Eligibility for Insurance
Lewis and Lewis Mexican Tourist Auto Insurance policies are underwritten by Quálitas Compañía de Seguros, S.A. de C.V. and are available to any tourist possessing a valid driver’s license. A Mexican national who is a permanent resident outside of Mexico with a U.S. Green Card is also considered a tourist. This insurance does not cover Mexican citizens who reside permanently in Mexico or Mexican nationalized or permanently imported vehicles. For such vehicles, contact Lewis and Lewis for Mexican Registered Vehicle Insurance.
The Insurance Company requires for Tourist Mexican Auto Insurance Coverage:
- The vehicle operator must have a valid driver’s license.
- The vehicle must have a current registration.
- All towed units, campers, watercraft, outboard motors, trailers, special accessories, or vehicles in tow must be listed on the policy, with their current market value stated. Towed units, watercraft, trailers, or vehicles in tow must have current registrations.
- If Mexico requires a Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) for the vehicle or towed units, the TIP must be current.
- Tourists must comply with Mexican entry requirements, including a valid passport or FMM tourist visa depending on their nationality and travel purpose.
Eligible people include:
- Short-term visitors to Mexico with a valid driver’s license.
- Non-Mexican citizens residing or working in Mexico with a valid driver’s license.
- Mexican nationals who are permanent residents outside of Mexico with a U.S. Green Card.
- Dual citizens who do not reside permanently in Mexico.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, please call us at (310) 207-7700 or (800) 966-6830, and we will be happy to review it with you.
Baja & Northern Border States Territory:
- Includes the Mexican states of Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. Policies covering this territory are eligible for a 15% Baja & Border State Discount off the premium for Plan A: Limited Territory.
Plan A: Limited Territory:
- Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Colima, Guanajuato, Querétaro and Michoacán.
Vehicle Damage
- Risk 1 - Collision, Overturning, and Glass Breakage: Quálitas Compañía de Seguros, S.A. de C.V. covers material damage to the insured vehicle caused by collision, overturning, glass breakage, or damage during transportation (stranding, sinking, burning, explosion, collision, overturning, or derailing of the transport vehicle). An obligatory deductible of $500 USD applies per occurrence for private passenger vehicles, utility/cargo trailers, watercraft, outboard motors, and watercraft trailers. For motorhomes, SUVs, pickups, travel trailers, 5th wheels, or cab-over campers, the deductible is $1,000 USD, however the deductible is $500 USD for repairs made in Mexico.
- Risk 2 - Total Theft and Other Perils: Quálitas covers total theft of the insured vehicle, fire, lightning, explosion, strikes, riots, popular uprisings, malicious mischief (resulting from such events), and natural disasters (cyclones, hurricanes, hail, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanches, flooding, land or rock slides, collapse of structures, or falling trees/branches). An obligatory deductible of $500 USD applies per occurrence for private passenger vehicles, utility/cargo trailers, watercraft, outboard motors, and watercraft trailers. For motorhomes, SUVs, pickups, travel trailers, 5th wheels, or cab-over campers, the deductible is $1,000 USD, however the deductible is $500 USD for repairs made in Mexico. Partial theft or vandalism is not covered unless the optional "VIP" Endorsement (Vandalism, Partial Theft, Flash Flood & Emergency Expense) is added.
Total Theft Deductible
Quálitas covers total theft of the insured vehicle and/or towed units with an obligatory deductible of $500 USD per occurrence for private passenger vehicles, utility/cargo trailers, watercraft, outboard motors, and watercraft trailers. For motorhomes, SUVs, pickups, travel trailers, 5th wheels, or cab-over campers, the deductible is $1,000 USD. Partial theft is not covered unless the optional "VIP" Endorsement is added, which includes a $250 USD deductible for partial theft.
Claim Settlements
In case of a total loss, Quálitas adjusts the claim based on the actual cash value at the time of loss, using resources like Kelley Blue Book or NADA Guides to determine the private party market value. For repairs, Quálitas pays the USA or Canadian hourly labor rate if the vehicle is repaired in the USA or Canada, respectively. The insured must obtain two repair estimates from selected repair shops (not by photo) and submit them to Quálitas for a cash settlement. If the vehicle is not drivable, repairs in the USA or Canada may not be feasible. Mexican IVA sales tax is only covered for repairs made in Mexico by Quálitas’ network of repair shops issuing a fiscal invoice meeting Mexican tax authority requirements. All values and losses are stated and paid in U.S. currency.
Third Party Liability
Quálitas provides $500,000 USD Combined Single Limit (CSL) liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties caused by the insured vehicle, subject to Mexican civil liability laws. Coverage excludes occupants of the insured vehicle. An optional "Increased Liability" endorsement can raise the limit to $750,000 or $1,000,000 USD for an additional premium. CSL Combined Single Limit Combined Single Limit (CSL) liability combines bodily injury and property damage coverage into a single amount of protection, with a standard limit of $500,000 USD, or higher if an "Increased Liability" endorsement is purchased.
Legal Service
Quálitas provides up to $100,000 USD for legal services; including Bail Bonds, Attorney fees, and Civil or Criminal Defense resulting from an accident involving the insured vehicle. This service is managed solely by Quálitas representatives to meet Mexican legal requirements.
Medical Payments
Quálitas covers medical expenses for occupants of the insured vehicle injured due to fire, collision, or overturning, with limits of $10,000 USD per person and $50,000 USD per accident. This includes Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage with the same limits. Funeral expenses are covered up to 25% of the per-person limit. Coverage excludes motorcycles, ATVs, or UTVs. An optional "Uninsured Motorist Plus" endorsement increases limits to $20,000 USD per person and $100,000 USD per accident.
