Mexican Auto Insurance Rocky Point - Cross Border Coverage (2024)

Planning a trip to Rocky Point? Don’t forget your Mexican car insurance before crossing the border. It’s a legal requirement and can save you a ton of hassle and expense in a worst case scenario. Here are a few things to consider when preparing for your trip down south.

How Long is Your Mexican Vacation?

Time and frequency are the most important considerations when planning a trip to Mexico. While you always need auto insurance for Mexican vacations that require driving, the policy length can be adjusted to meet your needs.

In Rocky Point, many visitors are visiting for a weekend or week of vacation. It’s a short drive and your annual or one-off trip only needs a short term Mexican auto insurance policy.

Daily Options – Finding affordable rates for daily policies is super easy. We have plenty of weekenders who buy 2-4 days at a time and save on the costs of a 6-month or annual plan. If you are certain it’s the only trip that will take place within 6-12 months, definitely go for a temporary plan. Keep in mind that prices automatically jump to 6-month rates when the number of days outpaces those rates.

6-month policies – Seasonal travelers really like the 6-month plans to cover the winter months. These folks often know for certain that they will not return after a certain date and that makes the policy a safe purchase.

Annual Policy Advantages – When you compare rates between 6-month and annual terms, the difference is typically small. Locals living along the border and especially those in Arizona who have Rocky Point as an easy option, should consider paying a few bucks extra for the annual plan. If you add one random trip after the 6-month mark, the savings will kick in because you won’t need a new policy.

Do You Actually Need Mexican Car Insurance in Rocky Point?

Absolutely. Unless of course, you won’t be driving on your trip to Mexico. It’s worth stating that 3rd party liability insurance is legally mandatory in Mexico. It’s also unlikely that your US or Canada policy travels far beyond the border.

At a minimum, go for 300,000 or 500,000 in 3rd party liability coverage to remain legal. If your vehicle is valuable, adding full coverage to account for theft, vandalism and accident damage is a good idea. Opting for the extended version of full coverage typically includes US labor rates, making it possible to have repairs done when you return home.

It’s not just cars either. Motorcycles, RV’s, camper vans and even boats should have adequate coverage. ATV’s driven on public roadways will also need a separate policy (although not when being towed).

At the end of the day, going without coverage puts you at risk. Without liability, you won’t have legal assistance in the case of a major or fatal accident. Without the legal aid, you might end up in jail without adequate representation or help to get out and back across the border.

Is it safe to go to Puerto Penasco?

Being so close to the Lukeville border crossing and having an easy drive makes Puerto Penasco (same as Rocky Point) a safe destination. As with any place at home or abroad, you need to exercise caution. Puerto Penasco is a resort area with nightclubs, biker rallies and big parties on holiday weekends.

Here are a few ways to make your trips safer:

• Only drive during the day
• Get to your destination and stay relatively local
• Go with trusted guides on excursions
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash
• Plan routes and ask locals if they are safe

Ultimately, most resorts, hotels and rentals have secure parking and security for safety. You can drive to Rocky Point in under 2-hours with the border crossing on an easy, paved road. After arriving, having fun and staying safe is easy with some common sense and general caution.

How to Plan a Rocky Point Vacation

While it’s a pretty easy journey from the border to your destination, some basic planning is necessary. Besides your Mexican auto insurance for Rocky Point, you will need to plan for:

• Border crossing times – Lukeville is open from 6 am to 8 pm and you can reach Rocky Point within a few hours. Ideally, you will cross in the morning or mid-day to avoid driving at night.
• Border paperwork – Bring a passport and your vehicle documents. You don’t need a TIP for this destination luckily. You still need to stop and get an FMM visa at the border however.
• Gas and fuel stops – You can grab gas before crossing on the US side or afterwards. It’s worth checking the prices on both sides to find the best deal. That said, it’s nice to fill up before crossing so you don’t have to stop.
• Other Supplies – We recommend always driving with plenty of water and an emergency medical kit. It’s a desert area and while help is generally not far away, being prepared never hurts. I carry a tire plug kit jack and air compressor while driving through Mexico as well.

Make sure to have a route mapped so you can reach your resort or lodging option without any fuss. After getting checked-in and unpacked, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the scene at Rocky Point.