In the past, the liability damages imposed on an at-fault driver who caused a negligent fatality in Mexico were capped at 730 days multiplied by the local Mexico minimum wage: Approximately $ 50,000 total damages in most Mexican states.
Now, that limit has been increased by the Mexican Government to 5,000 days multiplied by the local Mexico minimum wage: Up to approximately $300,000.00 US Dollars total damages, depending on the Mexican state.
We suggest that you now use the same level of care regarding Mexico Liability Limits that you would use when purchasing a US or Canadian auto liability policy. The change to Mexico Liability law means that claims for Death Liability in Mexico will now be similar to the damages that are often imposed by courts in the US and Canada in similar cases.
- Medical expenses incurred for first aid
- Medical treatment and/or burial expenses, if any, for third parties, other than occupants injured by the insured vehicle
- The insured’s Civil Liability for death, total or partial disability or temporary or permanent disability pursuant to applicable laws in force in the Mexican Republic
- Costs and Expenses to be borne by the Insured or the Driver as consequence of a trial entered against him as consequence of his Civil Liability
What About Occupants of My Own Vehicle?
Interestingly enough, occupants in your own vehicle may not sue you for damages in the event of injury or death due to an accident that you are found negligent in. The Mexican government looks at these situations as it was the passengers choice to get into the vehicle with the driver and it is understood that when a passenger gets into a car, there is a chance the driver may have an accident. Each passenger in a car needs to have their own health insurance policy to cover their own health care.