You pick the exact start date and hour when you buy. Coverage can begin within minutes of checkout, and your PDF lands in your email in about 2 minutes — even from the car, in line.
🕗 How your start time actually works
At checkout you set the date and hour you want coverage to begin. That's the moment your policy activates — no waiting for an underwriter, no next-business-day delays.
If you're already sitting in the crossing line, you can set the start time to right now and be covered before you reach the booth.
Buying from your phone while parked or in line works fine — you just need a few minutes of signal to get the confirmation email.
Already crossed? Here's what actually happens
Coverage starts when the policy starts, not retroactively. If you're already past the border and buy now, you're protected from that moment forward — not for the drive you already made.
There's no way to backdate a policy to cover a trip that already happened. If you're heading south tonight, buy before you reach the booth, not after.
Counting days for your return
Your days run in full blocks from the hour you start — a "3 day" policy covers 72 hours from that moment, not three calendar dates.
If your return time is close to the edge of your coverage window, it's cheaper to add one extra day than to risk driving back uninsured because traffic at the crossing ran long.
🚗 Weekend in Rocky Point
Leaving Friday night, back Sunday afternoon? A 3-day policy usually covers it — check the exact hours before you commit.
🍇 Wine country run
Short trips to Valle de Guadalupe often fit inside a 1 or 3 day window if you're precise about your return hour.
🏖️ Longer Baja trip
Exploring more of Baja? Compare the 7-day total against buying day-by-day — it's almost always cheaper.
Real numbers for a typical crossing
These reference totals are for a 2022 sedan, $20,000 USD declared value, all-Mexico coverage. Your exact quote depends on your vehicle, coverage and dates.
| Duration | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $23.25 | $31.62 |
| 3 days | $33.75 | $58.86 |
| 7 days | $54.75 | $113.35 |
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.
What to have ready before you buy
Having your details ready shaves the whole process down to a couple of minutes — useful when you're already moving through the line.
- License plate number
- VIN (from your registration or the door jamb sticker)
- Driver's full name as it appears on your license
- Declared value of the vehicle
Your US or Canadian policy won't cover you here
Standard US and Canadian auto policies aren't valid liability coverage inside Mexico. Some carriers offer a Mexico extension for damage to your own vehicle, but that's not the same as Mexican liability protection if you injure someone or damage their property.
Mexico requires proof of local liability coverage at the scene of any incident — a US declarations page won't satisfy that.
Buying from the car, step by step
- Open the Tourist Auto quoter and enter your plate, VIN and declared value.
- Choose liability only or full coverage based on the trip.
- Set your exact start date and hour — right now if you're already rolling toward the booth.
- Check the total against your return time, and round up a day if it's close.
- Confirm and watch for the PDF — it usually lands within about 2 minutes.
Timi issues these policies online through chat in minutes, backed by Chubb, so the whole thing can happen without leaving your lane in line.
Once you're covered, the paperwork part is done — the rest of the trip is just driving. For other border towns and longer routes, the guides section has more specifics by destination.