It is summer time and people are beginning to hit the road for day trips and vacations. It is time for fun in the sun and if there is water involved it makes it all even better. Some are choosing to fly and others of course are driving. Time away is perfect to rejuvenate and relax, don’t let an accident take all that away because you don’t have the proper insurance.

While traveling for fun in the sun, it is important that your vehicle as well as you and your family are completely protected, particularly if you plan to travel across the border. According to one source, regular automobile insurance purchased through United States agencies is not valid in Mexico. Some U. S. companies extend their coverage a certain number of miles from the border, but if you have an accident, only a Mexican automobile liability policy is accepted by the Mexican authorities as evidence of financial responsibility.

Having to deal with authorities in any foreign country can be especially stressful, especially if the authorities detain you. It is important that American’s know that under Mexican law an automobile accident is a criminal offense and authorities there operate on the Napoleonic code, this code presumes guilt until innocence is proven. Because of this code, everyone involved in a motor vehicle accident in Mexico is detained for determining responsibility. The only way to significantly reduce the red tape is to have a Mexican insurance policy. If this policy is presented at an accident site, it may not prevent you from being detained, but it is the only policy recognized by the authorities as a guarantee of proper payment for damages.

Mexican insurance policies are not hard to find and they aren’t terribly expensive either. In fact for a four day weekend at the beaches in Mexico using a fairly new SUV that is valued just around $25,000 not towing anything; the insurance policy would cost under $100.00. That is pretty reasonable peace of mind. Sure you can tempt fate, and think that an accident won’t happen to you, but that is why they are called accidents. No one plans an accident, but no one wants to spend time detained by foreign authorities either.

So, from all your friends at Good Works Auto Repair, have a fun and safe summer!