Roadside Service and Towing
GRUPO AUSA provides roadside assistance for vehicle breakdowns, accidents, or total theft, including:
- Towing up to $500 USD per trip.
- Gasoline to reach the nearest station (first 10 liters free).
- Jumpstart and battery recharge.
- Flat tire repair or delivery for repair.
- Locksmith services (payment for repair and travel costs).
- Ground transportation for the client and up to four companions to the repair location or their permanent residence.
- Economy class rental car for up to 7 days.
- Hotel accommodation in case of Vehicle Breakdown, Accident or Total Theft: up to $350 USD limit for a maximum three nights per event.
- Hotel accommodations up to $60 USD per day for a maximum of 5 days for extended stays due to medical reasons.
Contact GRUPO AUSA at (800) 262-6911 (from a Mexican landline or cell phone) or 011 52 (55) 5061-6255 (from a cell phone with international service).
Emergency International Air Ambulance to USA and Canada
GRUPO AUSA provides international air medical transportation in an air ambulance for life-threatening illnesses or accidents when the company’s medical team and attending doctor determine treatment is not possible in a Mexican hospital. This service is limited to hospitals in San Diego, CA (USA), Houston, TX (USA), or Vancouver, BC (Canada) at no cost to the client (first named-insured / issuer). If the client chooses another destination, they will bear all expenses.
Emergency Transport
GRUPO AUSA provides:
- Land medical transportation in an ambulance to the nearest suitable hospital, chosen by the company.
- Air medical transportation in an air ambulance when deemed necessary by the company’s medical team and attending doctor, to a hospital chosen by the company.
Medical Assistance
GRUPO AUSA offers:
- Medical References: Information on doctors, hospitals, clinics, drugstores, and test laboratories (names, specialties, contact details, and recommendations), available 24/7 in Mexico.
- Medical Coordination: Arranging doctor visits at a hotel, doctor’s office, or hospital. The client is responsible for medical service costs.
- Drug Delivery: Delivery of prescribed medication to the client’s location, with drug costs paid by the client.
-
Incidental Expenses Due to Convalescence: For hospitalizations of 5+
consecutive days, GRUPO AUSA covers:
- Round-trip travel for a relative to accompany the client (if traveling alone or with minors), plus accommodations up to $60 USD per day for 5 days.
- Travel for up to 4 companions to continue their trip or return home if original transport is unavailable.
- Extended hotel stay (up to $60 USD per day for 10 days) if the client cannot travel post-hospitalization.
- Return transportation to the client’s permanent residence if they cannot use the original transport.
Tourist Services
GRUPO AUSA provides:
- AUSA Client Services Call Center: Information on tollbooths, gas stations, highways, routes, vehicle impounds, and police stations in Mexico.
- Embassies and Consulates: Assistance contacting the client’s embassy or consulate.
- AUSA Tourist Call Center: Information on visas, temporary vehicle import permits, exchange rates, weather, local customs, holidays, sports facilities, attractions, shopping, shows, museums, festivals, nightlife, and travel tips.
- Tickets for Local Shows: Arrangements for ticket purchases (client pays for tickets) and vacation planning in Mexico.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Information on travel alerts and consular services.
- Document Loss: Guidance on reporting and replacing lost essential documents (e.g., passport, visa).
- Luggage Loss: Assistance reporting and retrieving lost or stolen luggage.
- Transfer of Funds: Up to $2,000 USD for emergencies, after a matching deposit is received.
- Travel Agencies: Coordination of flight or hotel reservations (client pays costs).
- Urgent Communication Services: Emergency communication with family, doctors, or business contacts, with costs covered by GRUPO AUSA.
Rental Car & Airplane Tickets
For vehicle breakdowns, accidents, or total theft, GRUPO AUSA provides an economy class rental car for up to 7 days or Airplane Tickets for vehicle breakdowns, accidents, or total theft, GRUPO AUSA provides transportation for the client and up to four companions to their next destination or permanent residence, up to $150 USD per person and $750 USD per event.
Optional Mexican Auto Insurance Coverage
-
$750,000 CSL Liability Limit: Increases liability to $750,000 USD.
- One Month: $37
- Three Months: $41
- Six Months: $46
- Annual: $54
-
$1,000,000 CSL Liability Limit: Increases liability to $1,000,000 USD.
- One Month: $87
- Three Months: $97
- Six Months: $107
- Annual: $120
-
Uninsured Motorist Plus: Increases medical payments to $20,000 USD per
person, $100,000 USD per accident; waives collision deductible for
uninsured/underinsured motorist damage; adds $3,500 USD property damage
for liability-only policies.
- One Month: $20
- Three Months: $22
- Six Months: $24
- Annual: $28
-
VIP Vandalism & Partial Theft: Covers vandalism ($250 deductible), partial theft
($250 deductible), flash flood ($500 deductible), emergency expenses (up to
$500, limited to 2x premium), and reduces glass breakage deductible to $100.
Not available for liability-only or driver’s license policies.
- 10% surcharge on premium.
-
Watercraft Liability: Adds $300,000 USD CSL liability for watercraft (up to 28’ in
length) while afloat or being launched.
- One Month: $97
- Three Months: $107
- Six Months: $120
- Annual: $138
-
Business Use: Allows the insured vehicle to be used for business (excludes
livery services).
- 20% surcharge on premium.