We have been selling Mexican auto insurance for US and Canadian cars traveling to Mexico - since 2001.  We currently insure about 25,000 - 30,000 vehicles per year that drive to Mexico.

We have not heard of any incidents where any of our customers were murdered or subjected to any acts of violence against them while they were traveling in Mexico.

We do have our share of auto theft insurance claims throughout the year (not anymore statistically than auto thefts in the US)  - but almost every incidence of auto theft occurs when the owner is not with the vehicle.  We do not hear of armed robberies or any type of violent thefts.

We are not saying that tourists have NEVER had violent encounters in Mexico - but we have insured over 200,000 vehicles in the last 8-9 years, and we have not heard of any of our customers being victims of violence while traveling in Mexico. So statistically, Mexico is a pretty darn safe place for tourists.

If you decide to drive on the Mexican highways at night, or heaven forbid, actually decide to pull over and sleep on the side of the road (don't do this) - then you are much more likely to have a run in with some unsavory characters.  If you research the tourist carjacking and robbery stories that have been repeated over and over in the news and internet, you will find that the vast majority of these incidents took place at night.  So folks - do not drive on the Mexican highways at night, and always park overnight in secure parking areas. 

So if you are on the fence about going to Mexico, try balancing some of the negative stories we've heard in the news against these numbers which are reality.  200,000 customers in 9 years, and not one of them has reported any acts of violence against them while traveling in Mexico.  If you are still concerned about the safety of Mexico - try this exercise.  Pick up your local newspaper and read the police reports local crime section - you may come to the conclusion that it is unsafe to leave your own house!

One final note - the majority of the violence that has occured in Mexico in recent years is due to drug gang violence.  The violence is gang on gang violence, and it occurs in unsavory areas where tourists do not commonly go.  If you were taking a vacation to the Los Angeles (California) area, you may want to stay in Malibu or Santa Monica, or another relaxing beach area - you would not spend your days and nights driving around South Central LA in known gang areas.  Even though gang violence is known to occur in South Central LA - this does not mean Malibu and Santa Monica are violent areas - far from it.  The same goes for Mexico.  The resort and beach areas of Mexico - the tourists areas - are not areas where drug gang violence occurs.

We wish you safe and happy travels.