Mexican Auto Insurance for Puerto Vallarta

Mexican Car Insurance for Puerto Vallarta: What Do I Actually Need?

Full coverage for Puerto Vallarta runs from about $31.62 USD per day or $438.38 USD per year, and liability-only starts at $23.25 USD per day or $197.00 USD per year, both issued by Chubb. If you are driving a US or Canadian-plated vehicle into Jalisco, your home auto policy does not count as legal liability coverage in Mexico, so you need a Mexican policy before you cross the border.

Is my US or Canadian car insurance valid in Puerto Vallarta?

No. Mexican law only recognizes liability coverage issued by a Mexican insurer, so a US or Canadian policy does not satisfy that requirement anywhere in Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta, the Malecon area, or the highway in from Guadalajara or Tepic. You need a separate Mexican policy for the days you are driving in Mexico, and you can get one from your phone in about two minutes, with the policy PDF landing in your email right after.

Do I need a temporary import permit to drive to Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta is mainland Mexico, well outside the Baja and Sonora free-zone strip, so the temporary import permit (TIP) is required if you are bringing your own foreign-plated vehicle in. That permit is separate from your insurance policy, so plan for both before you leave the border.

What should I have ready before crossing into Jalisco?

Have your vehicle registration, driver's license, and TIP paperwork on hand, plus your Mexican insurance confirmed for your exact travel dates. Most drivers heading to Puerto Vallarta underestimate the drive time from the border and end up needing coverage for more days than they first planned, so double check your return date before buying.

Should I buy insurance by the day or the year for a Puerto Vallarta trip?

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.

Does the same policy work if I extend the trip past Puerto Vallarta?

Coverage is available from one day up to a full year, so if your plans stretch further along the Pacific coast the same chat can quote a longer term. For the specifics of your exact vehicle and dates, that gets confirmed directly in the chat rather than guessed at here. You can also read more about how Chubb's policy works on this page or browse general trip planning on our guides.

Frequently asked questions

Does this policy also cover me if I drive up to Sayulita or Punta Mita from Puerto Vallarta?

Yes, the policy is valid across Jalisco and the rest of Mexico, not just within Puerto Vallarta itself, so side trips up the coast are covered for the dates on your policy. Confirm your exact route and dates in the chat so the term matches your plans.

I'm driving a rental car with US plates to Puerto Vallarta, does this apply to me?

This product is built for vehicles registered outside Mexico that you are personally bringing across the border, such as your own car or an RV. If you are instead renting a car once you land in Mexico, that situation is different and should be confirmed directly in the chat.

What happens if I get into an accident on the highway into Puerto Vallarta?

Your policy is backed by Chubb, which handles claims in Mexico 24/7. The exact steps and what documentation you will need depend on your specific policy and coverage level, so that is confirmed for your vehicle and dates when you quote in the chat.

Can I buy insurance for just a two-week Puerto Vallarta vacation?

Yes, coverage can be purchased for any length from one day up to a full year, so a two-week trip is easy to match exactly. Just make sure the end date covers your full drive back to the border, not just your time in Puerto Vallarta.

Keep reading: Cabo · Mazatlán · Sayulita · Las Palmas Mexican Insurance · La Paz · Loreto · All Mexico destinations & questions · All Timi guides