Hi all. We will soon begin a 5-week sit in Mexico where we have access to the homeowner’s car. This is our first time with that option. In terms of insurance, documents, etc., any insights into what we should consider and/or request of the homeowner? This is the homeowner’s first sit. There are good public transportation and ride-share options, so we don’t NEED to use the car if we choose not to.
Hello and bienvenidos a México! I learned how to drive there, and still drive there occasionally when I go to visit, but if you can, by all means avoid it! Unless you’re going to CHAPALA, of course, which is like going to little America with a polluted lake, it’s too harrowing to drive in Mexico safely. And the public transport is cheep, efficient, and funish. Hope that helps!
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If you are not used to driving in Mexico in the area you’re in, you’re going to need Google Maps just to figure out routes. Going from one side of a freeway to the other can require a 6 mile drive that I have no idea how you’d figure it out without Maps.
Is the vehicle Mexican plated? If you’re sitting for expats, they may have a US plated vehicle. Whether or not you can legally drive it depends on their resident status. The insurance situation needs to be looked into.
When driving down a 2 lane road like a highway, if you need to turn left with oncoming traffic, you first pull over to the right shoulder signaling a left turn. You stop on the right shoulder until traffic is clear enough to make the left turn. You NEVER stop in the flow of highway traffic for a left turn.
Again when on a 2 lane highway, slower traffic is expected to drive as far to the right as possible to clear a center passing lane for faster traffic.
Depending on the city, the police run scams where they pull you over and explain that they’ll need to take you into the far away police station to sort out a bogus traffic violation. Or you can pay them the fine to let you go on your way. If you have the nerve, tell them you want to go to the police station to pay. They’ll respond by telling you that your vehicle may or will be impounded. It’s entirely bogus and illegal. You can fight them when it happens or plan for them in advance. I carry a drivers license, insurance card and deactivated credit card in an easily accessible throw down wallet containing a few hundred pesos. A second not easily accessible wallet has the rest of my cash. If I’m in a hurry and don’t want to fight them, I’ll show them the few hundred pesos I have and convey that’s all I’ve got so we need to go the police station. It rankles a bit to pay even a $10 or $20 mordida but I figure I get a good story for that small cost.
Some Mexican gas stations run elaborate scams that are pretty effective if you don’t follow the unwritten rules. Rule #1 is never pay using a credit card. That eliminates quite a few scams. Rule #2 is that the pump attendant must show you a zeroed out pump before starting the fill. Rule #3 is keep a close eye on the gas pump during the fill. Pay even closer attention if ANYONE is trying to distract you.
I have never seen road rage on Mexican roads. When in Rome… never lose your cool.
Good luck. Driving in Mexico is an adventure.
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We’ve lived in and traveled Mexico for 10 years, and have never had a problem getting around by public transportation, ride share or taxi. I personally recommend that you NOT drive. If you do choose to do so, in addition to the insurance the owner has, you would need to purchase third-party liability insurance from a Mexican company. And read up on the pitfalls.
Hi @KimandJim
Lots of excellent, very real-world advice already shared here 
The only things we’d add are about clarity up front, rather than the driving itself:
• Make sure the car has valid Mexican third-party liability insurance, and that it explicitly covers sitters / additional drivers
• Ask who is responsible for any deductible or excess if there’s a claim or minor damage
• Confirm what documents are kept in the car (registration, insurance, emergency contacts)
• Agree expectations around fuel, cleaning, servicing, and any geographic limits on use
And just to say — even if a car is offered, it’s completely fine to decide not to use it if public transport and ride-shares work well for you. Many sits in Mexico run very smoothly without driving at all.
Clear conversations upfront tend to make everyone more comfortable, whichever option you choose.
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Hi @KimandJim If you decide not to use the home owner’s car on a regular basis (which from what others have written may well be the best decision you ever make!) I would suggest that you have some sort of ‘emergency plan’ in place for getting pets to a vet should you need to - one that doesn’t involve you suddenly and unexpectedly having to drive an unfamiliar vehicle in an unfamiliar area, whilst under pressure. Do they have a local friend or neighbour who would be willing to help out if needs be?
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@KimandJim, we’ve had use of approx 20 vehicles of pet parents. Recommend
- obtain copy of host insurance policy that clearly confirms you as covered named driver or has other policy language sufficient to give you comfort of your coverage
- encourage draft simple note with vehicle details and stating host gives you permission to use vehicle during [date range]. if appropriate, include any limitations (local area, etc) have host sign it.
- download local digital maps (Apple Maps, Google Maps or equivalent)
- encourage good eSIM - we use Mobimatter, but there are many
- use ‘via’/‘stops’ feature in map apps … to force map apps to utilize preset main roads rather than let it optimize route to undesirable routes
- more broadly, if you don’t need vehicle and there’s ample transportation then - unless important for pet care - consider vehicle for emergencies only?
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