A few years ago, I went on a vacation to San Diego with my family. While we were there, we thought it would be fun to cross the border into Mexico since it was such a short drive. We just went over with our rental vehicle without even thinking twice about what we were doing. It was only much later when discussing the trip with some friends that I learned how lucky I was not have gotten into a fender bender in Tijuana -- especially since I didn't have Mexican car insurance coverage before crossing over.

Apparently, American rentals are not automatically insured in Mexico, which is why it's a good idea to purchase a temporary Mexican car insurance policy prior to your vacation. This will grant you full coverage regarding accidents and theft, allowing you to enjoy your trip without having to worry about your vehicle. Moreover, carrying Mexican car insurance will help make any dealings with the police a lot easier. This is particularly important since traffic accidents are considered felonies in Mexico and the cops can keep you in custody until all damages are paid in full. I don't know about you, but I'd just as soon stay out of the jails down there!

Finding cheap Mexican car insurance for your next vacation is a pretty simple process. There are a number of U.S.-based insurers that can help get you set up in a matter of minutes. You can find these insurers online and visit their websites to review particular policies and compare prices. Once you settle on a Mexican car insurance policy that you'd like to purchase, all you have to do is fill out a couple of online forms, submit payment, and then print out a copy of the agreement. After that, you just carry your copy of the policy while driving in Mexico so that you can produce it if or when necessary.

One important point to keep in mind prior to purchasing a Mexican car insurance policy online is to make sure the company you're buying it from is authorized to do business south of the border. This is the only way your policy will have any official standing, so this is definitely the first question I would ask of any potential provider. In addition, I also recommend familiarizing yourself with the provider's claims and response procedures so you'll know exactly what to do in the event of an accident.

If you're planning to drive down to Mexico anytime soon, make sure you have a comprehensive Mexican car insurance policy before you go. Not only is it the law, but it can also save you from big financial obligations -- or even jail time. That's not something to mess around with, so go take out a policy right now!