There’s a reason why boaters enjoy vacationing in Mexico: it’s beautiful and fun — unless you run into trouble. When you’re on vacation the last thing you want to deal with is damage to your vehicle, costly fines, or jail time in a foreign country. This is why boat insurance when traveling to Mexico is essential to ensuring your property, and you are protected.
RVInsurances.com wants to make sure if you are planning a trip to Mexico that you are covered in any event where your craft is involved and the best possible plan is in place before your trip.
Read on for exactly what you need to know in regard to boat insurance when traveling to Mexico.
Boat Insurance 101
Boat insurance offers specialized coverage for maritime travel on many types of watercraft. Kayaks, dinghies, yachts, pontoon boats to classic boats, jet skis and Sea-Doos, and Hull Coverage are all protected by boat insurance.
A reputable boat insurance company will offer coverage for boat towing, negligence of other boaters, wreck removal, vandalism, pollution liability coverage, weather events, and more.
You may be asking, “Can’t my car insurance cover all this?” And the answer is no, especially in Mexico.
Understanding Mexico Insurance
If you are involved in a boating accident and you don’t have insurance, that could mean jail time in Mexico.
Mexico insurance is essential as local laws require proof of financial responsibility. This is done by simply showing your insurance policy to authorities. Acceptable policies come in the form of third-party liability insurance administered by an insurer based in Mexico. Without proof of coverage, your boat and any other vehicles involved can be impounded, and you can be imprisoned until you can prove you weren’t at fault.
Additionally, most marinas in Mexico require proof of liability insurance before you can enter their waterways.
What Info Do I Need To Provide To Get Boat Insurance When Traveling To Mexico?
Here is a list of the information you will need to provide to the insurer:
- Start and end date of trip as well as trip locations
- Make, model, and year of the boat
- The name of the vessel and its characteristics: length, beam, depth, Gross Tonnage Units (UAB), and Net Tonnage Units
- The administrative body to whom the vehicle is addressed
- Value of the boat
- Anything you will be towing
- Names of drivers under the age of 21
- Drivers license
- Valid Passport
Make sure you have all your travel documents, including the necessary insurance, with you when you depart. You could be required to show proof of insurance at any time.
Here are some other things to consider when planning a trip to Mexico with your watercraft.
Other Mexico Travel Tips
Be sure to check for travel advisories and the weather before you depart. Suppose you plan to drive your car into Mexico 12 miles beyond the US border. In that case, you will need a temporary vehicle import permit from Mexican customs, or through a Mexican consulate in the United States, before you go. Failure to apply for a temporary vehicle import permit could lead to impoundment and an expensive fine.
Will you be traveling to Mexico via an RV? Make sure you budget for RV maintenance and read our previous blog on that very topic for more information.
If you plan to travel by boat to Mexico, you will need to apply for a permit to do so before your trip. You can find instructions on how to apply and a list of marinas here.
Most importantly, speak with a reputable insurance company for advice on the best types of coverage for your watercraft needs.
Get A Free Quote
Get a quote and speak to an expert on boat insurance when traveling to Mexico from the pros at RVInsurances.com. We are enthusiastic about traveling to Mexico and we want to help make your vacation as stress-free and fun as possible.