy starts on the date you choose, so buy it from home with the exact crossing date. The chat at timi.mx/tourist quotes in about a minute; pay by card and the Chubb PDF arrives by email.